Plancus to Cicero. Ep. 11.

I Giue you, and while I liue will giue you infinite thankes: for, to returne you deserts, I dare not promise: because I thinke not my selfe able to counter∣uaile your so many kind offices. except peraduenture (as you grauely, and pru∣dently haue written) you are of this o∣pinion, that to remember an obligati∣on, be a rendring of good turnes. If there had beene an occasion, touching Page  503 the honour of your owne son; doubt∣lesse, you could not more affectionate∣ly haue laboured therein. Your first mo∣tions; by which you sought to procure me infinite rewards: those that follow∣ed; where you applied your selfe to time, and the opinion of friends; your continuall, and perpetuall discourse of me; your contestations made with ad∣uersaries in my defence, are verie well knowne vnto me. So that, I must take no slender care, to shew my selfe to∣wards the Common-wealth, a cittizen worthie of your commendations; and to your selfe, both mindfull, & thanke∣full. For the rest; prosecute that which you haue begun: and if in eff•ct, and triall, I proue such an one, as you haue striuen to set me forth; defend me, and take me into protection. Hauing passed my men ouer the riuer Rhodanus, and sending my brother before, with three thousand horse; In my way towardes Mutina, I heard of the battaile fought; and how Brutus was free'd from the siege of Mutina. I considered that An∣tonius, and those men that remained with him, had no other receptacle but these quarters; and, that they might haue two hopes; one, of Lepidus, and another of his army• one part of which, carries no better mindes, then the fol∣lowers of Antonius. So that I caused my Cauallerie to returne. I, stayed vpon Page  504 the territorie of the All•broges, that I might be readie, as occasion serued. If Antonius retire hither, without Forces: my mind giues me he may easily be re¦sisted; and, we may effect that for the Common-w•alth, which you d•sire; though he should be receiued by Lepi∣dus armie But, i• he bring men with him: and, if the old tenth Legion, the which by my meanes, with the others, betooke thems•lues to our defence, shall againe rebell• yet I will haue an eye, that no great damage shall accrew: and th•• I hope to doe, till ayde may come from th•nce, and so being all ioyned togeth•r, we may more e•sily extirpate t•• seed of wicked Cittizens In conclusiō I promise you thus much• my Cicero: that n••ther courage, nor diligence, sh•ll be wanting on my part. To speake truth, I desire, to t•ke away all trouble remaining: but if any bee left; I will giue place to no man; ney∣ther in resolution, affection, o• pati∣ence in your seruice I end•uour also what I can, to draw Lep••us to ioyne 〈◊〉 this enterprise: and I offer my selfe in all 〈◊〉 to be at his comm••d; so he will st•nd for the Common wealth I vse h••e•n the helpe and meanes of my brother, o• La••ensis, and ou• friend Furnius Particular h•treds shall be no hindrance to me, but that with nay greatest en•mie I will agree, for th• Page  505 safetie of the Common-wealth. And in case I should doe no good; I will not abate my courage; and I will be more readie, and hardy then before: and peraduenture, it may redound to my greater glorie, that I haue de•ended the Common-wealth with mine owne for∣ces onely. Looke to your health, and to loue me, as I doe you Farewell.