the circumstance of the time: yet anything would have been better. As it is, indeed, he seems to intend to divorce her: for I am told about the statue of Clodius.[1] To think that a son-in-law of mine, of all people in the world, should do that, or propose the abolition of debts! I am of opinion, therefore, and so are you, that a notice of divorce should be sent by her. He will perhaps claim the third instalment. Consider, therefore, whether the divorce should be allowed to originate with him, or whether we should anticipate him.[2] If I can do so by any means, even by travelling at night, I will try to see you. Meanwhile, pray write to me about these matters, and anything else which it may be my interest to know. Good-bye.
CCCCXXXVI (F XIV, 10)
TO TERENTIA (AT ROME)
Brundisium, 9 July
I wrote my wishes to Pomponius later than I ought to have
done. If you will have a talk with him, you will learn
what they are. There is no need of being more explicit,
seeing that I have written to him. On that business and on
all others pray let me have a letter from you. Take good
care of your health. Good-bye.
9 July.
- ↑ De statua Clodi, the reading proposed by Tyrrell and Purser for the corrupt words of the MS. No better has been proposed. We have to assume that Dolabella had in some way countenanced a statue of Clodius being put up. The fact is not otherwise known. Schutz reads de statu rei publicæ.
- ↑ If the divorce originated with Dolabella, he would have no claim to the third instalment of the dowry, and would have to refund the other instalments—though in his circumstances Cicero despairs of getting them, as it would seem; but if the divorce originated with Tullia, unless she could shew misconduct on his part, the dowry would remain, in part at any rate, with Dolabella. I have followed Schutz in interpreting this passage; Tyrrell and Purser refer cum ab ipso nascetur to the demand for the payment of the third instalment, not to the divorce itself. But see p. 46.
