§5.18.1quam vellem Romae esses, si forte non es! nihil enim certi habebamus nisi accepisse nos tuas litteras a.
How I wish you were in Rome, if by chance you are not!
d. xiiii Kal. Sextil. datas, in quibus scriptum esset te in Epirum iturum circiter Kal. Sextil.
For we had nothing certain except that we had received your letter dated the 14th day before the Kalends of August (July 19th), in which it was written that you would go to Epirus about the Kalends of August.
sed sive Romae es sive in Epiro, Parthi Euphraten transierunt duce Pacoro, Orodis regis Parthorum filio, cum cunctis fere copiis.
But whether you are in Rome or in Epirus, the Parthians have crossed the Euphrates under the leadership of Pacorus, son of Orodes the king of the Parthians, with almost all their forces.
Bibulus nondum audiebatur esse in Syria; Cassius in oppido Antiochia est cum omni exercitu, nos in Cappadocia ad Taurum cum exercitu ad Cybistra; hostis in Cyrrhestica quae Syriae pars proxima est provinciae meae.
Bibulus was not yet heard of as being in Syria; Cassius is in the town of Antioch with his whole army, we are in Cappadocia near Mount Taurus with our army near Cybistra; the enemy is in Cyrrhestica, which is the part of Syria closest to my province.
his de rebus scripsi ad senatum, quas litteras, si Romae es, videbis putesne reddendas et multa, immo omnia, quorum κεφάλαιον ne quid inter caesa et porrecta, ut aiunt, oneris mihi addatur aut temporis.
I have written to the senate about these matters; which letter, if you are in Rome, you will see whether you think it should be delivered, and many other things, or rather all things, the sum (κεφάλαιον) of which is that, as the saying goes, 'between the sacrifice and the altar', no additional burden or time should be imposed on me.
nobis enim hac infirmitate exercitus inopia sociorum, praesertim fidelium, certissimum subsidium est hiems.
For to us, with this weakness of our army and lack of allies, especially faithful ones, winter is the most certain protection.
ea si venerit nec illi ante in meam provinciam transierint, unum vereor ne senatus propter urbanarum rerum metum Pompeium nolit dimittere.
If it arrives and they do not cross into my province before then, I fear only one thing: that the senate, because of their fear of city affairs, may be unwilling to send Pompey.
quod si alium ad ver mittit, non laboro, nobis modo temporis ne quid prorogetur.
But if they send someone else by spring, I do not mind, provided that no extension of time is made to us.
§5.18.2haec igitur, si es Romae; sin abes aut etiam si ades, haec negotia sic se habent.
These things, therefore, [do] if you are in Rome; but if you are away, or even if you are present, these affairs of ours stand thus.
stamus animis et, quia consiliis, ut videmur, bonis utimur, speramus etiam manu.
We are standing firm in spirit and, because we seem to be employing good counsels, we are hopeful also in hand (action).
tuto consedimus copioso a frumento, Ciliciam prope conspiciente, expedito ad mutandum loco, parvo exercitu sed, ut spero, ad benevolentiam erga nos consentiente.
We have taken up a safe position, rich in corn, nearly overlooking Cilicia, in a place easy to move from, with a small army but, as I hope, united in goodwill towards us.
quem nos Deiotari adventu cum suis omnibus copiis duplicaturi eramus.
This army we were about to double by the arrival of Deiotarus with all his forces.
sociis multo fidelioribus utimur quam quisquam usus est; quibus incredibilis videtur nostra et mansuetudo et abstinentia.
We find our allies far more faithful than anyone ever has; to whom both our clemency and self-restraint seem incredible.
dilectus habetur civium Romanorum; frumentum ex agris in loca tuta comportatur.
A levy of Roman citizens is being held; grain is being carried from the fields into safe places.
si fuerit occasio, manu, si minus, locis nos defendemus.
If there is an opportunity, we will defend ourselves by hand; if not, by our positions.
§5.18.3qua re bono animo es.
Therefore, be of good cheer.
video enim te et, quasi coram adsis, ita cerno συμπάθειαν amoris tui.
For I see you and, just as if you were present in person, so I perceive the sympathy (συμπάθειαν) of your love.
sed te rogo, si ullo pacto fieri poterit, si integra in senatu nostra causa ad Kal. Ianuarias manserit, ut Romae sis mense Ianuario.
But I ask you, if it can be done in any way, if our cause remains untouched in the senate up to the Kalends of January, to be in Rome in the month of January.
profecto nihil accipiam iniuriae, si tu aderis.
I shall certainly suffer no injustice if you are present.
amicos consules habemus, nostrum tribunum pl. Furnium.
We have the consuls as friends, and our tribune of the plebs, Furnius.
verum tua est opus adsiduitate, prudentia, gratia.
But there is need of your diligence, wisdom, and influence.
tempus est necessarium.
The time is critical.
sed turpe est me pluribus verbis agere tecum.
But it is shameful for me to urge you with more words.
§5.18.4Cicerones nostri sunt apud Deiotarum sed, si opus erit, deducentur Rhodum.
Our young Ciceros are with Deiotarus, but if there is need, they will be taken down to Rhodes.
tu si es Romae, ut soles, diligentissime, si in Epiro, mitte tamen ad nos de tuis aliquem tabellarium, ut et tu quid nos agamus et nos quid tu agas quidque acturus sis scire possimus.
If you are in Rome, do as you usually do with the utmost diligence; if you are in Epirus, send some messenger of yours to us, so that both you may know what we are doing, and we may know what you are doing and what you are going to do.
ego tui Bruti rem sic ago ut suam ipse non ageret.
I am managing the business of your Brutus in such a way as he himself would not manage his own.
sed iam exhibeo pupillum neque defendo; sunt enim negotia et lenta et inania.
But now I am merely producing my ward and not defending him; for the business is both slow and futile.
faciam tamen satis tibi quidem cui difficilius est quam ipsi; sed certe satis faciam utrique.
Nevertheless, I will satisfy you, for whom it is harder than for himself; but I will certainly satisfy both.