your cause that no man could with greater eloquence grauitie endeuour or earnestnesse haue pleaded it acknowledging your fauour to him and his loue to you in the best fashion he was able You know you haue displeased Marcellinus Yet this cause of the Kings excepted hâ— makes plaine demonstration that in any other occasion hee will fauour you to the vtmost of his abilitie And we are contented with his pleasure Therâ— hath beene no meanes to make him alâ—ter his course about the religion Thiâ— is the state of the businessâ— till the thirâ—teenth of Ianuarie in the morning of which day I wrote these Hortentiuâ— and I and Lucullus touching the Armie let the religion carrie it for otherwise we should doe nothing yet remitting our selues to the order made when you propounded the matter we stand for you that the Senate may commit vnto you the charge of restoring the King without the Armie as the Religion requireth so that you may doe it without indangering the Common wealth Crassus chooseth three Ambassadours not excluding Pompeius for my meaning is of such as haue publicke authoritie Bibulus also three Ambassadours priuate Cittizens and with him agree the other Consulars except Seruilius who holdeth that in no case he should be restored And Volcatius who consenting with Lupus chooseth Pompeius and Afranius who assenteth to Vâ—lcatius which thing augmenteth the suspition of the intention of Pompeius For it is found that Pompeius friends agree vnto the opinion of Volcatius The difficulties are manie and the businesse beginnes to grow doubtfull The manifest and earnest practises of Libon and Hipsaeus and the great desire of all Pompeius friends bewray the hidden fire of his ambition to haue the managing of this businesse And they that contradict him are not friends to you who haue so much extolled him My authoritie herein is the lesse by reason of my obligation to you And the impression which men haue made touching Pompeius intention drowneth my fauours they surmising that they shall gratifie him by this occasion Things are now in the same estate with vs as they were long before your departure being as wâ—ll by the King himselfe as by the intimate and domesticke acquaintance of Pompeius priuily corrupted afterwards by the Consulars openly sifted and madâ— exceeding hainous and reproaâ—hfull Euery man shall in your absence perceiue my integritie but your friends shall know the loue I beare you Had there beene trust where there should haue beene most these troubles had not fallen vpon vs. Farewell Cicero to Puâ—lius Lentulus Vice-consull Ep. 2. THE xiij of Ianuary the Senate determined nothing because the greatest part of that day was spent in Controuersies betweene the Consull Lentulus and Caninius Tribune of the people At which time I also spak much on your behalfe and by manifest tokens I perceiued that the Senate tooke wondrous wâ—ll the remembrance of your respect vnto that order Whereupon the day following they were pleased that I should make a briefe recapitulatioÌ„ of euery mans opinion For they seemed to be reconciled vnto vs which I perceiued aswell by the pleading of your cause as by their calling euery man and requesting their fauour for vs. When therefore the first sentence was pronounced which was of Bibuluâ— that the King should be by three Ambassadours restored The second that you should restore him without the Armie as Hortentius desired or as Volcatius who gaue the third that Pompâ—ius should restore him It was demanded that the particulars of that opinion of Bibulus might be considered No man opposed that part wherein he touched the Religion as being a thing not to be contradicted Touching the three Ambassadors â—he greatâ—st part flue from him Then followed the opinion of Hortenâ—ius vpon which Lupuâ— Tribune of the people because he had made the motion for Pompeius began to contend that it belonged vnto him rather than to the CoÌ„suls to command that euery one should goe to that side to which they were most addicted But his speech was interrupted by the out-cryes of all men because it was a thing new found out and without sence or reason The Consuls neither assented vnto him nor were they greatly repugnant They were contented the day should be thus driuen ouer and so it was For they well perceiued that the greatest part would follow Hortentius though they outwardly seemed to allow of the opinion of Volcatius Manie were requested to giue their opinion and that with great vexation of the Consuls whose desire was that the opinion of Bibuluâ— might be preferred This controuersie endured till night and then the Senate rose and I as it fell out supt that night with Pompeius lighting thereby vpon this occasion more fit than heretofore hath beene offered as being the first Senate day that hath since your departure prooued fortunate vnto vs. I so reasoned the matter with him that he seemed to giue credite wholly to my discourse and to deliberate how he might fauour you Hearing his own tale I must needs free him from the least touch of Ambition but when I consider the carriage or passages of his familiar acquaintance of what degree soeuer I finde that assuredly true that at length is manifested to all the world that all this cause hath beene before this time by some corrupted and not without the knowledg or priuitie of the King himselfe and of his Counsellers These I wrote the 14. of Ianuarie before day in which the Senate was to sit We shall as I hope maintaine our reputation in the Senate so far as is possible in this so persidious an age and full of iniustice As for the popular respects I thinke we haue so carried things that nothing can be done with the people without the violating of diuine authoritie or breach of lawes no nor without compulsion Yesterday the Senate ratified the things aforesaid by interposing of their graue authoritie to which though Cato and Caninius opposed themselues yet it was registred and I thinke it shall be sent vnto you I will not faile to giue you good accompt hereafter of euery thing that passeth and I will engage all my thoughts endeuours diligence and friends in the effecting this businesse to our owne contentment Farewell Cicero to Lentulus Ep. 3. AVlus Trebonius my auncient and â—amiliar friend who hath affayres of great impoâ—tance in diuerse places of your Prouince and such as may be soone dispatched hath beene heretofore very well-come thither as well for his owne worth as for being by my selfe and other friends recommended and at this present in respect of your loue towards me and for our neere alliance he is very confident that he shall be able by meanes of these my letters to purchase your gracious fauour I beseech you therefore let not his hope deceiue him and I recommend vnto you all his affayres his Freemen his agents his familie and especially that what Titus Ampius shall decree about his businesse you would be pleased to ratifie and so vse him
