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

Cicero to Marcus Marcellus. Epist. 7.

THough I will not presume to repre∣hend the courses, which hitherto you haue taken; not because I am like∣wise of the same opinion: but in that I repute you so wise, that I will not take vpon me to prefer mine own iudgment before yours: yet for our ancient loues

sake, and for the infinite good will, you haue borne me, from your child-hood, I could not but impart that vnto you, which I iudge most profitable for your life, without any preiudice to your ho∣nour, or reputation. I remember full well, you are the man, which in your Consulship performed wonderfull mat∣ters: I likewise call to minde, that you neuer approu'd, that a ciuill war should bee made in such forme and manner, as it hath beene. Neither did you euer like of Pompeyes Armie. And you alwayes fear'd the perils, which since haue hap∣ned, as also you cannot forget, that my selfe was euen of the same opinion. And therefore, as you would be present in the war, but a small time: so I vsed all the meanes I could, to keepe from thence, because there was no fighting with counsell, authoritie, or cause, which were things wherein we excel∣led: but the buckling was by force and hand-blowes, wherein we were not e∣quall: and therefore wee were vanqui∣shed; and if not vanquish't, (for it seemes, that a iust and honest cause can neuer be ouercome) at least, wee were disturbed, & discomfited. Wherin, not only your counsel is by euery man to be commended, in that together with the hope of victory, you gaue ouer your de∣sire of fighting: giuing in this to vnder∣stand, that euery wise & good Citizen,

as he enters into a ciuill war against his will, so doth he as vnwillingly perseuere in the same, till it bee ended. I see that those, who followed not your aduise, are diuided into two sorts: For some of them, did what they could, to re∣new the war in Africa: And othersome haue cast thems••lues at the feet of the Conquerour; as also I my selfe haue done. You haue kept a ••iddle way; r••puting peraduenture of the other two waies, the ••ormer very imprudent, & the second to be scarse honour••ble. Questionlesse, most men, yea all in ge∣neral, both censure, that you did wisely: and many likewise, extoll therin your magnanimity and fortitude. But it may suffice you, that you haue made your selfe known for such a man: especially, ••eeing you want nothing else, for the ••e∣couery of your former estate; but a will in your selfe. For I vndestand, there is nothing troubles his mind, that's Lord of all, but onely the doubt he is in, ••hat you will not accept of your restitution at his hands. In which it boots not, for me to deliuer my opinion, considering, what I haue done my selfe. Notwith∣standing, if you were formerly resol∣ued, to liue in perpetuall exile, rather then to behold your Countreyes serui∣tude: yet you should consider, that wher••soeuer you are, you shall be euer vnder his power, whom you flye, who

although hee were con••ent, that you should liue abroad in any place in li∣berty, and quie••ly: yet you should doe well, to bethinke your selfe, whether were better, either to liue at Rome, and in your own house, or at Rh••des, or Mi∣tylene But his dominion, whom we so much feare, being extended so far, that there is no p••rt of the world, which it reacheth not vn••o; had you not ra••her continue in your owne house, wi••hout danger, then abroad, wi••h perill, in an∣other mans. For my part, were I to lose my life, I had rather lose it in my Countrey, then in strange and forraine parts. What I write vnto you, all that loue you thinke the same: who, ••or your famous & noble vertues, a••e very many. We also stand in doubt of your habitations, which we would not haue sackt in any wise. For, though peraduen∣ture, they can take no hurt of long con∣tinuance: (because neither Caesar, who hath in his hands the Common-wealth, nor yet the Common-wealth her selfe, would permit it.) Neuertheles, I know∣ing that in Rome there be Huck••ters, I would not haue them outragiously en∣tred, and pil••••red. And who these are, I durst set downe in writing: but that I am assured, you know them well e∣nough. Your brother, Caius Marcellus, who is vexed with continuall afflicti∣ons, with many teares in his eyes, sues

for your re••urne. And I feele no lesse greefe then he: though the offices hee vndergoes to helpe you, are not per∣mitted mee to doe. I hauing stood i•• need my selfe of another mans helpe with Caesar, with whom I can doe no more, then what the vanquished, vsually obtaine from the Conquerour: Ne∣uerthelesse, I forsake not Marcellus, ei∣ther in my councels, or endeauours: your other friends make no vse of mee. In all occurrents command me. Fare∣well.