B.C. 47, ÆT. 59 to some place nearer Rome, or should I cross the sea? For remaining here much longer is out of the question.
Why could no settlement be come to about the property of Fufidius? For the arrangement was one about which there is not usually any dispute, when the portion which is thought of the less value can be made up by putting the property up to auction among the heirs. I have a motive for asking the question: for I suspect that my co-heirs think that my position is doubtful, and therefore prefer allowing the matter to remain unsettled.[1] Good-bye.
15 May.
CCCCXXIX (A XI, 16)
TO ATTICUS (AT ROME)
Brundisium, 3 June
It is by no fault of mine this time-—for I did commit an
error formerly-—that the letter you forward brings me no
consolation. For it is written in a grudging spirit, and gives
rise to strong suspicions of not really being from Cæsar, suspicions
which I think have occurred to yourself. About
going to meet him I will do as you advise. The fact is that
there is no belief prevalent as to his coming, nor do those
who arrive from Asia say that anything has been heard about
a peace, the hope of which caused me to fall into this trap.
I see no reason for entertaining hopes, especially in the
present circumstances, when such disaster has been sustained
in Asia, in Illyricum, in the Cassius affair, in Alexandria
itself, in the city, in Italy.[2] In my opinion, even if he is*
- ↑ Apparently he supposes that the other legatees thought it doubtful whether Cicero had not incurred confiscation of his property, and so, being disfranchised, would be unable to take his share; and therefore thought it better not to make a division. If that were once made they would have great difficulty in recovering the money.
- ↑ The various points are here enumerated in which things had gone against Cæsar's interests, and therefore in favour of the ultimate triumph of the Pompeian party in Africa. They are: (1) the defeat of Domitius