for the loue which still you manifest vnto me But if I shall not wrong your curtesie I would intreate you that you would preserue your friends and me also rather then by their arrogancie and crueltie to oppose mee you haue ouercome your selfe in pardoning the Common-wealth your priuate enmities and will you foster other mens rancors against her I giue you my faithfull promise that if out of your clemencie you lend me your aide in all occasions I will rest at your command but if you permit the Senate people and Magistraâ—es to be crosse in reuoking me out of this vnworthie banishment wherein I was driuen by wicked violence not onelie to my owne but to the ruine of the Commonwealth remember that you may heereafter desire to sucâ—our vs both at such a time when no means is left eitheâ— for her escape or my safetie Farewell Cicero to Caius Antonius sonne to Marcus Imperator Ep. 5. THough I resolu'd not to write any thing vnto you but by way of recommending some Friend not because I knew my commendations would take any great place with you but that they who entreated me might perceiue that our â—riendship was no whit impaired yet when Titus Pomponius was comming towards you who better knowes then any other what I haue desired and effected in your behalfe and doth besides long to gratifie you and bearâ—s me singular affection I thought good to write vnto you especially not being able to satisfie Pomponius in any other wise If I should say that you were much bound vnto mee I should not lie hauing euer procured your benefit honor and reputation whereas your selfe can tâ—uely testifie that you neuer did mee any fauour rather you haue sometimes sought to hurt mee for as much as I haue vnderstood from many For Iâ—le not affiâ—me that my selfe euer found it not to vse the very same word accidentallie with which they say you were wont to picke quâ—rrels wiâ—h mee But I meane not to wâ—ite that vnto you which hath beâ—ne reported to me I 'le leaue it â—or Pomponius to deliuer vnto you who apprehended the same discontentment which I did The Senate and people of Rome are witnesses of the notable offices which I haue perâ—ormed for your honour whither you euer recompenst mee in any part none knowes better then your selfe How farre you may command me lâ—t others giue their censure whatsoeuer I did for your sake I did it first out of mine owne disposiâ—ion and then to be reputed constant But now I giue you to vnderstand that such an occasion prepares it selfe that I must needes with greater zeale doe my endeauour And I will bend my selfe throughly thereunto so I finde not my paines and trauell lost for in this case you your selfe would hold me for a foole Pomâ—ponius will informe you wherein my helpe is so importing the which Pomponius though I am confident you will doe any thing for his sake neuerthelesse I commâ—nd him to you And if any of the loue remaine with you that heeretofore you bare me I pray you demonstrate it to me wholly in his person You cannot doe mee a more acceptable office then this Farewell Cicero to Publius Sextius sonne to Lucius Quaestor Epist. 6. DEcius the Notarie came and entreated me that at this present I would preuent that any man should be allotted to succeed you I â—lthough I had the best opinion of him that could bee had of one of his condition and tooke him â—or your â—riend yeâ— calling to minde what you wrote vnto me not mâ—ny daies before I thought it hard to beleeue that you should haue changed resolution neither would I â—tand to his meere word although I tooke him for a discreâ—te and modest person But after Cornelia your wife spake with Terentia and Quintus Corneâ—ius certified me thereof I was carefull to bee present in the Senate as oft as it sate And concerning your desire to remaine still in the Prouince I had much a doe to make Quintus Fusius Tribune of â—he people and the rest to beleeue it to whom a little beforâ— as also to mee you had written the contrarie The affaires of the Prouinces were dâ—fâ—rred till Ianuarie but notwithstanding at that time wee hoped â—o obtaine our purpose â—he kinde office you did me in wriâ—ing that you desire my buying of Crassus house might proue fortunate vnto me was an occasion that not long aâ—ter I bought it for an hundred and fiue thousand crownes so that I feele such a burden of debt vpon my shoulders that I could wish to enter into some conspiracie so they would accept of mee But the hatred they beare me is so great as they offer mee repulse and malice me openly as the cause of their ruine besides they are not confident and are afraid that I lay some snares for them not beleeuing that I can want money who freed the vsurers from their violence In truth I am reputed for that cause a sufficient man and there are somâ— that lend freely for sixe in the huâ—dâ—ed I went to see your house and buâ—lding which I thought in euery part verie faire I haue defended Antonius in the Senate house with the greatest seruencie and care I could and by my speech and authoritie I haue much drawne the Senate to fauour him I would not faile him though for some offices past 't is well knowne how ill hee hath requited me I pray you write oâ—ten to me Farewell Cicero to Cneius Pompeius magnus sonne to Cneius Ep. 7. I And all men else tooke great dâ—light in the letters which you wâ—ote to the Senate For you giue so much hope of a secure state as putting my trust wholly in you I haue alwaies promised to euery one But on the contrarie those your old enemies who were become your new friends hearing the newes of your victorie remain'd amazed and astonished seeing themsâ—lues frustrated of â—he hope they had â—o come to the glorie of so noble an entâ—rprize The letters you wrote vnto me though they containe but little demonstration of your loue towards me were neuerthelesse very deare vnto me For I neuer reioyce more at any thing then I doe when I vnderstand tâ—at I â—aue discharg'd my dutieâ— and if aftâ—rwards any man in â—ffects bee not answerable I am glad that I rest superior in courtesie I make no doubt but the Common-wealth will reconcile ioyne and binde vs together â—hough my affâ—ction towards you which in many respâ—cts you mâ—y haue deseru'd were not sufficient to make mee enioy your loue â—nd fauour And becâ—uâ—e you may know what I wouâ—d haue hâ—d yâ—u written to me I will tell iâ— you plainely both as my nature and our Amitie requireth I haue compassed matters of such qualitie as I firmely belâ—eued that you would reioyce with me being bound thereunto first in râ—spect of your countrie and then in consideration of our friendship But I imagine you forbare the doing of such an office for feare of offending some man Though
