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

Cicero to Caius Curio. Ep. 3.

IT is not Rupa's fault, that the sports are not published, which you would celebrate in honour of your father: but we haue councelled him, that it is bet∣ter to expect your returne; to the end, that the b••si••esse may rest in your arbi∣triment. And about this matter, either I will write hereafter at large, what my opinion is; or els, least you should thinke thereon, I will take you at vna∣wares, and face to face against that rea∣son which moueth you I will dispute: that I may either draw you to that which I thinke fitting; or at least, I may leaue a memory of mine opinion to your consideration: that, if at any time (which I would not) you shall repe••t you of your owne counsell, you may call mine to your remembrance. But I can tell you, that your returne mee••es with such times, as, by those benefits, which nature, industrie, and Fortune haue giuen you; you may more ••asilie obtaine the highest dignities of the Common-wealth; then by pleasing the p••ople with the vanitie of such like

spectacles, which are not esteemed; because they are signes of riches: and not valour; and there is no man, that nowadayes is not therewith glutted, till his eyes are wearie againe. But I doe otherwise then I did at first make shew of. I said I would not write you mine opinion; yet I am entred vpon the particulars thereof. Wherefore I'le put off all this discourse till your returne. I giue you to vndersta••d, that great mat∣ters are expected from you; and such as should proceede from one that is ex∣ceeding rare for valour, and vnderstan∣ding: For which you being, as you ought to be, and as I hope, prepared: We, that are your friends, and all the Cittizens, and the Common-wealth, shall be more bound vnto you for this, then for all the sports or shewes you can giue vs. Assure your selfe, that to mee no man is more deare then you, or more acceptable. Farewell.