§4.1.6postridie in senatu qui fuit dies Nonarum Septembr. senatui gratias egimus.
On the next day, which was the day of the Nones of September, I thanked the Senate in the Senate-house.
eo biduo cum esset annonae summa caritas et homines ad theatrum primo, deinde ad senatum concurrissent, impulsu Clodi mea opera frumenti inopiam esse clamarent, cum per eos dies senatus de annona haberetur et ad eius procurationem sermone non solum plebis verum etiam bonorum Pompeius vocaretur idque ipse cuperet multitudoque a me nominatim ut id decernerem postularet, feci et accurate sententiam dixi.
During those two days, since there was an extreme high price of provisions, and the people had rushed first to the theater, then to the Senate, and by Clodius's instigation were shouting that the grain shortage was my doing, while during those days the Senate was being held on the grain supply, and Pompeius was being called upon to manage it not only by the talk of the plebs but also of the good men, and he himself desired it, and the multitude was demanding of me by name that I should propose a decree for it, I did so and delivered a detailed opinion.
cum abessent consulares, quod tuto se negarent posse sententiam dicere, praeter Messallam et Afranium, factum est senatus consultum in meam sententiam, ut cum Pompeio ageretur ut eam rem susciperet lexque ferretur.
Since the consulars were absent—except Messalla and Afranius—claiming that they could not safely deliver their opinions, a decree of the Senate was passed in accordance with my opinion, that Pompeius should be approached to undertake the business and that a law should be proposed.
quo senatus consulto recitato cum populus more hoc insulso et novo plausum meo nomine recitando dedisset, habui contionem.
When this decree of the Senate was read out, and the people had applauded at the reading of my name, according to this silly and modern fashion, I delivered a speech to the assembly.
omnes magistratus praesentes praeter unum praetorem et duos tribunos pl. dederunt.
All the magistrates present, except one praetor and two tribunes of the plebs, gave me the platform.
postridie senatus frequens et omnes consulares nihil Pompeio postulanti negarunt.
The next day, in a full Senate, all the consulars refused nothing to Pompeius when he made his demands.
ille legatos quindecim cum postularet, me principem nominavit et ad omnia me alterum se fore dixit.
When he asked for fifteen legates, he named me first and said that in everything I should be a second self to him.
legem consules conscripserunt qua Pompeio per quinquennium omnis potestas rei frumentariae toto orbe terrarum daretur, alteram Messius qui omnis pecuniae dat potestatem et adiungit classem et exercitum et maius imperium in provinciis quam sit eorum qui eas obtineant.
The consuls drafted a law by which all authority over the grain supply throughout the world was to be given to Pompeius for five years; Messius drafted another one, which gives him power over all money, and adds a fleet and an army, and an imperium in the provinces greater than that of those who hold them.
illa nostra lex consularis nunc modesta videtur, haec Messi non ferenda.
That consular law of ours now seems moderate; this one of Messius is intolerable.
Pompeius illam velle se dicit, familiares hanc.
Pompeius says he wishes for the former, his intimates for the latter.
consulares duce Favonio fremunt; nos tacemus et eo magis quod de domo nostra nihil adhuc pontifices responderunt.
The consulars, led by Favonius, are murmuring; we keep silence, and all the more because the pontiffs have as yet given no answer about our house.
qui si sustulerint religionem, aream praeclaram habebimus; superficiem consules ex senatus consulto aestimabunt; sin aliter, †demolientur, suo† nomine locabunt, rem totam aestimabunt.
If they remove the religious consecration, we shall have a splendid site; the consuls, in accordance with a decree of the Senate, will value the building; but if otherwise, they will demolish the building, contract for it in their own name, and value the whole thing.
§4.1.8ita sunt res nostrae,
"
ut ín secundis flúxae, ut in advorsís bonae. "
in re familiari valde sumus, ut scis, perturbati.
Such is the state of our affairs: "unstable in prosperity, but good in adversity." In our private property, as you know, we are in great embarrassment.
praeterea sunt quaedam domestica quae litteris non committo.
Moreover, there are certain domestic matters which I do not entrust to letters.
quin tum fratrem insigni pietate, virtute, fide praeditum sic amo ut debeo.
My brother Quintus, endowed with singular affection, virtue, and loyalty, I love as I ought.
te exspecto et oro ut matures venire eoque animo venias ut me tuo consilio egere non sinas.
I expect you and beg you to make haste to come, and to come with such a mind that you will not suffer me to want your counsel.
alterius vitae quoddam initium ordimur.
We are beginning a kind of new life.
iam quidam qui nos absentis defenderunt incipiunt praesentibus occulte irasci, aperte invidere.
Already some who defended us when absent begin to be secretly angry and openly envious now that we are present.
vehementer te requirimus.
We miss you vehemently.