CXLIV (F VII, 9)
To C. Trebatius Testa (In Gaul)
Rome (September)
B.C. 54, ÆT. 52
It is a long time since I heard how you were getting on: for you don’t write, nor have I written to you for the last two months. As you were not with my brother Quintus I did not know where to send a letter, or to whom to give it. I am anxious to know how you are and where you mean to winter. For my part, my opinion is that you should do so with Cæsar; but I have not ventured to write to him owing to his mourning.614 I would rather you put off your return to us, so long as you come with fuller pockets. There is nothing to make you hurry home, especially since “Battara”615 is dead. But you are quite capable of thinking for yourself. I desire to know what you have settled. There is a certain Cn. Octavius or Cn. Cornelius, a friend of yours,
“Of highest race begot, a son of Earth.”
He has frequently asked me to dinner, because he knows that you are an intimate friend of mine. At present he has not succeeded in getting me: however, I am much obliged to him.