§2.2.1Planci animum in rem publicam egregium, legiones, auxilia, copias ex litteris eius quarum exemplum tibi missum arbitror perspicere potuisti.
You have been able to perceive the extraordinary mind of Plancus towards the republic, his legions, auxiliaries, and forces, from his letter, a copy of which I think has been sent to you.
Lepidi, tui necessari, qui secundum fratrem adfinis habet quos oderit proximos, levitatem et inconstantiam animumque semper inimicum rei publicae iam credo tibi ex tuorum litteris esse perspectum.
As for the levity and inconstancy of Lepidus, your kinsman—who, after his brother, has for his next of kin those whom he hates—and his mind always hostile to the republic, I believe it has already been thoroughly perceived by you from the letter of your family.
§2.2.2nos exspectatio sollicitat, †quae† est omnis iam in extremum adducta discrimen.
Suspense harasses us, which is all now brought to the extreme crisis.
est enim spes omnis in Bruto expediendo, de quo vehementer timebamus.
For all hope is in extricating Brutus, concerning whom we were vehemently fearing.
§2.2.3ego hic cum homine furioso satis habeo negoti, Servilio; quem tuli diutius quam dignitas mea patiebatur, sed tuli rei publicae causa, ne darem perditis civibus hominem parum sanum illum quidem sed tamen nobilem quo concurrerent, quod faciunt nihilo minus; sed eum alienandum a re publica non putabam.
I have enough trouble here with a madman, Servilius; whom I bore longer than my dignity allowed, but I bore him for the sake of the republic, lest I should give to desperate citizens a man, not very sane indeed, but yet noble, to whom they might flock, which they do nonetheless; but I did not think he ought to be alienated from the republic.
finem feci eius ferendi.
I have made an end of bearing him.
coeperat enim esse tanta insolentia ut neminem liberum duceret.
For he had begun to be of such great insolence that he considered no one a free man.
in Planci vero causa exarsit incredibili dolore mecumque per biduum ita contendit et a me ita fractus est ut eum in perpetuum modestiorem sperem fore.
Indeed, in the case of Plancus, he flared up with incredible pain and strove with me for two days in such a way, and was so broken by me, that I hope he will be more modest forever.
atque in hac contentione ipsa, cum maxime res ageretur, a. d. v Idus Aprilis litterae mihi in senatu redditae sunt a Lentulo nostro de Cassio, de legionibus, de Syria.
And in this very dispute, at the very height of the debate, on the 9th of April, a letter was delivered to me in the senate from our Lentulus concerning Cassius, the legions, and Syria.
quas statim cum recitavissem, cecidit Servilius, complures praeterea; sunt enim insignes aliquot qui improbissime sentiunt.
When I had read it out immediately, Servilius collapsed, and several others besides; for there are several notable individuals who hold most wicked sentiments.
sed acerbissime tulit Servilius adsensum esse mihi de Planco.
But Servilius took it most bitterly that my opinion on Plancus had been agreed to.
Magnum illud monstrum in re publica est, sed quo * * *.
That is a great monster in the republic, but by which...