Letter 9.7

I was dining with Seius when letters from you were delivered to each of us. It seems to me the time is ripe now. For I shall reveal the malice behind my earlier objection: I wanted you to be somewhere nearby in case there was any good news, so that I might come to you at once. Now since everything is settled, there is no doubt that we should put spurs to the horses. For when I heard about Lucius Caesar's son, I said to myself: what will this man do to me, his father? And so I do not stop dining with those who now hold power. What am I to do? One must serve the times. But enough of jokes, especially since there is nothing to laugh about: "Africa trembles, the rough land, with dreadful tumult." And so there is no disaster I do not fear. But as to what you ask -- when, by what route, where -- we know nothing yet. That very question about Baiae: some are uncertain whether he may come via Sardinia. He has not yet inspected that property of his, and he has none worse, but still he does not despise it. I for my part think it more likely he will come by way of Sicily to Velia, but we shall know soon; for Dolabella is approaching, and I think he will be the guide. "Many pupils are better than their teachers." But still, if I know what you have decided, I shall suit my plan primarily to yours. So I await your letter.

CDLX (Fam. IX, 7) TO M. TERENTIUS VARRO (AT TUSCULUM) ROME (MAY) I was dining with Seius when a letter was delivered to each of us from you. Yes, I really think it is high time. For as to the personal motive in what I said before, I will own the cunning of my heart — I wanted you to be somewhere near in case of anything good turning up: “two heads,” you know. At present, seeing that it is all over and done, we should not hesitate to go over, horse , foot, and artillery! For when I heard about L. Caesar the younger, I said to myself: “What will he do for me, his sire?” Accordingly, I do not cease dining out with the members of the party now in power. What else should I do? One must go with the times. But a truce to jesting, especially as we have nothing to laugh at: “With fearsome tumult shakes wild Afric's shore.” Accordingly, there is nothing “undesirable” which I do not fear. But, in answer to your question as to when, by what road, and whither — I as yet know nothing. You suggest Baiae — but some doubt whether he will not come by way of Sardinia . For that particular one of his estates he has not inspected as yet. It is the worst of them all, nevertheless he does not despise it. For my part, I am on the whole more inclined to think that he will come through Sicily to Velia : but we shall know directly; for Dolabella is on his way home: he, I suppose, will be our instructor: “Scholars are often wiser than their teachers.” But nevertheless, if I can ascertain what you have settled, I will accommodate my policy to yours before anyone else's. Wherefore I am anxious for a letter from you.

VII. Scr. Romae mense Iunio a.u.c. 708. CICERO VARRONI. Coenabam apud Seium, cum utrique nostrum redditae sunt a te litterae. Mihi vero iam maturum videtur; nam, quod antea te calumniatus sum, indicabo malitiam meam: volebam prope alicubi esse te, si quid bonae salutis, sÊn te dÊ' §rxom°nv; nunc, quoniam confecta sunt omnia, dubitandum non est, quin equis viris: nam, ut audivi de L. Caesare filio, mecum ipse: quid hic mihi faciet patri? itaque non desino apud istos, qui nunc dominantur, coenitare. Quid faciam? tempori serviendum est. Sed ridicula missa, praesertim cum sit nihil, quod rideamus: Africa terribili tremit horrida terra tumultu; itaque nullum est *poprohgm°non, quod non verear. Sed, quod quaeris, quando, qua, quo, nihil adhuc scimus: istuc ipsum de Baiis, nonnulli dubitant an per Sardiniam veniat; illud enim adhuc praedium suum non inspexit, nec ullum habet deterius, sed tamen non contemnit. Ego omnino magis arbitror per Siciliam Veliam, sed iam sciemus; adventat enim Dolabella: eum puto magistrum fore. polloÐ mayhtaÐ xre¤ssonew didasx­lvn. Sed tamen, si sciam, quid tu constitueris, meum consilium accommodabo potissimum ad tuum; quare exspecto tuas litteras.