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

Cicero to Marcus Oppius. Epist. 29.

I being, as our At••icus knowes, very doubt••ull about this iourney. In that, my minde on ei••her side sugge∣sted many r••asons: your iudgement, and coun••••ll greatly induced mee to deliberate, and make my resolution. For you both plainely wrote vnto mee what your opinion therein was; and A••ticus related that vnto mee, which you had spoken vnto him th••reof. I euer tooke you to bee wise in delibe∣rating, and very faithfull in aduising: and I haue had good exp••rience there∣of, when, in the beginning of the ci∣uill warre, I requiring you by letters, that you would aduise mee what I should doe, either in going to Pompei∣us, or remaining in Italie: you perswa∣ded mee to doe that, that stood best with mine honour. By which I perceiued, what your opinion was

therein: and I admired that you were of so great fideli••ie, and in adui••ing mee ••o hon••st a man; ••or, you thinking that the contrarie was desired by him that was your best friend, you had greater r••spect to my office, then his will, or pleasure. Certaine∣ly, before this fell out, I loued you: and euer knew that my selfe was by you beloued. And when I was ab∣sent, and stood in great danger, I re∣member, that in my absence yo•• defended mee with great care, vsing the like humanitie, to all mine that were in Rome: and after my returne, how domesticallie you liued with mee, and what opinion I retained of you, and what things I diuulged: all those that usuallie looke into such actions, can truelie testifie. But how faithfull in louing you, and how constant you reputed mee, you then euidently shewed, when after Caesars death, you betooke you whollie vn∣to mine acquaintance. Which opini∣on of yours, i•• I by my dearest loue, and best offices doe not acknow∣ledge, I shall not repute my selfe a man. Perseuer you, my Oppius in lo∣uing me, (although doubtlesse I write this vnto you, not that I thinke you stand in neede of any such remem∣brance, but because it is vsuall to write thus) and take all my affaires, into

your protection. Whereof, that you may be fully informed, I haue giuen commission to Atticus. And when I shall be at better leisure, I will write vnto you more at large. Be care∣full of your health. [For] you cannot doe me a greater pleasure.