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

Cicero to his Tiro. Epist. 11.

INto what hazard my saf••tie, and that of all good men, and the whole Com∣mon-wealth is brought; you may con∣ceiue by ••his, ••hat we haue abandoned our proper habitations, and our coun∣trie it selfe, l••auing her as a pray, to whosoeuer will destroy, and set her in combustion. We are come to that point, as if some God, or Fortune doe not succour vs, I see no meanes for our escape. Since I came to Rome, I assure you, I haue vs••d all perswasions to com∣pound these discords: but I haue found such obstinacie in the hearts, not onely of those wicked, but also in them that are reputed honest, as my Force is not able to disswade them. They will haue ba••taile, and will not heare me, when I tell them of the miseries, which a ciuill warre drawes a••ter it. For hauing heard how Caesar, in••aged with furie, and bea∣ring no respect, either to his name, or dignitie, tooke into his hands, Arimi∣num, Pisaurum, Ancona, and Arr••tium; We haue left R••me wholly abandoned, with what wisedome, or courage it a∣uaileth not to argue. Now you s••e to what passe we are arriu••d. True it is, that he moues Ar••icles of accord; that

Pomp••ius goe into Spaiae; that the soul∣diers leuied in our defence, be cashee∣red: and in this case, hee is content to assigne Gallia Transalpina, to D••mitius; and Cisalpina, to Considius Nonianu••, Who were elected for those Gouerne∣ments: ••hat he cares no more to haue the fauour, that he may demand the Consulship in his absence, but that himselfe in person, will come to de∣mand it. We haue accepted of his con∣ditions, but so, that he will remoue the guarisons out of ••hese townes, that are in his hands, to the end, that the Senate without feare, being resembled in Rome, may consult vpon the aboue-mentioned conditions. In performing this, there is some hope of peace; but I acknowledg it to be scarce honorable, for we submit our selues to his conditi∣ons: but it's better to be any thing, then what we are. And, if hee should not obserue his propounded conditi∣ons, there is prepar'd so gri••uous a warre, as he cannot susteine it. I say if he doe flinch from the conditions him∣selfe hath set downe, wee hope to bee able to cut off his way from Rome, by hauing many men in a readin••sse: and we suppose also he will not bend thi∣ther, for feare of loosing the Galliae, who are his vt••er enemies, excepting onely the Transpadani••e especially if he perceiue six Legions on his b••cke that are in

Spaine, conducted by Afranius, and Petreiu••, with many succours: but if he wil needs be cō••umacious, tis thought, it will be no great ma••ter to suppresse him, so he make no approach to Rome. For he hath had one shrewd crosse, in that Titus Labienu••, who was of great cred••t in his Armie, not minding to be a companion of his wickednesse, hath left him, and takes part with vs: and they say many are readie to doe the like. I remaine in the Gouernment of the Sea coast, about Formiae. I would not vndertake a greater charge, that by my l••tters, and exhortations, I might wo••ke the bet••er effects with Caesar, a∣bout quietnesse. But if the warre goe on. I see I shall haue the gouernment, and command of a Campe, & c••rtaine Legions. I am wonderfully disturb'd that our Dolabella is with Caesar: I thought good to giue you these infor∣mations; but as you loue your health, let them not trouble you. Aulus Varro is my great friend, and beares you sin∣gular aff••ction. I haue recommended you vnto him, en••reating him to haue a speciall care of you, as well in the oc∣casions of your infirmitie, as of your voyage. He ha••h cou••teously pormis'd me, and I know hee will performe it. Seeing you could not be with me at that time, when I had occasion to em∣ploy your fidelitie, & endeuour; make

no hast in any wise to come while you are thus weake, especially being the depth of Winter. Your comming to me shall neuer be too late, so you come in ••afetie. Hith••rto I neuer spake with any man that saw you; but with Mar∣cus Volusius, who deliuered me your let∣ters: and no maruaile; for, I doe not thinke that mine haue this bad wether, had any speedie conueyance. Be care∣••ull to recouer, and commit not your selfe to Sea, till you may haue a secure passage. My son is at Formianum; Teren∣tia, and Tullia are in Rome. The xxviij. of Ianuarie, from C••p••a. Farewell.