DCCXI (A XIV, II)
TO ATTICUS (AT ROME)
(PUTEOLI) 21 APRIL
THE day before yesterday I sent you a fairly
long letter. Now I will answer your last. I only
wish to heaven Brutus would stay at Astura. You
mention the "intemperance" 1 of the Caesarians.
Did you expect anything else? For my part, I look
for worse things. For when I read his speech
"Concerning so great a man," "Concerning a most
illustrious citizen," I can scarcely contain
myself; yet all that sort of thing is now really
ludicrous. But remember this: the habit of
delivering unprincipled speeches is being fostered
to such a pitch that our—I won't say
heroes—our gods, while sure of eternal
glory, will yet not escape prejudice or even
danger. They, however, have a great consolation in
the consciousness of a most magnificent and noble
deed: what consolation is there for us, who,
though the tyrant is slain, are not free? But let
fortune look to this, since reason is not at the
helm. What you say about my son is very
gratifying—God bless him! I am
exceedingly obliged to you for arranging that he
should have an allowance ample for the amenities
as well as the necessaries of life; and I
emphatically beg you to continue to do so. About
the Buthrotians your idea is quite right. I am not
losing sight of that affair. I will undertake to
plead the entire case, and I perceive that it
daily grows simpler. As to the Cluvian
inheritance, since in all business of
mine you even surpass me in interest—I
may tell you that the total is approaching one
hundred-sestertia. The fall of the houses did not
depreciate the value of the property: I am not
sure that it didn't increase it. 2 I have
here with me Balbus, Hirtius, and Pansa. Octavius
has lately arrived at the next villa to mine, that
of Philippus. 3 He is quite
devoted to me. Spinther is staying with me today:
he goes early tomorrow.
(PUTEOLI) 21 APRIL
