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

Cicero to Curius. Epist. 28.

I Remember, I ••hought you heretofore not ver••e wise, in ••hat you wou••d liue rather there ••h•••• with vs: for ••he situa∣tion of this Citie, when it was a Citie, was more conformable to your affable and sweet nature: then all Pelopo••nesus, therefore farre more then Patrae. Now contrariwise, it appeares vnto me, that you were verie circumspect; when, see∣ing no remedie for the matters of Rome, you went into Graecia: and that you are at this present not onelie wise, in being farre from hence•• but also happie. Though now a daies, who can be hap∣pie that knowes any thing? But as you are gone into a part, where you heere not the iniquities that are heere com∣mitted; so haue I found out another meanes not ••o heare them. For, since I betooke my selfe to my friends that come to visite me: who for this cause also, come hither oftner then they were wont; for they thinke they see a white bird, when they see a good Cittizen; I retire mee to my Librarie. From whence I compile workes, that perad∣uenture will please you. For I once vnde••stood, that you reprehending my affliction; said, that you perceiu'd not

in me that greatnesse of minde, which my Booke inferred. But as in that time, I mournd for the Common-wealth: which not on••lie for her be∣nefits towards mee, but also for mine towards her, was ve••ie deare vnto me: so now, though not onelie reason comforte••h me, which is of great force, but also time, which impaireth griefe, euen in fooles; yet I lament, that com∣mon libertie is so lost, that no hope remaines, to regaine it. N••ither hi∣therto can we complaine of him, that gouernes all things, (except peraduen∣ture this be his offence) but Fortune hath beene in fault for some things; and for some, our selues also. So that we must not grieue for that which is past. As for that, that is to come, I see no hope at all. Whereupon I re∣turne where I began. You were wise, if iudgment; happie, if fortune caus'd your departure. Farewell.