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HAuing read your letters, wherein you intimated, that it was requi∣site, either to let the N••rbon••ns••s depart, or with danger to ioyne battaile: I was much perpl••xed•• through doubt of the fight: and now, I am glad to vnder∣stand, that you h••ue shunned it. As
touching that you write vnto mee, a∣bout the concord of Plancus and Bru∣tus: I herein repose great hope of vi∣ctorie. Of the affection of the Galli, wee shall one day vnderstand, as you write, who was the principall occasion. But, I assure you, wee know it alreadie. Whereupon, reading your most plea∣sant letters, I was, towards the end, a little moued, in that you wrote; that if the creation of Praetors were put ouer to the moneth of August, you would come out of hand: and sooner, if they were created alreadie; not to appeare more foolish with your owne perill. Oh, my Furnius, how ill, you mannage your owne occasions. Considering, that you so easily learne to prosecute another mans. You suppose now, that you are to bee one of the elected, to stand for the Praetorship: and you re∣solue, either to come in all poste, to be at the Creation, or else it being past, to come, to remaine at your owne house. And this you write, you'l do; affirming, that to proceed anie further in the dan∣gers of the warres, were but a meere folly, for it would cost you too deere. I thinke you speake not in good ear∣nest, knowing you, to bee desirous of true praise. But if your minde bee an∣swerable to your words, I reprehend not so much you, as my selfe, which before this time, could no better looke
into you. To obtaine then a Magistra∣cie before the time, which is ordinarily bestowed on euerie man; and is of no great repu••ation, being attained vnto, as the most part doe; would you lose so manie attributes of houor, by which euerie one d••seruedly, extols you to the skies? It precisely importeth you, rather to be made Praetor at this crea∣tion, then at that which is to come. The maine point is, that you so steed the Common-wealth, that afterwards, all honour and Magistracie may bee due vnto you. Doe you not see now, to what an high degree you are mounted? or care you not ••or it? If you perceiue it not, I hold you excused: the blame is mine. But if you discerne it; how is it possible, that you can prefer this Prae∣torship, either before a dutie, which e∣uerie man stands bound to pay vnto his Countrey? though few doe pay it; or to renowne? which vsually is deerest to all men. In this, I, and Caluisius, a verie wise man, and your great friend, condemne euerie day your iudgement. And yet with all our power, wee labour, to prorogue the Creation, till Ianuarie; we iudging, that for manie res••ects, it may redound to the benefit of the Common••wealth. Conquer therefore, and liue in health.