Humanitext Reader

Cicero · Letters to Friends §15.12.1-15.12.2

Congratulations to Marcellus and Request to Prevent Prorogation

Passage 381 of 413 · Latin

Summary

Cicero expresses his immense joy at the election of M. Marcellus as consul and regrets his absence due to his provincial assignment, requesting Marcellus's help to ensure his one-year term is not extended.

§15.12.1etsi mihi numquam fuit dubium quin te populus R. pro tuis summis in rem p. meritis et pro amplissima familiae dignitate summo studio cunctis suffragiis consulem facturus esset, tamen incredibili laetitia sum adfectus, cum id mihi nuntiatum est, eumque honorem tibi deos fortunare volo a teque ex tua maiorumque tuorum dignitate administrari.
Although I never had any doubt that the Roman people, in consideration of your supreme merits toward the republic and the very great dignity of your family, would with the greatest enthusiasm elect you consul by unanimous vote, nevertheless I was filled with incredible joy when this was announced to me; and I pray that the gods may prosper this honor for you, and that it may be administered by you in accordance with your own dignity and that of your ancestors.
§15.12.2atque utinam praesens illum diem mihi optatissimum videre potuissem proque tuis amplissimis erga me studiis atque beneficiis tibi operam meam studiumque navare! quam mihi facultatem quoniam hic nec opinatus et improvisus provinciae casus eripuit, tamen ut te consulem rem p. pro tua dignitate gerentem videre possim, magno opere a te peto ut operam des efficiasque ne quid mihi fiat iniuriae neve quid temporis ad meum annuum munus accedat.
And would that I, being present, could have seen that day so greatly desired by me, and, in return for your most generous enthusiasm and favors toward me, have devoted my assistance and zeal to you! Since this opportunity has been snatched from me by this unexpected and unforeseen turn of events in my province, nevertheless, so that I may be able to see you, as consul, governing the republic in accordance with your dignity, I earnestly beg of you to take care and bring it about that no injustice be done to me, and that no time be added to my one-year term.
quod si feceris, magnus ad tua pristina erga me studia cumulus accedet.
If you do this, a great addition will be made to your former kindnesses toward me.

Notes

  1. 15.12.1facturus esset — Subjunctive introduced by 'dubium quin'. Since the main verb is in the past tense (fuit), the active future participle (facturus) combined with the imperfect subjunctive of esse (esset) is used to represent future time relative to the past.
  2. 15.12.1deos fortunare volo a teque ... administrari — Two accusative-and-infinitive clauses serving as the object of 'volo'. The first is active with 'deos' as its subject; the second is passive with 'eum honorem' understood from the context as its subject (accusative), and 'a te' denoting the agent.
  3. 15.12.2utinam ... potuissem — The combination of 'utinam' and the pluperfect subjunctive 'potuissem' expresses an unfulfilled (impossible) wish in the past. The following infinitives 'videre' and 'navare' both depend on 'potuissem'.
  4. 15.12.2quam mihi facultatem — A relative adjective (connecting relative pronoun) usage. The relative pronoun qualifies the noun 'facultatem' and is placed at the beginning of the clause. Translated as 'and since this opportunity...'.
  5. 15.12.2quid ... iniuriae neve quid temporis — Partitive genitives with 'quid' (shortened from the indefinite pronoun 'aliquid'). Literally 'anything of injustice' and 'anything of time', meaning 'no injustice' and 'no time' when combined with the negative particles 'ne' and 'neve'.

Cite this passage

Cicero, Letters to Friends §15.12.1-15.12.2. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:latinLit:phi0474.phi056.humanitext-lat1:15.12.1-15.12.2

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