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

Plancus to Cicero Epist. 18.

WHat I was resolued of, when ••••uius, and Nerua departed f••om me; by the letters I gaue them, as also by themselues, you may app••ehend•• who were p••esent, at all my Actions, and at all my Counsels. That, hath befallen mee, which to a man iealous of his honour, and desirous to satisfie the commonwealth, and all good men, is wont to happen: That, to discouer my good inten••ion, I followed a course which was rather dangerous, then se∣cure; which by malignant minds might be con••rou••ed. Whereupon a••ter the departure, of the Amba••••adours, seeing that Lepidus with two letters, one after another, entreated me to come: and Laterensis, much more feruently as it were with teares, coniured me to the same: for no other cause, but in that he feared the instability, and in••••de••ity of

his armie; of the which I al••o stand in feare: I thought it fit to succor him; and to expose my s••l••e to danger, for his ••afety•• though I knew, it had beene a farre more secure course to haue bin attending vpon Isara, while Brutus had passed ouer his Armie; and ioyned with him, as the custome of the wars is, to haue marcht against the enemie. But if Lepidus being well affected, had recei∣ued the least preiudice, I saw all this would haue beene ascribed, ei••her to my obstinacie, or feare: to my obsti∣nacie; because it would haue beene sayd, that I had abandoned a good cit∣tizen, for some particular enmiti••s: for feare; because in so necess••rie a warre, I had auoided battaile. So that, I le••t that secure course; supposing it better to expose my selfe to daunger, that with my presence, I might defend Lepidus, and ouer-awe his armie; Questionlesse I thinke, there neuer was any man, more sorrowfull, for de••••cts that were not his own••. For whereas, the ma••ter was no waies doubtfull: now, when the Armie of Lepidus failes, it d••••ues me to gr••at care, and seemes vnto me, as it is; a point of great impo••tance. For if I had beene the first to encounter with Antonius: he s••ould no•• doubt∣lesse haue held out an hour•••• so confi∣dent I am in my selfe, and so much I contemne his shack-ragge people, and

those of Ventidius the Mule-driuer. But I cannot but greatly feare, being suspi∣tious, least vnder the skinne there bee some hidden wound, the which may first festor, before it can be discouered, or cured. But certainly, if we encam∣ped not both in one place, both Lepidus himselfe would be in great danger, and that part of the armie, which is well enclined towards the Commonwealth. Our wicked enemies had also made great profit, if they had gleaned any men from Lepidus. Which disorders, i•• by my arriuall I do remedie, I shall thanke Fortune, and mine owne con∣stancie, which incited me to make this triall. Wherefore the xxi of May, I re∣moued the Campe, from the Riuer of Isar••, leauing the bridge yet ••tanding there, which I made vpon it, with two Towers, at each end one; and with a strong guard: to the end, that to Bru••us, who was comming; and to his armie, without any delay, the pa••••age might be readie. I hope within eight daies after the date of these presents, I shall vnite my selfe with Lepidus forces. Fare∣well.