§12.10.1Lepidus, tuus adfinis, meus familiaris, pr. K. Quintilis sententiis omnibus hostis a senatu iudicatus est ceterique qui una cum illo a re p. defecerunt; quibus tamen ad sanitatem redeundi ante K. Sept. potestas facta est.
Lepidus, your relative and my friend, on the day before the Kalends of July, was declared a public enemy by the senate by a unanimous vote, as well as the others who revolted from the republic together with him; to whom, however, the power of returning to sanity before the Kalends of September was granted.
fortis sane senatus, sed maxime spe subsidi tui.
The senate is indeed brave, but chiefly through the hope of your assistance.
bellum quidem, cum haec scribebam, sane magnum erat scelere et levitate Lepidi.
Indeed, when I was writing this, the war was very great owing to the crime and levity of Lepidus.
nos de Dolabella cotidie quae volumus audimus, sed adhuc sine capite, sine auctore, rumore nuntio.
We hear daily what we wish about Dolabella, but as yet without a head, without an author, as a mere rumor delivering the news.
§12.10.2quod cum ita esset, tamen litteris tuis, quas Nonis Maiis ex castris datas acceperamus, ita persuasum erat civitati ut illum iam oppressum omnes arbitrarentur, te autem in Italiam venire cum exercitu ut, si haec ex sententia confecta essent, consilio atque auctoritate tua, sin quid forte titubatum, ut fit in bello, exercitu tuo niteremur.
Although this was so, yet by your letter, which we had received, dated from your camp on the Nones of May, the state was so persuaded that everyone thought he was already crushed, and that you were coming to Italy with an army so that, if these matters were finished according to our wish, we might rely on your counsel and authority, but if by chance there were any slip, as happens in war, on your army.
quem quidem ego exercitum quibuscumque potuero rebus ornabo; cuius rei tum tempus erit cum quid opis rei p.
I will indeed honor this army by whatever means I can; of which thing the time will be when it begins to be known what help this army is going to bring to the republic, or what it has already brought.
laturus is exercitus sit aut quid iam tulerit notum esse coepe4t nam adhuc tantum conatus audiuntur optimi illi quidem et praeclarissimi, sed gesta res exspectatur, quam quidem aut iam esse aliquam aut appropinquare confido.
For as yet only attempts are heard of—very excellent and glorious indeed—but the actual achievement is awaited, which I trust is either already accomplished in some measure or is approaching.
tua virtute, magnitudine animi nihil est nobilius.
Nothing is nobler than your virtue and greatness of soul.
§12.10.3itaque optamus ut quam primum te in Italia videamus.
Therefore, we pray that we may see you in Italy as soon as possible.
rem p. nos habere arbitrabimur, si vos habebimus.
We shall think that we have a republic if we have you.
praeclare viceramus, nisi spoliatum, inermem, fugientem Lepidus recepisset Antonium.
We had won a glorious victory, if Lepidus had not received the despoiled, unarmed, and fleeing Antony.
itaque numquam tanto odio civitati Antonius fuit quanto est Lepidus; ille enim ex turbulenta re p. , hic ex pace et victoria bellum excitavit.
Therefore, Antony was never the object of so much hatred to the state as Lepidus is; for the former stirred up war out of a turbulent republic, the latter out of peace and victory.
huic oppositos consules designatos habemus, in quibus est magna illa quidem spes sed anceps cura propter incertos exitus proeliorum.
Against him we have the consuls-elect opposed, in whom indeed there is great hope, but also anxious care on account of the uncertain outcomes of battles.
§12.10.4persuade tibi igitur in te et in Bruto tuo esse omnia, vos exspectari, Brutum quidem iam iamque.
Persuade yourself, therefore, that everything lies in you and in your Brutus, that you both are expected, Brutus indeed at any moment.
quod si, ut spero, victis hostibus nostris veneritis, tamen auctoritate vestra res p. exsurget et in aliquo statu tolerabili consistet; sunt enim permulta quibus erit medendum, etiam si res p. satis esse videbitur sceleribus hostium liberata.
But if, as I hope, you come after our enemies have been defeated, nevertheless by your authority the republic will rise again and will stand in some tolerable condition; for there are very many things which will have to be cured, even if the republic seems to be sufficiently freed from the crimes of our enemies.
vale.
Farewell.