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Epistulae ad Familiares, III. i.

passed from me to you has turned out to be very acceptable to you. And that being so, I shall assuredly guarantee to repair the enjoyment of the many days we have lost through the interruption of our intimacy[1] by the acceptability, the frequency, and the magnitude of my services to you; and, as it is your wish too, I may say that I shall do so "not against Minerva's will"[2]; and if I secure a statue of her from your collection, I shall entitle her, not Pallas only, but also Appias.[3]

2 Cilix, your freedman, I knew but slightly before; but ever since he delivered me your letter, so full as it was of affection and kindness, he has himself by his own words followed up in a wonderful way the courtesy with which you wrote. It was a delight to me to hear him holding forth as he told me all about your kindly feeling, and the remarks you made about me day after day. In short, in two days he became my intimate friend—not so much so, however, that I am likely to cease missing Phania very much; and talking of Phania, when you send him back to Rome, which I imagine you intend to do very soon, I should be glad if you would give him instructions as to everything you wish me to do or look after.

3 L. Valerius,[4] the lawyer, I strongly recommend to you, and that too even if he is—well, no lawyer. For I wish to take sounder "precautionary measures" for him than he usually does for others. I am very fond of the man; he is of my household, and one of my most intimate friends. He is unfailing in his expressions of gratitude to you; but he also writes that what would carry the greatest weight with you is a letter from me. I beg of you again and again not to let him be disappointed in that expectation.

  1. ↑ Due to the estrangement caused by P. Clodius's conduct.
  2. ↑ i.e., "with all my heart and soul,"—Minerva representing man's mental and spiritual qualities.
  3. ↑ Possibly the Appian family had become possessed, through P. Clodius, of the statue of Minerva which Cicero had dedicated before he went into exile, and he here gives Appius a gentle hint that he would like to have it back again, and in acknowledgement of its resitution would call it, not Pallas Athene, but Pallas Appias. Tyrrell.
  4. ↑ Vide i.10.
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