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Epistulae ad Familiares, VI. xix.-xx.

none the less keep our eyes open for something that holds out a better prospect.[1] Otherwise, so far from seeking, I think you should fight shy of such a contract. I shall myself stay on at Astura until Caesar arrives, if he ever does.

XX

Cicero to C. Toranius[2]

Tusculum, July, 45 B.C.

1 I gave Cn. Plancius's[3] servants a letter for you I three days ago, so this will be all the shorter, and, as previously I offered you consolation, so now I shall give you advice. I think you can do nothing better than wait just where you are until you can find out what you ought to do. For apart from the danger you will thus avoid of a long voyage in winter, where there are very few harbours to run into, this also is a consideration of no trivial importance, that you can get away from where you are, as soon as you hear anything definite, at a moment's notice. There is, moreover, no reason whatever for your being in such a hurry to meet them[4] on their approach. There are many things besides which make me apprehensive, and I have talked them over with our friend Cilo.

2 To put it shortly, you could not during these troubles be in any place more conveniently situated, as you can move from it wherever it is necessary with the greatest ease and expedition. But if Caesar returns at the proper time, you will be on the spot; whereas, since there are many things that might

  1. ↑ Such as Lepta would hardly get by the curatio vini.
  2. ↑ C. Toranius had been aedile with the father of Octavian, who made him guardian of his son. He was now living in exile in Corcyra. He wished to meet Caesar in Cisalpine Gual, and conciliate him by congratulating him on his victories, and so obtain his pardon.
  3. ↑ Also in exile in Corcyra. See note on iv. 14.
  4. ↑ Caesar and his retinue, on their way to Rome from Spain. Toranius had intended to cross Italy from the east coast, and meet Caesar somewhere in Gaul.
511
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