§15.6.1cum ad me Brutus noster scripsisset et Cassius, ut Hirtium, qui adhuc bonus fuisset (sciebam, neque eum confidebam fore mea auctoritate meliorem; Antonio est enim fortasse iratior, causae vero amicissimus), tamen ad eum scripsi eique dignitatem Bruti et Cassi commendavi.
Since our friend Brutus and Cassius had written to me that [I should win over] Hirtius, who up to now had been a good man (I knew this, and I did not trust that he would become better through my authority; for he is perhaps rather angry with Antony, but very friendly to the cause), I nevertheless wrote to him and commended to him the dignity of Brutus and Cassius.
ille quid mihi rescripsisset scire te volui, si forte idem tu quod ego existimares, istos etiam nunc vereri ne forte ipsi nostri plus animi habeant quam habent
I wanted you to know what he wrote back to me, in case you perhaps think the same as I do, that those fellows even now fear lest our friends themselves may have more courage than they actually have.
§15.6.2"HIRTIVS CICERONI suo salutem
Rurene iam redierim quaeris.
"HIRTIVS CICERONI suo salutem You ask whether I have already returned from the country.
an ego, cum omnes caleant, ignaviter aliquid faciam? etiam ex urbe sum profectus, utilius enim statui abesse.
Am I to do anything sluggishly when everyone is hot? I have even departed from the city, for I decided it was more useful to be away.
has tibi litteras exiens in Tusculanum scripsi.
I wrote this letter to you while departing for my villa in Tusculum.
noli autem me tam strenuum putare ut ad Nonas recurram.
Do not, however, think me so strenuous as to run back by the Nones.
nihil enim iam video opus esse nostra cura, quoniam praesidia sunt in tot annos provisa.
For I see no need now for our care, since safeguards have been provided for so many years.
Brutus et Cassius utinam quam facile a te de me impetrare possunt ita per te exorentur ne quod calidius ineant consilium! cedentis enim haec ais scripsisse—quo aut qua re?
"
Brutus and Cassius, I wish that just as they can easily obtain from you what they want concerning me, they might be so persuaded through you not to enter upon any too hot a plan! For you say they wrote these things as men retreating—whither or for what reason?
§15.6.3"retine, obsecro te, Cicero, illos et noli sinere haec omnia perire, quae funditus medius fidius rapinis, incendiis, caedibus pervertuntur.
""Hold them back, I beseech you, Cicero, and do not allow all these things to perish, which, by my faith, are being utterly ruined by plundering, burnings, and slaughter.
tantum si quid timent caveant, nihil praeterea moliantur.
If they fear anything, let them only be on their guard; let them attempt nothing besides.
non medius fidius acerrimis consiliis plus quam etiam inertissimis, dum modo diligentibus, consequentur.
By my faith, they will achieve no more by the most violent plans than by even the most inactive, provided they are careful.
haec enim quae fluunt per se diuturna non sunt; in contentione praesentis ad nocendum habent viris.
For these things which are in flux are not long-lasting by themselves; in conflict, they possess present powers to do harm.
quid speres de illis in Tusculanum ad me scribe.
Write to me at Tusculum what you hope concerning them.
" §15.6.4habes Hirti epistulam.
"There you have Hirtius' letter.
cui rescripsi nil illos calidius cogitare idque confirmavi.
I wrote back to him that they were thinking of nothing too hot, and I confirmed this.
hoc qualecumque esset te scire volui.
Whatever this might be, I wanted you to know it.
obsignata iam Balbus ad me Serviliam redisse, confirmare non discessuros.
Now that the letter is sealed, Balbus has written to me that Servilia has returned, and confirms that they will not depart.
nunc exspecto a te litteras.
Now I await a letter from you.