Marcus Tullius Cicero→Decimus Junius Brutus Albinus|c. 43 BC|Cicero|From Rome|To Mutina|AI-assisted
Let me tell you: I used to be a little irritated by the brevity of your letters. Now I seem talkative to myself. So I shall imitate you.
How much you said in how few words: that you are well and working to be better each day; that Lepidus is reasonably disposed; that with three armies we ought to trust anything.
If I were timid, that letter would have wiped away every fear from me. But, as you advise, I have bitten the bit. Since I placed every hope in you when you were shut in, what do you think I feel now?
I want now, Brutus, to hand over my sleepless watch to you, but in such a way that I do not abandon my own firmness. You write that you will remain in Italy until my letter reaches you, if the enemy allows it. You are not wrong, for much happens at Rome. But if your arrival can finish the war, let nothing be more important to you.
The money that was most readily available has been decreed to you. You have Servius, who loves you deeply. I am not failing you.
June 6.
DCCCLXXXIX (Fam. XI, 24) TO DECIMUS BRUTUS (AT EPOREDIA) ROME, 6 JUNE: I tell you what: I used to be somewhat irritated at the brevity of your letters. Now I think myself over-talkative. I will therefore imitate you. What a volume in a few words — that you are quite well and will take measures to be daily better; that Lepidus is well-disposed, and that we ought to have confidence in their armies! If I had been nervous, that letter would still have wiped away all fear from my heart. But, as you advise, I have taken the bit between my teeth: for when I rested every hope on you, in spite of your being closely invested, what do you think that I do now? I desire now, Brutus , to make over to you my sleepless watchfulness, though without diminishing my own firm policy. You say that, if the enemy permits it, you will stay in Italy till you get a letter from me. You are not wrong: for much happens at Rome : but if the war can be finished by your arrival on the scene, let that be your first care. The money that was most readily available has been decreed to you. You have a very warm friend in Servius : I never fail to support you. 6 June.
XXIV. Scr. Romae VIII. Idus Iunias a.u.c. 711. M. CICERO S. D. D. BRUTO IMP. COS. DESIG.
Narro tibi: antea subirascebar brevitati tuarum litterarum, nunc mihi loquax esse videor; te igitur imitabor. Quam multa quam paucis! te recte valere operamque dare, ut quotidie melius; Lepidum commode sentire; tribus exercitibus quidvis nos oportere confidere. Si timidus essem, tamen ista epistula mihi omnem metum abstersisses; sed, ut mones, frenum momordi, etenim, qui te incluso omnem spem habuerim in te, quid nunc putas? cupio iam vigiliam meam, Brute, tibi tradere, sed ita, ut ne desim constantiae meae. Quod scribis in Italia te moraturum, dum tibi litterae meae veniant, si per hostem licet, non erraris—multa enim Romae—, sin adventu tuo bellum confici potest, nihil tibi sit antiquius. Pecunia expeditissima quae erat, tibi decreta est. Habes amantissimum tui Servium; nos non desumus. VIII. Idus Iunias.
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Let me tell you: I used to be a little irritated by the brevity of your letters. Now I seem talkative to myself. So I shall imitate you.
How much you said in how few words: that you are well and working to be better each day; that Lepidus is reasonably disposed; that with three armies we ought to trust anything.
If I were timid, that letter would have wiped away every fear from me. But, as you advise, I have bitten the bit. Since I placed every hope in you when you were shut in, what do you think I feel now?
I want now, Brutus, to hand over my sleepless watch to you, but in such a way that I do not abandon my own firmness. You write that you will remain in Italy until my letter reaches you, if the enemy allows it. You are not wrong, for much happens at Rome. But if your arrival can finish the war, let nothing be more important to you.
The money that was most readily available has been decreed to you. You have Servius, who loves you deeply. I am not failing you.
June 6.
AI-assisted translation - This translation was produced with AI assistance and has not been peer-reviewed. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek below for scholarly use.
Latin / Greek Original
XXIV. Scr. Romae VIII. Idus Iunias a.u.c. 711. M. CICERO S. D. D. BRUTO IMP. COS. DESIG.
Narro tibi: antea subirascebar brevitati tuarum litterarum, nunc mihi loquax esse videor; te igitur imitabor. Quam multa quam paucis! te recte valere operamque dare, ut quotidie melius; Lepidum commode sentire; tribus exercitibus quidvis nos oportere confidere. Si timidus essem, tamen ista epistula mihi omnem metum abstersisses; sed, ut mones, frenum momordi, etenim, qui te incluso omnem spem habuerim in te, quid nunc putas? cupio iam vigiliam meam, Brute, tibi tradere, sed ita, ut ne desim constantiae meae. Quod scribis in Italia te moraturum, dum tibi litterae meae veniant, si per hostem licet, non erraris—multa enim Romae—, sin adventu tuo bellum confici potest, nihil tibi sit antiquius. Pecunia expeditissima quae erat, tibi decreta est. Habes amantissimum tui Servium; nos non desumus. VIII. Idus Iunias.