§12.44.1et Hirtium aliquid ad te συμπαθῶσ de me scripsisse facile patior (fecit enim humane) et te eius epistulam ad me non misisse multo facilius; tu enim etiam humanius.
I easily bear Hirtius having written something to you sympathizingly about me (for he acted kindly), and much more easily your not having sent his letter to me; for you acted even more kindly.
illius librum quem ad me misit de Catone propterea volo divulgari a tuis ut ex istorum vituperatione sit illius maior laudatio.
I want his book about Cato, which he sent to me, to be published by your people for this reason, that from the depreciation of those fellows there may arise a greater praise of him.
§12.44.2quod per Mustelam agis, habes hominem valde idoneum meique sane studiosum iam inde a Pontiano.
As for what you are doing through Mustela, you have a man very suitable and indeed very devoted to me ever since the time of Pontianus.
perfice igitur aliquid.
Finish something, therefore.
quid autem aliud nisi ut aditus sit emptori? quod per quemvis heredem potest effici.
But what else is there except that access be given to the buyer? Which can be effected through any heir.
sed Mustelam id perfecturum, si rogaris, puto.
But I think Mustela will accomplish this, if he is asked.
mihi vero et locum quem opto ad id quod volumus dederis et praeterea ἐγγήραμα.
To me indeed, you will have given both the place I desire for that which we want, and besides, a solace for my old age.
nam illa Sili et Drusi non satis οἰκοδεσποτικὰ mihi videntur.
For those estates of Silius and Drusus do not seem to me sufficiently fit for a master of a house.
quid enim? sedere totos dies in villa? ista igitur malim, primum Othonis, deinde Clodiae.
For what is it? To sit all day in a villa? Therefore, I should prefer those others, first Otho's, then Clodia's.
si nihil fiet, aut Druso ludus est suggerendus aut utendum Tusculano.
If nothing is done, either Drusus must be put off with a game, or I must make use of my Tusculan villa.
§12.44.3quod domi te inclusisti ratione fecisti; sed, quaeso, confice et te vacuum redde nobis.
In shutting yourself up at home, you have acted with good reason; but, I beg you, finish your business and return to us free.
ego hinc, ut scripsi antea, postridie Idus Lanuvi, deinde postridie in Tusculano.
From here, as I wrote before, I shall go to Lanuvium on the day after the Ides, then on the following day to my Tusculan villa.
Contudi enim animum et fortasse vici, si modo permansero.
For I have subdued my mind, and perhaps conquered it, if only I hold out.
scies igitur fortasse cras, summum perendie.
You will know, therefore, perhaps tomorrow, at the latest the day after.
sed quid est, quaeso? Philotimus nec Carteiae Pompeium teneri (qua de re litterarum ad Clodium Patavinum missarum exemplum mihi Oppius et Balbus miserant, se id factum arbitrari) bellumque narrat reliquum satis magnum.
But what is it, pray? Philotimus tells me that Pompey is not held at Carteia (on which matter Oppius and Balbus had sent me a copy of the letter sent to Clodius of Patavium, saying they thought it was true) and that the remaining war is quite large.
solet omnino esse Fulviniaster.
He is altogether accustomed to play the windbag.
sed tamen, si quid habes.
But nevertheless, if you have anything.
volo etiam de naufragio Caniniano scire quid sit.
I also want to know what is the matter with the shipwreck of Caninius.
§12.44.4ego hic duo magna συντάγματα absolvi; nullo enim alio modo a miseria quasi aberrare possum.
I have completed two large treatises here; for in no other way can I, as it were, turn aside from my misery.
tu mihi, etiam si nihil erit quod scribas, quod fore ita video, tamen id ipsum scribas velim te nihil habuisse quod scriberes, dum modo ne his verbis.
I would have you write to me, even if there is nothing to write, which I see will be the case, still write that very thing, that you had nothing to write, provided it be not in these exact words.