§6.13.1etsi tali tuo tempore me aut consolandi aut iuvandi tui causa scribere ad te aliquid pro nostra amicitia oportebat, tamen adhuc id non feceram, quia neque lenire videbar oratione neque levare posse dolorem tuum.
Although at such a critical time of yours it was proper for me, in accordance with our friendship, to write something to you for the sake of either consoling or helping you, yet until now I had not done so, because I seemed neither to be able to soothe your pain by words nor to be able to relieve it.
postea vero quam magnam spem habere coepi fore ut te brevi tempore incolumem haberemus, facere non potui quin tibi et sententiam et voluntatem declararem meam.
But after I began to have great hope that we would have you safe in a short time, I could not help declaring both my opinion and my goodwill to you.
§6.13.2primum igitur scribam, quod intellego et perspicio, non fore in te Caesarem duriorem; nam et res eum cotidie et dies et opinio hominum et ut mihi videtur, etiam sua natura mitiorem facit; idque cum de reliquis sentio tum de te etiam audio ex familiarissimis eius.
First, therefore, I will write what I understand and perceive, that Caesar will not be too harsh towards you; for daily circumstances, time, the opinion of men, and, as it seems to me, even his own nature are making him milder; and I not only feel this concerning all others, but I also hear it concerning you from his most intimate friends.
quibus ego ex eo tempore, quo primum ex Africa nuntius venit, supplicare una cum fratribus tuis non destiti; quorum quidem et virtute et pietate et amor in te singularis et adsidua et perpetua cura salutis tuae tantum proficit, ut nihil sit, quod non ipsum Caesarem tributurum existimem.
To whom I have not ceased to supplicate, together with your brothers, from that time when the first news came from Africa; indeed, by their virtue and piety, and their singular love for you, and their constant and perpetual care for your safety, so much is being accomplished that there is nothing which I do not think Caesar himself will grant.
§6.13.3sed, si tardius fit quam volumus, magnis occupationibus eius, a quo omnia petuntur, aditus ad eum difficiliores fuerunt, et simul Africanae causae iratior diutius velle videtur eos habere sollicitos, a quibus se putat diuturnioribus esse molestiis conflictatum.
But, if it happens more slowly than we wish, access to him, from whom all things are sought, has been more difficult because of his great occupations, and at the same time, because he is more angry at the African cause, he seems to wish to keep anxious for a longer time those by whom he thinks he has been harassed with longer-lasting troubles.
sed hoc ipsum intellegimus eum cotidie remissius et placatius ferre.
But we understand that he bears this very thing more remissly and placidly day by day.
qua re mihi crede et memoriae manda me tibi id adfirmasse, te in istis molestiis diutius non futurum.
Therefore, believe me and commit it to memory that I have affirmed this to you: that you will not be in those troubles for a longer time.
§6.13.4quoniam quid sentirem exposui, quid velim tua causa re potius declarabo quam oratione.
Since I have explained what I feel, I will declare what I wish for your sake by deed rather than by word.
si tantum possem quantum in ea re p. , de qua ita sum meritus ut tu existimas, posse debebam, ne tu quidem in istis incommodis esses; eadem enim causa opes meas fregit quae tuam salutem in discrimen adduxit.
If I had as much power in that Republic, from which I have deserved as well as you think, as I ought to have had, not even you would be in those inconveniences; for the same cause shattered my resources which brought your safety into danger.
sed tamen, quicquid imago veteris meae dignitatis, quicquid reliquiae gratiae valebunt, studium, consilium, opera, gratia, fides mea nullo loco deerit tuis is optimis fratribus.
But yet, whatever the image of my old dignity, whatever the remains of my influence can do, my devotion, counsel, effort, influence, and fidelity will in no place be wanting to those excellent brothers of yours.
§6.13.5tu fac habeas fortem animum quem semper habuisti, primum ob eas causas quas scripsi, deinde quod ea de re p. semper voluisti atque sensisti, ut non modo nunc secunda sperare debeas sed etiam, si omnia adversa essent, tamen conscientia et factorum et consiliorum tuorum, quaecumque acciderent, fortissimo et maximo animo ferre deberes.
Make sure you keep the brave mind which you have always had, first for those reasons which I have written, and then because you have always wished and felt in such a way concerning the Republic, that you not only ought to hope for favorable things now, but also, if all things were adverse, you nevertheless ought to have borne whatever happened with the bravest and greatest mind, through the consciousness of both your deeds and your counsels.