184
XXXVII
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
Scr. in Tusculano IV Non. Sext. a. 709
Has alteras hodie litteras. De Xenonis nomine et de Epiroticis XXXX nihil potest fieri nec commodius nec aptius, quam ut scribis. Id erat locutus mecum eodem modo Balbus minor. Nihil novi sane nisi Hirtium cum Quinto acerrime pro me litigasse; omnibus eum locis furere maximeque in conviviis cum multa de me tum redire ad patrem; nihil autem ab eo tam ἀξιοπίστως dici quam alienissimos nos esse a Caesare; fidem nobis habendam non esse, me vero etiam cavendum (φοβερὸν ἂν ἦν, nisi viderem scire regem me animi nihil habere), Ciceronem vero meum vexari; sed id quidem arbitratu suo. Laudationem Porciae gaudeo me ante dedisse Leptae tabellario, quam tuas acceperim litteras. Eam tu igitur, si me amas, curabis, si modo mittetur, isto modo mittendam Domitio et Bruto.
De gladiatoribus, de ceteris, quae scribis ἀνεμοφόρητα, facies me cotidie certiorem. Velim, si tibi videtur, appelles Balbum et Offilium. De auctione proscribenda equidem locutus sum cum Balbo. Placebat (puto conscripta habere Offilium omnia; habet et Balbus) sed Balbo placebat propinquum diem et Romae; si Caesar moraretur, posse diem differri. Sed is quidem adesse videtur. Totum igitur considera; placet enim Vestorio.
XXXVII
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
Tusculum, Aug. 2, B.C. 45
This is the second letter to-day. About Xeno's debt and the £40[[162]] owing to you in Epirus, things could not happen more conveniently than you say they are happening in your letter. Balbus the younger suggested the same to me the other day. I have no news except that Hirtius has been taking my part most valiantly in arguments against young Quintus. The latter is raving about me everywhere, especially at dinner-parties, and then he falls back on his father: nothing he says is so likely to be believed as that we are utterly irreconcilable to Caesar; that we are not to be trusted, and that I ought to be held in suspicion, which would have been terrifying, if were I not aware that the king knows I have no spirit left. He says too that my son is being bullied by me: but that he may say as much as he likes. I am glad I sent the funeral oration of Porcia to Lepta the messenger before I got your letter. So, as you love me, have it sent to Domitius and Brutus in the form you suggest, if it is to be sent at all.
[162]. 4,000 sesterces.
About the gladiatorial games and the things which you call airy nothings send me news day by day. I should like you to apply to Balbus and Offilius, if you think fit. About giving notice of the auction I have spoken with Balbus. He agreed—I imagine Offilius has a complete list, and so has Balbus—well Balbus agreed for a day near at hand and for Rome as the place: if Caesar puts off coming, the day might be deferred. But he seems to be close at hand. So think it all over; for Vestorius is content.