"Well cooked, and seasoned, and, the truth to tell,
With pleasant discourse all went very well."[[184]]
[184]. A quotation from Lucilius.
Besides his chosen circle were entertained very liberally in three rooms: and freedmen of lower degree and slaves could not complain of stint. The upper sort were entertained in style. In fact, I was somebody.[[185]] Still he was not the sort of guest to whom one would say: "Be sure to look me up on the way back." Once is enough. There was no serious talk, but plenty of literary. In a word he was pleased and enjoyed himself. He said he would spend one day at Puteoli and another near Baiae.
[185]. Or, as Tyrrell suggests, "we were quite friendly together," i.e. Caesar did not "assume the god"; or possibly even "we all felt we were in civilised society."
There you have all about my entertainment, or billeting you might say, objectionable, as I have said, but not uncomfortable. I am staying here a while and then go to Tusculum. As he passed Dolabella's house and nowhere else the whole troop formed up on the right and left of him. So Nicias tells me.
216
M. TULLI CICERONIS
EPISTULARUM AD ATTICUM
LIBER QUARTUS DECIMUS
I
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
Scr. in suburbano Mati VII Id. Apr. a. 710