.[175] For if
sight resulted from the impact of images,[176] the images would be in
great difficulties with a narrow entrance: but, as it is, that
"effusion" of rays gets on quite nicely. If you have any other fault to
find you won't get off without an answer, unless it is something that
can be put right without expense.

I now come to January and my "political attitude," in which, after the
manner of the Socratics, I shall put the two sides; at the end, however,
as they were wont to do, the one which I approve. It is, indeed, a
matter for profound reflexion. For I must either firmly oppose the
agrarian law--which will involve a certain struggle, but a struggle full
of glory--or I must remain altogether passive, which is about equivalent
to retiring to Solonium[177] or Antium; or, lastly, I must actually
assist the bill, which I am told Caesar fully expects from me without any
doubt. For Cornelius has been with me (I mean Cornelius Balbus,[178]
Caesar's intimate), and solemnly assured me that he meant to avail
himself of my advice and Pompey's in everything, and intended to
endeavour to reconcile Crassus with Pompey.[179] In this last course
there are the following advantages: a very close union with Pompey, and,
if I choose, with Caesar also; a reconciliation with my political
enemies, peace with the common herd, ease for my old age. But the
conclusion of the third book of my own poem has a strong hold on me:

"Meanwhile the tenor of thy youth's first spring,
Which still as consul thou with all thy soul
And all thy manhood heldest, see thou keep,
And swell the chorus of all good men's praise."[180]

These verses Calliope herself dictated to me in that book, which
contains much written in an "aristocratic" spirit, and I cannot,
therefore, doubt that I shall always hold that

"The best of omens is our country's cause."[181]

But let us reserve all this for our walks during the Compitalia[182].
Remember the day before the Compitalia. I will order the bath to be
heated, and Terentia is going to invite Pomponia. We will add your
mother to the party. Please bring me Theophrastus _de Ambitione_ from my
brother's library.

[Footnote 172: "The Conqueror," _i.e._, Pompey. Aulus's son is L.
Afranius.]

[Footnote 173: _I.e._, his military get-up.]

[Footnote 174: Cyrus was Cicero's architect; his argument or theory he
calls Cyropaedeia, after Xenophon's book.]

[Footnote 175: He supposes himself to