§1.18.1Cum saepe te litteris hortatus essem ut quam primum rei publicae subvenires in Italiamque exercitum adduceres neque id arbitrarer dubitare tuos necessarios, rogatus sum a prudentissima et diligentissima femina, matre tua, cuius omnes curae ad te referuntur et in te consumuntur ut venirem ad se a. d. VIII Kal. Sextilis.
When I had often exhorted you by letter to succor the republic as soon as possible and to lead your army into Italy, and did not think your relatives doubted this, I was requested by that most prudent and diligent woman, your mother, all of whose cares are directed toward you and consumed in you, to come to her on the eighth day before the Kalends of August.
quod ego, ut debui, sine mora feci.
This I did, as I ought, without delay.
Cum autem venissem, Casca aderat et Labeo et Scaptius.
When I had come, Casca was present, and Labeo, and Scaptius.
at illa rettulit quaesivitque quidnam mihi videretur, arcesseremusne te atque id tibi conducere putaremus an tardare et commorari te melius esset.
But she brought up the matter and asked what indeed seemed best to me, whether we should summon you and whether we thought it would be to your advantage, or whether it would be better for you to delay and tarry.
§1.18.2respondi id quod sentiebam, et dignitati et existimationi tuae maxime conducere te primo quoque tempore ferre praesidium labenti et inclinatae paene rei publicae.
I replied what I felt, that it was most conducive both to your dignity and to your reputation that you should bring assistance at the very first opportunity to the tottering and almost ruined republic.
quid enim abesse censes mali in eo bello, in quo victores exercitus fugientem hostem persequi noluerint et in quo incolumis imperator honoribus amplissimis fortunisque maximis, coniuge, liberis, vobis adfinibus ornatus bellum rei publicae indixerit? quid dicam in tanto senatus populique consensu, cum tantum resideat intra muros mali?
For what evil do you think is absent in this war, in which the victorious armies have refused to pursue the fleeing enemy, and in which a general, unharmed, adorned with the most ample honors and the greatest fortunes, with a wife, children, and you relatives, has declared war on the republic? What shall I say in such great consensus of the senate and the people, when so much evil remains within the walls?
§1.18.3maximo autem, cum haec scribebam, adficiebar dolore quod, cum me pro adulescentulo ac paene puero res publica accepisset vadem, vix videbar quod promiseram praestare posse.
But while I was writing this, I was affected by the greatest grief because, when the republic had accepted me as a surety for the young man and almost a boy, I scarcely seemed able to perform what I had promised.
est autem gravior et difficilior animi et sententiae maximis praesertim in rebus pro altero quam pecuniae obligatio.
Moreover, the obligation of mind and opinion on behalf of another, especially in the greatest matters, is heavier and more difficult than an obligation of money.
haec enim solvi potest et est rei familiaris iactura tolerabilis; rei publicae quod spoponderis, quem ad modum solvas, nisi is dependi facile patitur pro quo spoponderis?
For the latter can be paid, and the loss of private property is tolerable; but how can you pay what you have promised to the republic, unless he on whose behalf you have promised easily allows himself to be paid?
§1.18.4quamquam et hunc, ut spero, tenebo multis repugnantibus.
Although, as I hope, I shall hold even this man back, despite many resisting.
videtur enim esse indoles, sed flexibilis aetas multique ad depravanduin parati; qui splendore falsi honoris obiecto aciem boni ingeni praestringi posse confidunt.
For there seems to be a good disposition, but his age is flexible, and there are many ready to corrupt him; who trust that the vision of his good nature can be dimmed by presenting the splendor of false honor.
itaque ad reliquos hic quoque labor mihi accessit ut omnis adhibeam machinas ad tenendum adulescentem ne famam subeam temeritatis.
Therefore, in addition to the remaining labors, this trouble also has come upon me, that I should employ every engine to hold the youth, lest I incur the reputation of rashness.
quamquam quae temeritas est? magis enim illum pro quo spopondi quam me ipsum obligavi; nec vero paenitere potest rem publicam me pro eo spopondisse, qui fuit in rebus gerendis cum suo ingenio tum mea promissione constantior.
Although, what rashness is there? For I have bound him for whom I promised more than myself; nor indeed can the republic regret that I promised on behalf of him who has been more constant in conducting affairs, both by his own talent and by my promise.
§1.18.5maximus autem, nisi me forte fallit, in re publica nodus est inopia rei pecuniariae.
But, unless by chance I am mistaken, the greatest knot in the republic is the lack of money.
obdurescunt enim magis cotidie boni viri ad vocem tributi; quod ex centesima conlatum impudenti censu locupletium in duarum legionum praemiis omne consumitur.
For good men grow harder every day at the word 'tribute'; which, collected at the rate of one percent from the shameless assessment of the wealthy, is all consumed in the rewards of two legions.
impendent autem infiniti sumptus cum in hos exercitus quibus nunc defendimur tum vero in tuum.
Moreover, infinite expenses impend both upon these armies by which we are now defended, and indeed upon yours.
nam Cassius noster videtur posse satis ornatus venire.
For our Cassius seems to be able to come sufficiently equipped.
sed et haec et multa alia coram cupio idque quam primum.
But I desire both these and many other things to discuss in person, and that as soon as possible.
§1.18.6de sororis tuae filiis non exspectavi, Brute, dum scriberes.
Regarding the sons of your sister, Brutus, I did not wait for you to write.
omnino ipsa tempora (bellum enim ducetur) integram tibi causam reservant.
On the whole, the times themselves (for the war will be prolonged) reserve for you an untouched case.
sed ego a principio, cum divinare de belli diuturnitate non possem, ita causam egi puerorum in senatu ut te arbitror e matris litteris potuisse cognoscere; nec vero ulla res erit umquam in qua ego non vel vitae periculo ea dicam eaque faciam quae te velle quaeque ad te pertinere arbitrabor.
But from the beginning, when I could not divine the duration of the war, I so pleaded the case of the boys in the senate as I think you have been able to learn from your mother's letter; nor indeed will there ever be any matter in which I will not, even at the risk of my life, say those things and do those things which I shall think you wish and which pertain to you.
vi Kal. Sextilis.
The sixth day before the Kalends of August.