you to send me an account of how they are received from the very first hour they begin, and thenceforth all that happens day by day to their close. But enough of the

games.

The remainder of his letter may indeed be regarded in two different lights, yet, nevertheless, he does at times emit some sparks of manly courage. I want you to be able to express what you think of it, and therefore inclose a copy of the letter: though our letter-carrier told me that he had brought a letter from you also from Brutus, and that it had been forwarded to you from Tusculum. I have arranged my journeys so as to be at Puteoli on the 7th of July. For though I am in a great hurry, I mean to take every precaution humanly possible as to my voyage.

Please free Marcus Ælius from his anxiety: tell him that my idea was that a few feet along the edge of the land—and that under the surface-would have some sort of easement upon them:1 and that I absolutely objected to it, and did not think that anything could make up for it. But, as you suggest, put it as gently as possible, rather by way of relieving him of anxiety than giving him any suspicion of my being annoyed. So also about Tullius's debt, speak to Cascellius in a liberal spirit. It's a small matter, but I am obliged to you for attending to it. It was a bit of rather sharp practice. And if he had taken me in at all, as he nearly did-only that you were too many for him—I should have been seriously annoyed. So, whatever is to be the result, I would prefer the transaction being stayed. Remember that an eighth share of the ædes Tulliana near the temple of Strenia, is due to Cærellia: see that it is conveyed to her at the highest price bid at the auction. I think that was 380 sestertia.2

The reading is uncertain. I have translated Mueller's text, from which a fair sense can be extracted: M. Ælium cura liberabis; me paucos pedes in extremo fundo et eos quidem subterraneos servitutis putasse aliquid habituros. Apparently Ælius has acted as Cicero's agent in the purchase of some property, but had not observed that there would be an easement (servitus) upon it, probably the right of making some underground drain or watercourse.

2 The text in MSS. and editions is hopeless. Emendations of all sorts have been attempted. I think the first thing is to get rid of luminarum, " windows," of which it is impossible to make any probable

If there is any news, even if you foresee anything that you think likely to happen, pray write and tell me as often as possible. As I have already charged you to do, pray remember to apologize to Varro for the late arrival of my letter. What terms your friend Mundus has made with Marcus Ennius about the will I should like you to tell me— for I always like to know things.

Arpinum, 2nd July.

DCCLXI (A XV, 27)

TO ATTICUS (AT ROME)

ARPINUM, 3 JULY

I AM glad that you advise me to do precisely what I did of my own accord yesterday. For when I despatched my letter to you on the 2nd, I gave the same letter-carrier one for Sestius written in very warm terms. As for him, his intention of escorting1 me to Puteoli is polite; in complaining about me he is unfair. For I was not so much bound to wait for him until he got back from Cosa, as he was not to have gone there until he had seen me, or to have hastened his return. For he knew that I was in a hurry to start, and he had written to say that he would join me at Tusculum.

sense. I have therefore conjectured for tuli luminarum ædium, TULLIANARUM ÆDIUM, and suppose it to refer to some block of houses so called, and for cui Carellia, DEBERI CARELLIÆ. Of Cicero's debt to the learned Cærellia we have heard before (see ad Att. xii. 51: vol. iii., p. 257). We know that a certain Tullius Montanus owed Cicero money (see pp. 32, 96). This arrangement of the text is very uncertain, but it is necessary to risk something. The temple or chapel of Strenia was at one end of the via sacra, near the site of what was afterwards the Colosseum.

1 Prosequitur, the MS. reading. It is the usual word in this connection. Editors change it to persequitur because Sestius didn't accompany Cicero: wrongly, as I think. Cicero uses the word as expressing his intention, as though he had really done it—" he is by way of escorting me."

