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

Marcus Caelius, to Cicero. Epist. 6.

I Know certainely you haue vnder∣stood, how Appius was accused by Dolabella; but not with that popular disgrace, which I expected. For Appius did not like a foole; but presently when Dolabella came before the Tribu∣nall, he went into Rome, and gaue ouer demanding Triumph: by which he si∣lenced what was spoken of him, and shewed himselfe more expert, then his accuser look't for. Now he hath great hope in you. I know you are rather a friend to him then otherwise: this is an occasion to binde him to you, as long as you list: and, if some enmitie had not fallen ou•• betwixt you, you might now at your pleasure helpe him; but,

if you be so rigorous to handle him as he deserues: I can tell you, many will thinke, that you haue not conc••aled your wrath, with that pur••tie of minde, which is expected from a sincere, and faithfull man. And on the contrarie; If you ••auour him, none can say, that you had respect to the inward Amitie, that you haue held with D••labella. I will not forbeare to certifie you, that Dola∣bella's wife departed from him, at the same time, when Appius was accused by him. I remember that, which you said to me, when you departed: and I suppose you carrie in minde that which I wrote vnto you. It is now no time to write, more at large: only I would admonish you, that if the course dislike you not, yet shew no signe of your in∣clination, while you see, what successe he hath in this cause: to the end that the matter being knowne, you incurre not some blame: and assuredly, if you manifest your selfe, it will neither bee with your praise, nor profit; and hee cannot conceale it, for the conuenien∣cie of the thing, conformable to his hope; and because in the present enter∣prise, it will augment his reputation, especially he being a man, that though he knew it would draw some extreame hurt vpon him if he spake thereof, yet could he hardly k••epe it secret. It is said that Pompeius is very fauourable to

Appius, so that men thinke, he will send one of his sonnes to speake to you. Here, we absolue euery bodie. And certainely heere haue beene some of the ••icke••est, and most dishonest things past, that can be imagined. Yet we haue Consulls that are so vigilant, that hitherto they could passe no de∣cree, but one, vpon the sacrifice, which ordinarilie is made on Mount Albanu••. Our Curio is cold in his Tribuneship as Ice, and I cannot possiblie giue you to vnderstand, how euery one here, stands with their hands at their girdle. If I had not found something to doe, with hosts, and watermen, a great lethargie would haue ceazed vpon al Rome. And, if the Parthians set not you one heate in those parts, we shall still be colder, and colder. Neuerthelesse, whatsoeuer our sleepe be now, I would be loath the Parthians should awake vs. It is said that Bibulus encountred with the enemie, on Mount Ama••us; and that he hath lost, I know not how many com∣panies of souldiers. I told you Curio was as cold as Ice; now, I tell you, he begins to be heated, and so toyles him∣selfe, that he is enflamed. For when he saw he could not obtaine time to pay his debts, hee plaide a prettie pranke: he is gone from the Senates side, to the people, and hath vndertaken to speake in sauour of Caesar. Besides hee hath

diuulged, how he determines, to en∣act a law vpon the waies, not vnlike to that of Rullus, about the deuision of ground; and another vpon meates: conformable to which the Aediles must beare themselues: which yet he had not done, when I wrote the first part of this present epistle. Be pleased to interesse me in Appius fauour, by this occasion of assisting him; and as for Dolabella, I aduise you to let the matter hang doubtfull, both in respect of the same Appius; as also for your honour; and not to bring you into ill opinion with men. It is, and will be your dis∣grace, if I haue not Panthers out of Graecia. Farewell.