to the Lacedaemonians Wherefore I onely request you that when you shew the Lacedaemonians those fauours which stand with your credit dignitie and equitie if you thinke good cause them to vnderstand that you are desirous to heare that the pleasures which you doe them may by me also be approued For it concernes me that they should beleeue that I haue a care of their Interests This I request you with the greatest zeale that I am able Farewell Cicero to Lucius Plancus Epist. 29. I Make no question but you conceiue how amongst all those friends your Father left you I am nearest vnto you not onely for those reasons which carrie a great apparence of alliance but also for those that consist in familiaritie and conuersation The which you know betweene your father and mee were the greatest and most delightsome in the world From these beginnings spring the loue which I beare you Which loue made our amitie greater then that wee held with your Father And so much the more because I perceiued that so soone as you attain'd to the yeares to be able to iudge in what proportion euery one deseru'd to be esteemed of you that you began to honor obserue and loue me aboue all others Besides all this we were knit together with a farre firmer knot as by the knot of studies which of it selfe greatly imports especially being of those studies and those vertues which of themselues procure that the parties which are of one minde are also conioyn'd in familiaritie I suppose you expect what this far-fetcht discourse will tend vnto First therefore you shall vnderstand that I haue not ript vp this commemoration without great and worthie respects I frequent most familiarly with Caâ—us Atteius Capito You know both the prosperous and contrary euents of my affairs Both in the one and th' other I haue made proofe oâ— Capito'â— good will and affection And I did not onâ—ly mâ—ke vse of his endeuour authoritie and fauour but also of his goods according as the necessitie of my good or bad Fortunes required Titus Antisâ—ius was a kinsman to this man Who by accident being Quaestor of Macedâ—nia and hauing no successor therein Pompeâ—us went thither with his Armie Anâ—istius could not doe as he would For if hee might his greatest contentment had beene to haue return'd to Capito whom he loued as a Father especially conceiuing what an esteeme he â—uer had and did make of Caesar. But being vnder anothers power and in that hee could doe no lesse he tooke vpon him some commaund When the moneys were coin'd in Apoâ—â—â—nia I cannot say that he had the ouer-seeing thereof nor denie that he was present But certainly not aboue two or three moneths From that time forward he neuer was in the Campe he shunned all command Beleeue thâ—s from me as a most true testimonie For he obseru'd my discontentment in that warre he imparted all his secrets to me Whereupon he retir'd to hide himselfe in Macedonia flying from the Campe as far as he could and not onâ—ly from taking vpon him any charge but from being so much as present From thence after the battaile fought he went into Bithynia to Aâ—lus Plancius his verie good friend There Caesâ—r seeing him he gaue him not one bitter nor sharpe wordâ— he enioyned him to come to Rome A few dâ—ies after he fell sicke and recouer'd not that sicknesse Hee câ—me sicke to Corcyra and there dyed Of his goods by force of a will that he made in Rome when Paulus and Marcellus were Consulls Capito of twelue parts is to enioy ten the other two parts fall to them whose portion without any iust complaâ—nâ— of any man falls to the Publicke and amounts to the value of nine hundred Crownes My Plancus for the inward amâ—tie that passed sometimes betwixt me and your Father and for the loue we beare one another For our studies sake and conformable manner of life we haue alwaies obserued I request and entreat you as effectually and perswasiuely as I am able that you will repute it as mine owne suâ—e and employ therein your whole power and so procure that Capito by this recommendation and by meanes of your fauour and Caesars benefit may obtaine his kinsmans enheritance All the fauours which in this high renowne and esteeme you are in with Caesar I could haue had graunted from you vpon request I will thinke conferred vpon me out of your owne voluntarie free will if you doe but graunt me this petition And because you may the more readily encline to comfort him herein behold one reason well knowne to Caesar himselfe that Capito euer bare wonderfull loue and great respect to Caesar. But Caesar himselfe can testifie thus much I know he hath a verie good memorie and therefore I 'le mention it no further I require nothing else but that you will moue Caesar in the cause of Capito with equall zeale to the memoriall you shall perceiue that he retaineth of Capito I 'le deliuer vnto you what experience I haue made of him of what validitie it is your selfe shall iudge You vnderstand what part I tooke what cause was by me defended You are priuie what men and what societie of men I followed Of thus much be assured that if in this warre I perform'd any thing against Caesars mind I was aduis'd â—xhorted and euen driuen vnto it by others and I am not ignorant how Caesar himselfe knowes that I was violently haâ—â—d thereunto but if in the same warre I bare my selfe more temperately and moderately then anie other Capito was the man that councelled and perswaded me so to doe like to whom if my other friends had bin peraduenture it might haue beene profitable to the Common-wealth and my selfe I know I should haue infinitely benefitted Now my Planâ—us if you satisfie me in this my desire I shall bee confirmed in my hopes that I am of you beloued and you shall gaine the same Capito a most thankefull officious and very honest friend in requitall of a fauour so important Farewell Cicero to Acilius Vice-Consull Ep. 30. LVcius Manlius Sosis was sometimes of Catina but he is now become a Romaine Cittizen together with th' other Neapolitanes and was created Decurio of Naples For before it was granted to the conâ—ederates of the people of Rome to be free denizens and to those of Latium he was chosen cittizen of the Towne of Naples His brother not long since died in Catinâ— Wee doe not thinke he will any waies be crost about the inheritances descended to him for he is now in possession of them but in that besides these goods he hath other old negotiations in Sicilia I recommend vnto you both this inheritance left him by his brother and all other his affaires but aboue all I commend himselfe vnto you as a man of great integritie my very familiar friend and one that is adorned with those studies of doctrine and that learning wherein I especially am delighted I request you therefore that
