Letters of Marcus Tullius Cicero | Page 5

all the duties of a candidate, and
perhaps, as Gaul seems to have a considerable voting power, as soon as
business at Rome has come to a standstill I shall obtain a libera legatio
and make an excursion in the course of September to visit Piso, but so
as not to be back later than January. When I have ascertained the

feelings of the nobility I will write you word. Everything else I hope
will go smoothly, at any rate while my competitors are such as are now
in town. You must undertake to secure for me the entourage of our
friend Pompey, since you are nearer than I. Tell him I shall not be
annoyed if he doesn't come to my election. So much for that business.
But there is a matter for which I am very anxious that you should
forgive me. Your uncle Caecilius having been defrauded of a large sum
of money by P. Varius, began an action against his cousin A. Caninius
Satyrus for the property which (as he alleged) the latter had received
from Varius by a collusive sale. He was joined in this action by the
other creditors, among whom were Lucullus and P. Scipio, and the man
whom they thought would be official receiver if the property was put
up for sale, Lucius Pontius; though it is ridiculous to be talking about a
receiver at this stage in the proceedings. Caecilius asked me to appear
for him against Satyrus. Now, scarcely a day passes that Satyrus does
not call at my house. The chief object of his attentions is L. Domitius,
but I am next in his regard. He has been of great service both to myself
and to my brother Quintus in our elections. I was very much
embarrassed by my intimacy with Satyrus as well as that with Domitius,
on whom the success of my election depends more than on anyone else.
I pointed out these facts to Caecilius; at the same time I assured him
that if the case had been one exclusively between himself and Satyrus, I
would have done what he wished. As the matter actually stood, all the
creditors being concerned--and that two men of the highest rank, who,
without the aid of anyone specially retained by Caecilius, would have
no difficulty in maintaining their common cause--it was only fair that
he should have consideration both for my private friendship and my
present situation. He seemed to take this somewhat less courteously
than I could have wished, or than is usual among gentlemen; and from
that time forth he has entirely withdrawn from the intimacy with me
which was only of a few days standing. Pray forgive me, and believe
that I was prevented by nothing but natural kindness from assailing the
reputation of a friend in so vital a point at a time of such very great
distress, considering that he had shewn me every sort of kindness and
attention, But if you incline to the harsher view of my conduct, take it
that the interests of my canvass prevented me. Yet, even granting that
to be so, I think you should pardon me, "since not for sacred beast or

oxhide shield." You see in fact the position I am in, and how necessary
I regard it, not only to retain but even to acquire all possible sources of
popularity. I hope I have justified myself in your eyes, I am at any rate
anxious to have done so. The Hermathena you sent I am delighted with:
it has been placed with such charming effect that the whole gymnasium
seems arranged specially for it. I am exceedingly obliged to you.
II
To ATTICUS (AT ATHENS)
ROME, JULY
I HAVE to inform you that on the day of the election of L. lulius
Caesar and C. Marcius Figulus to the consulship, I had an addition to
my family in the shape of a baby boy. Terentia doing well.
Why such a time without a letter from you? I have already written to
you fully about my circumstances. At this present time I am
considering whether to undertake the defence of my fellow candidate,
Catiline. We have a jury to our minds with full consent of the
prosecutor. I hope that if he is acquitted he will be more closely united
with me in the conduct of our canvass; but if the result he otherwise I
shall bear it with resignation. Your early return is of great importance
to me, for there is a very strong idea prevailing that some intimate
friends of yours, persons of high rank, will be opposed to my election.
To win me their favour I see that I shall want you very much.
Wherefore be sure to be in Rome in January, as you