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

Cicero to Toranius. Epist. 22.

ALthough 'tis thought, that the end of this pes••iferous warre is now at hand, or that some effect hath ensued; yet I cannot, but daily thinke, how you alone, in so great an armie, should be of the same opinion I am: And that wee onely, saw wha•• ill was in that warre; wherein, all hope of peace excluded, the victorie it selfe must needs be terri∣ble, which brought death, if you were vanquished; if Victor, the yoke of seruitude. Whereupon I, whom those valiant and wise men, the Domitij, and Lentuli, then said was timorous (as in∣deed

I was; for I fear'd what came to passe) doe now feare nothing, and am prepared against euerie accident. when I supposed, that some part of the los∣ses, which afterwards wee sustained, might haue beene preuented; th••n I greeued, that they prouided not for the same. But now, e••erie thing being rui∣nated, no councell auailing vs, there re∣maines no other remedie, b••t with pa∣tience to support all euents: especially death; being the last period of humane miseries. And I knowing, that I haue laboured to maintaine the dignitie of the Common-wealth, so long as I could; and able to do no more; I haue endeuoured at least, the preseruation of her safety. This I haue written, not to vse speech of my selfe, but to giue you occasion to think theron; you euer ha∣uing wished, & aduised the same, that I did. For 'tis a singular comfort, when a man cals to mind, that though the con∣trary hapned, neuerthelesse, that he al∣wayes perswaded that, which reason & conscience did read vnto him, And I would to God, that we might once see the Common-wealth, in some state; and that enioying each other, we may com∣pare our afflictions together, which we then suffered, when we were reputed timor••us, because we foretold those things which haue ensued. As for your affaires, be assured, that you haue no

cause, to feare any other thing, but the generall ruine of the Common-wealth. Of me constantly beleeue, that where∣in I may be assisting to you, your safe∣tie, and to your children; I will euer be readie, with the greatest care, and dili∣gence possible. Farewell.