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

Cicero the sonne, to his sweetest Tiro. Epist. 21.

AFter a tedious and daily expecta∣tion for sixe whole weekes to∣geather after my depa••ture from you, your welcome mes••engers came with letters. The Epistle of my most sweet, and deare Father, gaue me wondrous contentment; and your owne letter ouerioy'd me. Whereupon I repent no longer my silence, but am glad there∣of. In that it brought mee wondrous encrease of the fruite of your humani∣tie: Whereby you haue made good my excuses. I am sure my sweet Tiro, that the good reports, which according to your desire, were spread of me, did highly please you. And I will employ all my endeauour, that this growing o∣pinion of me, may euery day bee more established. Therfore you may secure∣ly promise of me, heereafter, a more re∣formed life, then that which is past, hath at any time beene. Wherein, if I was drawen from the tru•• waie, I greeue much more then I make shew of. Of which greefe I know you haue beene partaker, in that you take part also in my prosperities, wherein I euer desired to haue a companion. I will therefore restore with double ioy, the affliction

you haue suffer'd for my sake. Vnder∣stand that I conuerse with Cratippus in an inward fashion, not as a disciple, but as his childe. He hath a sweet manner of discourse, which delights me great∣ly: Wherefore I am with him all the day, and often, part of the night also. For hee many times meales with mee. And our familiaritie hath proceeded so farre, that many times on a suddaine, he takes vs before wee haue halfe dy∣ned: and laying aside philosophicall conclusions, hee entertaines vs with pl••asant discourses. Wherefore endea∣uour as soone as you can, to come and enioy the societie of so noble, and so compleat a man. But what shall I say of Brutus? Whom I neuer suffer to be from me: so modest, and loyall he is. Whose disposition though it be to bee thriftie and graue, yet is he most plea∣sing companie; and alwaies in matters of learning. Within the compasse whereof wee lay the boundes of our contentments. I haue rented a place for him neere hand, and according to my abilitie, I supplie him. Besides this, I am resolued to exercise oratorie in Greeke with Cassius, and in Latin•• with Brutus. I liue daily with certaine learned men, which came from Mi••ylene with Cratippus Ep••orate: the cheefest of the Athenians, Leonides and other such like, spend their time with me. I will deliuer

no further of my selfe. Whereas you write to me of Gorgias: certainely hee furthered mee much in my pleading: but because I would not oppose my fa∣thers will, I put him from me: he hauing written earnestly vnto me, that I should dismisse him. I would not shew my backwardnes in obeying his will, because I would put no conceite of su∣spition into him. Besides I conceiu'd, how 'twas not a thing fit, that I should oppose my fathers iudgement; not∣withstanding, your office heerein, and counsell, was acceptable to mee. I admit of your excuse, by reason of your penurie of time, know∣ing that yours, is a li••e much employed. I am very glad of the purch••se made of that Fa••me. Wonder not though in the conclusion of my letter I reioyce with you: for you also in the end of yours, giue me aduertisement thereof. You haue meanes now to lay apar•• your cittie customes, and to become a ru∣sticke Romane. When hourely I set before mine eyes your pleasing aspect, me thinkes I see you buying countrie commodities, reasoning with labou∣rers, and to gather into the lap of your garment, the seedes of fruites after meales. But to come to the matter, I am sorrie as well as you, that I could not assist you. But doubt not my Tiro, that I will euer faile you, if Fortune ••aile

not me, especially, understanding, that this Farme is bought for common vse: You did me a gr••at pleasure to dispatch wha•• I gaue you in charge. I pray you send ••o mee as soone as you can a writer, but principally a Gr••cian. For I loo••e a world of time, in writing out the Commentaries. Be carefull of your h••alth, that we may once discourse to∣geather. I recommend Antherus vnto you. Farewell.