That part of your letter was entirely superfluous,in which you mention what opportunities of doing good business in the provinces or the city you let pass at other times as well as in the year of my consulship:for I am thoroughly persuaded of your unselfishness and magnanimity,nor did I ever think that there was any difference between you and me except in our choice of a career.Ambition led me to seek official advancement,while another and perfectly laudable resolution led you to seek an honourable privacy.In the true glory,which is founded on honesty,industry,and piety,I place neither myself nor anyone else above you.In affection towards myself,next to my brother and immediate family,I put you first.For indeed,indeed I have seen and thoroughly appreciated how your anxiety and joy have corresponded with the variations of my fortunes.Often has your congratulation added a charm to praise,and your consolation a welcome antidote to alarm.Nay,at this moment of your absence,it is not only your advice--in which you excel--but the interchange of speech--in which no one gives me so much delight as you do--that I miss most,shall I say in politics,in which circumspection is always incumbent on me,or in my forensic labour,which Iformerly sustained with a view to official promotion,and nowadays to maintain my position by securing popularity,or in the mere business of my family?In all these I missed you and our conversations before my brother left Rome,and still more do Imiss them since.Finally,neither my work nor rest,neither my business nor leisure,neither my affairs in the forum or at home,public or private,can any longer do without your most consolatory and affectionate counsel and conversation.The modest reserve which characterizes both of us has often prevented my mentioning these facts;but on this occasion it was rendered necessary by that part of your letter in which you expressed a wish to have yourself and your character "put straight"and "cleared"in my eyes.Yet,in the midst of all this unfortunate alienation and anger on his part,there is yet one fortunate circumstance--that your determination of not going to a province was known to me and your other friends,and had been at various times asserted by yourself;so that your not being with him may be attributed to your personal tastes and judgment,not to the quarrel and rupture between you.So those ties which have been broken will be restored,and ours which have been so religiously preserved will retain all their old inviolability.
At Rome I find politics in a shaky condition;everything is unsatisfactory and foreboding change.For I have no doubt you have been told that our friends,the equites,are all but alienated from the senate.Their first grievance was the promulgation of a bill on the authority of the senate for the trial of such as had taken bribes for giving a verdict.I happened not to be in the house when that decree was passed,but when I found that the equestrian order was indignant at it,and yet refrained from openly saying so,Iremonstrated with the senate,as I thought,in very impressive language,and was very weighty and eloquent considering the unsatisfactory nature of my cause.But here is another piece of almost intolerable coolness on the part of the equites,which I have not only submitted to,but have even put in as good a light as possible!The Companies which had contracted with the censors for Asia complained that in the heat of the competition they had taken the contract at an excessive price;they demanded that the contract should be annulled.I led in their support,or rather,I was second,for it was Crassus who induced them to venture on this demand.The case is scandalous,the demand a disgraceful one,and a confession of rash speculation.Yet there was a very great risk that,if they got no concession,they would be completely alienated from the senate.Here again I came to the i escue more than anyone else,and secured them a full and very friendly house,in which I,on the 1st and 2nd of December,delivered long speeches on the dignity and harmony of the two orders.The business is not yet settled,hut the favourable feeling of the senate has been made manifest:for no one had spoken against it except the consul-designate,Metellus;while our hero Cato had still to speak,the shortness of the day having prevented his turn being reached.Thus I,in the maintenance of my steady policy,preserve to the best of my ability that harmony of the orders which was originally my joiner's work;but since it all now seems in such a crazy condition,I am constructing what I may call a road towards the maintenance of our power,a safe one I hope,which I cannot fully describe to you in a letter,but of which I will nevertheless give you a hint.I cultivate close intimacy with Pompey.I foresee what you will say.I will use all necessary precautions,and I will write another time at greater length about my schemes for managing the Republic.You must know that Lucceius has it in his mind to stand for the consulship at once;for there are said to be only two candidates in prospect.Caesar is thinking of coming to terms with him by the agency of Arrius,and Bibulus also thinks he may effect a coalition with him by means of C.Piso.You smile?
This is no laughing matter,believe me.What else shall I write to you?What?I have plenty to say,but must put it off to another time.If you mean to wait till you hear,let me know.For the moment I am satisfied with a modest request,though it is what Idesire above everything--that you should come to Rome as soon as possible.
5December.
