B.C. 45, ÆT. 61 meet Cæsar—anything in fact that I ought to know. If you can, call on Piso:[1] you see how pressing it is.[2] Yet only if it is no inconvenience to you.
DCXXIII (A XIII, 12)
TO ATTICUS (AT ROME)
Arpinum (23 June)
Your letters about our dear Attica stung me to the heart.
However, they also healed the wound. For the fact that
you consoled yourself in the same letter gave me sufficient
assurance to alleviate my distress. You have given my
speech for Ligarius[3] a famous start. Henceforth, whenever
I write anything, I shall intrust the advertising to you. As
to what you say in your letter about Varro, you are aware
that heretofore my speeches and writings of that nature
have been composed in a way that made the introduction
anywhere of Varro impossible. But when I began these
more literary works, Varro had already announced to me a
dedication of an important treatise. Two years have passed,
and that "Callippides,"[4] though perpetually on the move,
has not advanced a yard. I, on the other hand, am preparing
to return anything he sent me, "measure and all and
even better"—if I had but the power: for even Hesiod
adds the proviso "if you can."[5] As things stand at present</poem>
"From neighbour take full measure, and pay him back no lower, Measure and all or better still, if thou but hast the power." </poem>]
- ↑ A money-lender.
- ↑ Because the horti Scapulani were soon to be sold, and money would be wanted.
- ↑ Delivered in B.C. 46 before Cæsar at his house in defence of Q. Ligarius, accused of maiestas.
- ↑ Callippides appears to have been someone who, like Mr. Pecksniff's horse, made a great show but did little; but whether he was an actor or a runner seems uncertain.
- ↑ Hesiod, "W. and D." 347: <poem> [Greek: eu men metreisthai para geitonos, eu d' apodounai autô tô metrô kai lôion aike dunmai.
