§10.10.1me caecum qui haec ante non viderim! misi ad te epistulam Antoni.
How blind I was not to have seen these things beforehand! I have sent you Antony's letter.
ei cum ego saepissime scripsissem nihil me contra Caesaris rationes cogitare, meminisse me generi mei, meminisse amicitiae, potuisse, si aliter sentirem, esse cum Pompeio, me autem, quia cum lictoribus invitus cursarem, abesse velle nec id ipsum certum etiam nunc habere, vide quam ad haec παραινετικῶσ: §10.10.2"tuum consilium quam verum est.
Although I had written to him very frequently that I was thinking of nothing against Caesar's interests, that I was mindful of my son-in-law, mindful of our friendship, and that, if I felt otherwise, I could have been with Pompey, but that, because I was running about unwillingly with lictors, I wished to be away, and even now did not hold this itself as certain, see how παραινετικῶσ (admonishingly, overbearingly) [he replies] to this: "How true is your plan!
nam qui se medium esse vult in patria manet, qui proficiscitur aliquid de altera utra parte iudicare videtur.
For he who wishes to be neutral remains in his country; he who departs seems to pass judgment on one side or the other.
sed ego is non sum qui statuere debeam iure quis proficiscatur necne; partis mihi Caesar has imposuit ne quem omnino discedere ex Italia paterer.
But I am not the one who ought to decide by right who may depart or not; Caesar has imposed this role upon me, not to allow anyone at all to leave Italy.
qua re parvi refert me probare cogitationem tuam si nihil tamen tibi remittere possum.
Therefore, it matters little that I approve of your design, if nevertheless I can concede nothing to you.
ad Caesarem mittas censeo et ab eo hoc petas.
I advise you to send to Caesar and ask this of him.
non dubito quin impetraturus sis, cum praesertim te amicitiae nostrae rationem habiturum esse pollicearis. " §10.10.3habes σκυτάλην Λακωνικήν.
I do not doubt that you will obtain it, especially since you promise that you will show regard for our friendship." There you have a "Laconian staff" (scytale).
omnino excipiam hominem.
At any rate, I shall receive the man.
erat autem v Nonas venturus vesperi, id est hodie.
He was, however, to arrive on the evening of the fifth day before the Nones, that is, today.
cras igitur ad me fortasse veniet.
Perhaps, therefore, he will come to me tomorrow.
temptabo, †audeam† nihil properare; missurum ad Caesarem.
I shall sound him out; I shall venture to do nothing in haste; [I shall say] I am going to send to Caesar.
clam agam, cum paucissimis alicubi occultabor, †carti† hinc istis invitissimis evolabo, atque utinam ad Curionem! σύνεσ ὅ τοι λέγω.
I shall act secretly, I shall hide somewhere with a very few companions, I shall fly away from here much against their will, and oh, that it were to Curio! Understand what I am saying to you.
magnus dolor accessit.
A great grief has been added.
efficietur aliquid dignum nobis. §10.10.4δυσουρία tua mihi valde molesta.
Something worthy of us will be achieved. Your difficulty in passing urine is a matter of great concern to me.
medere amabo dum est ἀρχή.
Please cure it while it is in its beginning.
de Massiliensibus gratae tuae mihi litterae.
Your letter about the people of Massilia was welcome to me.
quaeso ut sciam quicquid audieris.
I beg that I may know whatever you hear.
Ocellam cuperem, si possem palam, quod a Curione effeceram.
I could wish for Ocella, if I could do so openly, which I had obtained from Curio.
hic ego Servium exspecto; rogor enim ab eius uxore et filio et puto opus esse. §10.10.5hic tamen Cytherida secum lectica aperta portat, alteram uxorem.
Here I am waiting for Servius; for I am requested by his wife and son, and I think it is necessary. Meanwhile, this man carries Cytheris with him in an open litter, like a second wife.
septem praeterea coniunctae lecticae amicarum sunt an amicorum.
In addition, there are seven coupled litters of female or male friends.
vide quam turpi leto pereamus et dubita, si potes, quin ille, seu victus seu victor redierit, caedem facturus sit.
See by what a shameful death we are perishing, and doubt, if you can, that he, whether he returns defeated or victorious, will make a slaughter.
ego vero vel luntriculo, si navis non erit, eripiam me ex istorum parricidio.
As for me, even in a small boat if there is no ship, I will rescue myself from the parricide of those men.
sed plura scribam cum illum convenero. §10.10.6iuvenem nostrum non possum non amare sed ab eo nos non amari plane intellego.
But I shall write more when I have met him. I cannot help loving our young man, but I clearly perceive that we are not loved by him.
nihil ego vidi tam ἀνηθοποίητον, tam aversum a suis, tam nescio quid cogitans.
I have never seen anyone so devoid of character, so averse to his own family, thinking of I know not what.
o vim incredibilem molestiarum! sed erit curae et est ut regatur.
Oh, what incredible intensity of troubles! But care will be taken, and is being taken, that he may be guided.
mirum est enim ingenium, ἤθουσ ἐπιμελητέον.
For his talent is wonderful, but his character must be cultivated.