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

Cicero to Terentia his wife and to Tulliola, and Cicero, his children. Epist. 3.

I Receiued three letters from you, by Aristocritus, which I had almost blot∣ted out with weeping. For, my T••rentia, I am much afflicted, and so much, that I scarcely liue: yet feele I not more hart-greefe for mine own, then for your miseries; and for those, which all of you haue su••fered. Although in this respect I am more miserable then thou, who art most miserable. For the bit∣ternes of this fortune is equall to vs both, but the blame is only mine. I should either haue accepted of the em∣bassies, by meanes whereof I might haue shunned the danger; or by my friends endeauours haue constantly re∣sisted the iniuries of mine enemies; or else haue dyed with resolution. To a worser state, then that wherein I now stand, I could neuer haue been reduced. Which is the cause, that I greeue not more for the euill, then for the repro••ch thereof: being asham'd that my deare wife, & sweet children, by my coward∣dize, and negligence should lead a lif•• so miserable, and so lamentable. You•• vnhappie state hourely presents it selfe before mine eyes: and because I know

how weake you are of sexe: the more am I sorrowfull, considering that you cannot vndergoe so many troubles without great danger. And besides, I perceiue no hope of my safetie. There are two things, which oppose our de∣sires: the hatred of many; and the en∣uie almost of all men. And as to pre∣serue our former state, little was requi∣si••e: so to recouer it, infinite labour is required. Neuerthelesse, while you are hopefull; I will also support, this my wearie, and languishing body with some hopefulnesse: that in being wan∣ting both to you, and to my selfe, as I haue beene hitherto, despaire may not augment our euills. As for that point, where you write, that I should be wary to remaine in a place of s••curitie: this I can easily performe, because mine e∣nemies shall haue small reason to desire my death, in that they should thereby ease me o•• so many miseries, which they desire that I should liue in. And yet I will obey your commands. I haue thanked my friends, as you enioyn'd me in your letters, and touching their friendly procurements about my safe∣tie, I haue written, I was therof by you aduertised. The conueyer of these letters was Dexippus. For our Piso, I haue heard by all men; and I plainely my selfe perceiue it; that he beares vs won∣d••rfull affection; which with ad∣mirable

eff••cts he doth also demon∣strate. The gods grant, that togea∣ther with your selfe, and our children, we may long liue in the soci••tie of such a sonne in law. The hope which now remaines is, whollie in the new Tri∣bunes of the people: and onely in the first daies of their entrie into their of∣fice: for if the matter doe grow sta••e, tis no more to bethought of. And for this cause, I haue sodainely returnd you Aristocritus, that you may presently write vnto me, what beginning the matter had, & in what state it standeth: though I also enioyned D••xi••pus, that he•• ••••ould without delay re••urne vn••o me. And I haue written to my brother, r••questing him that he will not faile, as often as he can, to send me messengers of purpose. And I remaine for no o∣ther cause at this instāt in Dyrrhac••ium, but to receiue the more speedy aduer∣ti••ements, and to be resident in a secure place, as I am, assuredly. For I alwai••s fauoured, and defended this cittie. And when I vnderstand that our enemies are comming, I will retire into Epirus. Where as you write, that if it bee my pleasure, you will come vnto me. I like it better you should remaine there, considering the greatest part of my oc∣casions; depend vpon your diligence. If you can compas••e any good end, of that which now you haue in hand, I

must of nec••ssitie repaire to you. But if, &c. the rest it imports not to write. Vpon your firs••, or at least your second le••ters, we shall be able to resolue what course to take•• write vnto me of all particularly. Though now, I should not attend letters, but an end of this ac∣tion. Regard your health. And be se∣cure, that I haue nothing in this world, nor euer had, more deare vnto me then your selfe. Farewell my deare Terentia; whom in such sort me thinkes I daily ••ehold, that with teares I am consu∣med. Farewell. From Dyrrhachium the last of Nouember.