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You must see what a crushing weight of sorrow mine is. If it were only such as is common to me with the rest of those who are regarded as being in the same position as myself, my error had seemed less grave and therefore more easy to bear. As it is, there is no consolation, unless you secure (if it is not now too late to secure it) that I have no special loss or wrong inflicted upon me. I have been somewhat slow in sending back your letter-carrier, because there was no opportunity of getting him across. Pray send letters in my name to any to whom you think it right to do so. You know my intimates. If they remark on the absence of my signet or handwriting, pray tell them that I have avoided using either owing to the military pickets.

CCCCVI (F VIII, 17)

M. CÆLIUS RUFUS TO CICERO (IN EPIRUS)

To think that I was in Spain rather than at Formiæ, when you started to join Pompey! Oh that Appius Claudius had been on our side, or Gaius Curio on yours! It was my friendship for the latter that gradually edged me on to this infernal party—for I feel that my good sense was destroyed between anger and affection. You too—when, being on the point of starting for Ariminum, I came at night to visit you—in the midst of your giving me messages for Cæsar about peace, and playing your rôle of fine citizen, you quite