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Added to these inducements was the notable and even greater than human generosity shown to my brother and myself by Caesar—Caesar, who might have claimed my support whatever he might undertake to do; as it is, so extraordinary is his success and so brilliant are his victories, that even were he not what he is to me, I should deem him worthy of all honour. For what I would have you believe is this, that apart from yourself and others to whom I owe my restoration, there is nobody in the world to whose kind offices I am so deeply indebted, and I not only confess it, but I am actually glad of it.

¹⁹ And now that I have explained this to you, what you ask me about Vatinius and Crassus is easily answered. In Appius's case you write that, just as in the case of Caesar, you have no fault to find, and I am glad that the line I took meets with your approval. Now as to Vatinius. Immediately on his election as praetor, a reconciliation had been brought about between us, in the first instance by the intervention of Pompey, though it is true that I had opposed Vatinius's candidature in the most scathing terms in the Senate, but not so much with the object of injuring him, as of defending and doing honour to Cato. Upon this there followed a surprisingly urgent request on the part of Caesar that I should undertake Vatinius's defence.^[1]

But why did I eulogize him? Well, I beg of you not to ask me that question, either in the case of this client or of any other, lest I retaliate by putting the same question to you on your return; though I don't see why I should not do so even before your return. For just call to mind the persons in whose