CCCXCIX (A X, 15)
TO ATTICUS (AT ROME)
CUMAE, 12 MAY
WHILST Servius was still with me, Cephalio
arrived with your letter of the 10th, which
inspired me with a strong hope of a change for the
better in regard to the eight cohorts; for those,
too, which are stationed in these parts are said
to be wavering. On the same day Funisulanus
brought me a letter from you, in which the same
news was repeated still more positively. I gave
him full satisfaction as to his own business,
ascribing the full credit to you. Up to this time
I have had reason to be discontented with him, for
he owes me a large sum of money and is not
considered to be well off. Now he says he will pay
me: that a man to whom he had lent money was slow
in paying; that, if you have in your hands what
his debtor has paid, you are to give it to
letter-carriers for me. The amount you will learn
from Philotimus's man Eros. But let us return to
more important matters. The Caelian plan, which is
your idea, is coming to fruition. Accordingly, I
am distracted as to whether to wait for a
favourable wind. What is wanted is a standard: men
will flock to it. I quite agree with your advice
to set out openly, and so I think I
shall start. Meanwhile, however, I am awaiting a
letter from you. Servius's advice doesn't ease
matters at all. Every kind of objection is
obtruded in every opinion he utters. I never knew
anyone more timid except Gaius Marcellus, 1 who is sorry that he
was ever consul. What a mean fellow! why, he is
even said to have encouraged Antony to prevent my
departure, in order, I suppose, to stay himself
with greater decency. Antony, however, started for
Capua on the 10th. He sent me a message to say
that he had been deterred by a feeling of shame
from calling on me, because he thought that I was
angry with him. So I shall go, and in the way,
too, which you think right, unless some hope shall
have been meanwhile presented to me of undertaking
some still more important part. 2 But that will scarcely be the case
so soon. Alienus the praetor, however, thinks that
some one of his colleagues would do it, if I
don't. Anyone you please, so long as it is some
one. In regard to your
sister, I commend you. As to the young Quintus, I
am doing all I can. I hope things are better. As
to my brother Quintus, let me tell you that he is
in considerable anxiety about raising money to pay
his debt, but as yet has squeezed nothing out of
L. Egnatius. Axius is modest about the twelve
sestertia! For he repeatedly put in his letter a
request that I would pay Gallius whatever he
wanted. Could I have done otherwise, if he had not
mentioned it? And, in fact, I often promised: but
he wanted that round sum promptly. They should
have rather come to my assistance at this time of
difficulty, heaven confound them! However, more of
this another time. I am very glad that you, and
Pilia too, are relieved of your quartan ague.
Whilst bread and other stores are being got on
board, I intend to make an excursion to my
Pompeian villa. Please thank Vettienus for his
kindness. If you can find anyone to bring it, send
me a letter before I leave the country.
CUMAE, 12 MAY
