XId
M. CICERO IMP. S. D. CN. MAGNO PROCOS.
Scr. Formiis III K. Mart. a. 705
Cum ad te litteras misissem, quae tibi Canusi redditae sunt, suspicionem nullam habebam te rei publicae
At the present moment I do not know what are your ideas and plan of campaign. If you think that this coast should be held—and Capua has a good position and is an important town, not to speak of its loyal inhabitants, and to my mind tenable—a commander is wanted. If your plan is concentration, I will come to you at once without hesitation. Nothing would delight me more, and I told you so on the day of our departure from Rome. I do not trouble about criticisms of inactivity from anyone but yourself. If, as I foresee, war is inevitable, I feel I can easily satisfy every criticism. I have sent my relative M. Tullius in case you may wish to send a reply.
XIc
CN. MAGNUS PROCONSUL SENDS GREETINGS TO CICERO IMPERATOR.
Canusium, Febr. 20, B.C. 49
I hope you are well. I was glad to read your letter, for once again I recognized your tried courage in the interests of public safety. The consuls have joined my army in Apulia. I beg you earnestly in the name of your exceptional and continued zeal for the state to join me as well, so that we may plan together to benefit and assist the state in her sore straits. I hold that you should travel by the Appian road and come with speed to Brundisium.