When he attacked Pompey's perfidy to me,he was listened to in profound silence on the part of my enemies.Pompey answered him boldly with a palpable allusion to Crassus,and said outright that "he would take better precautions to protect his life than Africanus had done,whom C.Carbo had assassinated."Accordingly,important events appear to me to be in the wind.For Pompey understands what is going on,and imparts to me that plots are being formed against his life,that Gaius Cato is being supported by Crassus,that money is being supplied to Clodius,that both are backed by Crassus and Curio,as well as by Bibulus and his other detractors:that he must take extraordinary precautions to prevent being overpowered by that demagogue--with a people all but wholly alienated,a nobility hostile,a senate ill-affected,and the younger men corrupt.So he is making his preparations and summoning men from the country.On his part,Clodius is rallying his gangs:a body of men is being got together for the Quirinalia.
For that occasion we are considerably in a majority,owing to the forces brought up by Pompey himself:and a large contingent is expected from Picenum and Gallia,to enable us to throw out Cato's bills also about Milo and Lentulus.
On the 10th of February an indictment was lodged against Sestius for bribery by the informer Cn.Nerius,of the Pupinian tribe,arid on the same day by a certain M.Tullius for riot.He was ill.I went at once,as I was bound to do.to his house,and put myself wholly at his service:and that was more than people expected,who thought that I had good cause for being angry with him.The result is that my extreme kindness and grateful disposition are made manifest both to Sestius himself and to all the world,and I shall be as good as my word.But this same informer Nerius also named Cn.Lentulus Vatia and C.Cornelius to the commissioners.On the same day a decree passed the senate "that political clubs and associations should be broken up,and that a law in regard to them should be brought in,enacting that those who did not break off from them should be liable to the same penalty as those convicted of riot."On the 10th of February I spoke in defence of Bestia on a charge of bribery before the praetor Cn.Domitius,in the middle of the forum and in a very crowded court;and in the course of my speech I came to the incident of Sestius,after receiving many wounds in the temple of Castor,having been preserved by the aid of Bestia.
Here I took occasion to pave the way beforehand for a refutation of the charges which are being got up against Sestius,and I passed a well-deserved encomium upon him with the cordial approval of everybody.He was himself very much delighted with it.I tell you this because you have often advised me in your letters to retain the friendship of Sestius.I am writing this on the 12th of February before daybreak;the day on which I am to dine with Pomponius on the occasion of his wedding.
Our position in other respects is such as you used to cheer my despondency by telling me it would be--one of great dignity and popularity:this is a return to old times for you and me effected,my brother,by your patience,high character,loyalty,and,I may also add,your conciliatory manners.The house of Licinius,near the grove of Piso,has been taken for you.But,as I hope,in a few months time,after the 1st of July,you will move into your own.
Some excellent tenants,the Lamiae,have taken your house in Carinie.I have received no letter from you since the one dated Olbia.I am anxious to hear how you are and what you find to amuse you,but above all to see you yourself as soon as possible.
Take care of your health,my dear brother,and though it is winter time,yet reflect that after all it is Sardinia that you are in.
13February.
