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

Cicero to Marcus Marius. Epist. 2.

I Will diligently performe what you enioyne me: but certainely you were verie circumspect to commit the enter∣prise to one, who for his owne inter••st, desires, that the thi••g may be sold very deare: but you shew'd wit in limitting me the price, for which, I was to buy it. For if you had referr'd your selfe to me; as my loue is towa••ds you, I would haue enioyn'd my coheires to haue giuen you satisfaction therein. But now I know what you will spend, I will vn∣de••hand send a person, that shall offer neare your price: that th••re be no sale made vnder the price you offer: But no more iest••ng. I will obserue you with that dilig••nce, which I ought. As for Bursa, I am sure, you receiue great con∣tentment; but you reioyce ••oo coldly with me; supposing•• as you write, that by ••eason of his ignobilitie I esteeme

the mirth the lesse, Be assured, that I was more ioyfull at ••his sentence, then when Clodius was slaine. First, because I loue rather to ouercome with reason, then with armes: then, because it is pleasing to me to ouercome rather with the glorie, then ••••••ne of my freind. And aboue all, it lik'd mee, that good Citi∣zens haue manifested so great affection to me, though they perceiu••d in oppo∣sition, the preualent practises, and in∣finite desire of Pompeius, a man so ho∣norable, and potent. Last of all, which could scarcelie seeme probable, I wish't worse to this man, then to Clodius himselfe: For ••o Clodius, in opposing him, I had done an inurie: and to ••his defending him, a benefit: and Clodius aimed at an high enterprize, s••eing all the Commonwealth was to runne the same Fortune with me; neither did hee mo••e of himselfe, but through their ass••stance, who, I being safe, could not bee s••fe themselues. But this fooli•••• creature, for his recre••tion, went about to molest me: and made some that en∣uied m••e, beleeu••, that hee would al∣waies be galling of me. I pray there∣fore reioyce exceedinglie. A great victorie is obtained. There were neuer more resolued Cittizens then they, who durst attempt to condemne him, against Pompeius power, who had cho∣sen them for his i••dges; which they

would, neuer haue done, if they had not beene touched at the heart, with my passion. Wee are so incombred heere, with aboundanc•• of Iudges, and new lawes; that euerie day wee praie that some suspension follow not, to the end that, as soons as may be, wee may see you. Farewell.