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

Plancus to Cicero. Epist. 23.

I Will neuer repent, my Cicero, to haue vndergone great perils, for my coun∣trie; so that, when any misfortune be∣fals me, I may not be taxed with teme∣ritie. I would confesse I had erred through in discretion, if I had euer of mine own head giuen credit to Lepidus: for credulitie is rather an error, then an offence: and indeede it easilie fals into the minde of all honest men. But this was not the defect that had almost de∣ceiued me. For I knew Lepidus too well. What was it then? the regard of my honor, which in the warres, is of great importance, vrged me to expose my selfe to this danger. For if I should not haue vnited my selfe with Lepidus, I feared, least some maligne fellow might haue suggested, that I made more account of that priuate enmitie which was betwixt vs, then of the in∣terest of the Commonwealth; and al∣so

that I nourished the warre, by my protraction. Whereupon, I lead my men, almost in sight of Antonius, and L••pidus, encamping my selfe some for∣tie miles from them; with dissigne, that I might presently make an app••oach, or retire my selfe, without losse. I had these respects, in making choyce of the place. Fi••st, to haue the riuer before me, where••s the•• should stay to passe ou••r. Then, that the Vocont•••• should b•• nee••e me, that so I might securely m••r••h with my men, through their count••ie. L••pidus, being o••t of hope of my comming; the which he watch∣ed carefully, to suprise me; ioyned with A••t••nius, the xxix. of May: and the verie same day, they moued their Campe towards me. When they w••re wi••hin twentie miles of me; I h••ard thereof. I laboured by the gods helpe, with cel••ritie, so to ret••••e my selfe; wi••hout making shew of flight; that not a Soldier, foot, or horse, nor any of the carriages might be lost, or intercepted by those ••auenou•• the••ues. Whereupon the iiij. of Iune, I passed ouer Isara, with all my m••n, and I cut downe the bridges, I had made thereon: to the end that my people might haue time to be reincouraged•• and that in the meane while I might ioyne with Brutus, whom I expected three daies after the date of this pre∣sent,

I must euer confesse, that our Lae∣terensis, was of a singular fidelitie, and courage towards the Common-wealth; but certainely, his too great trust in Lepidus, per••i••ted him not to foresee th•• d••nger, wh••ch might ensue; who seeing himselfe d••ceiued, and be••trayed by ••epidus, would haue sl••ine himselfe ••i••h his owne hand: seeking to do•• that to his owne bodie, which he should haue performed vpon L••pidus: In which case he b••ing hindred, he yet liueth, and as it is said, he will escape it. But neuerthelesse, of this, I haue lit••le certaintie. I, to the trayto••s great griefe, haue escaped their hands. For they came ••nraged against mee, with the same fu••ie, that they came against their countrie. Whe••eunto they had fresh prouocations: because I had con∣tinually solicited Lepidus to end the warre: because they reprou'd the mee¦tings hel•• [to this end] because I deny∣ed the Ambas••••dors, to come into my presence, which were sent vnder Lepi∣dus safe conduct; because I intercept••d Caius Caninius Vestinus. Tribune of the souldiers, sent vnto him from Marcus Antonius, with letters. Whe••ei••, I take this contentment; t••at certain••ly, the more they sought to entr••p me, the more grie••e 'twas to them, that they had no successe therein. Looke you, my Cicero, to doe that which hitherto

you haue done, [that is] carefully, and stoutly to fauour vs, that follow the warres. Let C••sar come, with all his mightie forces; or if any thing hinder him, let his armie be sent: considering that he also is in great danger. Whatso∣euer force this accursed societie could make against their countrie, is by this time at the highest. And for the Cit∣ties securitie, why should we not vse all our forces? I certainely, for what con∣cernes my selfe, if you that are there fa••le not, will euery way giue sufficient satisfaction to the Common-wealth. Questionlesse, deare Cicero, my loue to you daily increaseth, and the benefits you daily conferre vpon me, augment my care, that I may not loose a iot, ei∣ther of your loue, or opinion. I desire, that in presence, with my obseruance, and endeauour, I may now at length shew you, that I am mindefull of your deseruings: to the end that you may remaine satisfied for that, which you haue performed in the behalfe of my honour. Farewell: the vi. of Iune, from Ciuaro, on the confines of the Allobr••∣ges.