The familiar epistles of M.T. Cicero Englished and conferred with the: French Italian and other translations

Cicero to Aulus Torquatus. Epist. 1.

THough there be such a con∣fusion of all things, that e∣uery one is discontented with his fortunes, and that there's no man, that would not rather be any where, then where he is: neuer∣thelesse, I make no doubt, but that in these times, it greeues euery honest man, rather to bee in Rome, then any where else. For, though there is great affliction felt in all places, for the great

losse, both publike and particular, ne∣uerthelesse, the eies encrease greefe, when they are constrained to behold that, which others heare; neither doe they euer suffer vs to remoue our thoughts from miseries. Whereupon, though of nec••ssitie, seeing your ••elfe depriu'd of many things, you must needs be affected with great greefe: yet free your minde, from being gr••eu'd, because you are not at Rome; the which, as I heare, vexeth and troubleth you. For, though it may touch you neerely, that you are separated from your friends, and your owne fortunes; yet they st••nd in their vsuall state, nor would they be greatly better'd, by your being present. N••ither should you, when you remember your friends, de∣sire a particular fortune, or re••use that which is common. And, whensoeuer it happens, ô Torquatus, that you truely consider with your selfe; you shall not need to yeeld, either to desperation, or feare. For C••sar, who hi••herto, hath beene more vniust to you, then your dignitie requir'd, hath giuen euident testimonie, that he wishes you no more ill And thinke not, though he be grea∣ter then wee, that hee is any whit more ••ecure; the end of all warres being doub••full. For the one victorie I can∣not perceiue, that you are in any such danger, that is not as well euerie

mans ruine as yours. And for the other, I know you no waies stand in feare. It remaines that the generall perill of the Common-wealth, must needs peirce your heart; the which I turne to a kinde of consolation. And though learned men, prescribe many medi∣cines, for this so growen a disease; yet I feare, there is no other true comfort to be found, then that, which is appli∣ed from the fortitude of a mans minde. For if to liue well, and happily, it suffi∣ceth that a man haue a cleare consci∣ence, and doe all things conformable to Iustice: I thinke we cannot properly terme him vnhappie, who is priuie to his owne heart, that his secretest thoughts had neuer other obiect, then honestie. For I cannot imagine, that we left our country, our children, and our fortunes, for any hope of reward: but therein we thought that we discharg'd a certaine iust, pious, and requisite of∣fice, for the Common-wealth, and to our owne honor; not being so foolish, that we should repute victorie certaine. Whereupon if the same ensued, which formerly wee supposed might hap∣pen, when we did enter into the enter∣prize: we must not abandon our selues, as if somthing had hapned, we thought would neuer haue come to passe. Let vs therefore beleeue (as in truth we may) that those things are neuer blam'd

in vs, which proceed from Fortune, and not from our selues: and being exemp∣ted from this blame, we ought patient∣ly to vndergoe those disasters, vnto which, the life of man, is subiect. Out of which reasons I conclude, that there is no man so sunke in miserie, but that vertue is of power, to preserue him. But let the lot fall to whom it will, of euery side you haue hopes, if any hope re∣maine to publicke affaires. And here I remember, how you were wont, to re∣prehend my despaire; and to encourage me to that warre, whereunto you savv me going against my will. At which time I neuer condemn'd our reasons, but our course. For I saw, that we too late opposed those armes, which had been much strengthened by our selues. Wherefore I gaue counsell, that such a warre was to be auoided, wherein force preuailed aboue counsell; and violence, aboue reason. And when I said, that, that would ensue which did; I presa∣ged not what would come to passe: but onely feared lea••t those miseries should happen, which I saw were likely to fall out: especially, that if I should haue giuen my censure of one, of two ends, I would surely haue promised that, which was most certaine. For we were superior in those things, which are not vsed in fighting; but inferior in the ex∣perience of armes, and resolution of

souldiers. Now, assume you, I pray ye, that courage, which then you thought I was to take. All the fore-mentioned I haue vvritten, because your Philargyrus discoursing before with me, and mou'd as I thinke, out of loyall affection, he told me, how sometimes you would be transported with griefe, which you should by all meanes bridle: being as∣sured, that if the Common wealth re∣turne to her former estate, you may certainely hope, that you shall liue as honorably in the same, as any way is conuenient: and if she remaine desolate and oppressed, you shall haue no worse conditions therein then the rest. And this time, wherein vvee all continue doubtfull, and daunted, ought hereup∣on to seeme vnto you lesse grieuous, because you are in that Cittie, vvhere vertue grew, and was borne; vvhich teacheth vs, how to dispose, and order our liues. Then haue you Seruilius Sul∣pitius, whom you alwayes loued deare∣ly, whose louing and sage exhortations, you cannot want: and if we had fol∣lowed his authoritie and counsell, vve should neuer haue lost vvith armes in hand; but we should willingly haue yeelded, without comming to them. I haue spoken too much, vvhere perad∣uenture 'tvvas not requisite; that which most of all imports, I vvill tell you briefly. There is no man, to whom I

am more bound then to you. The ruine of this warre hath depriu'd me of those friends, to vvhom I vvas deeply oblie∣ged, as you can testifie. I knovv that at this instant, I beare no svvay. But be∣cause no man is so afflicted by misf••r∣tunes, but that he may, if he vvill be onely attentiue to one thing, vvorke some effect: I ••ssure you, I vvill imploy for you and your children, my coun∣cell, endeuour, and affection of heart, vvherein I vvill neue•• be wanting vnto you. Far••well.