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

Cicero to Papirius Paeto. Epist. 17.

YOu are a good man surely; seeing our Balbus lying with you, you would understand from mee, what will become of these lands, and townes. As if I knew any thing he knew not; or if I doe at any time know any thing, that I vse not to haue ••rom him. Nay, and if you loue me, procure that I may vn∣derstand, what will become of vs. For, you had Balbus vnder your power, of whom you might haue knowne it. If not when hee was sober, at least, when you saw him well ••ipled. But I hunt not my deere Paeto, after these newes: first, because we haue now liued foure yeeres by gettings, if one may terme it get∣ting, or this may be called a life, to sur∣uiue the Common-wealth: then; in that I suppose I know, what will fall out: For, that s••all fall out, which they affect, that are most powerfull; and armes are euer most powerfull. Wee must therefore be contented with that, which is granted vs. And hee that could not satisfie his minde with this, did well to dye. They fall a measuring

the Territorie of Veia, and C••pena, which is not verie far from my Tuscu∣lanum: yet I feare nothing: I enioy my selfe, while I am able, and de••ire to be able alwaies. The which, if it may not be: neuerthelesse, considering that I, who am a man of a great spirit, and a Philosopher, ha••e thought life verie precious; I cannot but loue him, through whose benefit, I now liue. Who, though peraduenture, hee desire that the Common-wealth should bee such, as he wo••ld, and all wee ought to wish for: yet can he dispose of nothing, hee is so colleagued with many. But I range too far, and I doe it, because I write to you. This I tell you in conclu∣sion, that not onely I, who am not pre∣sent at consultations; but not so much as the great man himselfe knowes, what is to ensue. For, we serue him; he, the times: and so neither he can conceiue, how the times will sort; nor wee, what he thinketh. I wrote not backe these things formerly vnto you; not because I vse to bee negligent; especially in writing; but hauing nothing of cer∣tainty; I would not perplex you, with ambiguities, nor put you in hope wi••h my affirmations. I will notwithstan∣ding adde ••his, which is most true; that in these troubles, I haue hitherto heard nothing of this danger: yet, out of your accustomed discretion; you

should wi••h the best, forecast the worst, and support what commeth. Farewell.