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Epistulae ad Familiares, III. xii.-xiii.

possible, still, when this relationship between us was announced to me, I should have defended your position, not, of course, with greater devotion than before, but more energetically, more openly, and more markedly.[1]

4 On quitting the province at the termination of my year of office, as my ship was approaching Sida, Q. Servilius being with me, a letter from my home address was put in my hands; that was on August 3. I at once assured Servilius, who seemed rather upset,[2] that he might look forward to services from me on a larger scale in every respect. In short, while my goodwill towards you remains undiminished, my sincere desire to manifest it has greatly increased. For just as formerly the old feud between us urged me to be careful to avoid giving anybody grounds for suspecting the sincerity of your reconciliation, so now this fresh marriage connexion makes me anxious to avoid any semblance of abatement in the strength of my affection for you.

XIII

To the same

Rhodes, middle of August, 50 B.C.

1 When the question of your achievements was being I discussed, I supported your claim to honour as energetically as though I had a presentiment that the day would come when in similar circumstances I should have to ask for some show of zeal on your part. But to tell you the real truth, you have repaid me more than you received. Every correspondent without exception has explained to me, that not

  1. ↑ Cicero's embarrassment is clearly revealed in the very elaboration of these sentences.
  2. ↑ As an agent of Appius, and therefore apprehensive of a breach between Appius and Cicero.
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