§9.8.1cenantibus ii Idus nobis ac noctu quidem Statius a te epistulam brevem attulit.
On the fourteenth of March, while we were dining, and indeed at night, Statius brought a short letter from you.
de L. Torquato quod quaeris, non modo Lucius sed etiam Aulus profectus est, alter multos.
As for your question about L. Torquatus, not only Lucius but also Aulus has set out; the one, many [people / days ago].
de Reatinorum corona quod scribis, moleste fero in agro Sabino sementem fieri proscriptionis.
As for what you write about the "crown" (slave-auction crowd) of the Reatines, I am distressed that the seed of proscription is being sown in the Sabine territory.
senatores multos esse Romae nos quoque audieramus.
We too had heard that there are many senators in Rome.
ecquid potes dicere cur exierint?
Can you tell at all why they left?
§9.8.2in his locis opinio est coniectura magis quam nuntio aut litteris Caesarem Formiis a. d. xi Kal. Aprilis fore.
In these parts there is an opinion, based on conjecture rather than on message or letter, that Caesar will be at Formiae on the twenty-second of March.
hic ego vellem habere Homeri illam Minervam simulatam Mentori cui dicerem,
"Μέντορ, πῶσ τ' ἄρ' ἴω, πῶσ τ' ἂρ"
nullam rem umquam difficiliorem cogitavi, sed cogito tamen nec ero, ut in malis, imparatus.
Here I could wish to have that Minerva of Homer's, disguised as Mentor, to whom I might say: "Mentor, how then shall I go, how shall I..." I have never thought of any matter more difficult; but I am thinking nevertheless, and I shall not be, considering the evil circumstances, unprepared.
sed cura ut valeas. puto enim diem tuum heri fuisse.
But take care of your health; for I think yesterday was your day.