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

Cicero to Lucius Lucceius, sonne to Quintus. Epist. 15.

THE absolute loue you beare mee, appeares in euerie part of the let∣ters which I last receiued from you. Of which loue though I was most assured before now; yet this demonstration was beyond measure acceptable to me; I would saie pleasing, but that I thinke I haue lost this word for euer: and not for the occasion you imagine, and in which, vsing most sweet and friendlie words, in effect, you grieuouslie repre∣hend me; but because for that deepe wound I cannot finde that cure, which may heale it. Alas! I praie tell mee? can I runne vnto my Friends? Where are they? you know of whom I speake; for wee haue found them common to vs both. Others, you know are dead; and others obdurate in their wil, neuer to come to Rome, liue in a remote coun∣trie. I could willingly liue with you, and exceedinglie desire it: and, 'tis long since we knew, and lou'd one a∣nother. Our familiaritie is great: our studies alike: what band, or obligation is wanting to vnite vs? may wee then liue together? for my part, I know no impediment; but hitherto, wee haue not so done, though we be neighbours

about Tusculanum, and Puteoli: what should I say in Rome? Where the Forum being common, neighbourhood li••tle importeth. But our age, I know not through what wicked accident, is light vpon times of such disposition, that when we should taste of all content∣ment, wee are asham'd euen to liue. For what refuge had I left, being stript of all publike, and priuate good, together with all comfort? onely books: where∣in, because I can doe nothing else, I ex∣ercise my sel••e continuallie: but 'tis a great matter, that they also denie mee their help, and me thinkes they exclude, me out of the Port of repose, and they reprehend me bitterlie•• because I still remaine in this life. Which is no other then these present miseries, greater then euer were any. And do you won∣der then, that I liue remote from that Cittie, where I finde no contentment from mine owne house? and where it is necess••rie to beare a great hatred to the times, to men, to publike places; of meeting, and to the Senate? Where∣vpon I entertaine my selfe with r••a∣ding, and spend therein all my time; not to finde any medicine, that might absolutely cure me; but to beguile onely that griefe, which lies heauie vp∣on me. And if we had had this aduer∣tisment, as we had it not•• thorough the continuall feares, that held vs in su∣spence:

We had been alwaies together; neither should your vnhealthfulnesse grieue me, nor should my heart sorrow offend you. And therfore let's vse all the meanes wee can, to liue together; seeing we cānot deuise any course, that will sort better with vs. Within these few daies therefore, I will see you. Farewell.