haue departed from me had I not permitted him Wherefore I recommend him to you as one of my house and as my verie vsefull friend You shall doe me a great pleasure if you so entrâ—at him that hee may take notice of the profit and assistance that did accrue vnto him through my recommendation Farewell Cicero to Publius Seruilius his Colleague Ep. 72. BEfore you departed from Rome I recommended vnto you in your garden as effectuallie as I could the goods moueables reckonings and possessions that my necessarie friend Caerellia hath in Asia and you according to your custome and continuall waightie courtesies freely tooke vpon you to doe any thing Now I hope you are as mindfull of the said businesse as you were wont to be of other matters Notwithstanding Caerellia's Solicitors haue written to me that it were good to giue you often remembrance thereof being for the greatnesse of your Prouince and the multitude of affaires much employed I desire therefore that you would be mindfull how freely you promised me all those fauours which your dignitie might affoord I am fully of opinion that you haue ample authoritie of satisfying Caerellia out of that decre of the Senate which was enacted in that cause of the heires to Caius Vennonius Wherein notwithstanding I referre my selfe to your councell and iudgement as being to eâ—terpret it in such sort as shall appeare best vnto your wisedome For I know that you haue euer highly esteem'd the authoritie of that order It onelie remaines for me to tell you that wherein so euer you fauour Caerellia you shall doe me a singular pleasure Farewell Cicero to Quintus Philippus Vice-consull Ep. 73. YOur gouernment being expired I congratulate your healthfull and safe returne with the preseruation of your owne honour and great satisfaction to the Common-wealth And if I had seene you in Rome I would presentially haue giuen you thanks for the loue and fauour you shewed to my familiar friend Lucius Egnatius in his absence and Lucius Oppius that was present Antipater Derbetes vseth to entertaine me and I him and besides there passeth great familiaritie betwixt vs. I heard that you are very much displeased with him and it grieâ—'d me I know not whither he deserued it but sure I am that such a person as you are would doe nothing without iust occasion Howsoeuer it be I entreat you as effectually as possible I can for our auncient and true friendship that you would be pleased to pardon his sonnes who are vnder your power especially at my intercession If you thinke it not preiudiciall to your owne reputation Iâ— which case I would not request it for I should haue a respect of greater antiquitie to your honour then to Antipaters acquaintance But I verily beleeue yet I may be deceiu'd that by such an act you shall rather get prayse then infamie About this matter what may be done and what you may doe for my sake for I make no doubt of what you would doe I desire so it be not troublesome vnto you to be further certified Farewell Cicero to Quintus Philippus Vice-consull Ep. 74. THough I am assured that out of the loue you beare me and for the familiar friendship that is betwixt vs you are mindfull of my recommendation yet will I not omit most effectually to recommend againe vnto you my kinde friend Lucius Oppius presâ—nt and the affaires of my domesticall acquaintance Lucius Egnatius absent The frieÌ„dship familiaritie I haue with him is so great as I could not be more carefull if it were mine owne cause Therefore I shall take it as an extraordinarie kindnâ—sse if you giue him cause to concâ—iue how I am no lesse beloued of you then I giue my selfe to vnderstand You cannot doe me a greater fauour then this and I earnestly request you to performe it Farewell Cicero to Titus Titius sonne to Titus Legate Ep. 75. THough I am of constant beleefe that my first recommendation preuailed much with you yet I am desirous to giue contentment to Caius Auianus Flaccus my familiar friend whom I am not onely desirous but bound â—o fauour wherein possible I am able of whom in presence I spake effectuallie to you when you kindly made me answere and with great efficacie I wrote vnto you afterwardes thereof I request you to pardon me if to giue him satisfaction I may seeme vnmindfull of your constancie I desire therfore the same fauour at your hands which is that you will permit Auianus that at all times of the yeare he may conueie his come whâ—ther soeuer stands best with his commoditie Which courtesie in like manner by my meanes he obtained for three yeares while Pompeius had this charge To conclude that wherein you may doe me greatest pleasure is to let Auianus know your loue towardes me seeing he is assured of mine to himselfe This will be very acceptable to mee Farewell Cicero to the Quatuor-viri and Decuriones Epist. 76. THe friendship I enterteine with Quintus Hippius growes from so many occasions as there cannot be found a more absolute then our coniunction And were it not for this I would follow my accustomed manner which is to be troublesome to you in nothing For you can beare me sufficient testimonie that though I were certaine to obtaine whatsoeuer I desired yet would I neuer be burdensome vnto you I request you therefore as earnestly as I can or am able that you will so farre fauour me as to vse Caius Valgius Hippianus with all courtesie and make an end with him by exempting and making free that possession which somtimes he bought of you in the Fregellan territorie If you satisâ—ie me in this my request I shall thinke I haue receiu'd a speciall benefit Farewell Cicero to Publius Sulpitius Imperator Ep. 77. I Went not often into the Senate by reason of the conditions of the times but hauing receiu'd your letters and vnderstood how your honor was herein touched I obseru'd that it was my dutie to goe thither and that doing otherwise I should haue wrong'd our auncient amitie and haue perform'd a matter vnworthie of our benefits one to th' other Wherefore I went thither and willingly aduis'd that all the Temples of the gods â—hould publiquely bee visited and thankes rendred to them for what you had effected in the behalfe of the Common-wealth And vpon euery occasion when either your profit honor or dignitie comes in question I will neuer faile you in those endâ—uours and offices wherein I am engaged And you shall doe me a pleasure to write thereof vnto your friends notifying vnto them my affection and the desire I haue to write vnto you that so they may securely build vppon me whensoeuer it occurres that I may giue you any assistance Marcus Bollanuâ— is a friend to me of manie yeares standing an honest man valiant and adorned with as many good parts as can be desired I recommend him to you wiâ—h all zeale and entreat you to let him vnderstand how this my
