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

Cicero to S••ruius Sulpitius. Epist. 17.

I Loue Manius Curius, who negotiates at Patrae, vpon many and worthie oc∣casions. For I haue both had auncient friendship with him; en••ertein'd at his first calling to the barre: and being sometime to goe to Patrae, as well be∣fore that miserable war, as in the time thereof, he freely alwayes offred mee his house. Which, if I had beene anie wayes vrged thereunto, I would haue vs'd as mine owne. And there is further, a more religious tye, as it were, betwixt vs, in that he is most familiar with our Atticus, and loues, and honours him aboue all others. If peraduenture you haue knowne him heretofore; I thinke the office I do him will come too late: for he is so noble, and worthie, that I iudge he hath alreadie beene commen∣ded vnto you by his owne demeanour. Which though it be so, yet I earnestly sollicite you, that if before the receipt

of these, you had any enclination to do him good•• now, in respect of this my further recommendation, you wi••l heape vpon him your most en••ire affe∣ction. But, b••ing of a very modest na∣••ure, if he came not to do•• you ••eue∣rence, or, if yet you h••ue no g••eat knowledge o•• him, or that for some occasion he hath need of further re∣commendation; I commend him after su••h a manner, as I am not a∣ble with greater aff••ction, or vppon more iust respects, to commend any li∣uing man vnto you. And I will do that, which they ought to performe, who re∣ligiously, & without ostentation recō∣mend. I will promise, nay, I doe pro∣mise you, and vpon my reputation, se∣cure you, that the customes of Manius Curius are such, his bountie, and genti∣litie of that qualitie, as when you know him, you will acknowledg him worthy of your friendship, and this my earnest commendation. Questionlesse, you shall doe me a singular fauour, if I vn∣derstand, that these letters tooke such effect with you, as to my selfe in wri∣ting them I promised. Farewell.