CLV (Q FR III, 7)
[3.7] [Sh.155] TO HIS BROTHER QUINTUS (IN GAUL)
TUSCULUM (NOVEMBER)
At Rome, and especially on the Appian road as far as the temple of Mars, there is a remarkable flood. The promenade of Crassipes has been washed away, pleasure grounds, a great number of shops. There is a great sheet of water right up to the public fish-pond. That doctrine of Homer's is in full play:
The days in autumn when in violent flood
Zeus pours his waters, wroth at sinful men
— for it falls in with the acquittal of Gabinius—
Who wrench the law to suit their crooked ends
And drive out justice, recking naught of Gods.
[135] But I have made up my mind not to care about such things. When I get back to Rome I will write and tell you my observations, and especially about the dictatorship, and I will also send a letter to Labienus and one to Ligurius. I write this before daybreak by the carved wood lamp-stand, in which I take great delight, because they tell me that you had it made when you were at Samos. Good-bye, dearest and best of brothers.