Page:The Letters of Cicero Shuckburg III.pdf/336

 DCXXXVII (A XIII, 24 AND 25, § 1)

TO ATTICUS (AT ROME)



What is this about Hermogenes Clodius having said that Andromenes told him that he had seen my son at Corcyra? I supposed that you must have heard it. Didn't he then give any letter even to him? Or didn't he see him? Pray therefore let me know. What answer am I to give you about Varro? You have the four parchment rolls in your hands: whatever you do I shall approve. It isn't after all a case of "fearing the Trojans." Why should I? But I am more afraid of his own disapprobation of the business. But since you undertake it—I shall sleep on both ears.

About the "abatement" I have answered your full and careful letter. Please therefore settle the business, and that too without hesitation or reserve. This ought and must be done.

DCXXXVIII (F IX, 6)

TO M. TARENTIUS VARRO (With a copy of the Academica)

(?)

To demand a gift, even if a man has promised it, is more than even a nation will generally do, unless under great(Pollux, ii. 84). It is also French: dormir sur les deux oreilles. I don't know of any English equivalent, but there is the converse, "to sleep with one eye (or ear) open."]