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

Cicero to Aulus Torquatus. Epist. 2.

IF I vvrite seldomer to you, then I was vvont, 'tis not because I am forgetfull of you, but onely in that for the most part, I feele my selfe vnhealth••ull; though at this instant, I am reasonable vvell; and in that I am not in Rom••, vvhere I may vnderstand, whither any goe thither or not: vvher••upon be as∣sured, that I keepe you in memorie, and loue you better then ••uer I did; and I haue no lesse care of yours, then of mine ovvne occasions. If your matters hitherto, haue not obtained that good issue, which men wish't and expected,

vndoubtedly, you haue no reason, to grieue much thereat, considering the wicked condi••ion of th••se present times. For one of thes•• two things must needes happen; eyther that the Com∣mon-wealth shall alway••s be troubled with armes; & ••hat hauing l••id downe armes, s••e may once againe recouer breath•• or else ••••••t s••e must absolutely perish. If arme•• ••r••uaile, you need not fear••, either ••hose that ••ake you to fa∣uor, or others whom you haue assisted. If armes be laid aside by accord, or gi∣uen ouer by wea••in••s, or shal be violēt∣ly by the victors, taken out of the hand of the vāquish'••; in which of these kinds soeuer the Cittie doe respire; you shall returne to ••our place, and withall you shall enioy your Fortunes: But if euery thing come to ruine, and such an end happen, as Marcus Antonius, a very wise man feared euer since that time, that he foresaw the future discords; mis••rable, and most vnhappie doubtl••sse is the consolation, which I meane to giue you in this case•• especially to such a man, and such a cittizen, and neuerthe∣lesse very nec••ssarie: that no man must grieue for that which all others endure. What vertue may be in these few words (for I will not, ••or some respect, speake any further) if you shall but consid••r, as questionl••s you doe: you may, with∣out my lett••rs conceiue, that these tur∣bulent

seasons, may once cleare vp a∣gaine: but, in what state soeuer the Common-wealth stand, you need not be afraid: and if she be absolutely defa∣ced, in that you would not suruiue her, though you might, it is but reason, that with all patience, we should comport such an accident; especially being in∣nocent therein. But no more at this present. I should be very glad, if you would write vnto me, what you doe, and where you will be: to the end I may know whither to write, and whi∣ther to come. Farewell.