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

Cicero to Seruius Sulpitius. Epist. 18.

I saw our friend Attic••••, become proud with ioy, vpon the receipt of courteous, and delightful letters, which you wrote vnto him. Which notwith∣standing, I will not yeeld, to haue bin more acceptable to him, then to my selfe. For though they were equally welcome to vs both; yet I wondred, that you wrote and made such vnexpe∣cted offers to him, as, if he had intreated and sought vnto you, you could not more co••rteously haue answer'd him: (which notwithstanding we are assured in such a case you would not haue o∣mitted.) About which, I ought not onely, not to entreat you, that you would performe it also more carefully for my respect; (for more cannot ••ee done then of your selfe you haue pro∣mised) but not so much as to giue you thankes; beca••se you haue done it for his owne sake, and out of your owne free disposition. I must confesse not∣withstanding, that what you haue done hath giuen me singular satisfaction; in that I cannot but take full content∣ment, that you should haue such an o∣pinion of him, whom I so highly esti∣mate. And being so, it cannot but bee

acceptable of necessitie. But for all this; seeing by our domesticall amitie it is permitted me, that I may also commit a sinne in writing; both those offices, which I haue hitherto denyed, shall bee now performed. I desire therefore, that to the s••me demonstration of courtesie whic•• you made for the sake of A••ticus, you will adde as much more, as by our loue towardes him may be procured. And whereas before I durst not be so bold as to giue you thankes, now I ren∣der them heartily: and desire that you would assure your selfe, that, for what c••urtesie soeuer in the businesses of Epir••••, or in any other respect, you ob∣lige Attic•••••• for the same, in like man∣ner will I esteeme my selfe to be oblie∣ged. Farewell.