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

Cicero to Publius Sextius. Epist. 17.

I Wrote not heretofore vnto you, not because I was forget••ull of our ami∣tie, or to breake off my vsuall custome: but because for a time I, together with the Common-wealth, found my selfe oppressed with a grieuous ruine; and besides, your hard, and lamentable ac∣cident, so afflicted me, as it ministred occasion to me, of not writing to you. But now, supposing, that I had too long neglected this office; and the me∣morie of worth, & greatnesse of mind,

wherewith I know you to be endowed, vrging me thereunto: I thought good to breake of silence, with a firme opi∣nion, that I shall commit no ••rror. You know, Publius S••xtius, that when you were accused, being far off from Rom••, I def••nded you: and afterwards, the same perill hanging ouer your person, as did ouer Milo, I neglected no ende∣uour for your safetie: and last of all, so soone as I was returned, notwithstan∣ding your caus••, was carried o••her∣wise, then I would haue aduis'd, if I had beene present; yet I fail'd not in affor∣ding you any help, that lay in my pow∣er. In which time, not onely your ene∣mie, but some o••hers which pretended to be your friends, taking opportunitie of the dearth, sought to disgrace you with the people: and so f••rre they wrought, that ioyning thereunto, the partialitie of Iudges, and the iniquitie of many others, they were of power sufficient, to suppresse the truth, and your iust cause. Afterwards, vpon any occur••ents whatsoeuer, I n••uer was wanting to your sonne Publius, neither in endeuour, counsell, labour, or in fa∣uour, or testimonie. Where••ore hauing diligently, and religiously obserued all the offices of friendship, I would not likewise omit, to exhort, and entreat you, that you will remember, that you are a man, and a man of valour: which

is; that you will prudently support, this common, and doubtfull accident: com∣mon, because none of vs can auoid it; doubtfull, because no man knowes, whether it will be of little, or long con∣tinuance. Defend your selfe brauely from griefe, and oppose Fortune; re∣uoluing in your minde, that both in our Cittie, and in other Common-wealths, many valiant, and innocent men, haue beene vniustly sent into ba∣nishment. Let me also tell you this: and would to God, I might not speake true; That you are depriued of such a Coun∣trie, which can procure no contentmēt to a wise man. Concerning your sonne, if I should write nothing, I feare that I might seeme ingratefull towards his vertue: but if I should tell you, all that I iudge of him, I feare I shall renue in you that desire, and griefe, which you were wont to feele for the priuation of so worthie a sonne. But neuerthelesse you shall doe exceeding wisely, to thinke, that his loue, his valour, and his industrie remaine alwaies with your selfe: those things being no lesse our owne, that we embrace with our mind, then the same, that we behold with our eyes. His high valour therefore, and the inexplicable loue he beares you, ought to giue you great consolation. And you ought to receiue no smal comfort, con∣sidering that we and many others, so

much esteeme you, for the rare qualities of your minde: & that this aduerse For∣tune abates no whit, of our loue to you; or of our iudgement concerning you. Whereunto you may adde another rea∣son; that as you haue not deserued this exile; so you should not much grieue therefore. For, wise men, when they are priuie to their innocentie, are neuer disturbed for any accident, that can happen to them. I, for the memo∣rie I retaine of our auncient friendship, and for the vertue which shineth in your sonne, and for the obseruance he shewes me, will be most readie to yeeld you helpe, and comfort. If it happen that you write to me of any thing, I will so handle the matter, that you shall per∣ceiue, your writing was not friuolous. Farewell.