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

Publius Vatinius Imp••rator, to his friend Cicero. Ep. 10.

FOr ••our Dionisius, though I haue sought much, yet hithe••to can I not finde the trace of him; and the lesse, be∣cause

the cold hath here also in such sort increased, that it hath driuen me out of Dalmati••: neuerthelesse, I will so vse the matter, that I will get him at length. I peruse••, what you wrote vnto me a∣bout C••t••lius, Out alas! what is that you d••mand of me? how happens it, that you alway••s seeke impossibilities at my h••nd? I would I could doe euery th••ng ••or you; and our f••••end, ••extus Ser••ilius; but I ••ust tell you ••••eely, that I wonder much, that you defend such men, and accept of such like causes. This Catilius is the bloudiest fellow that liues: how many Gentlemen, how many honest matrones, how many Ci∣tizens of Rome, hath he slaine, and made slaues? how many Countries hath he destroyed? This b••utish creature, a man of no esteeme, was so presumptuous, as to contend wi••h me, and I tooke him in warre: I could wish, to pardon him for your sake, but how shall I answer them, that cry out, and complaine, that he hath taken away their goods, rifled their ships, and murdered their bro∣thers, child••en, and progenitors. W••re I as brasen fac'd as Appius, in whose place I was subst••••uted, I could doe no lesse then punish him: yet I'le do what I can, to content you. Quintus V••lusius your disciple, de••ends h••m: if he can peraduenture, satisfie his aduersaries; I would, perhaps, release him. I pray,

affoord me all your helpe, wherein you see me to stand in ne••d 〈◊〉〈◊〉 doth me great wrong, in not moouing the Se∣nate, that I may be graun••ed my sute, for the ha••pie successe the gods gaue me in this warre of Dalmatia: as if I had not performed matters worthie of tri∣umph, much more of obtaining a sute: If he stay while I haue ended the whole warre, I shall be worse entreated then others, who haue serued in the warres for ••he Common-wealth. There re∣maines yet, twentie old townes of Dal∣matia, which haue vnited themselues, with aboue threescore.

AFter my sutes were commenced, I went into Dalmatia. Six townes I haue taken by force: and there is this alone remaining, which is very great, taken heretofore by me foure times: For I haue taken, foure towers, foure wals, and all the Castle. From which, the snow, raine, and cold haue driuen me: and through my euill hap, I was enforced to leaue the foresaid towne, the warre b••ing finished. Whereupon I pray you, if need be, to fauou•• me with Caesar, and to defend me in what shall be requisite; with co••stant opini∣on, that you haue not a be••ter friend then my ••••lfe. Farewell. The f••r of September, from Narona.