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

READER:

CICERO'S Epistles haue in Italian, French, and other languages, endu∣red sundry tran∣slations; and of each, many im∣pressions: their Author being growne to that deserued repu••a∣tion, that not onely his natiue Countrey, but the whole world hath now, well neere a thousand seuen hundred yeeres, admired him; aswell, for his powerfull and perswas••ue eloquence, as for his vnderstanding in all lear∣ning, and especially in Politicis. In which he so far excelled, that hee was not onely sought vnto, by the greatest Generals, and Gouernours of mighty Regi∣on••

and Prouinces, for Coun∣cel•• and directions; but him∣selfe, from a Gentle-man of no great fortunes, was by his owne deserts, so magnified, that pas∣sing thorow all titles and de∣grees, of place and honour, v∣suall amongst the Romanes; he, aboue the rest, was glorified with these testimonies; of Pre∣seruer of the Citie: Defender of all men: and, Father of his Coun∣trey. And came to bee of that authoritie, that hee was one of those, which commanded Kings and Potentates. These things maturely considered; a graue and powerfull Magistrate, of weightiest employments, about a g••eat Monarch in Europe, made these letters his glasse, his rule, his Oracle, and ordinarie pocket-booke: an hono••iustly due vnto the Prince of Elo∣qu••nce; for, if I conceiue him, he affords letters of content vn∣to all ag••s; from the swath-band

to the crutches: and to all conditions; from the mea∣nest Ar••ificer, to the highest Emperou••: and to all capaci∣ties, from the most pleasant and conceited'st W••iter, to the seri∣ous Souldier, or grauest Coun∣cellor. I know he loseth much, by being translated; though by the most expert Linguist brea∣thing; and into the purest lan∣guage spoken: Yet, because hee hath•• like a pleasing Actor, been call'd for, againe and againe, by other Nations; I doubt no••, but ••ith vs, he may retaine some re∣lish of his admired sweetnesse, and profound wisdome.

If in any place, our English tran∣slation, shall not precisely run a∣long with ••he originall. First, know that the various l••cti••ns may be one cause ••her••o: Next, the different expositions, in the Italian or French translations, or their corrections in a••ter editi∣ons; for, in pl••ces that were dif∣ficult,

doubtfull, ha••ting, or dis∣membred; after, conferring these (as sufficient, and carefull obseruers of our Authour) a∣mongst themselues; and all with the text; I haue followed the most seeming probable in∣terpretation. Neither haue I neglected the precept, that in this case, Horace gaue me:

Nec verbum verbo curabis red∣dere fidus Interpres.—

Faithfull Translator, thou shalt not afford Exchange of languages, made word for word.

Le••t I might erre with that English Gentle-man, who being demanded by an Italian, what was become of his foot-boy? made answer: Ha preso i suoi calcagni. Which sounded al∣most as well to the Italian, as

this other to an English man, from the mouth of a great Tr••∣ueller, who being asked, when hee saw his friend? replied: It maketh a little that hee was here. Both these answers, as manie o•• the like, though they haue good words, yet for the sense, being word for word translated, the first is but English-Italian•• and the last, Italian-English. Which how far they are different from the puritie of speech, in either language, let their Boccace, and our S^r. Philip, teach vs. Keeping therefore sense, for sense; lest I might offend mine owne lan∣guage, or wrong mine Author, I haue endeuoured, within the compasse of my capacitie, to giue thee some, though not all manner of satisfaction. For, not alone the profit of younglings, is to bee respected; but theirs also, that are desirous to read matters of historie, negotiati∣ons, war, and secret passages of

policie, and gouernment: of which these little bookes are full: as being written by the greatest wit, and most industrious, and frequented Orator, in the weightiest businesses, and quic∣kest times, of the Romane Com∣mon••wealth.

Notes

• Custos Vrbis; Defe••sor Omnium; Pater Patriae.