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

Cicero to Plancus Imperator electe•• Consull. Ep. 10.

THough I vnde••stood sufficiently by our friend F••r••ius, what your determination, and aduice was, about the Common-wealth. Neuerthelesse, hauing read your letters, I mo••e mani∣festly discerned your whole int••nti••n Wherefore, though the whole fortune of the Common-wealth depends one∣ly vpon one battaile; which question∣l••sse, I did thinke by that time you should come to read this letter, would be determined: Notwithstan••ing by the fame onely, that is dispersed of your good meaning, you h••ue gained great commendation. Whereupon, if the Con••ull had beene at Rome: the Senate to your gre••t honor would haue mani∣fested, how acceptable your fo••ce was, and preparation: of which, the time is not onely not ••ast, b••t hitherto, so far as I can iudge, no•• come. For that one∣ly was wont to appeare vn••o me, t••ue honour, which is con••••rred vpon vali∣ant me••; not t••rou••h hope of future benefit, but for a recompence of wor∣thie actions. Wher••fore, so there bee any Common wealth, wherein honour may be re••ucent; be secure, you shall obtaine all honours. And in my opini∣on,

that which is bestowed vpon men, to inuite th••m to noble attempts, can∣not truely be termed honour: but ho∣nor is that, which is bestowed for deeds performed. Therefore, my Plan∣cus, striue by all meanes, to get prayse eternall. Rescue your Countrie: suc∣cour your Colleague. Assist this affecti∣on, this miraculous league of all the na∣tions: I'le helpe you in your occasions, I'le further you in your honors, and in all occurrents, I'le be most louing and faithfull to you. For, to the many rea∣sons, which are betweene vs, of true and auncient amitie: there is annexed the ioynt affection we both, beare to our Countrie: And this is the cause, that I preferre your life, before mine owne. Farewell. The 29. of March.