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

Brutus, and Cassius Praetors; to Antonius, Consull. Ep. 3.

WE haue read your letters, very con••ormable to your edict; outragious, threatning, and altogether vnworthie, both of your selfe, and vs. Antonius, wee haue no waies iniur'd you: neither did we thi••ke, that you would haue wondred, that, being Prae∣tors, and men of that qualitie, we had by edict demanded any thing of the Consull. Wherfore though you take it in disdaine, that we were so bold as to do it: [yet] giue vs leaue to grieue, that you should not vouchsa••e this fauour to Br••tus, and to Cassius. For, whereas you say you complained not, concerning the leuying of souldiers, and imposing of tributes, mustering of armi••s, and sending of messengers beyond sea: we easily beleeue yo••, that you did it out of a good inten••ion: neuerthelesse we confesse not, that euer wee did any of these things•• and wee wonder at you, that, hauing concealed these matters, you could not suppresse your choller, which hath [so farre] transported you [as] to cast in our teeeth the death of Caesar. But how this may be supported, Imagine you: that, the Praetors resol∣uing, for concords sake, and libertie, by

way of Edict; may not leaue their own right in the gouernment they haue, but the Consull should threaten them with armes. It importeth not, that you through confidence you haue in them should goe about to terrifie vs. For it is not well done; nor is it fitting that we vpon any danger whatsoeuer should be frighted. Neither should Antonius seeke to command them, by whose action he himselfe hath freedome. If we were induced by others occasions to raise a ciuill war; your letters could be of no effect: they, bearing little respect to threats, who preferre libertie before all things. But you know well, that we cannot be prouoked to any noueltie. And peraduenture you threa∣ten vs, by reason that what we doe out of iudgement, you suppose proceedes f••om feare. Our minde is this: that we desire so long as the Common-wealth may be also Free, that you should therein be both great, and ho∣nourable: our desire is not to haue a∣ny enmitie with you: but yet we make more account of our owne libertie, then of your ami••ie. Consider well what enterprise you vndertake, and what forces you haue to support it, and thinke not how long Caesar liued, but how little he raigned. Wee d••sire the gods, that your des••eignes may be be∣neficiall to the Common-wealth, and

your selfe: If otherwise; we wish, that, with the safetie, and honour of the Common-wealth, they m••y be little preiudiciall to your selfe. The fourth of August.