B.C. 45, ÆT. 61 immediate cash.[1] And so Trebatius says that he told you. Now perhaps you were afraid that I should be sorry to hear your report. That was like your kindness, but believe me I am now quite indifferent about those things. Wherefore devote your energies to these conferences: get your knife well in and finish the business. When talking to Polla consider that you are talking with that fellow Scæva,[2] and don't imagine that men who are accustomed to try to lay hands on what is not owed to them will abate anything that is. Only see that they keep their day, and even as to that be easy with them.
DCXXXVI (F V, 9)
P. VATINIUS[3] TO CICERO (AT ROME)
Narona, 11 July
Vatinius imperator to his friend Cicero greeting. If you
are well, I am glad. I and the army are well. If you keep
up your old habit of pleading causes for the defence, Publius
Vatinius presents himself as a client and wishes a case
pleaded on his behalf. You will not, I presume, repulse a
man when in office, whom you accepted when in danger.
While for myself, whom should I select or call upon in
preference to one whose defence taught me how to win?
- ↑ It seems a harsh thing of Cicero to look upon his son—though he had given him some trouble—as already unworthy to be his heir. Young Marcus was now at Athens, though he had wished to join Cæsar's army in Spain. See p. 144.
- ↑ A well-known centurion and favourite of Cæsar. Nothing is known of Polla, and Dr. Reid suggests Balbo—for Cicero has before suggested talking to Balbus on the debt due by Faberius. On the other hand, Cicero is putting forward these names as of men harsh and barely honest: while of Balbus he generally speaks respectfully. The reading of the paragraph is very doubtful, and probably there are several corruptions.
- ↑ For Cicero's previous relations with Vatinius, see vol. i., pp. 219, 311, sq.
