CCCVII (F XIV, 14)
TO TERENTIA AND TULLIA (AT ROME)
MINTURNAE, 23 JANUARY
TULLIUS to Terentia, her father to Tullia, his
two sweethearts, and Cicero to his excellent
mother and darling sister, send warm greetings. If
you are well, we are so too. It is now for you to
consider, and not for me only, what you must do.
If Caesar means to come to Rome in a peaceable
manlier, you can stay at home with safety for the
present: but if in his madness he is going to give
up the city to plunder, I fear Dolabella himself
may not be able to protect us sufficiently.
Besides, I am alarmed lest we should be cut off
from you, so that when you do wish to leave town
you may be prevented. There is one other thing,
which you are in the best position to observe
yourselves-are other ladies of your rank remaining
in Rome? If not, it deserves consideration whether
you can do so with propriety. As things stand at
present indeed, always provided that I am allowed
to hold this district, you will be able to stay
with me or on one of our estates with the greatest
comfort. There is another thing I am afraid of-a
want of provisions in the city before long. On
these points pray consult with Pomponius, with
Camillus, with anybody you think right: above all
don't be frightened. Labienus has made things
better for us. Piso, too, is helpful in quitting
the city and declaring his own son-in-law guilty
of treason. Do you, dear hearts,
write to me as often as possible, and tell me how
you are and what is going on around you. Quintus
and his son and Rufus send their love. Good-bye
23 January, Minturnae.
MINTURNAE, 23 JANUARY
