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

Cicero to Curio. Ep. 6.

THere is yet no newes; of your ap∣proching Italy. Neuerthelesse, be∣cause it's thought it will not bee long ere you come. And being knowne for certaine, that you are already parted frō Asia, & are on your way to Rome; the great importance of the businesse hath forced mee, without any delay, to send this present messenger; which is Sex••us Villius, a familiar friend of my Mil••; I be¦ing exceeding de••irous, that this my let∣ter may come vnto your hands with all expedition. If it were true, Curio, that you had such obligations to me, as you publikely speake of, which I hold no∣thing; I would with more respect seeke after you, when I should haue occasion to aske any thing of you. Because a modest man shunneth, as much as is

possible, to entreat a fauour from him, to whom he thinkes hee hath done any kindnesse; lest that, in place of a re∣quest, hee should seeme to receiue as a dutie, that which hee demandeth; and to take it rather for payment, then a be∣nefit. But being more manifest then the light, that I am exceedingly obliged vn∣to you, through the nouelty of my mi∣series, and calamities: and conside••ing that it becommeth a gentle spirit, to ac∣cept willingly of a good turne from one, of whom other benefits haue been formerly receiued; I haue beene bold to request that of you by this letter, which aboue all oth••r things doth most im∣port me. Because I neuer doubted that I should not be able to sway the waight of your good ••urnes, though they were infinite; especially, considering that I am not of so weake, or poore a spirit, that I cannot assure my selfe abilitie, to bee capable of euery fauour, how great soeuer, and to remunerate the same, and ••o exceed it. I haue deliberated with my selfe, to recollect what fauours I am able, to vnite all my forces, and all my thoughts, to draw Mil•• vnto the dignitie of Consull: not so much to be esteemed courteous and louing, in the occasion of such a friend, as to shew my selfe grat••full, and ready to make acknowledgement, to one that hath beene so much my Benefactour. For I

beleeue not, that euer any man liuing, had so great care of his owne health and substance, as I haue of his honour, which I esteeme equall with my life. And I am most assured, that if you will fauour him, ••urther meanes will not be requisite. For we haue already all these things; the stay of those that are ho∣nest, which are affectionated to him, by reason th••t he being Tribune, laboured on my behalfe; the fauour of the peo∣ple, ••or the magnificence of the shewes, and because they know him of a f••ee disposition; the attendance of the young men, and those ••h••t are beloued of the people, because they see him al••o beloued, and know how diligent hee is in the like occasions. And there is l••st of all the fauour, which I afford him: which, though of it selfe it bee not of that quality, that it can doe much, yet, because it is knowne to be iust, and due, and full of gratefull affection, perad∣uenture for this cause, if not ••or any thing else, it will produce some fruit. We want st••ll a head, and one th••t m••y as it were, moderate these windes, and gou••rne th••m: whom if wee should choose out of many, we should not find a b••••t••r ••h••n your selfe. Wherefore, if you haue an opinion, that I am a thank∣full, and honest man; as you may be∣leeue, seeing me take th••t paines th••t I doe, ••or Milo; and to bee s••ort, if you

hold mee worhty of your fauours; let me entreat you to grant this my desire, of your bestowing your fauour vpon this my commendation, or, (to speake better) vpon my welfare. And of the aforesaid Milo I promise you, that if it shall please you to embrace him, you shall not finde a friend more couragi∣ous, graue, constant, and beneuolous towards you; besides, my obligation, for the honour, which will redound vn∣to me by this action, shall bee no whit inferiour to that, which I haue already vnto you, ••or hauing assisted mee in my returne from banishment. I know you are not ignorant, how much I am obli∣ged to Milo, and consequently, how much I ought to helpe him in this his demand; I meane, not onely when it were need••ull to contend ciuilly, but to ••ight with weapons. Therefore I will say no more. I recommend to you this cause, and remit my selfe vnto your loue. And assure you, that for such a courtesie, I shall hold my selfe in a man∣ner more bound vnto you, then I am to Milo himselfe, for hauing restored mee into my Countrey. Because the con∣tent was not so great, that I ••ound of my freedom, which he principally pro∣cured; as the sweetnesse shall be, which I shall taste in shewing him that thank∣••ulnesse, which his receiued good turns merited: and so much I esteem of your

fauour, that I doubt not, but by it alone, our suits may fully bee accomplished. Farewell.