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

Cicero to Plancus. Epist. 16.

DEare Plancus I haue seen nothing ••uer happen more glorious, no∣thing more acceptable, nor in respect of the time it selfe also, more oppor∣tune then your letters. For in a full Se∣nate, they were presented to Cornutus, at the same instant, when hee had read the most inconstant, and cold [letters] of Lepidus. After which, yours were presently recited, whereupon great shouts arose. For, besides their being most acceptable for the matters they contained, and ••or your benefits, and affection towards the Cōmon-wealth, they were replenished with most graue words, and sentences. The Senate im∣portuned Cornutus, that he would pre∣sently propound about your letters. He sayd he would consider thereof; whereupon recei••ing a great che••ke from the whole Senate, fiue T••ibun••s of the people, cons••ited of them. S••r∣••ius at the instance of some others, p••o••longed

the matter. I deliuered such an opinion, that all agreed thereunto. Of what tenour it was, by the Senates decree you shall vnderstand. you, though you need no counsell, but are rather fit to counsell another: must neuerthelesse beare this minde; not to referre any thing hither: and vpon these so suddaine, and vrging accidents, not to thinke to demand Councell of the Senate. Be you a Senate to your selfe: Whither soeuer the benefit of the Commonwealth calls you, goe that way: and procure that we may heare of some notable action, before we can suppose, you went about it. I assure you, that whatsoeuer you atchieue, the Senate wil approue it, not only as loyal∣lie, but wisely vndertaken. Farewell.