B.C. 45, ÆT. 61 your return to your family, you will be acting in a manner worthy of your wisdom and magnanimity if you forget what you have lost, and think of what you have recovered. You will be living with your family; you will be living with us; you have gained more in personal consideration than you have lost in property: though of course your recovered position would have been a greater source of pleasure to you, if there had been any constitution left. Our friend Vestorius tells me in a letter that you express very great gratitude to me. This avowal on your part is, of course, very gratifying to me, and I have nothing to say against your making it, whether to others, or by heaven! to our friend Siro:[1] for what one does one likes to have approved most by the wisest men. I desire to see you at the earliest opportunity.
DCXX (A XIII, 9)
TO ATTICUS (AT ROME)
Tusculum (June 17)
You had only just left me yesterday when Trebonius arrived,
and a little later Curtius—the latter merely intending to call,
but he stayed on being pressed. We have Trebatius with
us. Early this morning Dolabella arrived. We had much
talk to a late hour in the day. I cannot exaggerate its
cordial and affectionate tone. However, we came at last to
the subject of Quintus.[2] He told me many things beyond
words—beyond expression: but there was one of such a
kind that, had it not been notorious to the whole army, I
should not have ventured, I don't say to dictate to Tiro, but
even to write it with my own hand. But enough of that.
Very opportunely, while I had Dolabella with me Torquatus
arrived; and in the kindest manner Dolabella repeated to
him what I had been saying. For I had been just speaking.
