rather to pity it, and not deprive it of the light of your countenance also, when already bereft of many illustrious sons. Finally, if it was the sign of high spirit not to be a supplicant to the victor, is it not perhaps a sign of pride to spurn his kindness? If it was the act of a wise man to absent himself from his country, is it not perhaps a proof of insensibility not to regret her? And, if you are debarred from enjoying a public station, is it not perhaps folly to refuse to enjoy a private one? The crowning argument is this: even if your present mode of life is more convenient, you must yet reflect whether it is not less safe. The sword owns no law: but in foreign lands there is even less scruple as to committing a crime. I am personally so anxious for your safety, that in this respect I take rank with your brother Marcellus, or at any rate come next to him. It is your business to take measures for your own interests, civil rights, life, and property.
CCCCLXXXVI (F VI, 6)
TO AULUS CÆCINA (IN EXILE)
Rome (September)
I am afraid you may think me remiss in my attentions to
you, which, in view of our close union resulting from many
mutual services and kindred tastes, ought never to be lacking.
In spite of that I fear you do find me wanting in the
matter of writing. The fact is, I would have sent you a
letter long ago and on frequent occasions, had I not, from
expecting day after day to have some better news for you,
wished to fill my letter with congratulation rather than with
exhortations to courage. As it is, I shall shortly, I hope,
have to congratulate you: and so I put off that subject for
a letter to another time. But in this letter I think that your
courage—which I am told and hope is not at all shaken—ought
to be repeatedly braced by the authority of a man,
who, if not the wisest in the world, is yet the most devoted
