[Sidenote: _Scr. Brundisi III Non. Iun. a. 707_]
Non meo vitio fit hoc quidem tempore (ante enim est peccatum), ut me ista epistula nihil consoletur. Nam et exigue scripta est et suspiciones magnas habet non esse ab illo; quas animadvertisse te existimo. De obviam itione ita faciam, ut suades. Neque enim ulla de adventu eius opinio est, neque, si qui ex Asia veniunt, quicquam auditum esse dicunt de pace; cuius ego spe in hanc fraudem incidi.
Nihil video, quod sperandum putem, nunc praesertim, cum ea plaga in Asia sit accepta, in Illyrico, in Cassiano negotio, in ipsa Alexandrea, in urbe, in Italia. Ego vero, etiamsi rediturus ille est, qui adhuc
somewhere nearer Rome, or cross the sea? For stay here any longer I cannot.
Why could nothing be settled about Fufidius' estate? For the arrangement was one about which there is generally no dispute, since the share, which seems smaller, can be made up by the proceeds of the sale.[188] I have a reason for asking. For I suspect my co-heirs think my case is doubtful, and so prefer to keep the matter open. Farewell.
[188] If property could not be divided fairly among heirs, the indivisible part was put up for private auction among them and the proceeds divided.
[Sidenote: _Brundisium, June 3_, B.C. _47_]
It is not my fault at the present time (for I did commit an error before) that the letter you send[189] does not give me any consolation. For it is grudgingly written, and raises great suspicion that it is not by Caesar: I expect you noticed that too. About going to meet him I will do as you advise. For no one thinks he is coming, and those who come from Asia say there has been no word of peace: and it was hope of a peace that led me into this error.
[189] A letter purporting to come from Caesar, but later found to be a forgery.
I see nothing to make me think of hope, especially now that that blow has fallen in Asia, in Illyricum, in the Cassian affair, in Alexandria itself, in Rome and in Italy.[190] For my part, even if he is on his return--whereas
[190] Cicero alludes to the defeat of Domitius Calvinus in Asia, the failure of Aulus Gabinius in Illyricum, the insurrection of Baetica, which forced Cassius to leave the province, Caesar's difficulties at Alexandria, the riots in Rome, and the mutinous state of the army in Italy.