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I Arriued in Athens, the xxij of May, where to my infinite contentment I saw your sonne dedicated to the no∣blest studies; and in great ••steeme for his modestie. Wherein, what pleasure I tooke, you may vnderstand without
my telling you. For you know well, how much I value you: and how greatlie in respect of our ancient and and sincere loue, I reioyce at all your prosperities; much more at this so great an happines. Doe not suppose, my Cicero, tha•• I deliuer this to you, to flatter you. Your youth, and therefore ours, (for I haue nothing but what is yours,) hath aboue all others, wonne the hearts of eue••y man that lyes in Athens; and is more then any man studious of those ver∣tues, which yo•• especiallie affect, and are most excellent. So that, in what I can truelie congratulate with you, I doe it willingly; and no lesse with my selfe, then you: that wee finde him, whom wee must what so••uer hee were, loue of necessitie; to be of such condi∣dition that we may loue him wi••lingly. Discoursing with me, hee cast out a word, that he would see Asia; where∣unto he was no•• onely by me inuited, but entreated, that he would doe i••; e∣specially, while I had the gouernment thereof. And you may be assured, that I will vse him with that deare affection, that your selfe would. I will also take order, that Cra••ipp•••• may come with him: to the end you may not thinke, that in Asia he neglects those studies, whereunto you haue exhorted him. I see him well dispos'd, and farre entred
into a good way: neuerthelesse, I will not cease to encourage him therein, to the end, that day by day learning, and exercising himselfe, he may goe for∣ward. At the date of these, I knew not what was done about the Common wealth I heard certaine rumors, the which God graunt, may be false; that once we may enioy a quiet libertie: which hitherto I neuer could. Not∣withstanding, in my Nauigation, ha∣uing found a little vacancy, I haue com∣pounded a trifle, according to my man∣ner, to present you with. And I haue collected together certaine sayings, de∣liuered by you, to my great honour, which I haue here vnder written. Wherein, if I seeme vnto you in some words a little too free; excuse me, in that he, against whom I speake, is such an one, as deserues worse, then I haue spoken. Let me request you also to par∣don our choller, wc is but iust, against such men and Cittizens. And then, why should Lucilius rather be permitted to take vpon him this libertie, then my selfe? Considering, that if the hatred he ba••e to them, of whom he spake il, were ••quall to mine; yet were not they, more worthy then this man, with so great a liberty of words, to be reproued. I looke you should pre∣sently introduce me, a speaker in your Dialogues, as you promised. And I am