DCXLV (F VI, 19)
TO QUINTUS LEPTA (AT ROME)
Astura (about the end of July)
I am glad Macula has done his duty. His Falernian villa
always seemed to me suitable for a place of call, if only it is
enough roofed in to receive our retinue. In other respects
I don't otherwise than like the situation. But I shall not
on that account desert your Petrinian villa,[1] for both the
house and the picturesqueness of its situation make it suitable
for residence rather than for a temporary lodging. As to
some official management of these "royal" exhibitions,[2] I
have spoken to Oppius; for I have not seen Balbus since
you left. He has such a bad fit of the gout that he declines
visits. On the whole you would, in my opinion, be certainly
acting more wisely if you did not undertake it; for
your object[3] in incurring all that labour you will in no wise
attain. For the number of his intimate entourage is so great,
that it is more likely that some one of them should drop off
than that there should be an opening for anyone new,
especially for one who has nothing to offer but his active
service, in which Cæsar will consider himself—if indeed he
knows anything about it—to have conferred a favour rather
than received one. However, we should look out for something,
but something which may give you some distinction;
otherwise I think that you not only ought not to seek for it,
but should even avoid it. For myself, I think I shall prolong
my stay at Astura until Cæsar's return, whenever that
may be. Good-bye.
