Scr. in Formiano VIII K. Apr a. 705
Cum dedissem ad te litteras, ut scires Caesarem Capuae VII Kal. fore, allatae mihi Capua sunt et hic copiam mihi et[111] in Albano apud Curionem V K. fore. Eum cum videro, Arpinum pergam. Si mihi veniam, quam peto, dederit, utar illius condicione; si minus, impetrabo aliquid a me ipso. Ille, ut ad me scripsit, legiones singulas posuit Brundisi, Tarenti, Siponti. Claudere mihi videtur maritimos exitus et tamen ipse Graeciam spectare potius quam Hispanias. Sed haec longius absunt. Me nunc et congressus huius stimulat (is vero adest), et primas eius actiones
[111] et hic copiam mihi et Madvig; et hoc mihi et MSS.
been traitors: he resents Pompey's violent banishment of Milo, but would only harm those who bear arms against him. This tale was told me by one Baebius, who came from Curio on the 13th, a man who is no fool, but not smart enough to invent such a tale. I am quite at a loss what to do. From Brundisium, I fancy Pompey must have set out. Whatever has happened, we shall know in a few days. I haven't a letter from you not even by Anteros, and no wonder. What is there to write about? Still I do not omit one day.
When this was written a letter came to me before daylight from Lepta dated Capua the 15th of March. Pompey has embarked from Brundisium. Caesar is due at Capua on the 26th.
XV
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
Formiae, March 25, B.C. 49
After I had sent you a letter informing you that Caesar would be at Capua on the 26th, a letter reached me from Capua saying that Caesar would see me either here or in Curio's place at Alba on the 28th. When I have seen him, I shall go to Arpinum. If he should grant me the privilege I ask, I shall put up with his terms. If not, then I shall consult myself as to what to do. As Caesar wrote to me, he has stationed one legion each at Brundisium, Tarentum and Sipontum. He seems to me to be cutting off retreat by sea and yet himself to have Greece in view rather than Spain. But these are remote considerations. Now I am stirred by the thought of meeting him; for the meeting is close at hand, and I am alarmed at the first steps he