at least for one day. It is not an easy matter, but I will do my best,
for, as Homer says, "A dream comes from Zeus." However, it makes all
the difference whether your dreams usually signify the course of future
events or their opposite. When I think over a certain dream I once had,
what causes you fear seems to me to promise a splendid termination to
your case. I had undertaken a brief for Julius Pastor, when there
appeared to me in my sleep a vision of my mother-in-law, who threw
herself on her knees before me and begged that I would not plead. I was
quite a young man at the time of the action, which was to be heard in
the Fourfold Court, and I was appearing against the most powerful men of
the State, including some of the Friends of Caesar. All these things or
any one of them might well have shattered my resolution after such an
ominous dream. Nevertheless, I went on with the case, remembering the
well-known line of Homer: "But one omen is best, to fight on behalf of
one's country." For in my case the keeping of my word seemed to me as
important as fighting on behalf of my country or as any other still more
pressing consideration--if any consideration more pressing can be
imagined. Well, the action went off successfully, and it was the way
that I conducted that case which got me a hearing with men and opened
the door to fame. So I advise you to see whether you too cannot turn
your dream, as I did mine, to a prosperous issue, or if you think that
it is safer to follow the well-known proverb: "Never do anything if you
feel the least hesitation," write and tell me so. I will invent some
excuse or other, and will so arrange matters that you can have your suit
brought on when you like. For, after all, your position is not the same
as mine was; a trial before the Centumvir's Court cannot be postponed on
any consideration, but an action like yours can be, although it is
rather difficult to arrange. Farewell.