I am much moved at your having wept after parting from me. If you had done so in my presence, I should perhaps have entirely abandoned my design of going abroad. But it was a great thing that you were consoled by the hope of a speedy reunion. That, indeed, is the hope that supports me more than anything else. You shall not want letters from me. I will write you a full account of Brutus. I will before long send you a book of mine "On Glory." I will hammer out something in the vein of Heracleides1 to be treasured up in your secret stores. I haven't forgotten about Plancus. Attica has a good right to grumble. I am much obliged for your informing me about Bacchis and the garlands for the statues. Do not omit anything hereafter, I don't say of so much importance, but even of so little. I won't forget about either Herodes or Mettius, or anything else which I have the least idea of your wishing. What a scandalous person your sister's son is! As I am writing this he arrives at the witching hour of evening while I am at dinner. Take care of your health.

3

DCCLXII (A XV, 28)

TO ATTICUS (AT ROME)

ARPINUM, 3 JULY

As I wrote to you yesterday I have settled to arrive at Puteoli on the 7th. There then I shall look for a letter from you daily, and especially about the games, about which you must also write to Brutus. I have a letter from him which I could scarcely make out, of which I sent you a copy yesterday. Pray make my excuses to Attica, and take

1 For Heracleides of Pontus, see p. 56.

2 At the games of Brutus. Bacchis is an actress.

3 Herodes was a tutor of young Cicero at Athens. We know nothing of Mettius, but he doubtless was at Athens also, and Atticus had sent some message to them both.

4 The younger Quintus.

all the blame upon yourself. Assure her all the same that I am taking away with me an affection for her that has undergone no change.1

DCCLXIII (A XVI, 16)

TO ATTICUS (AT ROME)

ARPINUM, BEFORE THE 6TH OF JULY

I HAVE read your most delightful letter. I have written and despatched one to Plancus. I shall learn from Tiro himself what Plancus said to him. You will be able to give closer attention to the negotiation with your sister 2 now that you have obtained a relaxation of that other engrossing business of yours.

3

DCCLXIV (A XVI, 16 a)

TO L. MUNATIUS PLANCUS (AT ROME)

(ARPINUM BEFORE 6TH OF JULY)

MARCUS CICERO greets Lucius Munatius Plancus, prætordesignate. I know you are fond of our friend Atticus, while for my society you show so much taste that upon my word I think I have few friends so attentive and affectionate. For to our ancestral ties-so close, old, and legitimate a great additional force has been added by your personal kind feel

1 We don't know how Cicero had offended Attica, unless she had seen the strange letter about her written to her father in the previous year. See vol. iii., p. 223.

ing towards me and an equal and mutual one on my part towards you. Now you are acquainted with the case of the Buthrotians, for I have often pleaded it and clearly set it forth in your hearing. Its history is as follows. As soon as we observed that the territory of Buthrotum was declared confiscate, Atticus in great alarm drew up a petition. He put that in my hands to present to Cæsar: for I happened to be going to dine with him on that day. I presented that petition to Cæsar. He approved of the plea and wrote in answer to Atticus saying that his demand was fair. He, however, warned him that the Buthrotians must pay their arrears to the day. Atticus in his eager desire for the preservation of the state paid the money out of his own pocket. That being done I approached Cæsar, stated the Buthrotian case, and obtained a decree of the most generous nature, which was countersigned by men of the highest rank. In these circumstances I own that I used to be surprised at Cæsar allowing a number of men who had cast greedy eyes on the Buthrotian territory to hold meetings; and that he not only allowed that, but even put you at the head of the landcommission. Accordingly, on my remonstrating with him, and indeed so often that I incurred a rebuke from him for not trusting his fidelity to his word, he told both Marcus Messalla and Atticus himself not to be alarmed, and made no concealment of the fact that he did not wish-for he was fond of popularity, as you know-to hurt the feelings of those who were in possession; but since they had already crossed the sea, he would see to their being removed to some other land. This is what happened while he was alive. Well, after Cæsar's death, as soon as the consuls in accordance with a decree of the senate began hearing cases, what I have just told you was laid before them. They admitted the plea without any hesitation and said that they would send you a despatch. However, my dear Plancus, though I did not doubt that a senatorial decree, a law, and the decision and despatch of the consuls would have the greatest weight with you, and although I quite understood that you wished to please Atticus himself, yet in view of our friendship and mutual goodwill I have ventured to beg of you, what your own unique kindness and exquisite goodness of heart would be sure to obtain from you. It is that, what I feel sure you