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

Cicero to Publius Lentulus Vice-consul. Ep. 5.

THough I desire nothing more, than to be knowne first of your selfe, and then to all the world, for a most thankful man, and one that cannot for∣get the good turnes you haue done me; ye•• it grieues me to the heart, that the times since your departure are such, as inforce you to make triall as well of mine, as other mens trust, and affection towards you. For I vnderstand by your letters, that you haue had the same proofe o•• your friends, in your autho∣ritie: that I haue had of mine, in my health, and prosperitie. I endeuoured with all my vnderstanding, care, and po••er, to bring about the cause of the king; when on the sodaine Cato, beyond

all imagination, proposed a wicked law, which did not onely hinder the cause, but hath made that businesse, which was before light, and easie; to be very difficult, and desperate. But, though in so crosse an accident, we are to expect all mischiefe; yet wee feare nothing more than treacherie. Come what will come, let Cato be wel assured, we will resist him. About the restoring of the king, I promise you thus much, that I will so bestur me, that you shall rest fully satisfied. Yet I doubt, that ei∣ther the businesse may be taken out of our hands; or that there will be no fur∣ther proceeding in it: and I cannot well determine, which of these two courses will leaft content me. But if it come to this passe; there is a third way which neither Selicius, nor I dislike. That we neither suffer the King to be abando∣ned; nor let him be put ouer vnto that man for his restoring, who is alreadie thought, to haue obteined him. We will doe the best we can, that things may goe, as we would haue them: if not; we will so leaue off, that we may suffer no disgrace thereby. It is for a man of your wisedome, vnderstanding and valour; to be well assured, that all your greatnesse, and honour proceedes from your owne vertue, your noble ac∣tions, and graue proce••dings, (which will neuer faile you) and to set light by

that, that the perfidiousnesse of any man can detract from you, in any thing wherein fortune hath inriched you. Knowing for certaine, that whatsoeuer is done in that kind, will turne to them more hurtfull, than to you hereafter. There is not an houre passes, but I am either doing something in your busi∣nesse, or contriuing how to doe it. And in euery thing I vse the helpe of Quintus Selicius: whom I esteeme as discreete, faithfull, and louing vnto you, as any of your other friends. I make accompt that you haue vnderstood both by fre∣quent letters, and messengers, aswell what we haue now in hand, as that that hath beene hitherto effected. Of that, that is expected, I hold none fitter then my selfe, to send you mine opinion. I haue seene Pompeius vpon two occasiōs terribly troubled. First, for that on the ••••xt of Februarie, speaking to the people in the fauour of Milo, they gaue not onely a negligent eare vnto him: but often interrupted him with exclamati∣ons, and villanies: secondly because Cato speaking ill of him, in the Senate, and sharply accusing him, had a mo••t quiet audience: so tha••, it seemes he al∣together shrinketh from this cause of restoring the king, in which we haue alwayes held our owne: the Senate not hauing taken any thing from you here∣in, but that, which by the Religion it

cannot giue vnto another man. Our hope therefore at this present is, that the King finding himselfe decei••ed in his opinion of thinking to be ••estored by Pompeius: and being depriued of all other hopes herein, will necessarilie applie himselfe vnto you. In the effect∣ing hereof wee will vse all diligence: and he will doubtlesse be most willing; so that P••mpeius make but the least shew to be content therewith. But you know how slow he is, and ••l••o how silent in all his actions, yet there is nothing, that may be done herein, by vs omitted The other iniuries that Cato threa••neth to doe vs, shall need (I hope) but easie resistance Of the Con••ulars I find none to fauour you, but Hortentius, and Lu∣cullus. The rest are partly ••ec••et, partly open enemies. But be of good courage: And wi••hout al doub••, the rash attempt of this phantasticall ••ellow will come to nothing, and you shall recouer your former honour, and reputation. Fare you well.