CMVIII (BRUT. I, 14)
TO M. IUNIUS BRUTUS (IN
MACEDONIA)
ROME, II JULY
YOURS was a very short letter. "Short" do I
say? Rather it was not a letter at all. Brutus
write to me in three lines at such a crisis as
this? I would rather have written nothing at all.
And you talk of not hearing from me! Which of your
men ever came to you without a letter from me? And
what epistle of mine had not something of weight
in it? And if they have not reached you, I think
that your family letters cannot have done So
either. You say that you will give a longer letter
to my son. So far, so good: but even this one
ought to have had more matter in it. Now upon your
writing to me about my son's quitting you, I
immediately bustled my letter-carriers off with a
letter to my son telling him that, even if he came
to Italy, he should return to you: for nothing
could be more gratifying to me and nothing more
honourable to him. However, I had several times
written to tell him that the
election to the sacred colleges had by great
exertions on my part been put off to another year.
This I had taken pains to do for the sake of my
son, and also for that of Domitius, Cato,
Lentulus, and the Bibuli—as I wrote to
tell you. But of course when you sent me that
stingy little note this was not yet known to you.
Wherefore I urge you, my dear Brutus, with all my
might not to send my son from your side, and to
bring him home with you in person, which if you
have any regard for the Republic, for which you
were born, you ought to do at once. For the war
has revived—and a very serious
one—owing to the crime of Lepidus: while
Caesar's army, which was in an excellent state, is
not only of no service, but even makes it
necessary for your army to be summoned. If that
once reaches Italy there will not be a single
citizen, deserving to be called such, who will not
find his way to your camp. It is true that Decimus
Brutus has effected a splendid junction with
Plancus, yet you are not ignorant how uncertain
are men's feelings when infected with party
spirit, how uncertain the results of battles. Nay,
even if we conquer, as I hope, nevertheless the
public service will require a great deal of
guidance from your wisdom and your influence. Come
to our help, therefore, in God's name, and that as
soon as possible: and assure yourself that you did
not do better service to your country by the Ides
of March, on which you shook the yoke of slavery
from your fellow citizens, than you will do if you
now arrive in good time. 11 July.
ROME, II JULY