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

Cicero to Caius Caesar, Imperator. Ep. 16.

AMongst all the mobilitie, I lou'd no young man so well as Publius Crassus; and hauing conceiu'd great hope of him in his tender yeares, I be∣gan to hope better, seeing my iudge∣ment of him, to be verified. Now, you shall vnderstand, that euen when he li∣ued I much esteem'd, and made great accompt of Apollonius his Free-man: because he was affected to Crassus; and Crassus in his vertuous studies made so good vse of him, that he lou'd him dearely. Then after the death of Cras∣sus, I thought him also for this cause more worthie of my loue, and to be receiued into my protection; in that he held himselfe bound, to obserue, and honour those, that Crassus lou'd, and loued Crassus. Whereupon he came to me in C••licia, and seru'd me in manie occurrents, both faithfully, and pru∣dently. And as I thinke, in the warre of Alexandria, hee neuer fail'd you, in whatsoeuer he was able to compasse, either by his fidelitie, or industrie. And hoping that you also had the same opi∣nion of him, he came into Spaine; first questionlesse, vpon his owne delibera∣tion, but next for your assistance. Nei∣ther

did I otherwise promise to recom∣mend him vnto you: not but that I sup∣pos'd my commendation would be of some effect with you; but in that I thought he needed not be to you com∣mended, hauing beene with you in the warre; and you for the memoriall of Crassus, reputing him in the number of your owne. And, if he would haue sought recommendation, he saw that other men also, would haue done him this pleasure. For the iudgement I made of him, I haue willingly passed my word; both because he esteem'd much thereof, and in that I knew my testi∣monie would be of some credit with you. I say therefore, that I haue found him a learned man; and studious of all ••xcellent sciences; and that euen from his tender yeares. For, when he was but a childe, he remain'd a good while in my house, with Diodo••••s, the Stoick, a person in my iudgement very learned. Now, set on fire, with the affection which he beares to your worthie acts, he desires to write them in Greeke, and I think he can performe it. He hath wit, and experience in humain•• actions, hee hath beene long time exercis'd in these manner of studies, and learning: and he desires to giue life, and perpetuitie to your prayses. This is the testi••onie of my opinion. But you that are most wise, may giue a sounder iudgement

hereof. And, though I said, I would not, yet I recommend him: and whatsoeuer fauour you shew him, it shall vnto my selfe be aboue measure acceptable. Farewell.