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

Cicero to Decimus Brutus, Impe∣rator; elected Consull. Epist. 12.

I Receiued in one day three letters from you: one, a short one; which you d••liuered to Flaccus Volumnius: [and] two verie long; one, brought me by the post of Titus Vibius; and the other sent vnto me•• by Lupus. By your letters, and Graeceius report it seemes, that the warre is, not onely, not extin∣guish't, but with a greater blaze againe inflamed. But, I, out of your singular prudence, assure my selfe; that you perceiue, if it fortune that Antonius re∣couer anie forces, that all those your memorable seruices for the Common-wealth, are like to perish. For, this newes came to Rome; all men were of this beleefe; that Antonius, with a few disarmed men, daunted with feare, de∣stitute of all hope to be himselfe again, had escaped. Who, if he be in such an estat••, as to encounter him, as Graeceius told mee, would bee dangerous: mee thinkes he is no•• fled from Mutina, but that he hath onely chang'd the place of war. Whereupon, men are in part a∣s••onished, in part also they complaine, that you pursued him not. They be∣leeue, you might haue supprest him, had

you therein but vsed expedition. Que∣stionlesse, this is a defect of the people, and especially of ours, to abuse libertie towards him, by whom they haue ob∣tained it. Neuerthelesse, 'tis good to haue a care, that no iust complaint may be produced. Here lies the poynt•• He shall bring an end to the war, that sup∣presseth Antonius. How much this im∣••orts, you may of your selfe imagine: for, I purpose not herein to make you a further declaration. Farewell.