DCCLXXXIV (F X, I)
TO L. MUNATIUS PLANCUS (IN GALLIA
COMATA)
ROME (SEPTEMBER)
In the first place1 I have been out of town2 intending to embark for
Greece: and in the next place, having been
recalled by the voice of the Republic from the
very midst Of my journey, I have never been let
alone by Marcus Antonius, whose—I won't
call it insolence, for that is a mere everyday
fault—but whose brutal tyranny is such
that he cannot endure not only any man's voice,
but even any man's look to be free. Therefore I am
exceedingly anxious-not about my life indeed, for
I have nothing left to do for that, whether you
regard my age or my achievements or (if that, too,
is to the purpose) my glory—but it is
for my country that I am uneasy, and first and
foremost about the time that we have to wait for
your consulship, my dear Plancus, 3 which is so long that one scarcely
ventures to hope to be able to keep undergraduate
life at Athens. It, however, labours under the
disadvantage of being a report sent home by the
young man himself rather than by his
tutors—an arrangement that would suit
many students in all universities. The account of
his reformation is therefore perhaps a little too
rosy. alive up to that point in the
history of the Republic. For what hope can there
be in a state in which everything is held down by
the arms of the most violent and headstrong of
men: in which neither senate nor people has any
power of control: in which there are neither laws
nor law courts 4 —in fact, no shadow or
trace even of a constitution. But as I suppose a
complete gazette of public affairs is transmitted
to you, 5 there is no reason why I should
enter into details. However, the affection which I
conceived for you when you were a boy, and have
not only maintained but have even increased,
seemed to demand that I should admonish and exhort
you to devote yourself heart and soul to the
service of the Republic. If it survives till your
term of office, all will be plain sailing. But
that it should so survive demands not only great
assiduity and care on your part, but also great
good fortune. But to begin
with we shall have you with us, I hope, a
considerable time before that day: and in the next
place-over and above the consideration which I am
bound to have for the interests of the
Republic—I also so completely give
myself up to supporting your dignity, that I
direct all the skill, zeal, devotion, exertion,
labour, and attention of which I am capable to the
promotion of your high position. It is thus, I am
convinced, that I shall most readily do my duty
both to the Republic, which I love above
everything, and to our friendship, which I think
it my most sacred duty to foster. I am not surprised that our friend
Furnius 6 is valued by you as highly as his own
kindness and worth deserve. I rejoice that it is
so, and I would have you believe that whatever
mark of confidence and favour you bestow on him, I
regard as having been bestowed by you upon myself.
ROME (SEPTEMBER)
