XII
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
Puteoli, Nov. 6, B.C. 44
I am sending you a copy of Oppius' letter, because it is so very courteous. About Ocella, while you are messing about and not writing me a line, I have consulted my own wits, and so I think I shall be in Rome on the 12th. I think it better for me to come there to no purpose, even if it is not necessary, than not to be there if it is, and at the same time I am afraid of being shut in there. For Antony may always be getting near. However, there are plenty of different rumours, which I hope may be true; there is no definite news. For my part, whatever it may be, I would rather be with you, than be in suspense both about you and about myself, when I am away from you. But what am I to say to you? Keep up your heart. About Varro's work in Heracleides' vein, that's an amusing business. I was never so pleased with anything. But of this and more important things when we meet.
414
XIIIa
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
Scr. Aquini IV Id. Nov. a. 710
O casum mirificum! V Idus cum ante lucem de Sinuessano surrexissem venissemque diluculo ad pontem Tirenum, qui est Menturnis, in quo flexus est ad iter Arpinas, obviam mihi fit tabellarius; qui me offendit "δολιχὸν πλόον ὁρμαίνοντα." At ego statim "Cedo," inquam, "si quid ab Attico." Nondum legere poteramus; nam et lumina dimiseramus, nec satis lucebat. Cum autem luceret, ante scripta epistula ex duabus tuis prior mihi legi coepta est. Illa omnium quidem elegantissima. Ne sim salvus, si aliter scribo ac sentio. Nihil legi humanius. Itaque veniam, quo vocas, modo adiutore te. Sed nihil tam ἀπροσδιόνυσον mihi primo videbatur quam ad eas litteras, quibus ego a te consilium petieram, te mihi ista rescribere. Ecce tibi altera, qua hortaris |Odyssey, iii. 171| "παρ' ἠνεμόεντα Μίμαντα, νήσου ἐπὶ Ψυρίης," Appiam scilicet "ἐπ' ἀριστέρ' ἔχοντα." Itaque eo die mansi Aquini. Longulum sane iter et via mala. Inde postridie mane proficiscens has litteras dedi.
XIIIb
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
Scr. in Arpinati III Id. Nov. a. 710
... et quidem, ut a me dimitterem invitissimus, fecerunt Erotis litterae. Rem tibi Tiro narrabit. Tu, quid faciendum sit, videbis. Praeterea, possimne