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I Was departed from Rome, to goe into Greece: when in the mid-way, imagining I was recal∣led, as by some voyce of my Countrey, I ••ooke a cour••e to re∣turne. Since which returne, Marcus Antonius hath held mee in cont••nuall turmoyles: who is, I will not say, so
insolent, (for many haue this defect) but so wicked, and cruell, as hee would not, that any man, not onely in words, but not so much as in shew, should en∣ioy a freedome. Whereupon, I re∣maine in great perplexity; not about my life; to which, by yeeres, and ende∣uours; and, (if it ought auailed) I may tell you, that euen with glorie also, I haue giuen satisfaction: but I greeue for my Countrey, and principally, for the expectation of your Consulship: which is so prolonged, as wee may de∣sire, [but] to liue till that time. And what hope remaines, if all matters bee bee ouerswayed by the armes of ••he most insolent, and most vnbridled man that liues? If the Senate, and people, be of no force? If the authority of the Lawes, and Tribunals, is fallen? If there bee no more, either forme, or foot-step of a Common-wealth? But because it imports not, that I should write vnto you all particulars: they ha∣uing been specified vnto you by others: I will acquaint you with that, which loue moues mee to tell you of, which I haue borne you from your child-hood; and haue euer, not onely preserued, but augmented it: remembring, and ex∣horting you, to embrace with all study and care the Common-wealth: which, if it continue till the time of your Con∣sulship, it will be no great trouble to go∣uerne
it: but to procure, that it may so long continue; there is required, not onely speciall diligence, but also no lit∣tle fauour of Fortune. Y••t I hope, wee shal enioy you sōwhat ••ooner. And be∣sides that I am bound, to giue assistance to the Common-wealth; your honor doth so neerely touch mee, that I will therein employ all my councell, ende∣uour, offices, labour, paines, and dili∣gence, to augment your reputation. By which meanes, I know I shall easily dis∣charge my selfe, both to my Country, which to me is most deere; and to our amitie; which in my esteeme, ought by vs most sacredly to be obserued. I won∣der not, but reioyce, that you carrie your selfe towards our friend Furnius, as his courtesie, and place requireth. And be assured, that I will hold that e∣steeme, of whatsoeuer you doe in ho∣nouring, or benefitting him, as if you had honoured, and benefitted mine owne person. Farewell.