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

Cicero to Quintus Metellus Nepos Consul. Epist. 4.

THE letters of Quintus my brother, & of Titus P••mponius, my inward friend, so rais'd my hopes, as I expected aide, no lesse from you, then from your Colleague: Whereupon I wrote vnto you, conformable to the state wherein I stood, giuing you thankes for what you had he••etofore done, and request∣ing you, heereafter neuer to faile mee. After this, my friends not onely wrote vnto me, but many that came hither, reported it by word of mouth, that your affection towards me was alter'd which was the cause, I would presume

no mo••e to write, because I would not bee irkesome, nor troublesome vnto you. Now, my brother Quintus ad∣uertising mee, how exceeding kindelie you spake of mee in the Senate, I thought it but my dutie, and most re∣quisite, to thanke you againe for the loue, which still you manifest vnto me. But if I shall not wrong your curtesie, I would intreate you, that you would pre∣serue your friends, and me also, rather then by their arrogancie, and crueltie, to oppose mee: you haue ouercome your selfe, in pardoning the Common∣wealth your priuate enmities, and will you foster other mens [rancors] a∣gainst her? I giue you my faithfull pro∣mise, that if out of your clemencie you lend me your aide, in all occasions I will rest at your command: but if you permit the Senate, people, and Magi∣stra••es to be crosse, in reuoking me out of this vnworthie banishment, wherein I was driuen, by wicked violence, not onelie to my owne, but to the ruine of the Commonwealth: remember, that you may heereafter desire to suc••our vs both at such a time, when no means is left, eithe•• for her escape, or my safe∣tie. Farewell.