CCCXXVI (A VIII, 11 b)
TO POMPEY (AT LUCERIA)
FORMIAE, 15 FEBRUARY
M. CICERO, imperator, greets Gnaeus Magnus,
proconsul. On the 15th of February I received your
letter at Formiae, informing me that what had
happened in Picenum was much more satisfactory
than had been before reported to us; and I was
glad to hear of the courage and activity of
Vibullius. Up to this time, though I have
continued living on this coast, of
which I was put in command, yet I have kept a
vessel in readiness. For the news that kept
reaching me, and the anxious fears that I was
entertaining, were of such a kind that I thought
myself bound to follow any counsel you might give
me. At present our hopes are stronger, thanks to
your influence and policy. If you think that
Tarracina and the sea-coast can be held, I am
ready to remain in it, though there are no
garrisons in the towns. There is, in fact, no one
of senatorial rank in this part of the country
except M. Eppius, whom I directed to remain at
Minturnae, a man of vigilant and painstaking
character. For that gallant and influential man,
L. Torquatus, is not with me at Formiae: I think
he has started to join you. Anyhow, according to
your most recent directions, I went to Capua on
the same day as you left Teanum Sidicinum: for you
had expressed the wish that I should superintend
operations there in conjunction with the praetor
M. Considius. On my arrival in that town, I saw
that Titus Ampius was holding a levy with the
greatest energy, that Libo was taking over the men
from him, who is also a man of very great energy
and influence in that colony. I remained at Capua
as long as the consuls did. I visited Capua a
second time, in accordance with an order of the
consuls, on the 5th of February. After staying
there three days I returned to Formiae. At present
I am ignorant of your designs and plan of
campaign. If you think that this coast is to be
held, which offers many advantages and is an
important district, with illustrious citizens
residing in it, and is capable, I think, of being
held, there must be some one to command in it. But
if everything is to be concentrated in one spot, I
feel no hesitation about joining you at once. I
wish for nothing more earnestly than that, and so
I told you the day we quitted the city. For my
part, I do not trouble myself about anyone's
thinking that I have as yet been less active than
I ought, so long as you do not think so:
nevertheless, if, as I am convinced is the case,
we have to fight, I feel confident of being able
to justify myself to all the world. I have sent my
connexion M. Tullius to you, to receive a letter,
if you think it well to write to me.
FORMIAE, 15 FEBRUARY
