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Epistulae ad Familiares, IV. vi.-vii.

whereas in those days when depressed by the ills of the state, I had a house to welcome me where I could be comforted, now, depressed as I may be, I cannot flee from my house and take refuge in the state, to find repose in her prosperity. And so I absent myself both from my home and from the courts, since neither can the sorrow the state causes me any longer be consoled by my home life, nor the sorrow of my home by the state.

3 All the more do I look forward to your visiting me, and I am anxious to see you at the earliest possible date. Nothing could afford me greater relief than the renewal of our intimacy and conversations; and indeed, I hope that your arrival is, as I am told, close at hand. Now I am most wishful to see you for many reasons, but particularly so that we may discuss together beforehand what must be our line of conduct, in passing through this period during which we must adapt ourselves unreservedly to the inclinations of one man, but one who is not only farsighted but liberal and (as I think I have assured myself) no enemy to me and a sincere friend to you. But though that is so, it is still a matter for serious deliberation what line we should take, not in the way of public action, but of leading, by his gracious permission, a quiet life.

VII

M. T. Cicero to M. Marcellus[1]

Rome, September, 46 B.C.

1 Though I quite understand that your policy has hitherto been such that I should not venture to take exception to it—not that I myself agree with it, but

  1. ↑ See note on iv. 4. 3.
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