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Epistulae ad Familiares, II. vi.-vii.

courage, steadiness, and constancy, or, if it be your pleasure to welcome him with open arms, of kindlier feeling towards yourself. As for myself, such is the glory and dignity with which you will have invested me, that I shall be prompt to recognize that you did as much for me in defence of my good name as you did in my restoration.

5 Were I not sure that you quite understand with what serious intent I write these words, what a load of obligation I am shouldering, how whole-heartedly I must concentrate my strength on this candidature of Milo's, not only in every sort of effort but even in actual conflict,[1] I should write at greater length; as it is I simply entrust and hand over to you the whole business, the cause of Milo, and my own interests, without reserve.

Of this one fact you may rest assured, that if my appeal to you in this matter is granted, I shall almost owe more to you than to Milo himself; for my restoration—and in that I owe most to his support—was not so dear to me as will be my delight in o wing my devotion by my gratitude; now that joy I am sure I can only realize through the active support of one single man, and that man is yourself.

VII

M. Cicero, proconsul, to the same, now tribune of the plebs

In camp at Pindenissus,[2] late in 51 B.C.

1 Congratulations are not usually resented because I they arrive late, especially if there has been no negligence in their omission. I am a long way off,

  1. ↑ Contentio is the struggle in the forum or Senate, and dimicatio the actual clash of contending mobs. Tyrrell.
  2. ↑ A town of E. Cilicia on a spur of Mt. Amanus, which was taken by Cicero after a siege of two months.
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