Letter 11.14

I am wonderfully glad, my dear Brutus, that you approve my plans and proposals about the board of ten and about honoring the young man. But what difference does it make? Believe me, and I am not boasting: I am already growing cold. The Senate was my instrument, Brutus, and that instrument has now fallen apart. Your brilliant breakout from Mutina, and Antony's flight after his army had been cut to pieces, brought such hope of certain victory that everyone's spirit relaxed, and those intense struggles of mine now look like shadow-fighting. But to return to business. People who know the Martian legion and the Fourth say they cannot be brought over to you on any terms. As for the money you need, arrangements can be made, and they will be made. I strongly agree with you about summoning Marcus Brutus and keeping Caesar as a guard for Italy. But, as you write, you have detractors. I can answer them very easily myself, but they still get in the way. The legions from Africa are expected. Yet people are amazed that the war in your region has come back to life. Nothing was ever less expected. When victory was announced on your birthday, we thought we saw the republic freed for many generations. Now these new fears unravel what came before. In the letter you wrote me on May 15, you said you had just received a letter from Plancus saying that Antony was not being received by Lepidus. If that is true, everything is easier. If it is otherwise, there is a serious business ahead. It is your part to make sure I do not fear the outcome. I cannot do more than I have done, but I long, as I hope, to see you become the greatest and most brilliant man of all.

DCCCLXXXII (Fam. XI, 14) TO DECIMUS BRUTUS (AT EPOREDIA) ROME (MAY, LATE) I am wonderfully pleased, my dear Brutus , that you approve of my policy and sentiments about the decemvirs, and about complimenting the young man. But what does it matter? Believe me — a man not given to brag — I am now, Brutus , quite in the cold shade. For my weapon was the senate: that has now gone to pieces. Your splendid breaking out from Mutina , and the flight of Antony after his army had been cut to pieces, had given us such a bright hope of certain victory, that the spirits of all have begun to flag, and those old fiery contests of mine seem to be, as it were, a mere fighting with shadows. But to return to business. People who know them say that the Martia and the fourth legion cannot by any persuasion whatever be brought over to you. As to the money you want, some means can be taken for that, and shall be taken. About summoning Marcus Brutus and keeping Caesar to protect Italy , I agree with you. But, as you say, you have some detractors. I have no difficulty in rebutting them, yet they do hamper one. We are expecting the legions from Africa. But people are surprised at the war in your parts being renewed. Nothing was ever more unexpected. For when the victory was announced on your birthday, we saw the Republic freed for many generations. These new alarms undo all that has gone before. Now you said in your letter to me of the 15th of May that you had lately heard from Plancus that Antony was not being received by Lepidus . If that is so, everything will be easier. If otherwise, there is a serious business on hand, the result of which I do not dread. It is your part of the play. I cannot do more than I have done. You, however, I desire — as I also hope — to see become the greatest and most illustrious man in the world.

XIV. Scr. Romae circa X. Kal. Iun. a.u.c. 711. M. CICERO D. BRUTO COS. DESIG. S. D. Mirabiliter, mi Brute, laetor, mea consilia measque sententias a te probari de decemviris, de ornando adolescente; sed quid refert? mihi crede, homini non glorioso: plane iam, Brute, frigeo; –rganon enim erat meum senatus; id iam est dissolutum. Tantam spem attulerat exploratae victoriae tua praeclara Mutina eruptio, fuga Antonii conciso exercitu, ut omnium animi relaxati sint meaeque illae vehementes contentiones tamquam sxiamax¤ai esse videantur. Sed, ut ad rem redeam, legionem Martiam et quartam negant, qui illas norunt, ulla condicione ad te posse perduci; pecuniae, quam desideras, ratio potest haberi eaque habebitur. De Bruto arcessendo Caesareque ad Italiae praesidium tenendo valde tibi assentior; sed, ut scribis, habes obtrectatores, quos equidem facillime sustineo, sed impediunt tamen. Ex Africa legiones exspectantur; sed bellum istuc renatum mirantur homines: nihil tam praeter spem umquam; nam die tuo natali victoria nuntiata in multa saecula videbamus rem publicam liberatam, nunc novi timores retexunt superiora. Scripsisti autem ad me iis, quas Idibus Maiis dedisti, modo te accepisse a Planco litteras non recipi Antonium a Lepido. Id si ita est, omnia faciliora; sin aliter, magnum negotium, cuius exitum ne extimescam, tuae partes sunt: ego plus, quam feci, facere non possum; te tamen, id quod spero, omnium maximum et clarissimum videre cupio.