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

Marcus Caelius, to Cicero. Epist. 17.

ACcursed bee the Fortune, which was the cause, that I was rather in Spaine then at Formiae, when you went to Pompeius. But I would to God, that either Appius Claudius had not beene of your part, or Caius Curio of ours; whose friendship hath drawne me to that side, which maintaines the more vniust cause. For I know, that hatred, and loue haue bereaued me of my best sen∣ses. And you also, when I came to you by night to Ariminum, performed the office of an excellent Cittizen, but not of a Friend; giuing me commission to treate of peace with Caesar, without ad∣uising me at all in that, which concer∣ned me. Neither thinke I speake this,

as fearing that our part shall not van∣quish: but certainely 'tis better to die, then see these men. And were it not for feare of your crueltie; we had long time since, beene expelled from hence•• where there is no man, nor any socie∣ty, besides a few vsurers, which is not a Pompeian. I haue procured, that the Plebeians especially, and people, are yours, which first were ours. For what occasion, you'le say? but li••ten to the remainder. I'le make you ouercome though you would not. You sleepe: and in my opinion yee obser••e not, where we lie open, and are most weak. And this I will not doe in hope of re∣ward, but because wrath, and choler are of great for••e in me. What doe you there? attend you battaile, which you cannot tell how to maintaine? I know not what manner of men yours are: but our soldiers are inur'd to fight manfully, and to sup∣port all cold, & famine. Farewell.