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

Marcus Coelius to Cicero. Epist. 14.

IF you had taken the King of the Par∣thians, and vanquished the Citie of Se∣leucia, it were nothing, in respect of the being present at these things. Your eyes would neuer haue pained you more, if you had but seene Domitius countenance, when hee had the repulse for the Augureship. The contestation was great, each party hauing many fa∣uours. Few respected merit; euery one assisted his kinsman, or friend. So that Domitius is my great enemy: insomuch, as hee hates not that acquaintance of his, whom you wot of, as he doth me: and the rather, because he thinkes he had wrong done him; and that I was the principall occasion of the iniurie. Now, he is starke mad, that men so re∣ioyce at his crosse, and that I was so fa∣uourable

to Antonius. Afterwards, he accu••ed Cneius Saturninus, the younger; one, questionlesse, for his life past, in∣famous. And now the issue of this tri∣all is expected. And he conceiues good hopes, because Sixtus Peducius was ab∣solued. Concerning the sta••e of the Common-wealth, I haue written ma∣ny times to you, that I can yet discerne no peace. And the more this contro∣uersie encreaseth, further then is con∣uenient, so much more imminent the danger appeares. Pompeius is resolued, not to suffer Caius Caesar to bee made Consull by any meanes, before hee leaues the armie, and the Prouinces: vpon which the cheefe of the Citie will contest, that Caesar, except he first giue ouer his armie, and the one, and other G••llia, shall not bee created Consull. On the contrarie, Caesar is of a constant opinion, that he leauing the armie, his ruine will ensue. Yet he offers this con∣dition, that both of them should leaue off their armie. And so, that loue, and discommendable vnion, turnes not in∣to secret hatred; but to a manifest war. I know not what side to take, and I thinke for the same cause also, you will be much perplexed. For one part I loue, and am beloued: in the other, I hate the opinions, not the men: and I think you know, that euerie one followes the more honest part, while they proceede

without armes: But when they come to a war, the strongest; supposing that to be most honest, which is most se∣cure in this discord: I see, that Cneius Pompeius will haue the Senate and Iud∣ges of his party; and to Caesar, all those will apply themselues, that liue in feare, or with cold hopes. The armies will not be equall: but there will bee time enough, to consider the forces of ei∣ther part, and to choose the best. I had almost forgot to write one thing to you, which was not to bee omitted. Know you, that Appius the Censor does miracles? Know you, that hee abates the pompe of statues, and pictures? that hee allots the measure of land? that hee constraines debtors to pay? hee thinkes the Censorship, is either paste of beane-floure, or niter: but in my opinion, he is deceiued: for, minding to purge himselfe of filthinesse, he opens all his veines, and all his bowels. Run, I beseech you, for Gods and mens sake, and come quickly to laugh at these nouelties; that Drusus is constituted Iudge of the accused, by the Scantinean Law: and Appius is about statues and pictures, I'le promise yee, you haue cause to come in haste. 'Tis thought Curio hath done very wisely, in permit∣ting a stipend to be giuen to Pompeius. To conclude, will you know, what I iudge must fall out? If one of them go

not against the Parthians, I see cruell discords will arise, which must bee en∣ded with the sword. Either of them hath a great minde, and great forces. If infinite danger had not therin con∣curred, Fortune had prepared for you, a great, and pleasant spectacle. Fare∣well.