§8.5.1qua tu cura sis, quod ad pacem provinciae tuae finitimarumque regionum attinet, nescio; ego quidem vehementer animi pendeo.
What anxiety you are in regarding the peace of your province and the neighboring regions, I do not know; I myself am indeed in great suspense of mind.
nam si hoc modo rem moderari possemus, ut pro viribus copiarum tuarum belli quoque exsisteret magnitudo et quantum gloriae triumphoque opus esset adsequeremur, periculosam et gravem illam dimicationem evitaremus, nihil tam esset optandum; nunc si Parthus movet aliquid, scio non mediocrem fore contentionem; tuus porro exercitus vix unum saltum tueri potest.
For if we could manage the matter in such a way that, in proportion to the strength of your forces, the magnitude of the war also should arise, and we should attain as much as was necessary for glory and a triumph, while avoiding that dangerous and grave conflict, nothing would be so much to be wished for; as it is, if the Parthian makes any move, I know that the struggle will be of no common order; furthermore, your army can scarcely defend a single pass.
hanc autem nemo ducit rationem, sed omnia desiderantur ab eo, tamquam nihil denegatum sit ei quo minus quam paratissimus esset, qui publico negotio praepositus est.
But no one takes this into account; rather, everything is expected from the man who has been placed in charge of the public business, as though nothing had been denied him to prevent him from being as well prepared as possible.
§8.5.2accedit huc quod successionem futuram propter Galliarum controversiam non video.
To this is added the fact that, because of the controversy over the Gallic provinces, I do not see any future succession for you.
tametsi hac de re puto te constitutum quid facturus esses habere, tamen, quo maturius constitueres, cum hunc eventum providebam, visum est ut te facerem certiorem.
Although on this matter I suppose you have already resolved what you are going to do, nevertheless, in order that you might resolve it the sooner, since I foresaw this outcome, it seemed good to me to inform you.
Nosti enim haec tralaticia: de Galliis constituetur; erit qui intercedat; deinde alius exsistet qui, nisi libere liceat de omnibus provinciis decernere senatui, reliquas impediat.
For you know these routine occurrences: a decision will be proposed concerning the Gallic provinces; there will be someone to interpose a veto; then another will arise who, unless the senate is allowed to decree freely concerning all the provinces, will obstruct the rest.
sic multum ac diu ludetur, atque ita diu ut plus biennium in his tricis moretur.
Thus there will be much playing for time and for a long period, and indeed so long that it may linger in these trifles for more than two years.
§8.5.3si quid novi de re p. quod tibi scriberem haberem, usus essem mea consuetudine, ut diligenter et quid actum esset et quid ex eo futurum sperarem per. scriberem.
If I had any news concerning the state to write to you, I would have followed my custom of writing in detail both what had been done and what I hoped would result from it.
sane tamquam in quodam incili iam omnia adhaeserunt.
Indeed, everything has now stuck fast, as if in some drainage ditch.
Marcellus idem illud de provinciis urget neque adhuc frequentiam senatus efficere potuit.
Marcellus is urging that same matter of the provinces, but so far he has not been able to secure a full attendance of the senate.
hoc si praeterito anno Curio tribunus erit, eadem actio de provinciis introibit.
If, when this year is past, Curio is tribune, the same motion concerning the provinces will be introduced.
quam facile nunc sit omnia impedire et quam hoc Caesari, qui sua causa rem p. non curent, †superet, non te fallit.
How easy it is now to obstruct everything, and how much this is more than enough for Caesar, and those who do not care for the state for their own sake, does not escape you.