§1.12.1etsi daturus eram Messalae Corvino continuo litteras, tamen veterem nostrum ad te sine litteris meis venire nolui.
Although I was going to give a letter to Messala Corvinus immediately, yet I did not wish our friend Vetus to come to you without a letter of mine.
maximo in discrimine res publica, Brute, versatur victoresque rursus decertare cogimur.
The Republic, Brutus, is in the greatest danger, and though victors, we are forced to fight to the death again.
id accidit M. Lepidi scelere et amentia.
This has happened through the crime and madness of Marcus Lepidus.
quo tempore cum multa propter eam curam quam pro re publica suscepi graviter ferrem, tum nihil tuli gravius quam me non posse matris tuae precibus cedere, non sororis; nam tibi, quod mihi plurimi est, facile me satis facturum arbitrabar.
At which time, while I was taking heavily many things because of that care which I undertook for the Republic, I yet took nothing more heavily than that I could not yield to the prayers of your mother, nor to those of your sister; for I thought I should easily satisfy you, which is of the greatest importance to me.
nullo enim modo poterat causa Lepidi distingui ab Antonio omniumque iudicio etiam durior erat quod, cum honoribus amplissimis a senatu esset Lepidus ornatus tum etiam paucis ante diebus praeclaras litteras ad senatum misisset, repente non solum recepit reliquias hostium sed bellum acerrime terra marique gerit; cuius exitus qui futurus sit incertum est.
For the cause of Lepidus could in no way be distinguished from that of Antony, and in the judgment of all it was even more harsh, because, although Lepidus had been adorned with the most ample honors by the senate and had even a few days before sent an excellent letter to the senate, he suddenly not only received the remnants of the enemies but is waging war most fiercely by land and sea; the outcome of which is uncertain.
ita cum rogamur ut misericordiam liberis eius impertiamus, nihil adfertur quo minus summa supplicia, si (quod Iuppiter omen avertat!) pater puerorum vicerit, subeunda nobis sint. §1.12.2nec vero me fugit quam sit acerbum parentum scelera filiorum poenis lui; sed hoc praeclare legibus comparatum est, ut caritas liberorum amiciores parentis rei publicae redderet.
Thus, when we are asked to bestow mercy upon his children, nothing is brought forward to prevent that the ultimate punishments must be undergone by us, if (may Jupiter avert the omen!) the father of the boys should conquer. Nor indeed does it escape me how bitter it is that the crimes of parents should be expiated by the punishments of their children; but this has been excellently provided by the laws, so that love for their children might render parents more friendly to the Republic.
itaque Lepidus crudelis in liberos, non is qui Lepidum hostem iudicat.
Therefore, Lepidus is cruel to his children, not he who judges Lepidus a public enemy.
atque ille si armis positis de vi damnatus esset, quo in iudicio certe defensionem non haberet, eandem calamitatem subirent liberi bonis publicatis.
And if he, having laid down his arms, had been condemned for violence—a trial in which he certainly would have had no defense—his children would have undergone the same calamity, with their property confiscated.
quamquam quod tua mater et soror deprecatur pro pueris, id ipsum et multa alia crudeliora nobis omnibus Lepidus, Antonius et reliqui hostes denuntiant.
And yet, that very thing which your mother and sister pray to avert for the boys, and many other more cruel things, Lepidus, Antony, and the rest of our enemies threaten against us all.
itaque maximam spem hoc tempore habemus in te atque exercitu tuo.
Therefore, we have our greatest hope at this time in you and your army.
Cum ad rei publicae summam tum ad gloriam et dignitatem tuam vehementer pertinet te, ut ante scripsi, in Italiam venire quam primum.
It is of vehement importance both to the safety of the Republic and to your own glory and dignity that you come into Italy as soon as possible, as I wrote before.
eget enim vehementer cum viribus tuis tum etiam consilio res publica. §1.12.3veterem pro eius erga te benevolentia singularique officio libenter ex tuis litteris complexus sum eumque cum tui tum rei publicae studiosissimum amantissimumque cognovi.
For the Republic vehemently needs both your forces and also your counsel. Because of his goodwill and singular duty toward you, I have gladly welcomed Vetus on the strength of your letter, and I have found him to be most zealous and loving both of you and of the Republic.
Ciceronem meum propediem, ut spero, videbo. tecum enim illum in Italiam celeriter esse venturum confido.
I hope to see my Cicero very soon; for I trust that he will come quickly with you into Italy.