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

Cicero to Caius Cassiu••. Epist. 15.

THough each of vs departed from the warre vpon like deliberations, with hope of peace, and hatred of ciuill bloudshed. Yet, being the first, who retired, I am peraduenture the more bound to defend the course that wee had taken: though many times I call to minde, how being together, and con∣sulting of sundrie, and great matters betweene our selues, to prouide for our safeties, we held one opinion, and made one conclusion. Which was; to attend what successe the first battaile would haue; after which, of necessitie it was expedient, that either the whole cause should be determined, or at least our iudgem••nt resolued. Which reso∣lution was neuer reprehended, but by those, who maintained, that it was bet∣ter for the Common-wealth to be ab∣solutely dissolued•• then to remaine weakned, and dismembered. And I saw, that if she once perished, al hope of reducing her to her due state, went with her. But if shee were but languishing, there would be yet some comfort. But things haue happened, so farre beyond all mens opinion, as it is a greater mira∣cle, that ••uer they could fall out, then

that we were not able to foresee, or be∣ing men to presage them. Question∣lesse, I confesse, that I supposed, that af∣ter the fatall battaile fought, the victo∣rious would prouide for common safetie, and the vanquished for them∣selues. But I likewise iudged, that these effects could not grow from any other root, then from suddaine victorie, and humilitie of the vanquished: and had this humilitie beene; they who were in Africa, had found in him the same cle∣mencie, which they that went into A∣sia, and Achaia had experienced. And that without any other mediation, but his owne. But the euill proceeded from this, that times were carelesly let run on; which greatly imparts in ciuill warres. For a yeare and an halfe run∣ning on in this manner, some conceiu'd hope to ouercome, others without hope of victorie, choose rather to die fighting; then to liue, by comming to their enemies for mercie. And of all these disasters, Fortune beares the blame. For who would euer haue thought, that the Alexandrian warre, would euer haue drawne to such a length, the warre ciuill? And that one Pharnaces, could haue strokē such a ter∣ror into all Asia? We concurred all in one election, though with a diuersitie of Fortune; you went into a part, where you might consult, and dis••erne the

end of things a fa••re off; which greatly rids ••he minde of cares: And I was de∣sirous to meete with Caesar in Italie, sup∣posing he would haue come thither, with that troupe of renowned men, whom he hath preserued: and with an intention, to moue him to peace, whereunto he seem'd readie, and verie willing. But I could not doe as I would, because he pursued his enemie, and went farre from these parts. Now, in what state I liue, coniecture you. I heare on euery side, of the deepe woes, and direfull lamentations of miserable Italie, and our distressed Cittie. Where∣unto both you, and I, and euery man, according to his Forces, might perad∣uenture haue found some remedie, if the chiefe Commander had arriued. Wherefore I request you by all the loue that you haue euer borne me, to write vnto me what successe things haue, what foundations you lay, what may be hoped for, and how we should car∣rie our selues. I will performe whatso∣euer your letters enioyne me. And I would to God I had followed the councell which you gaue me in your first vnfortunate letters, which you sent me from Luceria: for then; I had with∣out any mol••station, preseru'd my dig∣nitie. Farewell.