§6.8.1Cum esset mecum Largus, homo tui studiosus, locutus K. Ianuarias tibi praefinitas esse, quod omnibus rebus perspexeram, quae Balbus et Oppius absente Caesare egissent, ea solere illi rata esse, egi vehementer cum iis ut hoc mihi darent, tibi in Sicilia, quoad vellemus, esse uti liceret.
When Largus, a man devoted to you, was with me, he said that the Kalends of January had been prescribed for you. Since I had perceived from all circumstances that what Balbus and Oppius did in Caesar's absence was customary for him to ratify, I urged them vehemently to grant me this, that you might be permitted to be in Sicily as long as we wished.
qui mihi consuessent aut libenter polliceri si quid esset eius modi quod eorum animos non offenderet, aut etiam negare et adferre rationem cur negarent, huic meae rogationi potius non continuo responderunt; eodem die tamen ad me reverterunt; mihi hoc dederunt ut esses in Sicilia, quoad velles; se praestaturos nihil ex eo te offensionis habiturum.
Although they had been accustomed either to promise willingly if there was anything of such a kind as did not offend their minds, or even to refuse and bring forward a reason why they refused, they rather did not immediately answer this request of mine; yet on the same day they returned to me; they granted me this, that you might be in Sicily as long as you wished, saying that they would guarantee that you would incur no offense from this.
quoniam quid tibi permittatur cognosti, quid mihi placeat puto te scire oportere.
Since you have learned what is permitted to you, I think you ought to know what pleases me.
§6.8.2Actis his rebus litterae a te mihi redditae sunt, quibus a me consilium petis quid sim tibi auctor, in Siciliane subsidas an ut ad reliquias Asiaticae negotiationis proficiscare.
After these things were done, a letter from you was delivered to me, in which you ask advice from me as to what I recommend to you, whether you should remain in Sicily or set out for the remains of your Asiatic business.
haec tua deliberatio non mihi convenire visa est cum oratione Largi.
This deliberation of yours did not seem to me to agree with the speech of Largus.
ille enim mecum, quasi tibi non liceret in Sicilia diutius commorari, ita locutus erat, tu autem, quasi concessum sit, ita deliberas.
For he had spoken with me as if you were not permitted to stay any longer in Sicily, whereas you deliberate as if it were granted.
sed ego, sive hoc sive illud est, in Sicilia censeo commorandum.
But I, whether it is this or that, think that you should remain in Sicily.
propinquitas locorum vel ad impetrandum adiuvat crebris litteris et nuntiis vel ad reditus celeritatem re aut impetrata, quod spero, aut aliqua ratione confecta.
The proximity of the places helps either towards obtaining your request by frequent letters and messengers, or towards the speed of your return once the matter is either obtained, as I hope, or settled in some way.
quam ob rem censeo magno opere commorandum.
For this reason, I strongly advise you to remain.
§6.8.3T. Furfanio Postumo, familiari meo, legatisque eius, item meis familiaribus, diligentissime te commendabo, cum venerint.
I will recommend you most diligently to T. Furfanius Postumus, my familiar friend, and to his legates, likewise my familiar friends, when they arrive.
erant enim omnes Mutinae.
For they were all at Mutina.
viri sunt optimi et tui similium studiosi et mei necessarii.
They are excellent men, fond of those like you, and close friends of mine.
quae mihi venient in mentem quae ad te pertinere arbitrabor, ea mea sponte faciam; si quid ignorabo, de eo admonitus omnium studia vincam.
Whatever comes to my mind which I think concerns you, I will do on my own initiative; if there is anything I do not know, once advised of it, I will surpass the zeal of all.
ego etsi coram de te cum Furfanio ita loquar, ut tibi litteris meis ad eum nihil opus sit, tamen, quoniam tuis placuit te habere meas litteras, quas ei redderes, morem iis gessi.
Although I will speak about you in person with Furfanius in such a way that you will have no need of my letter to him, nevertheless, since it pleased your people that you should have my letter to deliver to him, I complied with their wish.
earum litterarum exemplum infra scriptum est.
A copy of that letter is written below.