Latin Texts & Translations

DCCCX (F XII, 22)

TO QUINTUS CORNIFICIUS (IN AFRICA) ROME (20-31 DECEMBER)

HERE at Rome we are waging war with the most abandoned, gladiator in the world, our colleague ^[Note] Antony, but not on equal terms, for it is words against arms. Nay, he even goes so far as to make speeches against you: but he won't do that with impunity, for he will be made to feel what sort of men he has attacked. For myself, I imagine that all public occurences are detailed to you in the letters of others: what you should learn from me is the future, as to which the conjecture is not difficult. It is a scene of universal depression: the loyalists have no leader, and our tyrannicides are in remote regions. Pansa both entertains excellent sentiments and speaks with courage. Our friend Hirtius is somewhat slow in recovering his health. What will happen I do not know at all: my one hope, however, is that the Roman people will at last shew itself worthy of its ancestors. I at least will stand by the Republic, and whatever happens—as long as I have nothing for which to blamee myself—I will bear with a brave heart. This at least I will do to the best of my ability: I will support your reputation and political position.