Letter 179

Do you know that our friend Lentulus is at Puteoli? I heard it from a traveler who said he recognized him on the Appian Way when Lentulus opened the curtains of his litter a little. Although it hardly seemed likely, I sent servants to Puteoli to search thoroughly for him and to deliver a letter. He was found, with difficulty, hiding in his gardens, and he sent a letter back to me thanking Caesar extravagantly. About his own plan, however, he said he had given Gaius Caesius instructions for me. I was expecting Caesius today, March 20. Matius also came to me on the Quinquatria [the festival held March 19-23]. By heaven, he seemed to me moderate and prudent; he has always been considered an advocate of peace. How little he seemed to approve of the present situation, and how much he seemed to fear that underworld crew, as you call them. In a long conversation with him, I showed him Caesar's letter to me, of which I had already sent you a copy, and asked him to explain what Caesar meant by writing that he wished to use my "advice, influence, standing, and every kind of help." He answered that he had no doubt Caesar was seeking my help and influence for making peace. If only I might accomplish and carry through some public service in this misery of the republic. Matius was confident that Caesar had this intention, and promised that he himself would support it. The day before, Crassipes had been with me. He said he had left Brundisium on March 6 and had left Pompey there, which was also reported by those who left the place on March 8. But all of them, including Crassipes, who had the good sense to pay attention, reported threatening talk: hostility toward the optimates, hatred of the towns, nothing but proscriptions, nothing but Sullas. Such things from Lucceius, from all the Greeks, and especially from Theophanes. And yet all hope of safety lies in those men, and I keep watch with my whole mind and take no rest at all. To escape these plagues here, I long to be with men utterly unlike myself. What crime do you think Scipio, Faustus, or Libo will leave undone, men whose creditors are said to be gathering? What do you think they will do to citizens if they win? And what smallness of spirit in our Pompey. They report that he is thinking of Egypt, Arabia Felix, and Mesopotamia, and has already abandoned Spain. They tell monstrous stories. They may be false, but certainly things here are ruined, and those there are no cure. I am now longing for your letters. Since my flight there has never been such a gap in them. I have sent you a copy of my letter to Caesar; I think it may do some good.

Do you know that our friend Lentulus is at Puteoli? I heard this from a passer-by, who declared he recognized him on the Appian road as he drew aside the curtains of his litter, and, though it seemed hardly probable, I sent servants to Puteoli to track him and hand him a letter. He was found with difficulty concealing himself on his estate, and returned me a letter in which he expressed amazing gratitude to Caesar. But about his own plans he said he had sent me a message by C. Caesius. I expect him to-day, the 20th of March. Matius also came to me on the 19th of March. He seemed to me, I do declare, moderate and sensible: certainly he has always been thought to be in favour of peace. How he disliked this present pass! How he seemed to fear these âmes damnées, as you call them! In the course of a long talk I showed him Caesar's letter to me, of which I sent you a copy before, and I asked him to explain what Caesar meant by writing that he wished "to take advantage of my advice, my influence, my position and my help of all sorts." Matius replied that undoubtedly Caesar wanted my help and influence to make peace. Would that I could succeed in carrying through some political compromise in this miserable state of affairs! Matius himself declared that Caesar had that feeling, and promised that he would help such a course. However the day before Crassipes had been with me, and he said that he had quitted Brundisium on the 6th of March and left Pompey there; the same tale was brought by those who quitted the place on the 8th. All of them, and among the rest Crassipes, who was quite capable of observing what was going on, had the same story, threatening words, breach with the loyalists, hostility to the municipalities, nothing but proscriptions, nothing but Sullas. How Lucceius talked, all the Greeks and Theophanes too! Nevertheless the only hope of safety lies in them, and I am on the watch and take no rest and long to be with the most uncongenial associates to escape the plague here. For what crime do you think that Scipio will stick at, or Faustus and Libo, when their creditors are said to be selling them up, and what do you suppose they will do to the citizens when they win? How pusillanimous Pompey is! They say that he is thinking of Egypt and Arabia Felix and Mesopotamia and has given up Spain. The report is monstrous, but may be false. Certainly all is lost here, and there is not much hope there. I long for a letter from you. Since my flight there has never been so long a break in our correspondence. I send you a copy of my letter to Caesar. I think it will do some good.

[1] Lentulum nostrum scis Puteolis esse? quod cum e viatore quodam esset auditum qui se diceret eum in Appia, cum is paulum lecticam aperuisset, cognosse, etsi vix veri simile (est), misi tamen Puteolos pueros qui pervestigarent et ad eum litteras. inventus est vix in hortis suis (se) occultans litterasque mihi remisit mirifice gratias agens Caesari; de suo autem consilio C. Caesio mandata ad me dedisse. Eum ego hodie exspectabam, id est xiii K. Aprilis. [2] venit etiam ad me Matius Quinquatribus, homo me hercule, ut mihi visus est, temperatus et prudens; existimatus quidem est semper auctor oti. quam ille hoc non probare mihi quidem visus est, quam illam nekuian, ut tu appellas, timere! huic ego in multo sermone epistulam ad me Caesaris ostendi, eam cuius exemplum ad te antea misi, rogavique ut interpretaretur quid esset quod ille scriberet 'consilio meo se uti velle, gratia, dignitate, ope rerum omnium.' respondit se non dubitare quin et opem et gratiam meam ille ad pacificationem quaereret. Vtinam aliquod in hac miseria rei publicae politikon opus efficere et navare mihi liceat! Matius quidem et illum in ea sententia esse confidebat et se auctorem fore pollicebatur. pridie autem apud me Crassipes fuerat qui se pridie Non. Martias Brundisio profectum atque ibi Pompeium reliquisse dicebat, quod etiam qui viii Idus illinc profecti erant nuntiabant; illa vero omnes in quibus etiam Crassipes qui (pro) prudentia potuit attendere, sermones minacis, inimicos optimatium, municipiorum hostis, meras proscriptiones, meros Sullas; quae Lucceium loqui, quae totam Graeciam, quae vero Theophanem! [4] et tamen omnis spes salutis in illis est et ego excubo animo nec partem ullam capio quietis et, ut has pestis effugiam, cum dissimillimis nostri esse cupio! quid enim tu illic Scipionem, quid Faustum, quid Libonem praetermissurum sceleris putas quorum creditores convenire dicuntur? quid eos autem, cum vicerint, in civis effecturos? quam vero mikropsuchian Gnaei nostri esse? nuntiant Aegyptum et Arabiam eudaimona et Mesopotamian cogitare, iam Hispaniam abiecisse. monstra narrant; quae falsa esse possunt sed certe et haec perdita sunt et illa non salutaria. tuas litteras iam desidero. post fugam nostram numquam iam tantum earum intervallum fuit. misi ad te exemplum litterarum mearum ad Caesarem quibus me aliquid profecturum puto.