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

Cicero to Publius Nigidius Figulus. Epist. 13.

THE reason why I haue not writ∣ten to you of long time, is first be∣cause I had no certaine subiect whereof to write; and secondly, because I could not vse those kinde of letters, which are ordinarie. For Fortune hath so ta∣ken from vs all kinde of cheerefull ar∣gument; that wee cannot onely not write, but not so much as thinke of any ioyfull matters. There remaines a kinde of writing, that's miserable and lamentable, and com••ormable to these times: this I want also. For when I should offer you assistance, and com∣••ort, I am able to offer you none For my selfe ouerwhelmed by the same stormes, am driuen to relie on others. And I lament more often, that I liue in this manner, then I ioy tha•• I liue: for

though I haue not particularly receiu'd any notorious iniurie by Fortune: and Caesar, without attending my supplica∣tion, hath conferred vpon mee, many reall fauours: yet haue I inwardly such discontentment, that mee thinkes I si••ne gri••uously in remaining aliue. For many of my familiar friends are by death taken away, and diuers for feare of the victor, are fled into sundrie countries. And, of all those friends, which ioyned with me, and you, in de∣fence of the Common-wealth, I haue not one that suruiueth: and I am en∣forst to behold the ruine and rapine of their goods: neither do I onely heare, but to my extreame hea••t griefe I see, their substance ill dispos'd of, by whose ayde wee heeretofore extinguished the flames of the Common-wealth. And where wee had before, fauours, autho∣ritie, and great glorie; now wee ••inde no such matter: true it is, that wee en∣ioy the grace and fauour of Caesar him∣selfe: but that can not preuaile, aboue the violent mutation of all things, and of the times. Being therefore de••titute of whatsoeuer I was accustomed vnto by nature, enclination, and vse; I am distastfull not onely to others, as I vn∣derstand, but to my selfe also. For be∣ing borne, to haue alwaies somewhat a foot, beseeming a man; now, I want not onely the meanes of employment,

but euen to ruminate, how I might helpe any one: And whereas before, I was able to pleasure persons ignoble, yea, and the guiltie; now, to Publius Nigidius my deare friend, who hereto∣fore was so highly honor'd, and who excells all men, both for learning, and pietie; I cannot so much as offer my assistance. It therefore re••aines, that I labour to comfort you, and remo••e from you with liuely reasons, that griefe which oppresseth your minde. But if any man be of true force to com∣fort, either you or any other, it is your selfe: whereupon, I will not touch that point, which containes in it lear∣ned, and exquisite reasons; But I will leaue it absolutely to your selfe. Ob∣serue you, that, which is requisite for a valiant, and wise man, exacted at your hands by your grauitie, height of spirit, life past, the studies, and Sciences, which you euer prosecuted with singu∣lar commendation. I'le deliuer vnto you, what I can know, remaining in Rome, and therunto bending my minde, as I doe. I therefore affirme vnto you, that you shall not long dwell in these molestations, wherein at this present you are inuolued; but in those which also oppresse vs, I feare, you will euer continue. First of all I conceiue, that hee which beares all the sway, hath a very good opinion of you. This I write

not without good ground. The lesse familiar I am with him, the more dili∣gently I diue into his disposition. And therefore be secure, that he delaies your restitution for no other reason, but be∣cause hee would haue so much the iu∣ster occasion, to denie their suits with whom hee is displeased. Besides, all his friends, I meane those in greatest opi∣nion with him, stand greatly affected to your vertues, whereunto may bee added the peoples fauour vnto you, yea, and of all Rome besides. And more∣ouer the Common-wealth, which, to tell truth; at this instant, is but weake, (but of necessitie it must recouer it former abilitie) with the same strength it shall haue, will constraine her gouer∣nours, to restore you to your countrie. I said in the beginning, that I could not offer you my endeauour, and yet now I'le presume to offer you it: for I will seeke by all ceremoniall obseruance, to gaine, and binde vnto me Caesars friends, who loue me well, and spend much time with me; and by all artificiall meanes, I will studie to insinuate my selfe into Caesars amitie; which hitherto hath beene denied me, through my o∣uer respectiue nature. In conclusion, take my faithfull promise, that I will leaue no waies vnattempted, by which I may thinke to compasse our ends: And in this I'le doe much more, then I

dare to write. In all other occurrents command me, for you shall see mee ex∣ceed the loue of all your other friends and kindred. I haue nothing in the world, which you may not esteeme as well yours as mine owne; But of this I'le dilate no further, being desirous that you should hope rather to helpe your selfe with your owne; as I hope you shall. Nothing remaines, but to exhort, and intreate you, that you would arme your minde against For∣tune: and remember not onely those things which you haue learned of other g••eat men, but also those which haue proceeded from your owne studie, and vnderstanding. Which doing, you shall relie on good hopes: and with forti∣tude ouercome any aduerse accident. But who is better acquainted with these reasons, then your selfe? I will enterprise any thing, whereby I may yeeld you assistance: and I will pr••serue in memorie the good: which you wrought for me in the vnfortunate time of my banishment. Farewell.