§4.8A.1Apenas vix discesserat, cum epistula.
Apenas had scarcely departed, when a letter arrived.
quid ais? putasne fore ut legem non ferat? dic, oro te, clarius; vix enim mihi exaudisse videor.
What do you say? Do you think he will not propose the law? Speak, I beg you, more clearly; for I seem to have scarcely heard you.
verum statim fac ut sciam, si modo tibi est commodum.
But make sure I know immediately, if only it is convenient for you.
ludis quidem quoniam dies est additus, eo etiam melius hic eum diem cum Dionysio conteremus.
Since indeed a day has been added to the games, all the better shall we spend that day here with Dionysius.
§4.8A.2de Trebonio prorsus tibi adsentior.
About Trebonius, I completely agree with you.
de Domitio
"
σύκῳ, μὰ τὴν Δήμητρα, σῦκον οὐδὲ ἓν
οὕτωσ ὅμοιον γέγονεν
"
quam est ista περίστασισ nostrae vel quod ab isdem vel quod praeter opinionem, vel quod viri boni nusquam;
About Domitius, "by Demeter, not a single fig has become so like another fig." How like our own is that situation of his, whether because it is caused by the same people, or because it is contrary to expectation, or because the good men are nowhere to be found!
unum dissimile, quod huic merito.
One thing is different, that in his case it is deserved.
nam de ipso casu nescio an illud melius.
For about the event itself, I wonder if that other was not better.
quid enim hoc miserius quam eum qui tot annos quot habet designatus consul fuerit fieri consulem non posse, praesertim cum aut solus aut certe non plus quam cum altero petat? si vero id est, quod nescio an sit, ut non minus longas iam in codicillorum fastis futurorum consulum paginulas habeat quam factorum, quid illo miserius nisi res publica in qua ne speratur quidem melius quicquam?
For what is more wretched than this: that a man who has been consul-elect for as many years as he is old, should be unable to become consul, especially when he is candidacy either alone or at least with no more than one other? If indeed it is the case, which I am inclined to think it is, that he has pages in his notebooks of future consuls no less long than of those already made, what is more wretched than he, except the republic in which not even anything better is hoped for?
§4.8A.3de Natta ex tuis primum scivi litteris; oderam hominem.
About Natta, I first learned from your letter; I hated the man.
de poemate quod quaeris, quid si cupiat effugere? quid? sinas? de Fabio Lusco quod eram exorsus, homo peramans semper nostri fuit nec mihi umquam odio.
As to what you ask about my poem, what if it should wish to escape? What? Would you allow it? As to what I had begun to write about Fabius Luscus, he was always very fond of me, and never odious to me.
satis enim acutus et permodestus ac bonae frugi.
For he is sensible enough, very modest, and of good character.
eum quia non videbam abesse putabam; audivi ex Gavio hoc Firmano Romae esse hominem et fuisse adsiduum.
Because I did not see him, I thought he was away; I heard from this Gavius of Firmum that the man is in Rome and has been constantly there.
percussit animum.
It struck my mind.
dices
"tantulane causa?"
permulta ad me detulerat non dubia de Firmanis fratribus.
You will say, "for such a tiny reason?" He had brought many, and by no means doubtful, reports to me about the brothers of Firmum.
quid sit quod se a me removit, si modo removit, ignoro.
What reason there is that he has withdrawn himself from me, if indeed he has withdrawn, I do not know.
§4.8A.4de eo quod me mones ut et πολιτικῶσ me geram et τὴν ἔσω γραμμὴν teneam, ita faciam.
Regarding what you advise me, to behave politically and to keep to the "inner line," I will do so.
sed opus est maiore prudentia, quam a te, ut soleo, petam.
But there is need of greater prudence, which I shall, as is my habit, request from you.
tu velim ex Fabio, si quem habes aditum, odorere et istum convivam tuum degustes et ad me de his rebus et de omnibus cotidie scribas.
I should like you, if you have any access, to sniff it out from Fabius, and to sound out that guest of yours, and to write to me about these matters and about everything daily.
ubi nihil erit quod scribas, id ipsum scribito.
When there is nothing to write, write just that.
cura ut valeas.
Take care of your health.