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

Cicero to Seruius Sulpitius. Epist. 4.

I Accept of your excuse, in hauing written vnto mee sundrie le••••ers of the same tenor, and in the selfe-same words: but I accept it only, in that you write you did so, by reason through negligence, and vntrustines of messen∣gers, letters oftentimes miscarried. Touching that part where you excuse your sel••e, by saying, that through pe∣nurie of words (for so you terme it) yo•• vse to write many letters, in one and the sel••esame forme; I cannot in any wise admit of it. And wheras you saie by waie of a iest, (for so I take it) that I possesse the treasures of the tongue, certainely I am not ignorant, that of words I am not very barren, (for why should I d••ssemble) but not∣withstanding all this, (and in this I halt as little) I easilie, or readilie giue place, to the pregnancie, and el••gancie of your writings. Touching the go∣uernment of Achaia; I euer liked of your course, in not refusing such a charge; but after the reading of your l••st letters, I farre more highly appro∣ued it. For all the reasons which you alledge are most iust, and beseem••ng both your authoritie, and prudence.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 as you are greeued, because ther•• ensued not that contentment of minde, you look't for, you supposing, that we liue not so ill here at Rome: Vn∣doubtedly you are deceiued. But be∣cause the commotion, and con••usion of things is such, and the ruine so great, which this most wicked warre hath wrought: that euery man deemes himselfe vnhappie wheresoeuer: there∣fore you repent you of your owne o∣pinion, and we at home, seeme happie men vnto you. But cleane contrarie, wee heere iudge you, not altogether to bee free from molestations; but in re∣spect of our selues, fortunate, or bles∣sed. And were it but in this, your con∣dition is farre better then ours; for you may securely write the occasions of your griefe, which wee cannot doe, without danger: not through any vice of the Conqueror, who cannot possi∣blie be more clement, but in respect of the victorie it selfe, which in ciuill wars, is alwaies insolent. In one thing wee haue exceeded you, because a little be∣fore your selfe, we saw the grace, which Caesar did to Marcellus your Colleague, and withall, in that I beheld, how the matter was carried. For I may truely affirme vnto you, that since these mise∣ries, that is, since that time that men began to striue for the Empire of Rome by armes, there hath passed nothing in

the Senate, with the dignitie of the common-wealth. For Eucius Piso making mention of Marcus Marcellus; and Caius Marc••••••us prostrating him••s••lfe at Caesars fe••te, humblie entreating him that he would bee pleased, that his Brother might returne to Rome; the Se∣na••ors rising ••p altogether at the same instant, submissely requested the like of him: Then Caesar accusing th••••u∣ster••tie of Marcus Marcellus, (••or so hee cal'd i••) and in honourable tearmes exal••••ng your worth, and wi••edome, on a su••daine b••yo••d all expectation, he said, that for all this hee would not forbeare to comfort the Senate. Be no further inquisi••iue. This seem'd vnto me ••o glorious a day, that me thought I saw a forme and Image of the Com∣monwealth raised vp againe from death; whereupon all they, who were demanded before my selfe, hauing gi∣uen thankes to Caesar, besides Vol••••tiu••; who said, if hee were in Marcellus case, hee would neuer returne to Rome; when I was sought vnto, I changed my mi••de: For I resolued, not o••t o•• sloth∣fulnesse, but for me••re griefe, of lost digni••ie, neuer to speake more in the Senate But this generous part in Cae∣sar, ••nd so ••riendly an o••fice of the Se∣nate, broke off my resolution; and in many words I gaue tha••kes ••o Cae••ar, which peraduenture may bee a c••use,

that I shall no more enioy that honest repose, that was the only mitigation of our euills. But yet, I hauing begun to speake, that I might not off••nd Caesar; who if I had beene altogether silent, might peraduenture haue thought, that I held, this Common-wealth no Cōmonwealth; I wil he••eaf••er speak so seldome, as it shall rather bee too lit••le, then too much: and this I'le doe, to satisfie in one, both his will, and mine owne studies. For although from my tender yeares I was well affected to all liberall Sciences, and especially to Phi∣losophie: yet this studie delights mee more ••uery day then other, ou•• of the maturitie of my yeares, as I suppose, which inclines to wisedome; and through the malignitie of these times, which is so violent, that no other re∣medie is aua••leable enough, to defend our minde from those molestations that enuiron it: to which studie, you write you could not attend, by rea∣son of the mult••tude of negotiations: which you may w••ll doe, allowing your selfe some time in the nigh••'s, now growing somewhat longer. Our Ser∣uius honours mee with great respect: and hee breedes my infinite content∣ment; for besides his learning, I dis∣cerne in him singular goodn••sse, con∣ioyn'd with valour. He often discours∣eth with me, of your affair••s, asking

me the question, whether you must re∣maine still in your Prouince, or depart. Hitherto my opinion is, that we dispose of our selues to Caesars will. If you were at Rome, besides your friends, you could finde nothing wherewith to bee delighted; Caesar himselfe is the best of all other considerations. But the estate of the Common-wealth, is such, that you would rather desire to heare of it, then see it. This I speake against mine owne minde; because I desire to see you in R••me for my consolation: but I speake it, because I preferre your bene∣fit before mine owne contentment. Farewell.