§12.12.1S. v. h. e. e. q. v.
If you are well, it is well; I also am well.
legi tuas litteras, in quibus mirificum tuum erga me amorem recognovi; videbaris enim non solum favere nobis, id quod et nostra et rei p. causa semper fecisti, sed etiam gravem curam suscepisse vehementerque esse de nobis sollicitus.
I read your letter, in which I recognized your wonderful love toward me; for you seemed not only to support us, which you have always done for both our sake and the republic's, but also to have undertaken a heavy care and to be vehemently anxious about us.
itaque quod te primum existimare putabam nos oppressa re p. quiescere non posse, deinde,. cum suspicarere nos moliri, quod te sollicitum esse et de salute nostra et de rerum eventu putabam, simul ac legiones accepi quas A. Allienus eduxerat ex Aegypto, scripsi ad te tabellariosque compluris Romam misi; scripsi etiam ad senatum litteras, quas reddi vetui prius quam tibi recitatae essent, si forte mei obtemperare mihi voluerint.
Therefore, because I thought at first that you estimated that we, with the republic oppressed, could not remain quiet, and next, when you suspected we were active, because I thought you were anxious both about our safety and about the outcome of events, as soon as I received the legions which A. Allienus had led out of Egypt, I wrote to you and sent several couriers to Rome; I also wrote a letter to the senate, which I forbade to be delivered before it had been read aloud to you, if by chance my people should wish to obey me.
quod si litterae perlatae non sunt, non dubito quin Dolabella, qui nefarie Trebonio occiso Asiam occupavit, tabellarios meos deprenderit litterasque interceperit.
But if the letter has not been delivered, I do not doubt that Dolabella, who nefariously occupied Asia after killing Trebonius, has apprehended my couriers and intercepted the letter.
§12.12.2exercitus omnis qui in Syria fuerunt teneo.
I hold all the forces that were in Syria.
habui pollulum morae, dum proluissa militibus persolvo; nunc iam sum expeditus.
I had a little delay while I paid off the allowances to the soldiers; now I am already prepared.
A te peto ut dignitatem meam commendatam tibi habeas, si me intellegis nullum neque periculum neque laborem patriae denegasse, si contra importunissimos latrones arma cepi te hortante et auctore, si non solum exercitus ad rem p. libertatemque defendendam comparavi sed etiam crudelissimis tyrannis eripui; quos si occupasset Dolabella, non solum adventu sed etiam opinione et exspectatione exercitus sui Antonium confirmasset.
I ask of you that you hold my dignity recommended to you, if you understand that I have denied no danger or labor to our country, if I took up arms against the most importunate bandits at your exhortation and authority, if I not only prepared armies to defend the republic and liberty but also rescued them from the most cruel tyrants; if Dolabella had seized these, he would have strengthened Antony not only by the arrival but also by the expectation and reputation of his army.
§12.12.3quas ob res milites tuere, si eos mirifice de re p. meritos esse animadvertis, et effice ne quem paeniteat rem p. quam spem praedae et rapinarum sequi maluisse.
Therefore, protect the soldiers, if you perceive that they have deserved wonderfully of the republic, and bring it about that no one regrets having preferred to follow the republic rather than the hope of plunder and pillage.
item Murci et Crispi imperatorum dignitatem, quantum est in te, tuere.
Likewise, protect the dignity of the imperatores Murcus and Crispus, as far as lies in you.
nam Bassus misere noluit mihi legionem tradere. quod nisi milites invito eo legatos ad me misissent, clausam Apameam tenuisset, quoad vi esset expugnata.
For Bassus wretchedly refused to hand over his legion to me; and if the soldiers, against his will, had not sent envoys to me, he would have held Apamea closed until it was taken by force.
haec a te peto non solum rei p. quae tibi semper fuit carissima, sed etiam amicitiae nostrae nomine, quam confido apud te plurimum posse.
I ask these things of you not only in the name of the republic, which was always most dear to you, but also in the name of our friendship, which I trust has the greatest influence with you.
§12.12.4crede mihi hunc exercitum quem habeo senatus atque optimi cuiusque esse maximeque tuum, de cuius voluntate adsidue audiendo mirifice te diligit carumque habet.
Believe me that this army which I have belongs to the senate and to every best citizen, and especially to you, whom it wonderfully loves and holds dear from constantly hearing about your goodwill.
qui si intellexerit commoda sua curae tibi esse, debere etiam se tibi omnia putabit.
If it understands that its advantages are a care to you, it will also think that it owes everything to you.
§12.12.5Litteris scriptis audii Dolabellam in Ciliciam venisse cum suis copiis.
After the letter was written, I heard that Dolabella had come into Cilicia with his forces.
proficiscar in Ciliciam.
I shall set out for Cilicia.
quid egerim celeriter ut scias dabo operam; ac velim, ut meremur de re p. , sic felices simus.
I will take care that you may quickly know what I have done; and I would wish that, just as we deserve of the republic, so we may be fortunate.
fac valeas meque ames.
See that you are well and love me.
Nonis Maiis ex castris.
Dispatched on the Nones of May, from the camp.