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

Cicero to Decimus Brutus Imperator. Epist. 16.

IT much imports when this letter shall be deliuered vnto you: either when you haue some encumbrance, or else when you are free from all mole∣stations. And therefore I enioyned him, whom I sent vnto you, that hee should obserue a due time, to present it you. For, euen as they, who personal∣lie come to visite vs, at an extraordina∣rie houre, are many times troublesome: so letters offend, if they be not deliue∣red in due season. But if you be, as I hope, without annoyance, and without disturbance: and I trust, I shall easily obtaine, what I desire of you; If he, to whom I committed this care, tooke a fit time to come vnto you. Luciu•• Lamia demandeth the Praetorship: This, is one of the most intimate friends I haue; we haue of long time conuersed together, and knowne one another; and which is of speciall con∣sequence; his familiaritie is, aboue all other things, dearest to me. Besides this, I stand bound vnto him for great

benefits, and deserts towards me. For in the times of Clodius, he being head of the order Militarie, and defending my safetie m••st couragiously, was by Consull Gabinius confined: which be∣fore that time in Rome neuer hapned to any Romane cittizen. The people of Rome, retaining this in memorie, it would be too soule a thing, that I should be vnmindefull thereof. And therefore my Brutus make your selfe be∣leeue, that it's I, that stand for the prae∣torship. For, though Lamia be in won∣derfull reputation, and fauour, hauing in the solemnities of his Aedilship vsed a very profuse liberalitie: neuerthelesse, as if it were not so, I haue in his present occasion, taken vpon my self the whole businesse. Now, if you make that e∣steeme of me, which vndoubtedly you doe; in that you may dispose of the chiualrie as their commander: giue notice vnto our Lup••••, that he may herein, procure vs their fauour. I will not vse more words vnto you: this onely will I adde, which is most cer∣taine, that, of all the pleasures I looke for at your hands, you cannot doe mee a more acceptable. Farewell.