§1.2.1Idibus Ianuariis in senatu nihil est confectum, propterea quod dies magna ex parte consumptus est altercatione Lentuli consulis et Canini tr. pl.
On the Ides of January, nothing was accomplished in the senate, because the day was for the most part consumed by the altercation between Lentulus the consul and Caninius the tribune of the plebs.
eo die nos quoque multa verba fecimus maximeque visi sumus senatum commemoratione tuae voluntatis erga illum ordinem permovere.
On that day, I also spoke at great length, and I seemed especially to move the senate by recalling your goodwill toward that order.
itaque postridie placuit ut breviter sententias diceremus; videbatur enim reconciliata nobis voluntas esse senatus, quod cum dicendo tum singulis appellandis rogandisque perspexeram.
Therefore, on the following day, it was decided that we should deliver our opinions briefly; for the goodwill of the senate seemed to have been restored to us, which I had perceived both by speaking and by addressing and entreating individuals.
itaque, cum sententia prima Bibuli pronuntiata esset, ut tres legati regem reducerent, secunda Hortensi, ut tu sine exercitu reduceres, tertia Volcaci, ut Pompeius reduceret, postulatum est, ut Bibuli sententia divideretur.
Thus, when the first opinion, that of Bibulus, had been read, namely that three envoys should restore the king; the second, that of Hortensius, that you should restore him without an army; the third, that of Volcatius, that Pompey should restore him; a demand was made that Bibulus's opinion should be divided.
quatenus de religione dicebat, cui quidem rei iam obsisti non poterat, Bibulo adsensum est; de tribus legatis frequentes ierunt in alia omnia.
As far as he spoke concerning religion, which matter indeed could no longer be resisted, Bibulus was assented to; regarding the three envoys, the senators went in large numbers in the opposite direction.
§1.2.2proxima erat Hortensi sententia, cum Lupus tr. pl. , quod ipse de Pompeio retulisset, intendere coepit ante se oportere discessionem facere quam consules.
Next was Hortensius's opinion, when Lupus, the tribune of the plebs, because he himself had made a motion concerning Pompey, began to insist that he ought to conduct the division before the consuls.
eius orationi vehementer ab omnibus reclamatum est erat enim et iniqua et nova.
His speech was vehemently shouted down by everyone, for it was both unjust and unprecedented.
consules neque concedebant neque valde repugnabant, diem consumi volebant, id quod est factum; perspiciebant enim in Hortensi sententiam multis partibus pluris ituros, quamquam aperte Volcacio adsentirentur.
The consuls neither conceded nor strongly resisted; they wished the day to be consumed, which is what happened; for they saw clearly that far more would vote for Hortensius's opinion, although they were openly assenting to Volcatius.
multi rogabantur, atque id ipsum consulibus non invitis, nam ei Bibuli sententiam valere cupierunt.
Many were asked for their opinions, and this very thing was not against the wish of the consuls, for they desired Bibulus's opinion to prevail.
§1.2.3hac controversia usque ad noctem ducta senatus dimissus est.
This controversy being prolonged until night, the senate was dismissed.
ego eo die casu apud Pompeium cenavi nactusque tempus hoc magis idoneum quam umquam antea, quod post tuum discessum is dies honestissimus nobis fuerat in senatu, ita sum cum illo locutus, ut mihi viderer animum hominis ab omni alia cogitatione ad tuam dignitatem tuendam traducere.
On that day, I happened to dine at Pompey's house, and having found a more suitable opportunity than ever before, because after your departure that day had been most honorable for us in the senate, I spoke with him in such a way that I seemed to myself to turn the man's mind from every other consideration to defending your dignity.
quem ego ipsum cum audio, prorsus eum libero omni suspicione cupiditatis; cum autem eius familiaris omnium ordinum video, perspicio, id quod iam omnibus est apertum, totam rem istam iam pridem a certis hominibus non invito rege ipso consiliariisque eius esse corruptam.
When I listen to the man himself, I completely free him from all suspicion of ambition; but when I see his intimates of all ranks, I perceive, what is now clear to everyone, that this whole business was corrupted long ago by certain men, not without the consent of the king himself and his advisers.
§1.2.4haec scripsi a. d. xvi K. Februarias ante lucem; eo die senatus erat futurus.
I wrote this before daybreak on the sixteenth day before the Kalends of February; on that day, the senate was to meet.
nos in senatu, quem ad modum spero, dignitatem nostram, ut potest in tanta hominum perfidia et iniquitate, retinebimus; quod ad popularem rationem attinet, hoc videmur esse consecuti, ut ne quid agi cum populo aut salvis auspiciis aut salvis legibus aut denique sine vi posset.
In the senate, as I hope, we shall maintain our dignity as far as is possible amidst such great treachery and injustice of men; as for the popular assembly, we seem to have achieved this, that nothing can be transacted with the people either with safe auspices, or safe laws, or finally without violence.
de his rebus pridie, quam haec scripsi, senatus auctoritas gravissima intercessit, cui quom Cato et Caninius intercessissent, tamen est perscripta; eam ad te missam esse arbitror.
Concerning these matters, on the day before I wrote this, a most weighty expression of the senate's will intervened; and although Cato and Caninius vetoed it, it was nevertheless written down; I believe it has been sent to you.
de ceteris rebus quicquid erit actum, scribam ad te et, ut quam rectissime agantur omnia mea cura, opera, diligentia, gratia providebo.
As to other matters, whatever is transacted, I will write to you, and I will see to it by my care, labor, diligence, and influence that everything is transacted in the most proper manner.