§8.14.1non dubito quin tibi odiosae sint epistulae cotidianae, cum praesertim neque nova de re aliqua certiorem te faciam neque novam denique iam reperiam scribendi ullam sententiam.
I do not doubt that daily letters are annoying to you, especially since I neither inform you of anything new, nor indeed find any new thought to write anymore.
sed si dedita opera, cum causa nulla esset, tabellarios ad te cum inanibus epistulis mitterem, facerem inepte; euntibus vero, domesticis praesertim, ut nihil ad te dem litterarum facere non possum et simul, crede mihi, requiesco paulum in his miseriis, cum quasi tecum loquor, cum vero tuas epistulas lego, multo etiam magis.
But if I were to send couriers to you with empty letters on purpose when there was no reason, I would be acting foolishly; yet when they are going, especially members of my household, I cannot manage not to give them any letter for you, and at the same time, believe me, I find a little rest in these miseries when I speak as if with you, and indeed much more when I read your letters.
omnino intellego nullum fuisse tempus post has fugas et formidines nostras quod magis debuerit mutum esse a litteris, propterea quod neque Romae quicquam auditur novi nec in his locis quae a Brundisio absunt propius quam tu bidui aut tridui.
In general, I understand that there has been no time since these flights and fears of ours that ought more to have been silent of letters, because nothing new is heard either in Rome or in these places which are closer to Brundisium than you by a two or three days' journey.
Brundisi autem omne certamen vertitur huius primi temporis.
But all the conflict of this first period turns on Brundisium.
qua quidem exspectatione torqueor.
Indeed, I am tortured by this expectation.
sed omnia ante Nonas sciemus.
But we shall know everything before the Nones.
eodem enim die video Caesarem a Corfinio post meridiem profectum esse, id est Feralibus, quo Canusio mane Pompeium.
For I see that Caesar set out from Corfinium in the afternoon on the very same day—that is, on the Feralia—on which Pompey did from Canusium in the morning.
eo modo autem ambulat Caesar et iis †diariis† militum celeritatem incitat ut timeam ne citius ad Brundisium quam opus sit accesserit.
Moreover, Caesar marches in such a way and quickens his speed with those †rations† of the soldiers that I fear he may have reached Brundisium sooner than is desirable.
§8.14.2dices,
"quid igitur proficis qui anticipes eius rei molestiam quam triduo sciturus sis?"
nihil equidem; sed, ut supra dixi, tecum perlibenter loquor, et simul scito labare meum consilium illud quod satis iam fixum videbatur.
You will say, "What do you gain, then, by anticipating the distress of a matter which you will know in three days?" Nothing indeed; but, as I said above, I speak with you very gladly, and at the same time, know that that plan of mine, which already seemed sufficiently fixed, is wavering.
non mihi satis idonei sunt auctores ii qui a te probantur.
Those authorities who are approved by you do not seem to me sufficiently suitable.
quod enim umquam eorum in re publica forte factum exstitit? aut quis ab iis ullam rem laude dignam desiderat? nec me hercule laudandos existimo qui trans mare belli parandi causa profecti sunt—quamquam haec ferenda non erant—, video enim quantum id bellum et quam pestiferum futurum sit; sed me movet unus vir cuius fugientis comes, rem publicam reciperantis socius videor esse debere.
For what brave deed of theirs has ever stood out in the republic? Or who expects any praiseworthy thing from them? Nor, by Hercules, do I think those are to be praised who set out across the sea for the purpose of preparing war—although these things were not to be endured—for I see how great and how pestilential that war will be; but I am moved by one man, whose companion in flight and partner in recovering the republic I feel I ought to be.
"totiensne igitur sententiam mutas?"
ego tecum tamquam mecum loquor.
"Do you change your opinion so many times, then?" I speak with you as if with myself.
quis autem est tanta quidem de re quin varie secum ipse disputet? simul et elicere cupio sententiam tuam, si manet, ut firmior sim, si mutata est, ut tibi adsentiar.
But who is there, indeed on so great a matter, who does not dispute with himself in various ways? At the same time, I also desire to elicit your opinion, so that if it remains, I may be firmer, and if it has changed, I may agree with you.
§8.14.3omnino ad id de quo dubito pertinet me scire quid Domitius acturus sit, quid noster Lentulus.
In general, it concerns that about which I doubt that I should know what Domitius is going to do, and what our Lentulus is.
de Domitio varia audimus †modo esse in Tiburti aut lepidi quo cum lepidus accessisse ad urbem†, quod item falsum video esse.
We hear various things about Domitius, †that he is at Tibur, or on Lepidus' estate, or has approached the city with Lepidus†, which I see is likewise false.
ait enim Lepidus eum nescio quo penetrasse itineribus †occultandi† sui causa an maris adipiscendi ne is quidem scit.
For Lepidus says that he has made his way, by I know not what routes, for the sake of †hiding† himself or of reaching the sea; not even he knows.
ignorat etiam de filio.
He is also ignorant about his son.
addit illud sane molestum, pecuniam Domitio satis grandem quam is Corfini habuerit non esse redditam.
He adds that indeed annoying detail, that a fairly large sum of money which Domitius had at Corfinium has not been returned.
de Lentulo autem nihil audivimus.
But we have heard nothing about Lentulus.
haec velim exquiras ad meque perscribas.
I would like you to inquire into these things and write them fully to me.