Letter 14.14

If you are well, we are well. It is now for you to decide, not only for me, what you ought to do. If Caesar is going to come to Rome peaceably, you can stay at home safely for the present. But if that madman is going to give the city over to plunder, I fear even Dolabella himself may not be able to help us enough. I also fear that we may be cut off, so that when you want to leave, you will not be allowed. One question remains, which you yourselves will consider best: are women like you staying at Rome? If not, you must consider whether you can honorably remain there. As things now stand, provided only that I am allowed to hold these places, you will be able to stay very comfortably either with me or on our estates. Another thing to fear is that before long there may be famine in the city. Please consider these matters with Pomponius, with Camillus, and with anyone else you think suitable. Above all, be brave. Labienus has improved the situation; Piso also helps by leaving the city and condemning his son-in-law's crime. My dearest souls, write to me as often as possible, both what you are doing and what is happening there. Quintus, his son, and Rufus send greetings. Farewell.

CCCVII (Fam. XIV, 14) TO TERENTIA AND TULLIA (AT ROME) MINTURNAE, 23 JANUARY: TULLIUS to Terentia , her father to Tullia , his two sweethearts, and Cicero to his excellent mother and darling sister, send warm greetings. If you are well, we are so too. It is now for you to consider, and not for me only, what you must do. If Caesar means to come to Rome in a peaceable manlier, you can stay at home with safety for the present: but if in his madness he is going to give up the city to plunder, I fear Dolabella himself may not be able to protect us sufficiently. Besides, I am alarmed lest we should be cut off from you, so that when you do wish to leave town you may be prevented. There is one other thing, which you are in the best position to observe yourselves-are other ladies of your rank remaining in Rome ? If not, it deserves consideration whether you can do so with propriety. As things stand at present indeed, always provided that I am allowed to hold this district, you will be able to stay with me or on one of our estates with the greatest comfort. There is another thing I am afraid of-a want of provisions in the city before long. On these points pray consult with Pomponius , with Camillus , with anybody you think right: above all don't be frightened. Labienus has made things better for us. Piso , too, is helpful in quitting the city and declaring his own son-in-law guilty of treason. Do you, dear hearts, write to me as often as possible, and tell me how you are and what is going on around you. Quintus and his son and Rufus send their love. Good-bye 23 January, Minturnae .

XIV. Scr. Minturnis VIII. Kalendas Februarias a.u.c. 705. TULLIUS TERENTIAE ET PATER TULLIAE, DUABUS ANIMIS SUIS, ET CICERO MATRI OPTIMAE, SUAVISSIMAE SORORI S. P. D. Si vos valetis, nos valemus. Vestrum iam consilium est, non solum meum, quid sit vobis faciendum. Si ille Romam modeste venturus est , recte in praesentia domi esse potestis; sin homo amens diripiendam urbem daturus est, vereor, ut Dolabella ipse satis nobis prodesse possit. Etiam illud metuo, ne iam intercludamur, ut, cum velitis exire, non liceat. Reliquum est, quod ipsae optime considerabitis, vestri similes feminae sintne Romae; si enim non sunt, videndum est, ut honeste vos esse possitis. Quomodo quidem nunc se res habet, modo ut haec nobis loca tenere liceat, bellissime vel mecum vel in nostris praediis esse poteritis. Etiam illud verendum est, ne brevi tempore fames in urbe sit. His de rebus velim cum Pomponio, cum Camillo, cum quibus vobis videbitur, consideretis, ad summam animo forti sitis: Labienus rem meliorem fecit; adiuvat etiam Piso, quod ab urbe discedit et sceleris condemnat generum suum. Vos, meae carissimae animae, quam saepissime ad me scribite, et vos quid agatis et quid istic agatur. Quintus pater et filius et Rufus vobis s. d. Valete. VIII Kal. Minturnis.