§12.14.1Cum Brutum nostrum convenissem eumque tardius in Asiam venturum animadverterem, in Asiam redii ut reliquias mei laboris conligerem et pecuniam quam primum Romam mitterem.
When I had met our Brutus and noticed that he would come to Asia rather late, I returned to Asia in order to collect the remains of my labor and send money to Rome as soon as possible.
interim cognovi in Lycia esse classem Dolabellae ampliusque centum navis onerarias in quas exercitus eius imponi posset, idque Dolabellam ea mente comparasse ut, si Syriae spes eum frustrata esset, conscenderet in navis et Italiam peteret seque cum Antoniis et reliquis latronibus coniungeret.
Meanwhile I learned that the fleet of Dolabella was in Lycia, and more than a hundred transport ships into which his army could be put, and that Dolabella had prepared this with the intention that, if his hope of Syria should disappoint him, he would embark on the ships and head for Italy, and join himself with the Antonii and the rest of the robbers.
cuius rei tanto in timore fui, ut omnibus rebus relictis cum paucioribus et minoribus navibus ad illas ire conatus sim.
I was in such great fear of this matter, that leaving everything behind, I attempted to go to them with fewer and smaller ships.
§12.14.2quae res, si a Rhodiis non essem interpellatus, fortasse tota sublata esset; tamen magna ex parte profligata est, quoniam quidem classis dissipata est adventus nostri timore, milites ducesque effugerunt onerariae omnes ad unam a nobis sunt exceptae.
Which matter, if I had not been interrupted by the Rhodians, would perhaps have been entirely removed; yet it was for the most part crushed, since indeed the fleet was dispersed by fear of our arrival, the soldiers and leaders fled, and the transport ships, all to a single one, were captured by us.
certe quod maxime timui videor esse consecutus, ut non possit Dolabella in Italiam pervenire nec suis sociis firmatis durius vobis efficere negotium.
Certainly, what I feared most, I seem to have achieved: namely, that Dolabella cannot arrive in Italy, nor, by strengthening his allies, create a harder task for you.
§12.14.3Rhodii nos et rem p. quam valde desperaverint ex litteris quas publice ruisi cognosces.
How greatly the Rhodians despaired of us and the republic, you will learn from the letter which I sent publicly.
et quidem multo parcius scripsi quam re vera furere eos inveni.
And indeed, I wrote much more sparingly than I found them to be actually raging.
quod vero aliquid de iis scripsi, mirari noli; mira est eorum amentia. † nec me meae ullae privatim iniuriae umquam malus animus eorum in nostra salute, cupiditas partium aliarum, perseverantia in contemptione optimi cuiusque ferenda mihi non fuit.
But as to my writing something about them, do not wonder; amazing is their madness. † Nor did any private injuries of mine, nor ever their evil mind toward our safety, their desire for other parties, and their perseverance in the contempt of all the best men, fail to be borne by me.
nec tamen omnis perditos esse puto;
And yet I do not think all of them are ruined; but those same men who then did not receive my fleeing father, who did not receive L.
sed idem illi qui tum fugientem patrem meum, qui L. Lentulum, qui Pompeium, qui ceteros viros clarissimos non receperunt, idem tamquam aliquo fato et nunc aut magistratum gerunt aut eos qui sunt in magistratu in sua habent potestate; itaque eadem superbia in pravitate utuntur; quorum improbitatem aliquando retundi et non pati impunitate augeri non solum utile est rei p. nostrae sed etiam necessarium.
Lentulus, who did not receive Pompey, who did not receive the other most illustrious men, the same, as if by some fate, even now either hold magistracy or have those who are in magistracy in their own power; and so they exercise the same pride in their wickedness; whose wickedness to be at length repressed and not suffered to increase with impunity is not only useful for our republic but even necessary.
§12.14.4de nostra dignitate velim tibi ut semper curae sit et,quocumque tempore occasionem habueris, et in senatu et ceteris rebus laudi nostrae suffragere.
Regarding our dignity, I would wish that it always be a care to you, and, at whatever time you have an opportunity, both in the senate and in other matters, vote for our praise.
quoniam consulibus decreta est Asia et permissum est iis ut, dum ipsi venirent, darent negotium qui Asiam optineant, rogo te petas ab iis ut hanc dignitatem potissimum nobis tribuant et mihi dent negotium ut Asiam obtineam, dum ipsorum alter uter venit; nam quod hoc properent in magistratu venire aut exercitum mittere causam non habent.
Since Asia has been decreed to the consuls and it has been permitted to them that, until they themselves should come, they may give the business to those who should hold Asia, I ask you to request of them that they bestow this dignity chiefly upon us and give me the business of holding Asia until either of them comes; for they have no cause why they should hasten to come in office or to send an army.
Dolabella enim in Syria est et, ut tu divina tua mente prospexisti et praedicasti, dum isti veniunt, Cassius eum opprimet; exclusus enim ab Antiochia Dolabella et in oppugnando male acceptus nulla alia confisus urbe Laudiceam, quae est in Syria, ad mare se contulit.
For Dolabella is in Syria and, as you with your divine mind foresaw and predicted, by the time they arrive, Cassius will crush him; for Dolabella, excluded from Antioch and having received a bad blow in the assault, trusting in no other city, betook himself to Laodicea, which is in Syria, by the sea.
ibi spero celeriter eum poenas daturum; nam neque quo refugiat habet neque diutius ibi poterit tantum exercitum Cassi sustinere.
There I hope he will quickly pay the penalty; for he neither has whither to flee, nor will he be able to withstand so great an army of Cassius there any longer.
spero etiam confectum esse iam et oppressum Dolabellam.
I hope also that Dolabella has already been finished and crushed.