§8.1.1quod tibi discedens pollicitus sum me omnis res urbanas diligentissime tibi perscripturum, data opera paravi qui sic omnia persequeretur, ut verear ne tibi nimium arguta haec sedulitas videatur; tametsi tu scio quam sis curiosus et quam omnibus peregrinantibus gratum sit minimarum quoque rerum, quae domi gerantur, fieri certiores.
As for the fact that I promised you upon departing that I would write down all the affairs of the city for you with the greatest diligence, I have with special care provided someone to trace everything in such a way that I fear this detailed industriousness may seem to you to be too chatty; although I know how curious you are and how pleasing it is to all travelers to be informed of even the smallest things that are going on at home.
tamen in hoc te deprecor ne meum hoc officium adrogantiae condemnes, quod hunc laborem alteri delegavi, non quin mihi suavissimum sit et occupato et ad litteras scribendas, ut tu nosti, pigerrimo tuae memoriae dare operam, sed ipsum volumen, quod tibi misi, facile, ut ego arbitror, me excusat.
Nevertheless, in this matter I entreat you not to condemn this service of mine for arrogance, on the ground that I have delegated this labor to another—not because it is not most pleasant to me to attend to your memory, busy though I am and, as you know, most lazy in writing letters, but because the volume itself, which I have sent you, easily, as I think, excuses me.
nescio quoius oti esset non modo perscribere haec sed omnino animadvertere; omnia enim sunt ibi senatus consulta, edicta, fabulae, rumores.
I do not know whose leisure it would be, not only to write these things down, but even to notice them at all; for all Senate decrees, edicts, stories, and rumors are in there.
quod exemplum si forte minus te delectarit, ne molestiam tibi cum impensa mea exhibeam, fac me certiorem.
If by chance this sample should please you less, make me aware of it, so that I may not cause you trouble at my own expense.
§8.1.2si quid in re p. maius actum erit, quod isti operarii minus commode persequi possint, et quem ad modum actum sit et quae existimatio secuta quae que de eo spes sit diligenter tibi perscribemus.
If any greater matter is transacted in the state, which those copyists of mine cannot trace so conveniently, I shall diligently write to you both how it was transacted, and what opinion followed, and what hope there is concerning it.
ut nunc est, nulla magno opere exspectatio est.
As things are now, there is no expectation of great consequence.
nam et illi rumores de comitiis Transpadanorum Cumarum tenus caluerunt, Romam cum venissem, ne tenuissimam quidem auditionem de ea re accepi;
For even those rumors about the elections of the Transpadanes were warm as far as Cumae; when I had come to Rome, I did not receive even the slightest whisper about that matter.
praeterea Marcellus, quod adhuc nihil rettulit de successione provinciarum Galliarum et in K. Iun. , ut mihi ipse dixit, eam distulit relationem, sane quam eos sermones expressit, qui de eo tum fuerant cum Romae nos essemus.
Furthermore, Marcellus, because he has as yet made no proposal concerning the succession of the Gallic provinces, and has postponed that proposal to the first of June, as he told me himself, has indeed called forth those conversations which had been going on about him when we were in Rome.
§8.1.3tu si Pompeium, ut volebas, offendisti, qui tibi visus sit et quam orationem habuerit tecum quamque ostenderit voluntatem (solet enim aliud sentire et loqui neque tantum valere ingenio, ut non appareat quid cupiat), fac mihi perscribas.
If you have met Pompey, as you wished, make sure to write to me how he seemed to you, what conversation he had with you, and what disposition he showed (for he is accustomed to feel one thing and say another, and is not so powerful in intellect that what he desires does not appear).
§8.1.4quod ad Caesarem, crebri et non belli de eo rumores, sed susurratores dumtaxat, veniunt.
As to Caesar, frequent and not very good rumors about him, or rather mere whisperers, are coming.
Alius equitem perdidisse, quod, opinor, certe factum est, alius septimam legionem vapulasse, ipsum apud Bellovacos circumsederi interclusum ab reliquo exercitu;
One says that he has lost his cavalry (which, I think, certainly happened); another, that the seventh legion has been beaten, and that he himself is besieged among the Bellovaci, cut off from the rest of the army.
neque adhuc certi quicquam est, neque haec incerta tamen vulgo iactantur, sed inter paucos quos tu nosti palam secreto narrantur at Domitius, cum manus ad os apposuit.
Nor is there yet anything certain, nor are these uncertain things bandied about among the common people, but they are told openly yet secretly among the few whom you know, especially when Domitius puts his hand to his mouth.
te a. d. viiii K. Iun. subrostrani (quod illorum capiti sit!) dissiparant perisse.
The loungers at the Rostra (may it fall on their own heads!) had spread a report on May 24th that you had perished.
urbe ac foro toto maximus rumor fuit te a Q. Pompeio in itinere occisum.
There was a very great rumor in the city and throughout the forum that you had been killed on your journey by Quintus Pompeius.
ego qui scirem Q. Pompeium Baulis embaeneticam facere et usque eo ut ego misererer eius esurire, non sum commotus et hoc mendacio, si qua pericula tibi impenderent, ut defungeremur optavi.
I, who knew that Quintus Pompeius was keeping a rental boat business at Baulae and was so hungry that I pitied him, was not disturbed, and I wished that we might get off with this lie from any dangers that might threaten you.
Plancus quidem tuus Ravennae est et magno congiario donatus a Caesare nec beatus nec bene instructus est.
Your Plancus indeed is at Ravenna, and having been presented with a large bounty by Caesar, is neither wealthy nor well-equipped.
tui politici libri omnibus vigent. .
Your political books are in high favor with everyone.