Caius Asinius Pollio to Cicero. Epist. 31.

YOu need not maruaile, that I haue not written any thing vnto you, a∣bout the Common-wealth, since the warre beganne. For •he Castulonensian forest, which hath euer staied our posts, though it be now fuller of theeues then euer; yet procures it not so much delay, as they doe, who being dispersed in all quarte•s, by the one, & other side, seeke after Postes, and detaine them. For which cause, if letters had not bin con∣ueyed by Sea, I could haue knowne of nothing, that passed with you. Now, hauing found opportunitie, in that they begin to goe by sea, I will very willing∣ly, and as oft as I can write vnto you. There is no feare that I should be mo∣ued to discourse of his workes, who, though there be none, that can abide to see him, yet is he not so hated of men as he deserueth. For I so abhorre him, that I account euery thing odious, in which he hath a finger: and my nature, & studies draw me to a desire of peace, and l•bertie. Whereupon, I often bit∣terly bewayled that beg•nning of the ciuill warre. But being enforced to be∣take my selfe, to one of the parts, for I had great enemies of all sides: I fled that Page  548 Campe, wherein I knew I could •ot be secure, from the complots of mine ene∣mie. Being driuen thither, whither I would not: not to be in the number of the last, I couragiously exposed my selfe to daungers. But because Caesar, in so great a Fortune, hauing knowne me but a little before, held me in that esteeme he held his auncientest familiars, I lo∣ued him with the greatest affection and fidelitie I could. Those things which I could discharge according to mine owne minde, I so performed, that euery honest man commended me: and that which was imposed on me, I effected after such a fashion, as it was well knowne, that I did it as constrained, and against mine owne inclination. The hatred of which actions, vniustly borne me, might well teach me, how faire a thing libertie was, and hovv vn∣happie that life, which is led vnder an Aristocracie. And therefore if now men striue, that once againe, euery thing should be reduced vnder a Monarchie: whosoeuer hee bee, I protest my selfe an enemie to him: neither is there any daunger, from which I withdrew my selfe, in the prosecu•ion of libertie; or whither, I seeke not to be sent. But the Consulls, neyther by the Senates decree, nor by their owne letters, gaue me commission what I Page  549 s•ould doe. For I at the last receiued but one letter after the xiij• of Ma•ch, from Pansa; wherein he aduised me to write to the Sena•e, that I remaine at his command with the A•mie. Which vvas nothing to the purpose; Lepi•us a••irming in his publick declamations, an• writing to euery one, that he •tood fo• Anteni••: For with what prouision in his despigh•, could I conduct the Le∣gions through his Prouince? Or, if I had p•ssed •he test, could I also fl•e ouer the Alpes, whi•h were garded by his peo•le? Besides, letters co•ld by no mean•s, •aue had sec••e pass••e. F•r in infinite places, men lay hold o• th• curtie•'s, and they are also det••••• by Lepi•••: No man can 〈…〉 ••r∣duba, spe•ki•g to the A•mie, I spoke this• tha• I was not to resi••e th• P•o¦uince, bu• to him, that by the S•nat•s order was come •or that pu•pose. For, to •ssigne ou•r the 〈◊〉 L•gion, how grea• ••stance was made vnto me, I •annot suffici••••y set downe in wri∣ting: the which i• I had r•signed, I knew how mu•h more weake • h•d re∣m•in'd •or •he •eruice of the Common-wealth. For, do• no• im•gine, that any great•r courage• or expedi•ion i• fight can be •equir'd, then 〈◊〉 in this Legion Wherf•re, reta•ne this opinion of me, that I 〈◊〉 inf•n•tely desi•e peace; (•or certai••ly I wish the p•ese•uation of all Page  550 Cittizens) and next of all, that I am prepared to restore the cōmon-wealth, and my selfe to libertie. Whereas you write that you hold my domesticall ac∣quaintance, in the number of yours: it pleaseth me beyond your owne valua∣tion. And yet I enuie him, that he walks and iests with you. You'le demand, how much I esteeme of this? if euer I be per∣mitted to liue in a reposed life, you shall k•ow it. For I will not start an inch from you. I much wo•der, that you wrote not vnto me; wh••her re∣maining in the Prouince, o• leading mine Armie into Iealie, I might giu• best satisfaction to the commonwealth. For my part, though it be mor• se•u•e, and lesse labourious to remaine: neuer∣thelesse, because I see, that in these trou∣blesōe times, you haue much more n••d of Legiōs, then of Prouinces; especi•lly which may be recouered, withou• an• trauaile; I haue propounded at this time, to depart with my forces. You shall hereafter vnderstand all, by the letters, which I haue written to Pansa: for I haue sent you a copie of them. The xvi. of March: from Corduba. Fare∣well.