in all other occasions that he may thereby gather that I haue effectuallie recommended him Farewell Cicero to Lentulus Ep. 4. VPon the fifteenth of Ianuarie when we had the better hand in the Senate for that the daie before we had broken the neck of that opinion of Bibulus concerning thâ— three Ambassadors and that there was now onely resting the opinion of Volcatius to contend withall the businesse was with diuerse cauills pâ—olonged by our aduersaries who could not endure that we amongst so manie and so great varietie of opinions should carrie away the glorie of the dayâ— Curio was at that time a bitter enemie vnto vs Bibulus much more milde and raâ—her a friend than otherwise Caniniuâ— and Catâ— had resolued â—o propose no law before the next creation of Magistrates The Senate as you know by the inteâ—dict of the law Pupia cannot be reduced before the Calends of Februarie nor for all that moneth vnlesse the Ambassages be either dispatched or put off But the people of Rome are possest that those that enuie and hate you haue brought vp this brute of an inuented Religion not so much to hinder you as to keepe euery man else from seeking for credits sake to goe that iourney with the armie into Alexandria And no man can report other than that the Senate hath had good respect of you for it is well knowne that your aduersaries haue hindred the dispatch of your cause but if they shall attempt now any thing by wicked and trecherous proceedings as they haue done vnder pretence or name of the people of Rome it is sufficiently prouided â—â—at they can passe nothing vnlesse they will withstand authoritie and the lawes or else bring their intent about by violence I will omit to speake either oâ— mine owne faithfulnesse or other mens ingratitude For it were but a follie to make any ostâ—ntaâ—ion of my selfe considering that if I should spend my life for you I cannot counteruaile your courtesies And to complaine of other mens iniuries were but to renew my old troubles If in this time of weake Magistrates any thing shall be attempted by force I can make no resistance but if no violence shall be offered I can assure you that the Senate and people of Rome will doe what in them lyeth to support your reputation Farewell Cicero to Publius Lentulus Vice-consul Ep. 5. THough I desire nothing more than to be knowne first of your selfe and then to all the world for a most thankful man and one that cannot forget the good turnes you haue done me yeâ— it grieues me to the heart that the times since your departure are such as inforce you to make triall as well of mine as other mens trust and affection towards you For I vnderstand by your letters that you haue had the same proofe oâ— your friends in your authoritie that I haue had of mine in my health and prosperitie I endeuoured with all my vnderstanding care and poâ—er to bring about the cause of the king when on the sodaine Cato beyond all imagination proposed a wicked law which did not onely hinder the cause but hath made that businesse which was before light and easie to be very difficult and desperate But though in so crosse an accident we are to expect all mischiefe yet wee feare nothing more than treacherie Come what will come let Cato be wel assured we will resist him About the restoring of the king I promise you thus much that I will so bestur me that you shall rest fully satisfied Yet I doubt that either the businesse may be taken out of our hands or that there will be no further proceeding in it and I cannot well determine which of these two courses will leaft content me But if it come to this passe there is a third way which neither Selicius nor I dislike That we neither suffer the King to be abandoned nor let him be put ouer vnto that man for his restoring who is alreadie thought to haue obteined him We will doe the best we can that things may goe as we would haue them if not we will so leaue off that we may suffer no disgrace thereby It is for a man of your wisedome vnderstanding and valour to be well assured that all your greatnesse and honour proceedes from your owne vertue your noble actions and graue proceâ—dings which will neuer faile you and to set light by that that the perfidiousnesse of any man can detract from you in any thing wherein fortune hath inriched you Knowing for certaine that whatsoeuer is done in that kind will turne to them more hurtfull than to you hereafter There is not an houre passes but I am either doing something in your businesse or contriuing how to doe it And in euery thing I vse the helpe of Quintus Selicius whom I esteeme as discreete faithfull and louing vnto you as any of your other friends I make accompt that you haue vnderstood both by frequent letters and messengers aswell what we haue now in hand as that that hath beene hitherto effected Of that that is expected I hold none fitter then my selfe to send you mine opinion I haue seene Pompeius vpon two occasioÌ„s terribly troubled First for that on the â—â—xt of Februarie speaking to the people in the fauour of Milo they gaue not onely a negligent eare vnto him but often interrupted him with exclamations and villanies secondly because Cato speaking ill of him in the Senate and sharply accusing him had a moâ—t quiet audience so thaâ— it seemes he altogether shrinketh from this cause of restoring the king in which we haue alwayes held our owne the Senate not hauing taken any thing from you herein but that which by the Religion it cannot giue vnto another man Our hope therefore at this present is that the King finding himselfe deceiâ—ed in his opinion of thinking to be â—estored by Pompeius and being depriued of all other hopes herein will necessarilie applie himselfe vnto you In the effecting hereof wee will vse all diligence and he will doubtlesse be most willing so that Pâ—mpeius make but the least shew to be content therewith But you know how slow he is and â—lâ—o how silent in all his actions yet there is nothing that may be done herein by vs omitted The other iniuries that Cato threaâ—neth to doe vs shall need I hope but easie resistance Of the Conâ—ulars I find none to fauour you but Hortentius and Lucullus The rest are partly â—ecâ—et partly open enemies But be of good courage And wiâ—hout al doubâ— the rash attempt of this phantasticall â—ellow will come to nothing and you shall recouer your former honour and reputation Fare you well Cicero to Lentulus Ep. 6. HOw matteâ—s haue beene carried you may â—nforme your selfe of Pâ—llio who was not onely present at them but imployed in them In the depth of the trouble I suffer about your businesse my comfort is that I hope assuredly that the good Councell of your friends and time it selfe which discouereth
