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

Cicero to Plancus. Epist. 3.

I Met with Furnius, to my great con∣tentment, for his owne sake: but much greater, in that hearing him, me thought I heard you speake. He decla∣red vnto mee, how valiantly you beare your selfe in the warre; how vprightly

you gouerne the Prouince; and finally, what prudence you manifest in all your actions: yeelding withall a te••timony, both of your humanity, well knowne to me before, in our familiar conuersa∣tion; and of your singular courtesie vsed towards him. All which things haue afforded me great delight; but the last, together with delight, content∣ment. I retained neere amitie, my Pl••n∣cus, with your Familie, somewhat be∣fore you were bo••ne: I loued you, from the tender yeeres of you•• infancie, and in confirmed age, we held familiar conuersation; proceeding from the loue I bare you, and from the good o∣pinion, you conceiued of me. And for these considerations, I wonderfully af∣fect your aduancement; the which I e∣steeme to be common betwixt vs. For∣tune, but rather your owne vertue, hath ex••lt••d you to high degrees of honour, you being ye•• but a young man. From whence, the enuie of many, which you haue outstripped by wit, and industrie, proceedeth. Now, if you'l follow my rule, who loue y••u equally, to anie o∣ther olde friend of yours whatsoeuer: From this time forward, seeke to pur∣chase all honour, from a well reformed Common-wealth. You know, (for be∣ing wise, what know you not?) how there was a certaine time, when men supposed, that you too much followed

the qualitie of the times. Which I should also surmize, if I thought you approued the things you tolerated. But, I, conceiuing what you thought: sup∣pos'd you prud••ntly obseru'd that which you could. Now, all things are carried after another fashion. Iudge∣ment is your owne, and free: you haue beene elected Consull in your rip••r yeeres, with notable eloquence, when the Common-wealth stood in greatest need of such like persons. Bend your selfe, I beseech you, to that care, and cogitation, which may bring you the highest of esteeme, and glorie. And to ascend soone to renowne, especially in these times, when our Countrey hath beene now for manie yeeres so incum∣br••d; there is onely one way: to bee a good Citizen in publike in••erests. I thought good to write these things vn∣to you; rather instigated out of loue, then that I supposed you to haue need of my admonitions, and documents. For I knew, that you had them from the same fountaine, from whence my selfe formerly drew them. Therefore I'le end. Thus much I thought good to deliuer vnto you, rather to sig∣nifie my affection, then to mani∣fest anie wisdome. In the meane while, with all affection and diligence, I will that waies bend mine endea∣uours, wherein, I suppose, I may

adde anie thing to yout reputation. Farewell.