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peace on any terms that would ensure our security, rather than struggle with a stronger foe. But all this and much else we may shortly have the chance of discussing in each other's company.

³ And after all there is nothing that keeps me at Rome, but the expectation of news from Africa.^[1] For it seems to me that matters there have matured till a decision is imminent. I think, however, it is of some importance to me (though I am not quite clear as to where precisely the importance lies), in any case, whatever the news from Africa may be, not to be far away from friends to advise me. For the position we have now reached is just this, that although there is a great difference in the claims of the combatants, yet I do not think there will be much difference in the results, whichever side is victorious.

But undoubtedly my courage, weakened as it was perhaps by the uncertainty of the issue, has been wonderfully fortified by the loss of all hope; and it was fortified too by your earlier letter, from which I learnt how bravely you are bearing the injustice done to you;^[2] and it cheered me to know that the very refinement of your character, as well as your erudition, was of benefit to you. For, to tell you the truth, I used to think that your feelings were unduly sensitive, as is the case with almost all of us who have lived a gentleman's life in a free and prosperous state.

⁴ But as we bore without undue elation those days of our prosperity, so it is our duty to bear with courage what is not only the untowardness but the total subversion of our fortunes at the present time; so that amid our crushing disasters we may at least gain this much good, that while even in our prosperity