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

Cicero to Caius Trebonius. Epist. 28.

OH how I wisht, that you had inui∣ted me, to that same glorious ban∣quet o•• the xv. of March: none of those reliques should haue remained, which put vs now to so much trouble, that, that diuine peece of seruice of yours, perform'd in behalfe of the Common-wealth, is accompanied with some ble∣mish. And because that wicked wretch•• was taken at one side by you, (though I know, you did it to a good end) and [that] through your fauour, this pesti∣lence yet liues though I ought not, yet•• I cannot choose sometimes, but I must be halfe angrie with you. For, you haue left more molestation to mee alone, then to all others whatsoeuer. Because, so soone as after the reprochfull depar∣ture of Mar••us A••tonius, the Senate could freely be as••emble••; I returned to defend the Common-wealth, with that vnd••unted mind, I was accustomed; for which, you, together with your Father, a most noble Citizen, haue euer commended, and loued m••e•• By rea••on, that the Tribunes of the people hauing ••ummon'd the Senate, the xx. of D••c••mber, and another bu∣sin••sse be••ng pro••ounded, I sp••ke in ge∣nera••l, touching the sta••e of the Com∣mon-wealth:

and my courage tran∣sporting mee further then my wit, I so effected, that the Senate, now crazie, & languishing, seem'd to reassume its for∣mer vigor, & custom. This was the first day, that the people of Rome, moued by the efficacie of my words, and acti∣ons, conceiued som•• hope of recoue∣ring their libertie. And yet after that, I omitted no time, not onely to bethinke me, but to endeuour something also for the benefit of the Common-wealth. And, if I thought not, that you had par∣ticular aduertisement, by some other meanes, of that which passeth in Rome: I, though most busied, would not bee wanting therein, to giue you satisfacti∣on. But I know you shall haue notice thereof, by the letters of some of your other friends: from mee you shall vn∣derstand some few matters, and that briefly. We haue a worthie Senate; the Consulars partly fearefull, and part∣ly ill affected. Great preiudice did ac∣crue by the death of Seruius Sulpicius. Lucius Caesar carries a verie good mind: but because hee is Antonius Vncle, hee proceedeth not so freely. The Consuls can be no better then they are. Decimus Brutus beares himselfe wondrous well: and so does Caesar the yo••th: who, I hope, will prosecute, as he hath begun. Be•• assured of this; that if hee had not presently taken into pay the old com∣panies;

and if two Legions of Anto∣nius Armie, had not come vnder his command; and th••t this ter••our h••d not oppo••ed him; there is no im∣pietie, or crueltie, which Antonius would not haue commi••ted. Though I suppo••ed you had heard of these things, yet I was willing to lay them more o∣pen vnto you. I will write more at large, when time permits me. Farewell.