Letter 11: Cicero writes to Quintus in the country from Rome in February 55 BC.

I had a suspicion that my book would please you; that it pleased you as much as you write, I am exceedingly glad. As for your reminding me about our Urania, and your urging that I keep in mind the speech of Jupiter that comes at the very end of that book [the reference is to Cicero's poem on his own consulship], I do indeed remember it, and I wrote all of that for myself more than for anyone else. But nevertheless, the day after you set out, late at night, I came with Vibullius to Pompey; and when I had spoken with him about those public works and the inscriptions [honoring Quintus], he answered me most graciously. He raised great hopes; he said he wished to speak with Crassus, and he urged me to do the same. I escorted Crassus, as consul, from the Senate to his house; he took up the matter and said that there was something Clodius at this time was eager to obtain through himself and through Pompey, and that he reckoned, if I did not stand in his way, I might attain what I wanted without any contest. I committed the whole business to him and said that I would be at his disposal. Present at this conversation was young Publius Crassus, who, as you know, is most devoted to us. Now what Clodius desires is some sort of mission abroad-if not through the Senate, then through the people-a 'free' legation [a privileged appointment carrying public expenses but no real duties], either to Byzantium or to Brogitarus, or to both: a thing full of money. About this I do not trouble myself overmuch, even if I should fall short of what I want. Pompey, however, has spoken with Crassus: they seem to have undertaken the business. If they bring it off, excellent; if not, let us return to our 'Jupiter.' On the third day before the Ides of February [11 February], a decree of the Senate was passed concerning electoral bribery, on the motion of Afranius, against which I had spoken when you were present. But to the great groaning of the Senate, the consuls did not press the motions of those who, having assented to Afranius, added a rider that the praetors be elected on the condition that they remain private citizens for sixty days: on that day they plainly rejected Cato. In short, they hold everything in their grip, and they want everyone to understand that this is so.

I thought you would like my book: that you like it as much as you say I am greatly delighted. As to your hint about my Urania and your advice to remember the speech of lupiter, which comes at the end of that book, I do indeed remember it, and that whole passage was aimed at myself rather than at the rest of the world. Nevertheless, the day after you started I went long before daybreak with Vibullius to call on Pompey; and upon addressing him on the subject of the works and inscriptions in your honour, he answered me very kindly, gave me great hopes, said he would like to talk to Crassus about it, and advised me to do so too. I joined in escorting Crassus to his house on his assuming the consulate: he undertook the affair, and said that Clodius would at this juncture have something that wanted to get by means of himself and Pompey: he thought that, if I did not baulk Clodius's views, I might get what I wanted without any opposition. I left the matter entirely in his hands and told him that I would do exactly as he wished. Publius Crassus the younger was present at this conversation, who, as you know, is very warmly attached to me. What Clodius wants is an honorary mission (if not by decree of the senate, then by popular vote) to Constantinople or to Brogitarus, or to both. There is a good deal of money in it. It is a thing I don't trouble myself about much, even if I don't get what I am trying to get. Pompey, however, has spoken to Crassus. They seem to have taken the business in hand. If they carry it through, well and good: if not, let us return to my "Iupiter." On the 11th of February a decree passed the senate as to bribery on the motion of Afranius, against which I had spoken when you were in the house. To the loudly expressed disapprobation of the senate the consuls did not go on with the proposals of those who, while agreeing with Afranius's motion, added a rider that after their election the praetors were to remain private citizens for sixty days. On that day they unmistakably threw over Cato. In short, they manage everything their own way, and wish all the world to understand it to be so.

VII. Scr. Romae mense Februario a.u.c. 699. MARCUS QUINTO FRATRI SALUTEM. 1. Placiturum tibi esse librum meum suspicabar: tam valde placuisse, quam scribis, valde gaudeo. Quod me admones de nostra Urania suadesque, ut meminerim Iovis orationem, quae est in extremo illo libro, ego vero memini et illa omnia mihi magis scripsi quam ceteris. 2. Sed tamen postridie, quam tu es profectus, multa nocte cum Vibullio veni ad Pompeium, cumque ego egissem de istis operibus atque inscriptionibus, per mihi benigne respondit: magnam spem attulit; cum Crasso se dixit loqui velle mihique, ut idem facerem, suasit. Crassum consulem ex senatu domum reduxi, suscepit rem dixitque esse, quod Clodius hoc tempore cuperet per se et per Pompeium consequi; putare se, si ego eum non impedirem, posse me adipisci sine contentione, quod vellem; totum ei negotium permisi meque in eius potestate dixi fore; interfuit huic sermoni P. Crassus adolescens, nostri, ut scis, studiosissimus. Illud autem, quod cupit Clodius, est legatio aliqua—si minus per senatum, per populum—libera aut Byzantium aut ad Brogitarum aut utrumque: plena res nummorum; quod ego non nimium laboro, etiamsi minus assequor, quod volo. Pompeius tamen cum Crasso locutus est: videntur negotium suscepisse. Si perficiunt, optime; si minus, ad nostrum Iovem revertamur. 2. A. d. III. Idus Febr. senatus consultum est factum de ambitu in Afranii sententiam, contra quam ego dixeram, cum tu adesses; sed magno cum gemitu senatus consules non sunt persecuti eorum sententias, qui, Afranio cum essent assensi, addiderunt, ut praetores ita crearentur, ut dies sexaginta privati essent: eo die Catonem plane repudiarunt. Quid multa? tenent omnia, idque ita omnes intelligere volunt.