Page:Loeb Classical Library L205N (1958).djvu/299

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Epistulae ad Familiares, IV. iv.

a little earlier than you did; and, more than that, I declare to you that I saw how the whole business was managed. Please understand this—ever since these calamities set in, I mean ever since national right was first submitted to the arbitrament of arms, this is the only dignified transaction that has occurred. For Caesar himself, having protested against Marcellus's "acrimony" (that is the term he used) and having eulogized in the most complimentary terms both your fairness and your far-sightedness, suddenly and unexpectedly declared that he would not refuse the request of the Senate in the matter of Marcellus, in spite of its being a bad omen.[1] Now when the question of Marcellus had been opened by L. Piso,[2] and when Gaius Marcellus[3] had flung himself at Caesar's feet, the Senate, as it had previously arranged to do, rose in a body and approached Caesar with an air of supplication. Not to waste words, this seemed to me so glorious a day that I imagined I saw before me some fair vision of the Republic rising, as it were, from the dead. 4 And so when all who had been asked to speak before me had expressed their gratitude to Caesar (except Volcatius, who declared, that had he been in Caesar's place, he would not have acted as Caesar did[4]), on being asked my opinion I broke my resolution; for I had determined, not, I assure you, from indolence, but because I resented the loss of my former position, never to speak again. This determination of mine suddenly gave way before Caesar's magnanimity and the Senate's devotion[5]; and so I expressed my thanks to Caesar at considerable length; and I am afraid that in all other such cases I have cheated myself of the honourable leisure which was my one solace amid my troubles.

  1. ↑ That is, for the future relations between Caesar and the Senate. The earlier reading hominis would mean "even though the particular person in question happened to be Marcellus"; but this is less consistent with VI. 16. 10 "Marcellum . . . cum summa illius dignitate restituit."
  2. ↑ L. Calpurnius Piso, Caesar's father-in-law, consul with Gabinius in 58.
  3. ↑ Cousin of Marcus Marcellus; he was consul in 50.
  4. ↑ Others take it to mean "had he been in Marcellus's place, he would not have accepted the pardon."
  5. ↑ To Marcellus, as one of its members.
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