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

Ci••ero, Imperator; to Appius Pulcher. Epist. 9.

WIth much a doe, I haue at last read a letter, well beseeming Appius Clodius, full of humanity, cour∣tesie, and friendly care. Out of questi∣on, the very sight of R••me, hath retur∣ned you your former sweet procee∣ding. For when you wrote vnto me on the way, while you were yet in Asia, about the matter of the Legates, whose comming to Rome I prohibited: and when you complain'd, that I hindred the Appian edifications, it gaue mee no small distaste; & mine own conscience witnessing, that I had beene euer con∣stant in louing you, I returned an an∣swer halfe in choller: yet after I read the letters deliuered to Philotimus my Free-man, I perceiued, there were ma∣ny in the Prouince, which affected our falling out. But after you came to Rome,

or at least, as soone as you had seene your friends, you vnderstood of them my perpetuall loue and affection to∣wards you, manifesting it selfe, vpon all occurrents, while you stay'd in your Prouince: wherefore imagine, how neere my heart those words went, you wrote vnto me•• If any thing fall out for my aduancement and dignity, though it be vnpossible, yet render me equall kindnesse. This, you may easi∣ly doe; for, what is there in this world, which endeauour will not compasse? Neither can any attempt be so difficult, but a true affection may ouercome it. I euer thought, & so my friends write, that you should obtaine a Triumph, but yet I am exceedingly satisfied in the cer∣tainty you giue me thereof; and not bec••use I hope my selfe as easily to get it; (for this were but an Epicurean part) but in that your honour and dignity is of it selfe most deere vnto me. Seeing therefore, you haue greater conueni∣encie of messengers, then any other; for none would come hither, without giuing you notice; when my suit hath gotten that successe, which you expect, and I desire, I should bee very glad, to be therof aduertised. If through those long Sessions of the Senate, as our friend Pompeius was wont to terme them, you are delayed a day or two, (for there is no likely-hood it shall bee

longer,) your dignity will no wayes be impeach't by this deferring. But for the loue you beare mee, and for that, that you expect from mee. Vouchsafe to cheere me vp, with this acceptable in∣formation, and ••emember to keep pro∣mise with me about the present, which you promised to make mee. For be∣sides, that I am desirous of the Science of Auguration; any gifts of yours in∣finitely please me, they being an appa∣rant testimony of the loue you beare me. And because you demand some e∣quall remuneration, I must ruminate well vpon it, that I may make you the like requitall: For, if I should not take the paines in this, that vsually I doe in my other compositions, which you are wont to thinke worthy of admiration. You might haue iust cause, to repute me not onely negligent, but vnthankfull. And of these matters enough. Further now, my desire is, that you bring to ef∣fect the offer which you made me; my meaning is, that you labor by all means possible, to compasse me my suites; v∣sing therein your wonted diligence, that the Senate may pleasure mee, and out of hand, with the honourablest demonstrations that may be. You pro∣mis'd it me; see you doe not faile: and doe it likewise, for the sake of our an∣cient am••tie. I doubt, I haue ouer-long deferred my writing thereof to the Se∣nate,

and that my letters•• through diffi∣cult passage by sea, came in time of the vacations. But herein I followed your example; and I thinke I did well, in not writing so suddenly after my being cal∣led Imperator, but after the end of ma∣ny enterprizes, brought to passe in all this summer. Be therefore carefull of this, according to your promise; and so in all other occasions, vouchsafe to take my affaires, my selfe, and all mine, into your friendly protection. Farewell.