DCCXLVIII (A XV, 19)
TO ATTICUS (AT ROME)
TUSCULUM, AFTER 16 JUNE
WHAT need is there for any farther venture on
behalf of the Buthrotians? I ask, because you
remark that all your trouble has been thrown away.
Why again is Brutus returning? I am grieved, on my
honour, that you have been so distracted. You have
to thank those ten land-commissioner fellows for
that. 1 Yes, that was a tough piece of
business, but it had to be borne, and I am
exceedingly obliged to you. As to taking up
arms—I never saw anything more patent.
So let me be off; as you say. I don't know what
Theophanes 2 wants with an
interview: he has already written to me, and I
answered him as best I could. However, he writes
to say that he wants to call on me, to discuss
some business of his own and certain matters
affecting myself. I am anxious for a letter from
you. Pray take care that nothing rash is done.
Statius has written to tell me that
Quintus Cicero 3 has
spoken to him in very strong terms, saying that he
cannot put up with the present state of affairs:
that he is resolved to go over to Brutus and
Cassius. Of course I am now anxious to learn all
about this: I am quite unable to explain its
meaning. It may be that he is angry with Antony
about something; it may be that he now wants some
new chance of distinguishing himself; it may be a
mere passing fancy. And, indeed, it is doubtless
that. All the same I am nervous about it and his
father is quite upset. For he knows what he used
to say about Antony: in fact he said to me what
won't bear repetition. I cannot conceive what he
has got in his head. I shall only have such
commissions from Dolabella as I
choose—that is, none at all. Tell me
about Gaius Antonius—did he wish to be
on the land-commission? He was at any rate worthy
of such a company. 4 As to Menedemus it is as you say. Pray
keep me acquainted with everything.
TUSCULUM, AFTER 16 JUNE
