Cicero Imperator, to Caius Marcellus Consull, son to Caius. Epist. 10.

BEhold, Fortune concurring with our desire; in hau•ng ministred an occasion, whereby the family of the Marcelli, and Marcellini, who, in louing of me, were alwaies of one cons•nt, hath found a meanes to certifie mee of the a••ection which they bare me; You are exalted to the Consulship, which I greatly desi•ed. And in truth, neither could I haue had greater hap, then to haue a Consull to mine owne minde, no• you meete wi•h fitter times, to make me c•pable of your affection: For, I hau•ng performed some seruice in the behalfe of the Common-wealth, it lies in you to manifest, how farre you loue me, by intimating to the Senate, how worthie I am of commendation; and by perswading them to remune∣rate my dese•uings. I would therefore, if you finde the S•nate thereunto en∣clined, that when my letters are read, you would take the paines (as with ease you may,) to procure, that the honora∣bles• decree may bee thereupon made that you are able. If the knot which fastens me togeather with your kin∣dred, were strong•r •hen the chaine, Page  856 that bindes mee to your friendship, I would choose them for my meanes. Whom you know, to with mee very well, but it impo•ts not. From your father I haue receiued important bene∣fits, and I may truely auerre, that neuer any man s•ewed himselfe a greater friend to my safetie, and honor •hen he did: your brother obser•es, and •••spects mee, as is knowne to •ll men. And to include many wo•d• i• on•, your whole familie, w•s neuer fl•cke, to attempt any enterp••se, in my fa∣uour. And yet for all this, your selfe was neuer inferior to any of yours in louing me. Whereupon with all fer∣uencie, I request you really to fauour me, and to take vpon you, the protecti∣on of mine honor; ••rst, in procuring those honors to be confer•ed vpon me, which fore-run a Triumph; and then, iu furthering me in any other respect, that shall seeme accrewing to my bene∣fit. Farewell.