with very great earnestness in his cause,[1] an earnestness which seemed to gratify Torquatus. I am waiting to hear what news you have about Brutus. However, Nicias thinks that the matter is settled, but that the divorce[2] does not find favour.
All the more am I anxious for the same thing as you are.[3] For if any scandal has been caused, this step may put it right. I must go to Arpinum: for in the first place my small property there needs putting straight, and in the second place I fear I may not be able to leave town when once Cæsar has come, as to whose arrival Dolabella has the same opinion as you had—founded on your letter from Messalla.[4] When I have got there and ascertained what amount of business there is to do, I will write and tell you the days of my return journey.[5]
DCXXI (A XIII, 10)
TO ATTICUS (AT ROME)
Tusculum (June 20)
I am not at all surprised either at your sorrow in regard to
Marcellus or at your misgiving as to increased sources of
danger. For who would have feared such a thing as this
- ↑ In urging Dolabella to stand his friend with Cæsar. Aulus Manlius Torquatus, after Pompey's defeat, had been living in exile at Athens. He appears now to have been allowed to return. See p. 235.
- ↑ From Claudia, to marry Porcia.
- ↑ I.e., for the marriage with Porcia, a daughter of Cato and widow of Bibulus, a marriage which seems to have caused much excitement among the remains of the Pompeian party.
- ↑ Dolabella had been with Cæsar in Spain, but had come home direct, whereas Cæsar (according to Nicolas of Damascus, "Life of Augustus," c. 11-12) went with Octavius and others to Carthage to arrange for the settlement of his colony there.
- ↑ From Tusculum to Arpinum is about sixty miles, and it would be a two days' journey, which may possibly account for the plural ad quos dies, which, however, Dr. Reid would change to quo die; but see p. 207. Cicero was detained a considerable time at Arpinum.
