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

Cicero to Varro. Epist. 6.

OVr Caninius told me in your be∣halfe, that if there were any thing, vvhich I thought imported you to vn∣derstand, that I should not faile to ad∣uertise you thereof. You shall therefore vnderstand, that Caesar is expected: though I perswade my se••fe you know it. But notwithstanding he hauing writ∣ten that he would come, as I remem∣ber, into the Alsian territory: his friends wrote backe againe to him, that he should not come: For many would di∣sturbe him, and he many: and that it were better for him to arriue at Ponti∣num. I knew not, wherefore it imported him more, to arriue at Pontinum, then about Alsia: but Hirtius told me, he had vvritten of it to him: and that Balbu••, and Oppiu•• had done the like: all which three, I knew to be well affected to

you. I meant to aduertise you of his comming, to the end, you might know in what place, or rather in which of these two places, you should prouide you of a lodging: for it is not certainly knovvne, where he will arriue. And I did it also, to informe you, that I am familiar with these men; and that they make me partaker of their counsels. Which, I cannot perceiue, why it should not like me. Although I support what is necessarie to be supported: yet it fol∣lowes not, that I should commend that, which is not praise worthie. Though I know not, what I may not commend; besides the first occasions. For, what afterwards ensued, f••ll out through our errour. I savv, (for then you were not there) that our friends af∣fected warre, and that Caesar desired it not so much, as he feared it not. The warre therefore grew through our de∣fect: what after hapned, could not fall out otherwise: it being of necessitie, that one part must vanquish. I knovv your griefe, was equall with mine, per∣ceiuing tha•• a slaughter of innumerable Cittizens must ensue, with the death of the one, or other Generall: and besides this; knowing, that there could not be a worser inconuenience, then victorie of ciuill warres: the which I expected not from our enemies onely, but also from our friends: Who terribly threat∣n••d

••uch, as had not followed their 〈◊〉〈◊〉; and ha••ed both of vs: you, be∣cau••e you desired peace, and me, in that I openly approued it. And if they had subdued, their victorie would haue bin cruell and immoderate. For th••y beare an incensed minde towardes vs; as if we had taken a course, that would not be as beneficiall to them, as to our selues, if they would haue followed it: or as if it had beene better to haue gone into Africa, hoping to ouercome, by meanes of the Elephants; then either to die, or liue with any better Fortune. Oh, we liue, in a turmoyled Common-wealth. I cannot denie it; but let them take care, that haue not prouided for any kind of life. And to come to this point, I haue extended my selfe, further then I would. For hauing euer reputed you, for a man of great worth; I now value you much more: For in this so generall a storme, almost you onely haue had the vnderstanding to retyre you into a Port; where rea••ing won∣derfull fruits of your knowledge, you intellectuallie discourse of things of such a qualitie, as are much more esti∣mable, then any profit, or pleasur•• of these Conquerours. What sweete daies doe you enioy now in Tusculanum? This may truely bee termed a life. I vvould I might liue so; free from grea∣ter disturbances. For I could vvillingly

resigne ouer vnto others, all the riches of the world. But I doe what I can to imitate you, and with singular content∣ment, I liue in the repose of studies. And why should not euery man graunt vs, now the Common-wealth, neither can, nor will employ vs, that we may retire to letters? The which, I know, by many learned men, (vvith what reason I cannot tell) were preferred before the Common-wealth. If therefore in the iudgement of famous men, we may ra∣ther applie our mindes to these studies, then to the gouernment of publicke af∣faires: how much more now, when the common-wealth her selfe is content therevvith, may vve follow them hour∣ly? But I doe more then Caniniu•• impo∣sed vpon me: he vvisht me to aduertise you of matters you knevv not, and these that I now write vnto you, you know better then my selfe. Hereafter therefore, I'le be ruled by Caniniu•• di∣rection: I'le informe you onely of that which belongs to the quality of the pre∣sent times, and that which I shall vnder∣stand to import you. Farewell.