§7.6.1plane deest quod ad te scribam; nota omnia tibi sunt, nec ipse habeo a te quod exspectem.
Indeed, I completely lack anything to write to you; all things are known to you, nor do I myself have anything to expect from you.
tantum igitur nostrum illud sollemne servemus ut ne quem istuc euntem sine litteris dimittamus.
Therefore, let us only keep that custom of ours, not to let anyone going your way depart without a letter.
§7.6.2de re publica valde timeo nec adhuc fere inveni qui non concedendum putaret Caesari quod postularet potius quam depugnandum.
Concerning the republic I fear greatly, nor up to now have I found almost anyone who did not think that what Caesar demands should be granted to him rather than fighting to the end.
est illa quidem impudens postulatio, opinione valentior.
That demand is indeed shameless, but stronger than expected.
cur autem nunc primum ei resistamus?
"οὐ γὰρ δὴ τόδε μεῖζον ἔπι κακόν"
quam cum quinquennium prorogabamus aut cum ut absentis ratio haberetur ferebamus, nisi forte haec illi tum arma dedimus ut nunc cum bene parato pugnaremus.
But why should we now resist him for the first time? "οὐ γὰρ δὴ τόδε μεῖζον ἔπι κακόν" than when we were prolonging his command for five years, or when we were supporting the law that his candidacy should be considered in his absence; unless by chance we gave him these weapons then so that we might fight with him now that he is well prepared.
dices,
"quid tu igitur sensurus es?"
non idem quod dicturus;
You will say, "What then are you going to vote?" Not the same as what I am going to say.
sentiam enim omnia facienda ne armis decertetur dicam idem quod Pompeius neque id faciam humili animo.
For in my mind I shall hold that everything must be done lest there be a decisive conflict with arms; but I shall say the same as Pompey, and yet I shall not do so with a servile spirit.
sed rursus hoc permagnum rei publicae malum est et quodam modo mihi praeter ceteros non rectum me in tantis rebus a Pompeio dissidere.
But on the other hand, this is a very great evil for the republic, and in a way, for me especially beyond others, it is not right that I should disagree with Pompey in such great matters.