I wish it had been true about Menedemus, and I hope it may be true about Cleopatra. The rest when we meet, and especially what our friends must do, and what even we must do, if Antony is going to surround the House with soldiers. I was afraid he might open this letter, if I gave it to his messengers, so I have sent it with special care, for I had to answer yours.
IVa
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
Tusculum, May 27, B.C. 44
How I wish you could have rendered your service to Brutus! So I am writing to him. I have sent Tiro to Dolabella with a message and a letter. Summon him to you, and, if you have any pleasant news, write. But here is a letter from L. Caesar all of a sudden, asking me to come to him at the Grove[[245]] or write where I should like to meet him: Brutus wants me to see him. What a nuisance and what a surprise! I suppose then I must go, and from there on to Rome, unless I change my mind. At present I am only sending you a short note, for I have not heard yet from Balbus. So I am looking for a letter from you to tell me not only what has happened but what is going to happen.
[245]. The Nemus Dianae at Aricia.
310
V
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
Scr. in Tusculano V K. Iun. a. 710
A Bruto tabellarius rediit; attulit et ab eo et a Cassio. Consilium meum magno opere exquirunt, Brutus quidem, utrum de duobus. O rem miseram! plane non habeo, quid scribam. Itaque silentio puto me usurum, nisi quid aliud tibi videtur; sin tibi quid venit in mentem, scribe, quaeso. Cassius vero vehementer orat ac petit, ut Hirtium quam optimum faciam. Sanum putas? ὁ θησαυρὸς ἄνθρακες.[[246]] Epistulam tibi misi.
[246]. ὁ θησαυρὸς ἄνθρακες Vict.: ΟΤΕΝΑΥϹΔΝΘΡΔΚΕϹ M.