to them as ready at my command as possiblie may be I retaine the Prouince together with all the Citties well affected and more then carefull to discharge their duties And as many horse and foot as these nations can raise to defend their safeâ—ie and common libertie As for me I am so encouraged either to defend the Prouince or to goe whither the Common-wealth shall summon me or to resigne the armie succors and Prouince that I refuse not to take vpon my selfe euen the whole brunt of the conflict so that by my ruine I might but confirme my countries safetie or abate the perill If I make these offers euery thing being now setâ—ed and in a peaceable estate of the Cittie with the preiudice of mine owne praise yet shall I reioyce in the benefit of the Common-wealâ—h But if the same dangers still remaine I referre my selfe to iust Iudges that may defend me from the malignitie of those that enuie me A large satisfaction â—or my endeuours shall be the safetie of the Common-wealth I thinke good to entreat you that you would take these souldiers to your speciall recommendation who mooued by my authoritie but much more trusting in your fidelitie haue suffered themselues to be deceiued with no hope propounded to them nor with any danger haue beene daunted Farewell Plancus Imperator elected Consull to Cicero Ep. 9. I Am glad that neyther I wrot rashly to you nor you promiâ—'d any thing to others erroniously concerning me Certainely you haue so much the greater testimonie of my affection by how much I desired my designes might bee knowne sooner to you then to any other But I hope you perceiue well how my deserts towards the coÌ„monwealth grow euery day greater and I assure you you shall continuallie better know it As for me my Cicero so the Common-wealth may be freed by my helpe from imminent ruine I in such manner value youâ— honors and rewardes worthie questionlesse to bee parallel'd with eternitie that I will notwithstanding without them abate nothing of my courage or of my constancie If amongst many excellent Cittizens the resolution of my mind appeare not singular and the effects remarkeable I will not that one â—ot be by your fauour added to my dignitie Now I aske nothing in mine owne behalfe rather I affect the contrarie But I am content you should be the man to dispose of the time and affaires at your pleasure The reward which a Countrie giues to a Cittizen ought to seeme neither late nor little I pâ—ssed ouer Rhodanus with mine Armie the xxvj of Aprill I sent a thousand Caualiers before to Vienna by the shorter way and by great dayes iourneyes I not being hindred by Lepiâ—us will be answerable in expedition But if he oppose himselfe to mee in the way I 'le take a course as the time permits me I lead such an Armie as giueth great hopes both for valour number and fidelitie I pray you loue me because you may perceiue your selfe beloued of me Farewell Cicero to Plancus Imperator electeâ— Consull Ep. 10. THough I vndeâ—stood sufficiently by our friend Fâ—râ—ius what your determination and aduice was about the Common-wealth Neuerthelesse hauing read your letters I moâ—e manifestly discerned your whole intâ—ntiâ—n Wherefore though the whole fortune of the Common-wealth depends onely vpon one battaile which questionlâ—sse I did thinke by that time you should come to read this letter would be determined Notwithstanâ—ing by the fame onely that is dispersed of your good meaning you hâ—ue gained great commendation Whereupon if the Conâ—ull had beene at Rome the Senate to your greâ—t honor would haue manifested how acceptable your foâ—ce was and preparation of which the time is not onely not â—ast bâ—t hitherto so far as I can iudge noâ— come For that onely was wont to appeare vnâ—o me tâ—ue honour which is conâ—â—rred vpon valiant meâ— not tâ—rouâ—h hope of future benefit but for a recompence of worthie actions Wherâ—fore so there bee any Common wealth wherein honour may be reâ—ucent be secure you shall obtaine all honours And in my opinion that which is bestowed vpon men to inuite thâ—m to noble attempts cannot truely be termed honour but honor is that which is bestowed for deeds performed Therefore my Plancus striue by all meanes to get prayse eternall Rescue your Countrie succour your Colleague Assist this affection this miraculous league of all the nations I 'le helpe you in your occasions I 'le further you in your honors and in all occurrents I 'le be most louing and faithfull to you For to the many reasons which are betweene vs of true and auncient amitie there is annexed the ioynt affection we both beare to our Countrie And this is the cause that I preferre your life before mine owne Farewell The 29. of March Plancus to Cicero Ep. 11. I Giue you and while I liue will giue you infinite thankes for to returne you deserts I dare not promise because I thinke not my selfe able to counteruaile your so many kind offices except peraduenture as you grauely and prudently haue written you are of this opinion that to remember an obligation be a rendring of good turnes If there had beene an occasion touching the honour of your owne son doubtlesse you could not more affectionately haue laboured therein Your first motions by which you sought to procure me infinite rewards those that followed where you applied your selfe to time and the opinion of friends your continuall and perpetuall discourse of me your contestations made with aduersaries in my defence are verie well knowne vnto me So that I must take no slender care to shew my selfe towards the Common-wealth a cittizen worthie of your commendations and to your selfe both mindfull thankefull For the rest prosecute that which you haue begun and if in effâ—ct and triall I proue such an one as you haue striuen to set me forth defend me and take me into protection Hauing passed my men ouer the riuer Rhodanus and sending my brother before with three thousand horse In my way towardes Mutina I heard of the battaile fought and how Brutus was free'd from the siege of Mutina I considered that Antonius and those men that remained with him had no other receptacle but these quarters and that they might haue two hopes one of Lepidus and another of his armyâ— one part of which carries no better mindes then the followers of Antonius So that I caused my Cauallerie to returne I stayed vpon the territorie of the Allâ—broges that I might be readie as occasion serued If Antonius retire hither without Forces my mind giues me he may easily be resisted and we may effect that for the Common-wâ—alth which you dâ—sire though he should be receiued by Lepidus armie But iâ— he bring men with him and if the old tenth Legion the which by my meanes with the others betooke themsâ—lues to our defence shall againe rebellâ— yet I will haue an eye that no great damage shall accrew and thâ—â— I hope to doe till
