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

Decimus Brutus Imperator to Cicero. Epist. 20.

THough I be no waies afraid of mine owne occasions, yet, I am enfor∣ced, out of the loue I beare you, and for your many good offices, to feare yours. For it hath beene told me more then once, and I esteemed it not slight∣ly: last of all, L•••••••• Segulio, a man most like himselfe, told me he had been with Caesar, and how they had a long dis∣course of you: that Caesar did not any thing complaine of you; but onely sayd that you should say, that the young man was to be praised, honoured, and taken off: And that he would not suf∣fer himself to be taken off. But I beleeue

that either Labeo reported these wo••ds vnto him, or else, they were not vttered by the young man, but rather feyned by himselfe. Besides this, Labeo would needes make me beleeue, that the Ve∣teranes, spoke hardly of you, and that some ill would happen you by their meanes: and how they tooke it in de∣spight; that neither Caesar, nor I, were elected among the Decemviri: and all things went onelie thorow your hands. Hearing this, and being vpon my waie, I thought good not to passe the Alpes, before I first knew, what was done there amongst you. For, of your perill, be assured, that if they can but daunt you wi••h brauadoes and thre••ts; or by putting some crotchets into the young mans head; they hope some great pro∣fit will accrue vnto themselues therby. And all this deuise, depends on the de∣signe they haue, to gaine much. I would therefore haue you circumspect, and keepe your selfe from all embushments. For nothing can be dearer, nor sweeter to me, then your life. But take heed, that feare, be not occasion of a greater feare: and be fauourable to the Vete∣ranes, wherein you may. First, con∣cerning the Decem-viri, doe what they would haue you. Then, for the remu∣nerations, if you thinke good, procure that I, and Caesar, ma•• consigne vnto them, the lands of those ve••eranes,

which followed Antonius partie. As touching moneyes, be not too hastie: and after you haue seene what quantity there is; you may tell them, the Senate will take some order therein. To the foure Legions, to whom you minde to allow partitions of land, or grounds, I see you may well allot them those of Silla, and the Territorie Campanum. I am of opinion, 'twere good to distri∣bute vnto the Legions their lands e∣qually, or by lot. And thinke not, that I am mooued to write these things vnto you, to shew my wisedome. I am mo∣ued, because I affect you, and des••re a generall peace: which without you cannot endure. I, if there be no extra∣ordinary need, will not leaue Italie: I am about the arming of the Legions, and putting them in a readinesse. I hope to haue a braue armie, for all accidents whatsoeuer, and to resist any violence that shall occurre. Caesar sends me not backe, that Legion of the armie which Pansa had. Answere me presently to these letters: and if there be any secret of importance, which you thinke fitting for me to know. Send to me of purpose one of your people. Farewell. The xxiiij. of May, from Epor••dia.