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

Marcus Lepidus Imperator the second time, Pontifex Maxi∣mus, to Cicero. Ep. 35.

IF you be in health, I am glad, for so am I also: Hauing heard, that Antoni∣us, with his forces, sending Lucius An∣tonius, before with a part of the Caual∣lerie, came into my Prouince; I depar∣ted with my companies from that place, where Rhodanus meetes with o∣ther streames, and tooke my way to∣wardes them. And so by a continuall march I came to Forum Vecontij: and a little beyond, along the riuer Argentea I encamped against the two Antonies. Publius Ventidius ioyned with him his three Legions, and pitched his Tents aboue me. He had before that, the se∣cond Legion, and out of other Legi∣ons a great multitude, but disarmed. He hath a strong Cauallerie: for he lost but few of them, in the battaile: in so much, as they are aboue thirtie thou∣sand horse. So that diuers of his soul∣diers, both foote and horse, departing

from him, are come to my campe. And day by day, his men diminish•• Si••••nus, and Culeo haue left him. We, although mightily offended with them, because they went to Antonius against our wi••l: neuerthelesse, out of our humanitie, and loue, we haue thought good to saue them. And yet we employ them not, nor doe we keepe them in our Campe: nor haue we giuen vnto them any com∣mand. As touching this warre, wee will neither be wanting to the Senate, nor Common-wealth. Of what wee haue since that time done, we will ad∣uertise you•• Although at all times, be∣tweene vs, for the familiaritie we haue had together, there haue passed great demonstrations, and effects of loue, ••yther of ••s striuing to exceed the o∣ther: Yet, I make no doubt, but that in so great, and suddaine a commo∣tion of the Common-wealth, by ma∣lignant mindes, some things haue bin reported to you of me, altogether ••alse, and vnbeseem••ng me; which haue much mooued your minde, out of the affect on you beare to the Common-wealth. And ••o such relatio••s; I am cer∣tified by my Agents, that you gaue no great credit; nor thought you good, so lightly to beleeue them. Which things, as they des••rue, are most acceptable vnto mee: as also I remember ••hose fauours, which in times past, moo∣ued

out of loue, you performed, to encrease my honour and reputation Whereof I will neuer be forgetfull. I request you, my Cicero, of all fauour; if, in my life, and care, which I haue al∣wayes in times past, most diligently employed in the gouernment of the Common-wealth, you haue knowne me for such an one, as is fit I should be; that you would expect the same, and also better pe••fo••mance hereafter: and the more I am bound vnto you for benefits receiued, the more studious be you, with your authoritie to de∣fend me. Fare∣well.