B.C. 45, ÆT. 61 reasons to allege, all hesitation is at an end. But of this when we meet: for it is a very serious business and needs great caution. To-morrow therefore, unless I get something from you this evening.[1]
DCLIX (A XIII, 45)
TO ATTICUS (AT ROME)
Tusculum, 11 August
Lamia[2] came to see me after your departure and brought me
a letter which he had received from Cæsar. This letter,
though dated earlier than that brought by Diochares, yet
made it quite clear that he would arrive before the Roman
games.[3] At the end of the letter there was a sentence
ordering him to make all necessary preparations for the
games, and not allow him to hurry back for nothing. Certainly
from this letter it seemed beyond doubt that he would
come before that day, and Lamia said that Balbus thought
so too after reading that letter.
I perceive I have thus some additional days holiday,[4] but pray, as you love me, let me know how many. You will be able to ascertain from Bæbius and your other neighbour Egnatius. You exhort me to spend these days in an exposition of philosophy. You are spurring a willing horse,[5] but you see that I am obliged to have Dolabella constantly with me on the days you mention. But had I not been detained by this business of Torquatus,[6] there would have been a sufficient
- ↑ Nisi quid a te commeat vesperi. But the MS. reading, retained by Mueller, is nisi quid a te commeatus, "unless I get leave of absence from you," i.e., "unless you send some letter which would permit of my not coming to Rome yet." Dr. Reid would omit it altogether.
- ↑ L. Ælius Lamia was an ædile this year, and stood for the prætorship in B.C. 43.
- ↑ The ludi Romani lasted from 15th to 19th of September.
- ↑ By the postponement of the auction. See p. 321.
- ↑ Currentem tu quidem. See vol. ii., p. 181.
- ↑ See pp. 280, 296, 328.
