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

Plancus Imperator, elected Con∣sull, to Cicero. Epist. 24.

I Cannot but giue you thankes, for all your fauours, and deserts: but in truth I am ashamed to doe it. For nei∣ther to so great a friendship, as you haue pleased to hold with me, seemes it that ceremoniall offices are befitting; neither doe I, for so great benefits re∣ceiued from you, seeke willingly to giue you words for recompence. I had rather personally, by obseruing you, by pleasing you, and by being continu∣ally about you, giue you to vnderstand; that I thinke vpon my obligation. But while life lasts me, I will exceed all ac∣ceptable amities, and religious affini∣ti••s, in obseruing, pleasing, and cour∣ting you. For the loue you beare me, and the opinion you retaine of mee, whether it will procure me more per∣petuall honor, or more daily content, I cannot easilie determine. Concer∣ning the benefit of the soldiers. I see you haue had a c••re: whom I; not by reason of my greatnesse, (for I am pri∣uie to mine owne minde, that I affect nothing, which is not profitable) haue sought they may be rewarded by the Senate: but, first of all, because I iudged, that they had so deserued; and

then, in that my intention was, that vpon euery occasion, they might haue beene more engaged to the Common-wealth: and finally, that alienating their minds, from whomsoeuer would attempt to corrupt them•• I might still vphold them in that good affection to¦wards you, wherein hi••herto th••y haue continued. We haue as yet kept things in the state they were. Which course of ours; though I conceiue, how desi∣rous men a••e of such a victorie, (and not without reason;) yet I hope, by you 'twill be approu'd. For, if any dis∣comfiture should light in these Armies, the Common-weal••h ha••h no great succours on ••oot, by which, the sudden viol••nce, and imp••ous wills of traytors mig••t be resisted: and I thinke ••y forces are well knowne vnto ••ou. In my Campe there are three old legions, and one of fresh men, fl••u••is••ing a∣boue all the r••st: and in Bru••us Campe one old Legion; another of ••ouldiers of two yeares standing; and eight, of new ••upplies. And so the a••mie is mighti•• in number, and little in power. And i•• battailes, what confidence may be put in fresh souldiers; ••x••••ri••nce hath t••o much taught vs. Wi••h 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fo••ces of our A••mies, if the A••••rican host, which is of old souldiers; or that of Octa••ian••s were conioyned, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 would willingly come to a battaile, and ex∣pose

the Common wealth ••o hazard. It is true, that for what belongs to Octa∣uian, wee did see the effect something neare. I haue not failed to perswade him by letters: and he hath alwayes affirmed, that he would come without any delay: and now I perceiue, that, changing this resolution, he enter•• in∣to other desseignes N••uerthelesse, I haue sent vnto him our friend F••rnius, with commission and letters, to see whether he can worke [any thing ••ith him.] You know, good Cicer••, ••••uch∣ing the louing of Octaui••nu••, that I ac∣companie you: either because being familiar with Caesar, when he liued, it was then fit for me to embrace and loue him: or else because he, so farre as I could discerne, was of a m••st dis∣cre••t, and affable condition: or ••lse, in that I hauing entertained so inward a∣mitie with C••sar; me thinkes it were a bru••••ish thing, not to retaine Octau••a∣nus in the same degree: who by his, and your iudgement, was adopted in place of a sonne. But what I write vnto you, I swe••re, I rather write it out of griefe, then any rancour. That Antonius at this day liues; that Lepid••s io••nes with him; that they haue armies of no small account; that they hope; that they dare attempt; they may acknowledge it wholly from Octauianu••. Neither wil I rip vp things past; but at the same instāt

when hee offered to come, if hee had come; the warre had either now beene finished, or out of Italie; and to their great preiudice reduced into Spaine, which is their greatest enemie. Now, what reason mou'd Octauianus: or who aduised him, that from so great a glo∣rie, and so necessarie for himselfe, and his securitie, he fell off, and turn'd his minde, to demand so foolishly [or with such an insulting importunitie] the two moneths Consulship, to the great a∣mazement of men; I cannot imagine. And as for the present necessitie, I am of opinion, his friends may moue him greatly, no lesse to his owne, then the ben••fit of the common-wealth. Your selfe may also doe much, as I thinke: from whom he hath [receiued] as great benefits, as any man liuing, ex∣cept my selfe. For I will neuer forget, how I stand bound vnto you, for infi∣nite respects, and of greatest moment. I haue enioyned Furnius to treate with him of these things. And if he will be∣leeue, and follow my counsell, as hee ought: he shall thereby reape a great aduantage. In the meane while wee su∣staine the warre, vpon hard conditions. For neither doe we iudge, that we may very securely come to battaile; nor yet, by auoyding it, would we giue occasi∣on, that the Common-wealth might receiue greater preiudice. But if Octaui∣anus

haue any regard of his honour; or that the African Legions come out of hand; Wee will worke so, that you shall bee secure in these parts. I pray you loue me, as you haue begunne; and perswade your selfe, that I am yours as much, as your owne neerest proprieties. This xxviij of Iulie, from the Campe.