§16.12.1quo in discrimine versetur salus mea et honorum omnium atque universae rei p. ex eo scire potes quod domos nostras et patriam ipsam vel diripiendam vel inflammandam reliquimus.
You can know from this in what great danger my safety, that of all good men, and that of the entire republic stand: namely, that we have left our homes and our very country to be either plundered or set on fire.
in eum locum res deducta est ut, nisi qui deus vel casus aliquis subvenerit, salvi esse nequeamus.
Matters have been brought to such a pass that, unless some god or some chance comes to our aid, we cannot be safe.
§16.12.2equidem ut veni ad urbem, non destiti omnia et sentire et dicere et facere quae ad concordiam pertinerent; sed mirus invaserat furor non solum improbis sed etiam iis qui boni habentur, ut pugnare cuperent me clamante nihil esse bello civili misenus.
For my part, when I came to the city, I did not cease to think, speak, and do everything that pertained to harmony; but a strange madness had seized not only the wicked but also those who are considered good, so that they desired to fight, even while I cried out that nothing is more wretched than civil war.
itaque cum Caesar amentia quadam raperetur et oblitus nominis atque honorum suorum Ariminum, Pisaurum, Anconam, Arretium occupavisset, urbem reliquimus, quam sapienter aut quam fortiter nihil attinet a disputari.
Therefore, when Caesar was swept away by a kind of madness and, forgetting his name and honors, had occupied Ariminum, Pisaurum, Ancona, and Arretium, we left the city; how wisely or how bravely we did so, there is no need to discuss.
§16.12.3quo quidem in casu simus vides.
You see indeed in what a situation we are.
feruntur omnino condiciones ab illo, ut Pompeius eat in Hispaniam, dilectus qui sunt habiti et praesidia nostra dimittantur; se ulteriorem Galliam Domitio, citeriorem Considio Noniano (his enim obtigerunt) traditurum; ad consulatus petitionem is se venturum, neque se iam velle absente se rationem haberi suam; se praesentem trinum nundinum petiturum.
On the whole, terms are offered by him: that Pompeius should go to Spain; that the levies which have been held and our garrisons should be dismissed; that he will hand over further Gaul to Domitius, and hither Gaul to Considius Nonianus (for these fell to them by lot); that he will come to petition for the consulship, and that he no longer wishes his candidacy to be considered in his absence; that he will petition in person during the three market weeks.
accepimus condiciones, sed ita, ut removeat praesidia ex iis locis quae occupavit, ut sine metu de his ipsis condicionibus §16.12.4Romae senatus haberi possit.
We have accepted the terms, but only on the condition that he withdraws his garrisons from those places which he has occupied, so that without fear concerning these very terms the senate may be held at Rome.
id ille si fecerit, spes est pacis, non honestae (leges enim imponuntur); sed quidvis est melius quam sic esse ut sumus.
If he does this, there is hope of peace, not an honorable one (for laws are being imposed upon us); but anything is better than for us to be as we are.
sin autem ille suis condicionibus stare noluerit, bellum paratum est, eius modi tamen quod sustinere ille non possit, praesertim cum a suis condicionibus ipse fugerit; tantum modo ut eum intercludamus ne ad urbem possit accedere, quod sperabamus fieri posse.
If, however, he refuses to stand by his own terms, war is ready, of such a kind, however, that he cannot sustain it, especially since he himself will have fled from his own terms; provided only that we block him so that he cannot approach the city, which we were hoping could be done.
dilectus enim magnos habebamus putabamusque illum metuere, si ad urbem ire coepisset, ne Gallias amitteret, quas ambas habet inimicissimas praeter Transpadanos, ex Hispaniaque sex legiones et magna auxilia Afranio et Petreio ducibus habet a tergo.
For we were holding large levies and we thought that he feared, if he began to march to the city, lest he should lose the Gauls, both of which, except for the Transpadani, he finds most hostile, and from Spain he has six legions and large auxiliary forces at his back under the command of Afranius and Petreius.
videtur, si insaniet, posse opprimi, modo ut urbe salva.
It seems that, if he acts like a madman, he can be crushed, provided only that the city is safe.
maximam autem plagam accepit quod, is qui summam auctoritatem in illius exercitu habebat, T. Labienus socius sceleris esse noluit.
But he has received the greatest blow because Titus Labienus, who held the highest authority in his army, refused to be a partner in his crime.
reliquit illum et est nobiscum multique idem facturi esse dicuntur.
He has left him and is with us, and many are said to be about to do the same.
§16.12.5ego adhuc orae maritimae praesum a Formiis.
As of now, I am in charge of the coastal area from Formiae.
nullum maius negotium suscipere volui, quo plus apud illum meae litterae cohortationesque ad pacem valerent.
I did not want to undertake any greater task, so that my letters and exhortations to peace might carry more weight with him.
sin autem erit bellum, video me castris et certis legionibus praefuturum.
If, however, there is to be war, I see that I shall be in command of a camp and of certain legions.
habeo etiam illam molestiam, quod Dolabella noster apud Caesarem est.
I also have that distress, namely, that our Dolabella is with Caesar.
haec tibi nota esse volui; quae cave ne te perturbent et impediant valetudinem tuam.
I wanted these things to be known to you; take care that they do not disturb you and hinder your health.
§16.12.6ego A. Varroni, quem quom amantissimum mei cognovi tum etiam valde tui studiosum, diligentissime te commendavi, ut et valetudinis tuae rationem haberet et navigationis et totum te susciperet ac tueretur.
I have most diligently commended you to Aulus Varro, whom I have found to be both most affectionate toward me and also very zealous on your behalf, so that he might take thought for your health and navigation, and receive and protect you entirely.
quem omnia facturum confido; recepit enim et mecum locutus est suavissime.
I trust that he will do everything; for he undertook it and spoke with me in the kindest manner.
tu quoniam eo tempore mecum esse non potuisti, quo ego maxime operam et fidelitatem desideravi tuam, cave festines aut committas ut aut aeger aut hieme naviges.
Since you could not be with me at that time when I most felt the need of your help and fidelity, take care not to hurry or commit the error of sailing either while ill or in winter.
numquam sero te venisse putabo, si salvus veneris.
I shall never think that you have come too late, if you arrive safe.
adhuc neminem videram qui te postea vidisset quam M. Volusius, a quo tuas litteras accepi.
So far I had seen no one who had seen you later than Marcus Volusius, from whom I received your letter.
quod non mirabar; neque enim meas puto ad te litteras tanta hieme perferri.
At this I did not wonder; for I do not think that my letters are carried to you in such a hard winter.
sed da operam ut valeas et, si valebis, cum recte navigari poterit, tum naviges.
But see to it that you are well, and if you are, sail when it is possible to sail properly.
Cicero meus in Formiano erat, Terentia et Tullia Romae.
My dear Cicero is in his Formian villa, Terentia and Tullia are in Rome.
cura ut valeas.
Take care of your health.
iiii K. Febr. Capua.
January 29, from Capua.