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

Plancus to Cicero. Epist. 4.

YOur letters were verie acceptable to me; which, as Furnius words did intimate, I conceiue, were written with your owne hand. I had written to you before now, but that I understood, you were departed from Rome: and I was adu••rtised of your returne, not long be∣fore the receit of yours. Mee thinkes I canno•• omit anie office, that concernes you, how small so••u••r it bee, without gr••a•• blame. Whereunto I am bound for manie reaso••s; for f••iendship pa∣ternall; for my ancient obseruance; and for the loue you beare me, equall to that which I beare you. Wh••re∣fore, perswade your selfe, my Cicero, that onely you, as a Father, I must deuoutly honour: in that for your yeeres also, you, may be a father to me; I, a son to you. Whereupon it comes to pas••e, that all your counsels, seeme vnto me full, not onely of singular pru∣dence, which exceedeth; but of fide∣litie, which I measure by mine owne conscience. And if I were of a contrary

opinion to yours, your instructions doubtles might change my mind: & if I were doub••full of anie thing, I would vpon your exhortations, dispose my selfe, to follow what course gaue you best satisfaction; But now, my opinion is wholly conformable to yours. What fortune hath allotted me, and what by mine owne endeuou•• I haue obtained; though you, blinded with loue, iudge it to be more, then in effect it is; yet, it is so much in any mans iudgement, though he were my verie enemie, that besides a good name, I see not what is wanting. And therefore, hold this for certaine: that, what I am able with my power to effect, with my counsell to prouide; or with my authoritie to moue; it shall euer bee wholly applied to the benefit of the Common-wealth: your minde lies not concealed from me: and if I could bee neere you, as questionle••s•• I would desire: In euerie thing I would follow your coūsell. And now, I will endeuour so to order the matter, as you shall not bee able in rea∣son, to reprehend anie action of mine. I looke for aduertisements, from all parts, by which I may vnderstand, what is done in the hither Gallia; and what passeth in Rome, in the moneth of Ianuarie. In the meane while, I am here, in great perplexitie; for f••are, lest these people, among others defects,

may take some euill opportunities from our countrie men. But if Fortune fa∣uour me, according to my desert; you shall see, that I will giue good satisfacti∣on; both to your selfe; which I excee∣dingly desire; and to all men of honest meaning. Haue a care of your health, and loue me, as I doe you.