§11.18.1etsi ex mandatis, quae Galbae Volumnioque ad senatum dedisti, quid timendum putares suspicabamur, tamen timidiora mandata videbantur quam erat dignum tua populique Romani victoria.
Although we suspected from the instructions which you gave to Galba and Volumnius for the senate what you thought was to be feared, yet those instructions seemed more timorous than was worthy of your victory and that of the Roman people.
senatus autem, mi Brute, fortis est et habet fortis duces.
But the senate, my dear Brutus, is courageous and has courageous leaders.
itaque moleste ferebat se a te, quem omnium quicumque fuissent fortissimum iudicaret, timidum atque ignavum iudicari.
Therefore, it took it ill that it should be judged timorous and inactive by you, whom it judged the most courageous of all who have ever existed.
§11.18.2etenim cum te incluso spem maximam omnes habuissent in tua virtute florente Antonio, quis erat qui quicquam timeret profligato illo, te liberato? nec vero Lepidum timebamus.
For when, while you were blockaded, everyone had placed the greatest hope in your valor while Antony was flourishing, who was there to fear anything now that he has been utterly defeated and you have been set free? Nor indeed did we fear Lepidus.
quis enim esset qui illum tam furiosum arbitraretur ut, qui in maximo bello pacem velle se dixisset, is in optatissima pace bellum rei p. indiceret?
For who would there be to think him so mad that, having said in the midst of a very great war that he wished for peace, he should declare war against the republic in the midst of a most longed-for peace?
§11.18.3nec dubito quin tu plus provideas; sed tamen tam recenti gratulatione quam tuo nomine ad omnia deorum templa fecimus, renovatio timoris magnam molestiam adferebat.
Nor do I doubt that you foresee more; but nevertheless, while the thanksgiving which we offered at all the temples of the gods in your name is so recent, the renewal of fear was bringing great vexation.
qua re velim equidem, id quod spero, ut plane abiectus et fractus sit Antonius; sin aliquid virium forte conlegerit, sentiet nec senatui consilium nec populo Romano virtutem deesse nec rei p. te vivo imperatorem.
Therefore, for my part, I should wish, as indeed I hope, that Antony be completely cast down and broken; but if by chance he should have collected some strength, he will feel that neither counsel is lacking to the senate, nor valor to the Roman people, nor a general to the republic while you are alive.
xiiii K. Iun.
May 19.