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

Cicero, to Cneius Plancius. Epist. 14.

I Receiued from you two letters, deli∣uered in Corcyra: in one of which

you did c••ngratulate with me, for ha∣uing vnderstood, that I still retained my ••ormer dignitie. In the other you wished mee happie successe of the new marriage. And I affirme vnto you, th••t I hold my dignitie; if it may bee cal'd dignitie for a man ••o c••rrie that minde towards the Common-wealth, which all honest men ought: but if dignitie consist, in effecting your vpright coun∣sels and ends; or at least in defending ••reely your opinions; there is not so much as the least appearance of digni∣tie; and 'tis no sm••ll matter, if we may gouerne our selues ••o, that with pati∣ence we may wade through the torrent of euils, which partly threaten, and partlie lie vpon vs; which is very diffi∣cult in so miserable a war, whose ends threaten slaughter on the one side, and seruitude on the other. A midst which d••ungers I am much comforted, when I call to minde, that I fores••we these dread••ull calamities, euer since the time, that I feared not onely the victory of our enemies, but our owne also. For I saw, but too pl••inely, how daun∣gerous that contestation would be, which propounded to it selfe, the Ro∣man Empire for a reward. And admit they had vanquished, to whom through hope of peace, and no desire of warre I was lin••ed; yet I well vnderstood, how bloudie the victorie of enraged,

ambit••ous, and insolent men would be: but if they had lost the day: how many great men, and e••cellent Cittizens would haue lost their liues. Who, when I lab••ured for peace, and laid open to them the miseries, which ciuil ••warres produce, they supposed, that my ex∣hortations proceeded rather from ••ea••e then prudence. Whereas you reioyce for my new marriage, I know assured∣ly, that you affect my repose & quiet: but I had neuer taken any new course, in these so lamentable times, but that, at my returne I found mine owne e∣state, in as bad termes as the Com∣mon-wealth: For I was not secure vn∣der mine owne roofe: my whole house was full of entrappings and snares; I found gins laid euery where for me, e∣uen by those, who for my singular be∣nefits, should rather haue had a tender care, of my goods, and safetie. Where∣upon I thought, by the trust of a new affinitie, to secure my selfe, from the perfidious practises of the olde: But e∣nough hath beene said, concerning our affaires, and more peraduenture, then was requisite. As for yours, take a good heart, and feare no particular contra∣rietie: For ouercome who will, I see not how you runne into any great dan∣ger: Caesar, hauing alreadie as far I can conceiue, asswaged his anger towardes you; and the Pompeians hauing neuer

hated you. Caesar I know, h••th receiued you into grace, and Pomp••ius neuer wi∣shed you ••ll. For mine owne part, I pro∣mise you, that wherein soeuer I may doe you good, although ••t this present, I see, I can pleasure you but little; yet will I striue, with endeuours and ••oun∣sell, or at least, wi••h heartie affection and loue, to procure your profit, ho∣nour, and safet•••••• I beseech you, aduer∣tise me, of what soeuer you doe, or in∣tend to doe, with expedition. Fare∣well.