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

Lucius Lucceius, son of Quintus, to Cicero. Epist. 14.

IF you bee in health, I am glad. I re∣maine as I was wont, and also some∣what worse then vsually. I haue many times enquired of you, desirous to see you; and I wondred as still I doe, how you can be so long out of Rome. I know not vndoubtedlie the cause, that de∣taines you so farre from vs. If you loue solitarinesse, for the better commodi∣tie of writing, as you were wont to do; I am glad, and reprehend not your course; knowing that there can bee no greater delight; not onely in these mi∣serable, and vnhappie; but also in pea∣ceable, and quiet times; and especiallie to your minde: which being now wea∣rie,

affects repose, after so manie agita∣tions: and being replenished with Sci∣ence, sends abroad dailie, some goodlie fruite, which pleaseth others, and aug∣ments your owne glorie. But if you haue giuen ouer your selfe in praie, as when you were heere, to sorrow and teares: I am sorrie for your griefe, and for your affliction. And if you'le giue me leaue to tell you my opinion, I can∣not but reprehend you. Alas! what meanes this? will you alone, not dis∣cerne, manifest, and apparant things, who with the pregnancie of your wit, can discouer the most hidden? will not you vnderstand, that continuall lamen∣ta••ion helpes nothing? will not you remember, that calamities are rather redoubled, which your wisdom would haue you to expell out of your minde? But if by waie of exhortation I can worke nothing with you, I request you by the loue you beare me, to free your selfe from these molestations, and re∣turne to liue with vs, and to our com∣mon studies, or else to your owne, for you studie more then others. I am distracted with two contrarie things: I would not be burdensome to you, wi••h these my admonishments: and I would perswade you to giue ouer, the resolu∣tion you haue vndertaken. I beseech you, either in the one to follow my di∣rections, or in the other not to trouble your selfe. Farewell.