§1.4a.1* * * nunc, Cicero, nunc agendum est ne frustra oppressum esse Antonium gavisi simus neu semper primi cuiusque mali excidendi causa sit ut aliud renascatur illo peius.
Now, Cicero, now action must be taken, lest we have rejoiced in vain that Antony has been crushed, and lest the reason for cutting off each first evil should always be that another worse than it is reborn.
§1.4a.2nihil iam neque opinantibus aut patientibus nobis adversi evenire potest in quo non cum omnium culpa tum praecipue tua futura sit, cuius tantam auctoritatem senatus ac populus Romanus non solum esse patitur sed etiam cupit quanta maxima in libera civitate unius esse potest; quam tu non solum bene sentiendo sed etiam prudenter tueri debes.
Nothing adverse can now happen to us, who neither expect it nor submit to it, in which there will not be both everyone's fault and especially yours, whose authority—as great as the greatest that can belong to one man in a free state—the senate and the Roman people not only allow to exist but even desire; which authority you ought to protect not only by good intentions but also with prudence.
prudentia porro, quae tibi superest, nulla abs te desideratur nisi modus in tribuendis honoribus.
Furthermore, of the prudence which you have in abundance, none is missing in you except a limit in bestowing honors.
Alia omnia sic adsunt ut eum quolibet antiquorum comparari possint tuae virtutes; unum hoc a grato animo liberalique profectum cautiorem ac moderatiorem liberalitatem desiderat.
All other virtues are present in such a way that your merits can be compared with any of the ancients; this one thing alone, proceeding from a grateful and liberal mind, requires a more cautious and moderate liberality.
nihil enim senatus cuiquam dare debet quod male cogitantibus exemplo aut praesidio sit.
For the senate ought to give nothing to anyone which might serve as an example or a protection for those who have evil designs.
itaque timeo de consulatu ne Caesar tuus altius se ascendisse putet decretis tuis quam inde, si consul factus sit, sit descensurus.
Therefore I fear concerning the consulship lest your Caesar should think he has ascended higher by your decrees than the point from which, if he should be made consul, he would have to descend.
§1.4a.3quod si Antonius ab alio relictum regni instrumentum occasionem regnandi habuit, quonam animo fore putas si quis auctore non tyranno interfecto sed ipso senatu putet se imperia quaelibet concupiscere posse? qua re tum et facilitatem et providentiam laudabo tuam cum exploratum habere coepero Caesarem honoribus quos acceperit extraordinariis fore contentum.
But if Antony made the instrument of kingship left by another an opportunity of reigning, in what state of mind do you think someone will be, if he should think that, with the senate itself and not a slain tyrant as his promoter, he can covet any commands he pleases? Therefore, I shall praise both your indulgence and your foresight only when I begin to hold it as certain that Caesar will be content with the extraordinary honors he has received.
alienae igitur
inquies
culpae me reum subicies?
prorsus alienae, si provideri potuit ne exsisteret! quod utinam inspectare possis timorem de illo meum!
"Will you then," you will say, "subject me to the charge of another's fault?" Absolutely of another's fault, if it could have been provided against lest it exist! Oh that you could look into this fear of mine concerning him!
§1.4a.4his litteris scriptis consulem te factum audivimus.
After these letters were written, we heard that you had been made consul.
tum vero incipiam proponere mihi rem publicam iustam et iam suis nitentem viribus si istuc videro.
Then indeed I shall begin to picture to myself a republic that is just and now relying on its own strength, if I see that reality of yours.
filius valet et in Macedoniam cum equitatu praemissus est.
My son is well and has been sent ahead into Macedonia with the cavalry.
Idibus Maiis ex castris.
On the Ides of May, from the camp.