Latin Texts & Translations

DCX (A XIII, 3)

TO ATTICUS (AT ROME) TUSCULUM, 30 MAY

Yes, the debtors you mention appear to be so satisfactory that my only hesitation arises from the fact that you seem to have doubts. The fact is, I don't like your referring the matter to me. What! was I to manage my own business without your advice? But, after all, I quite understand that you do so more from your habitual caution than because you doubt the soundness of the debtors. The fact is, you don't think well of Caelius, and you don't want a multiplicity of debtors. In both sentiments I concur. We must therefore be content with the present list. ^[Note] Sooner or later, indeed, you would have had to go security for me even in the auction with which we are now concerned. ^[Note] All then

shall be provided from my own pocket: but as to the delay in getting in the debts, I think—if we do but hit upon what we want—that a time of grace may be obtained from the auctioneer, and at any rate from the heirs.

See about Crispus and Mustela, and let me know what the share of the two is. I had already been informed of the arrival of Brutus; ^[Note] for my freedman Aegypta brought me a letter from him. I am sending it to you, because it is expressed in obliging terms.