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

Cicero, to Seruius Sulpitius. Epist. 6.

I Wish, my deere Seruius, as you write, that you had beene at Rome, when this grieuous accident befell me. For if your letters haue somewhat ••asde my mind, so much the more doe I suppose, that with your presence you might haue assisted me, both in comforting me, and mutually mourning for the cause of my griefe. For fi••st you set me downe reasons, that are of force to stay my teares; and then your selfe also, as it were for a kinde of comfort, haue associated your griefe with mine. But yet your S••ruiu••, in all the louing offi∣ces, that at such time could be shewed,

did manifest both in what esteeme himselfe held me, and how he thought that you al••o ••ooke well at his ha••d, this his affection towards me. Whose loue did so comfort me, that I know not what greater contentment I could haue desired; for ioy I cannot tearme it. Neither do your words onely cheare me vp, and your fellow feeling, as it were, of my heart griefe; but your au∣thoritie also turnes to my especiall con∣solation. For me thinks I am ashamed, I should not tollerate my mis-fortunes, with that fortitude of minde, as you, being a man of singular wisedome thinke fit I should doe. And yet some∣times I am so ouerwhelmed with sor∣row, that I can scarcely support it; wanting those comforts, which others in the like Fortunes fail'd not of, whose example I propound vnto my selfe. For both Quintus Maximus, who lost a son, that had beene Consull, and after the same dignitie, performed many famous enterpris••s: and Lucius Paulus, who in seauen dayes, was depriu'd of two: with our Gallus, and Marcus Cato, who had ••ne died, that was replenished with prudence and valour: these liued in those times, that the honours which the Common-wealth afforded them, were to them a comfort. But no other comfort was left me, then that which death bereau'd me of. I had lost those

ornam••••••s, ••hi••h you recount, and which I with painefull endeauours had purchased: my minde was not busied, neither with my friends occasions, nor the managings of the Common-wealth: I could not plead any cause, nor could I counsell the Senate: it ap∣peared vnto mee, euen as in effect it was, that I had lost all the fruits of my labours, and fortunes. But on the other side, considering ••hat this misfortune happened not to mee alone, but exten∣ded it selfe further to you, and some o∣thers also: I arm'd my minde with pa∣tience, and so much the more readily, because I knew whither to flye, where to repose mee, and where, with sweet and pleasant discourse, to expell out of my minde, all clouds of duskie and hea••uie meditations. But now, this greeuous wound makes me feele those olde scars, which I tooke to bee healed. Hereto∣fore, though I were depriued of the Common-wealth, yet I found them at home, which ye••lded me comfort. But now, of that societie, which I so deerly loued, finding my selfe left alone, mee ••hinkes I haue lost all those delights, that should haue eased my afflictions about the Common-weal••h. And thus I haue lost all, both publique and priuate com••ort: which makes me the rather desire, that you would speedily returne: all the consolations of letters,

are nothing, in respect of those, which our conuersation and conference will afford me: and her••of I shortly looke to receiue comfort. For I heare, your returne is expected. I desire for many causes, to see you out of hand, and a∣mongst the rest, that we may, before it be too late, consult, how to passe ouer this time, wherein, the forme of our life must bee fram'd, according to the will and pleasure of one man: who, though he be replenished with wisdom and courtesie; and, so far as I can per∣ceiue, beares towards mee, rather a good minde, then otherwise; and a singular affection to you: yet herein we must be circumspect, how wee resolue, and that we stir in nothing, but quietly repose our selues, vnder the shadow of his gracious fauour. Farewell.