Antonius had a great garrison in Bononia and at Claterna was our Hirtius and Caesar at Fâ—rum Cornelium both of them with a great Armie and Paâ—sa had in Rome leuied many men which were raised in Italie by choice The winter was an impediment that as yet the enterprise was not attempted Hirtius made shew as by frequent letters hee signifies to me that hee would doe nothing but deliberately Except Bononia Regium in Lombardie and Parma we had Gaulâ— wholly deuoted to the Common-wealth And the Transpadani your Clients stood wonderfully for vs. The whole Senate besides the Consulares was most resolued of whom there is onely Lucius Caesar that is most constant and who aimes directly at the publique good Wee haue lost a great stay â—y the death of Sulpitiusâ— The others are partly hollow-hearted and in part maleuolent Some enuie their praise whom they see commended in the Common-wealth But the people of Rome and all Italie are wonderfully vnited These breefly were the matters with which I desired you might bee acquainted Now I desire that from those Easterne parts the light of your valor may be resplendent Farewell Cicero to Caius Cassius Epist. 6. HOw things stood when I wrote you these letters you may vnderstand from Caius Tidius Strabo an hohonest man and verie well enclined to the Common-wealth and to you so affected that onely to come and finde you out hee hath abandoned his house and substance And therfore it is needlesse that I should recommend him to you his comming may bee a sufficient recommendation As for our affaires you are to imagine and perswade your selfe thus much that all good mens â—â—â—uge â—â—es in you and Marcus Brutus if it fortune that things succeed not in Italy as they were wished which God forbid When I wrote thâ—se letters to you matterâ— were reduced to their last triall Foâ— Brutus could now no longer keepe himselfe in Mutina Who being preserued the victorie is ours if notâ— which God grant otherwise wee will all flye to you as to the hauen of safetie Wherfore you must take vpon you so great a courage and make such preparation as is necessary for the recouerie of the Common-wealth Farewell Cicero to Caius Cassius Epist. 7. WIth what care both in the Senate and with the people I haue defended your honour I had rather you should vnderstand from other friends then from my selfe Which sentence of mine in the Senate would easily haue preuailed if Pansa had not violently opposed it This sentence being deliuered Marcus Seruilius Tribune of the people brought mee to speake vnto the assembly I deliuered of you what I could in the audience of so great a multitude as the Forum was able to containe with such a shout and consent of the people as I neuer saw the like I desire that you would pardon me though I did in this against the will of your mother in law She being fearefull as women are wont to bee doubted lest Pansa might haue beene offended True it is that Pansa speaking to the people alledged that your mother and your brother were not willing that I should haue denounced such a sentence But I was not moued with these things my minde was of another matter I sought the good of the Common-wealth which I euer affected together with your honour and estimation But of that which I both largely discoursed in the Senate and deliuered to the people I would haue you to acquit my promise For I haue promised and in a manner confirmed that you neither did nor would expect our decrees but that of yourselfe according to your custome you would defend the Common-wealth And though wee had not yet vnderstood either where you were or what Forces were with you yet I presupposed that all the Forces and people of those quarters were in your power And I held for certaine that the Prouince of Asia was ere this by your means recouered Now beare your selfe so that in augmenting your owne glorie you goe beyond your selfe Farewell Cicero to Caius Cassius Epist. 8. AMongst other aduertisements which you haue of the proceâ—dings of Rome I think you haue vnderstood of the wickednesse extreme leuitie and inconstancie of your kinsman Lepidus Which was the cause that whereas wee iudged the warre to haue beene ended now wee are enforced to war more then euer All our hope consists in Decimus Brutus and in Plancus but to speake truth we haue greater in you and in my Brutus hoping that you will not onely preserue vs if matters here which God forbid succeed not but also establish vs in perpetuall libertie We heard of Dolabella that which we desired but we had no certainetie thereof For your selfe be out of doubt that hitherto you are reputed a great man and it is expected that hereafter likewise you will make your selfe knowne for such Proposing thus much vnto your selfe labour to come on a pace to the height of enterprises The people of Rome are of oâ—inion that there is nothing but may by you be compassed and obtained Farewell Cicero to Caius Cassius Epist. 9. THe breuitie of your letters will be the cause that I also shall be briefe in writing And to speake truth I hâ—ue not much whereof to write knowing assuredly that the proceedings of Rome are related vnto you by the ordinarie aduises and of yours in these parts we heare nothing For as if Asia were on euery side shut vp there come no aduertisements vnto vs but onely a rumor that Dolabella is vanquished which hitherto is not verified though they still talke thereof When wee supposed the warre ended vpon a suddaine through your Lepidus we are fallen againe into exceeding great trouble And the greatest hopâ— the Common-wealth hath is in you and your people True it is that we haue mightie armies neuerthelesse though all things should succeed as I hope happily yâ—t it much impoâ—ts that you come hither for the hope of the Common-wealth is but little I will not say none at all But what is men looke it should take effect in the yeare of your Consulship Farewell Cicero to Caius Cassius Epist. 10. LEpidus your kinsman and my familiar friend together with others that revolted against the Common-wealth were by common consent of the Senate the last of Iune denounced rebells To whom notwithstanding all August was graunted to be thinke themselues The Senate questionlesse is full of courage and the rather by reason of the hopes they conceiue of your succour The warre at the writing hereof was very hot for which we may â—hanke the wickednesse and inconstancie of Lepidus We heare euery day that newes which we desire of Dolabella But as yet they haue no ground nor come they from any person worthie of credite There is onely a muttering thereof amongst the multitude Neuerthelesse by the informations of your letters written from the Campe the seuenth of May the Cittie was of firme beliefe that he was by this time suppressed And that you would come into Italie
