Latin Texts & Translations

CCCLXXIII (A IX, 16)

TO ATTICUS (AT ROME) FORMIAE, 26 MARCH

Though I have nothing to write to you about, yet I send you this that I may not omit a single day. On the 27th it is announced that Caesar will stop at Sinuessa. I received a letter from him on the 26th, in which he now talks of looking forward to my "resources," not my "aid," ^[Note] as in his former letter. I had written to compliment him on the moderation of his conduct at Corfinium, and he answered me as follows: CAESAR IMPERATOR TO CICERO IMPERATOR.

You judge me quite accurately—for my character is well known to you—when you say that nothing is more remote from my disposition than cruelty. For myself, as I take great delight in this policy for its own sake, so your approval of my action gives me a triumphant feeling of

gladness. Nor am I shaken by the fact that those, who were allowed to go free by me, are said to have departed with the intention of renewing the war against me: for there is nothing I like better than that I should be what I am, they what they are. I should be much obliged if you would meet me at the city, that I may, as ever, avail myself in all matters of your counsels and resources. Let me assure you that nothing gives me more pleasure than the presence of your son-in-law Dolabella. This additional favour I shall owe to him ^[Note] : for it will be impossible for him to act otherwise, considering his great kindness, his feeling, and his cordial goodwill towards myself.