DLXII (A XII, 27)
TO ATTICUS (AT ROME)
Astura, 23 March
As to the bargain with Silius, though I am acquainted with
the terms, still I expect to hear all about it to-day from
Sicca. Cotta's property, with which you say that you are
not acquainted, is beyond Silius's villa, which I think you
do know: it is a shabby and very small house, with no farm
land, and with sufficient ground for no purpose except for
what I want it. What I am looking out for is a frequented
position. But if the bargain for Silius's pleasure-grounds is
completed, that is, if you complete it—for it rests entirely
with you—there is of course no occasion for us to be
thinking about Cotta's. As to my son, I will do as you say:
I will leave the date to him. Please see that he is able to
draw for what money he needs. If you have been able to
get anything out of Aledius, as you say, write me word. I
gather from your letter, as you certainly will from mine, that
we neither of us have anything to say. Yet I cannot omit
writing to you day after day on the same subjects—now
worn threadbare—in order to get a letter from you. Still,
tell me anything you know about Brutus. For I suppose he
knows by this time where to expect Pansa. If, as usual, on
the frontier of his province, it seems likely that he will be at
Rome about the 1st of April. I could wish that it might
be later: for I have many motives for shunning the city.[1]
Accordingly, I am even thinking whether I should draw up
some excuse to present to him. That I see might easily be
found. But we have time enough to think about it. Love
to Pilia and Attica.
- ↑ Cicero thinks he will be forced to go to Rome to join in the complimentary reception of Brutus, customary on the return from a province. See vol. ii., p. 234.