secretest cabinets of our Art I will extract an admirable forme of recommendation Which if I doe nor performe endeuor you that by th' effect he may he may beleeâ—e at least that I haue seru'd his turne with letters full of vnusuall Art and motiues This will be done if you shew him all mannâ—r of courtesie that either your nobilitie moues you to or by your authoritie is permitted you not only in action buâ— also in words breefly with your â—â—ry coâ—ntenance Whiâ—h things how much they preuaile in a Prouince I would you had once put in practise Neuerthelesse I hold opinion that the man I commend vnto you is very worthy of your friendship And beleeue it not onely because Cuspius affirmâ—s as much vnto me though this might suffice but in that I know hee can censure of men and hath iudgement in the election of his friends In a word I shall be enform'd of what force these letters were with you and as I hope I shall haue occasion to thanke you And in the meane while in any thing wherein I thinke you would be glad that I should vse mine endeuour I will not faile withall effectuall diligence to employ it Respect your health PVâ—lius Cornelius the bearer heeâ—â—of was commended vnto me by Pâ—blius Cuspiâ—s to whom both onâ— oâ— loue and obligation how much I desire to giue all satisfaction by what is written may be gathered My especiall request is that from this recommendation I may out of hand receiue the greatest and most frequent thankes that poâ—sible can bee giuen mee by Cuspius Cicâ—ro to Caius Cluâ—ius Epist. 7. WHen vpon your departure for Gallia moued by our interchanged affection and the great respect you beare me you came home to visit me I spake with you about the Aâ—ellani who pay tribute for that part of their Countie which lies in Gallia intimating vnto you how neerely I was touched with their interest 's And after your departure the matter being such as it mainly imported a towne of that worth and which I so much esteemed being confident in your good inclination towards me I thought my selfe obliged to write vnto you theroâ— with all possible diligence Though I am not ignorant either of the condition of the times or of your power And I vnderstand but too well that the charge yâ— was giuen you by Caius Caesar was not to iudge but to execute Wherfore I request you to do only so much as I thinke you can and will for my cause willingly And first I would haue you to conceiue it to be true that all the busines of this towne or Incorporation is that there maine interest lies in this County which paies tribute and now through the burdensome impositions it hath endur'd it is â—alne into extreame pouertie Which inconuenience though it appeareth that many other haue equally suffered neuerthelesse I assure you that this towne in particular hath suffered moâ—â— then other Which I forbeare to reâ—â—â—e vnto you least in complaining of my friends miseries I may seeme to distaste those persons whom vnwillingly I would Wherefore were I not confident in my hopes that I can manifest vnto Caesar how that towne vndeseruedly was ouercharg'd with such a burden I would neuer haue sollicited you vpon this occasion But because I am assurâ—d and perswaded that he will haue respect vnto the worth of the Towne to the equiâ—ie and also to the good affection the inhabitants thereof beare towards him I thought good to request and entreat you that you will reserue this cause to him to bee dispatched Which though I would not forbeare to entreat of you though I had not heard that you euer granted so much before yet I entertaine more liuely hopes of obtaining it seeing 't was told me how the Rhegienses had obtained from you the selfsame fauour Who though they be linked in friendship with you yet your loue towards me bids me hope that what courtesies you haue done for your owne you will also performe for mine acquaintance Especially considering that hauing many friends which would sue for the like at your hands by my meanes I request this kindenes only for these men And though I assure my selfe you vnderstand that I discharge not this office without cause and that no vaine ambition hath tickled me on with so great instance to sollicite you yet would I haue you giue credit to my sincere speeches that I am to this towne much obliged it hauing euer aswell in time of my prosperities as disasters made knowne their singular affection to me Wherefore in respect of the viscerall amitie we hold together and for that great loues sake which you haue euer borne me I do in the greatest earnest I am able entreate you that you considering that the estate of â— who le Towne is heere handled which is neere vnto me both in friendshippâ— office and affection will bee pleased to gratifie me And wee shall so value your fauour if wee obtaine from Caesar as our expected grace wee shall repute it granted by your benefit if otherwise wee shall notwithstanding remaine in the same obligation in that you labour'd to procure it vs. And besides the singular pleasure you shall doe me thereby you shall by meanes of such an important fauour further oblige vnto yoursâ—lfe most bountiful noble and most gratefull cittizens and such as shall be worthy of your friendship of whom you may alwaies make any vse either in your owne or friends occasions Farewell Cicero to Marcus Rutilius Epist. 8. BEing a sufficient testimonie to my selfe of the respect that I owe you and hauing by experience made triall of the loue that you beare mee I haâ—e had the boldnesse to requâ—st a fauour as much importing mee as it was necessarie for me to require it of you What esteeme I make of Publius Sextius there 's no man knowes better â—hen my selfe and how much I ought to esteeme him you and all men can imagine Hauing heard from others how well you stand affected to me hee requested me that I would write vnto you with all possible efficacie about the busines of Caâ—us Albinus the Senator by whose daughter the same Publiuâ— Sextius had that vertuous young man Lucius This therefore I haue written vnto you to the end you may apprehend that not only I am bound to haue a care of Publius Sextius but Sextius of Albinus Now the busines is this Caius Albinus receiu'd in payments certaine Farmes of Marcus Laberius at the prises they were valued at which Farmes Laberius bought of Caesâ—r being part of the estate of Plotius If I should say â—hat iâ— would not bee profiâ—able for the Common-wealth that they should be deuided it might seeme that I did not entreat but instruct you But it being Caesars pleasure that the sales and assignements made by Sylla should stand good to the end that his might be thought more durable if the same Farmes be diuyded which Caesar himselfe hath sold what securitie can there bee