me, giving not only all the facts but the gossip too. I shall get it at Brundisium. For it is there that I intend to await Pomptinus up to the date that you have mentioned. I will write you of the causeries I had with Pompey at Tarentum about politics. Although there is one thing I want to know, up to what time I can safely write to you at Rome, that is how long you will be in town, so that I may have your address after your removal and may not send letters in vain. Before you go, settle the business of the £180 and the £7,000.[[174]] Please count it most important and most necessary, that with your help I may achieve, what I began to wish for at your instance.
VI
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
Tarentum, May 19, B.C. 51
I came to Tarentum on the 18th of May. As I had decided to await Pomptinus, I thought it most convenient to spend the days before his arrival with Pompey, the more so because I saw it pleased him. Indeed he begged me to see him and to be at his house every day; and I am glad to give him my company. I shall have some grand conversations with him about the political situation, and shall get useful advice on this business of mine.
I am beginning to send you shorter letters, as I do not know whether you are in Rome, or have now started on your journey. However, so long as I am ignorant of your whereabouts, I will write you a line rather than run the risk of not sending you a letter, when a letter from me can reach you. I have no commission for you and nothing to say. I have given
[174]. 20,000 and 800,000 sesterces.
ut polliceris, exhauries. Narrabo, cum aliquid habebo novi. Illud tamen non desinam, dum adesse te putabo, de Caesaris nomine rogare ut confectum relinquas. Avide exspecto tuas litteras et maxime, ut norim tempus profectionis tuae.
VII
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
Scr. Tarenti XIII K. Iun. a. 703
Cotidie vel potius in dies singulos breviores litteras ad te mitto; cotidie enim magis suspicor te in Epirum iam profectum. Sed tamen, ut mandatum scias me curasse, quo de ante, ait se Pompeius quinos praefectos delaturum novos vacationis iudiciariae causa. Ego cum triduum cum Pompeio et apud Pompeium fuissem, proficiscebar Brundisium a. d. XIII Kal. Iunias. Civem illum egregium relinquebam et ad haec, quae timentur, propulsanda paratissimum. Tuas litteras exspectabo, cum ut, quid agas, tum ut, ubi sis, sciam.