text=A:book=7:letter=10
I have suddenly resolved to leave town before daybreak, to avoid all gazing and gossip, especially with my bay-decked lictors. Pompey left Rome, it appears, on the 7th or 8th. The consuls and other magistrates of his party remained in town, but on hearing of Caesar's advance (about the 17th) they hurriedly quitted Rome (Caes. B.C. 1.14). Caesar says that this took place on a false alarm on the day after Pompey's leaving Rome: but it is apparent ftom this letter that Pompey had started some time before. For the rest, I don't know, by heaven, what to do now or in the future: such is the agitation into which I am thrown by the infatuation of our party's most insane decision. But what counsel should I offer you, you whose advice I am myself anxious to receive? What plan our Gnaeus has adopted, or is adopting, I don't know: as yet he is cooped up in the towns and in a state of lethargy. If he makes a stand in Italy, we shall all be together: if he abandons it, I shall have to reconsider the matter. Up to now, unless I am out of my senses, his proceedings are all fatuous and rash. Yes, pray write to me frequently just anything that comes into your head.