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

Cicero to Aulus Caecin••. Epist. 5.

WHensoeuer I see your sonne (and I see him euery daie) I offer, and promise him, my endeuour, and diligence; without exception, ei∣ther

of l••bour, employment, or time: but my authoritie, and fauor; with this exception: wherein I am able, or in what I can. Your booke I haue, and doe reade, and keepe most diligently. your goods, and state, cannot sit neerer my heart then they doe: and euery day I conceiue more hope, seeing many to labour faithfully therein: as I know certainely your sonne writes vnto you: who hath himselfe also the same hope. But for these things, which may bee foreseene by vnderstanding, I presume not to discerne further, then I perswade my selfe, that yo•• see, and conceiue. Yet neuerthelesse, because it may bee, that being dazeled with griefe, you may not so cleerely discerne, I thought good to write vnto you my opinion. The nature of things present, and the course of times is such, that this for∣tune cannot long stand with you, or with others: nei••her in a cause so iust, and vpon so good Cittizens so cruell an iniurie continue. To that hope ther∣fore, which in particular I haue of your selfe, not onlie for your valor, and dig∣nitie; (for these ornaments are in ma∣ny others) whereunto are added your owne proper q••alities, that is, an ••le∣uated wit, and singular vertue: Wher∣of Caesar, makes an high esteeme: And you could not haue stayed long in this fortune, if he had not thought himselfe

offended, by those worthie parts, for which you are to him most deare. But the prouocation of his minde, is euery daie mittigated, and groweth more calme. And I vnderstand from them, that conuerse hourely with him, that the opinion of your wit, will commend you greatly to his fauour. First of all therefore, see, that you be of an high, and resolute spirit; For you were borne of such a father, bred; and instructed after such a sort, as 'tis requisite for you to doe it. And then bee of constant hop••s, for the reasons aboue men••ion∣ed. And liue as••ured, that you shall command me vpon any of your owne, or your childrens occasions: euen as our ancient friendship, and my vsuall custome towards friends, and the ma∣ny benefits that I haue receiued from you require••h. Farewell: