T. Never mind; go on; any of them will do. C. Quod in utramque partem in mentem multa veniebant, inasmuch as many considerations both for and against it came into my mind, magnum pondus accessit ad tollendam dubitationem, it came with great force to remove my hesitation.
T. What do you mean by “accessit”? C. It means it contributed to turn the scale; accessit, it was an addition to one side.
T. Well, it may mean so, but the words run, ad tollendam dubitationem. C. It was a great … it was [pg 344] a powerful help towards removing my hesitation … no … this was a powerful help, viz., your judgment and advice.
T. Well, what is the construction of “pondus” and “judicium”? C. Your advice came as a great weight.
T. Very well, go on. C. Nam et scripsisti aperte quid tibi videretur; for you distinctly wrote your opinion.
T. Now, what is the force of “nam”? C. pauses; then, It refers to “accessit” … it is an explanation of the fact, that Appius's opinion was a help.
T. “Et”; you omitted “et” … “et scripsisti.” C. It is one of two “ets”; et scripsisti, et Atticus.
T. Well, but why don't you construe it? C. Et scripsisti, you both distinctly.…
T. No; tell me, why did you leave it out? had you a reason? C. I thought it was only the Latin style, to dress the sentence, to make it antithetical; and was not English.
T. Very good, still, you can express it; try. C. Also, with the second clause?