I think that if you are here while Crassus is egging on Pompey--as you can get out of Clodius himself, by the agency of "Iuno,"[270] how far they are acting in good faith--we shall escape molestation, or at any rate not be left under a delusion. You don't stand in need of entreaties or urgency from me. You understand what my wish is, and what the hour and the importance of the business demand. As to politics, I can tell you nothing except that everybody entertains the greatest detestation for those who are masters of everything. There is, however, no hope of a change. But, as you easily understand, Pompey himself is discontented and extremely dissatisfied with himself. I don't see clearly what issue to expect: but certainly such a state of affairs seems likely to lead to an outbreak of some sort. Alexander's books[271]--a careless writer and a poor poet, and yet not without some useful information--I have sent back to you. I have had pleasure in admitting Numerius Numestius to my friendship, and I find him a man of character and good sense, worthy of your recommendation. [Footnote 268: Appius Claudius Pulcher, elder brother of P. Clodius.] [Footnote 269: The speeches known to us of this year are those for his colleague, C. Antonius, A. Thermus, and L. Flaccus. The two former are lost, but we know from his own account that he had not avoided touching on politics in the speech for Antonius, but had so offended Pompey and Cæsar that they at once carried out the adoption of Clodius (_de Domo_, § 41).] [Footnote 270: Βοῶπις, _i.e._, Clodia. See Letters XXXV, XL. _Crasso urgente_ is difficult. Cicero must mean that while Crassus (whom he always regards as hostile to himself) is influencing Pompey, he cannot trust what Pompey says, and must look for real information elsewhere.] [Footnote 271: Alexander of Ephesus. See Letter XLVI, p. 115.] XLIX (A II, 23) TO ATTICUS (IN EPIRUS) ROME (JULY OR AUGUST) [Sidenote: B.C. 59, ÆT. 47]