B.C. 45, ÆT. 61 since I am to absent myself from the entertainments, I would rather be thought to do so in virtue of the augural law, than in consequence of grief. Please send a reminder to Cocceius, for he does not fulfil his promise: while I am desirous of purchasing some hiding-place and refuge for my sorrow.
DXLV (A XII, 14)
TO ATTICUS (AT ROME)
Astura (8 March)
I wrote to you yesterday about making my excuses to Appuleius.
I think there is no difficulty. No matter to whom
you apply, no one will refuse. But see Septimius, Lænas,
and Statilius about it. For three are required. Lænas,
however, undertook the whole business for me. You say
that you have been dunned by Iunius: Cornificius[1] is certainly
a man of substance, yet I should nevertheless like to
know when I am said to have given the guarantee, and
whether it was for the father or son. None the less pray
do as you say, and interview the agents of Cornificius and
Appuleius the land-dealer.
You wish me some relaxation of my mourning: you are kind, as usual, but you can bear me witness that I have not been wanting to myself. For not a word has been written by anyone on the subject of abating grief which I did not read at your house. But my sorrow is too much for any consolation. Nay, I have done what certainly no one ever did before me—tried to console myself by writing a book, which I will send to you as soon as my amanuenses have
- [Footnote: or a recently elected augur, at whose inauguration and accompanying
banquet Cicero felt unable to attend. The excuse appears to have needed the attestation of three other augurs.]
- ↑ There are two men named Q. Cornificius, father and son, mentioned in the correspondence. The former was a candidate with Cicero for the consulship (vol. i., p. 13); the latter was now going as governor to Africa (see p. 131).
