§16.16B.1iam antea petivi abs te per litteras ut, cum causa Buthrotiorum probata a consulibus esset quibus et lege et senatus consulto permissum erat ut de Caesaris actis cognoscerent, statuerent, iudicarent, eam rem tu adiuvares Atticumque nostrum cuius te studiosum cognovi et me qui non minus laboro molestia liberares.
I have already previously requested of you by letter that, since the cause of the Buthrotians has been approved by the consuls—to whom both by law and by decree of the senate it had been permitted to investigate, determine, and judge concerning Caesar's acts—you should assist in this matter and free from anxiety our friend Atticus, of whose goodwill I know you to be supportive, and myself, who labor no less.
omnibus enim rebus magna cura, multa opera et labore confectis in te positum est ut nostrae sollicitudinis finem quam primum facere possimus.
For now that all things have been accomplished with great care, much effort, and labor, it depends on you that we can put an end to our anxiety as soon as possible.
quamquam intellegimus ea te esse prudentia ut videas, si ea decreta consulum quae de Caesaris actis interposita sunt non serventur, magnam perturbationem rerum fore.
Although we understand that you are of such wisdom that you see, if those decrees of the consuls which were interposed concerning Caesar's acts should not be observed, there will be a great confusion of affairs.
§16.16B.2equidem cum multa (quod necesse erat in tanta occupatione) non probentur quae Caesar statuerit, tamen oti pacisque causa acerrime illa soleo defendere.
Indeed, although many things which Caesar decided are not approved (as was necessary in such great business), yet for the sake of peace and quiet I am accustomed to defend them most vigorously.
quod tibi idem magno opere faciendum censeo; quamquam haec epistula non suasoris est sed rogatoris.
I think that you should do the very same thing; although this letter is not that of an adviser, but of a petitioner.
igitur, mi Plance, rogo te et etiam oro, sic medius fidius ut maiore studio magisque ex animo agere non possim, ut totum hoc negotium ita agas, ita tractes, ita conficias ut, quod sine ulla dubitatione apud consules obtinuimus propter summam bonitatem et aequitatem causae, id tu nos obtinuisse non modo facile patiare sed etiam gaudeas.
Therefore, my Plancus, I ask you and even beg you—by my faith, in such a way that I could not plead with greater zeal and more from my heart—that you so conduct, so handle, and so finish this whole business that, what we obtained without any doubt before the consuls on account of the supreme goodness and equity of the cause, you not only easily allow us to have obtained it, but even rejoice.
qua quidem voluntate te esse erga Atticum saepe praesens et illi ostendisti et vero etiam mihi.
And indeed, that you are of such goodwill toward Atticus, you have often shown when present both to him and indeed to me as well.
quod si feceris, me quem voluntate et paterna necessitudine coniunctum semper habuisti maximo beneficio devinctum habebis idque ut facias te vehementer etiam atque etiam rogo.
If you do this, you will have me, whom you have always held joined to you by goodwill and paternal connection, bound to you by the greatest favor; and that you do this, I vehemently ask you again and again.