Centuria epistolarum Anglo-Latinarum ex tritissimis classicis authoribus, viz. Cicerone, Plinio & Textore, selectarum : quibus imitandis ludi-discipuli stylum epistolis familiarem facilius assequantur / a Carolo Hoolo ... = A century of epistles, English and Latine : selected out of the most used school-authors, viz. Tullie, Plinie and Textor ... / by Charles Hool ...

23. C. Plinius to his friend Pompeius Falco, &c.

1. YOu ask me whether I think it fitting for you to plead cau∣ses for you in your Tribuneship.

2. It is very much to the matter, what you think the Tribune∣ship to be; an empty shadow, and a title without honour, or a reverend office, and how fitting it is, as it should not be controu∣led by any, so neither by it self.

3. When I was Tribune my self, perhaps I might be mistaken, who thought my self to be any thing; but as if I had been so, I forbare pleading causes: First, because I thought it an ugly thing for him, to whom every body ought to rise up, to whom every one ought to give room, to stand, whilst all other folks sate: and for him, that might bid every one hold his peace, to be commanded silence by an hour-glasse; and for him, whom it was not lawfull to interrupt as he spake, to hear even reproachfull

words; and if he let them go unrevenged, to be taken for a cow∣ard; if he did revenge them, for a proud fellow.

4. I considered this trouble also, if one by chance had appealed to me, either he for whom I was, or he against whom I pleaded, whether I should help him, or sit still and be silent, and make my self a private person, as if I had forsworn my office.

5. Being swayed by these reasons, I chose rather to behave my self as a Tribune to every body, than a Counsellor to a f••w.

6. But hark, (I will say it again) it is very much to the mat∣ter, what you think the Tribuneship ••o be, and what person you will take upon you, which is to be so fitted to a wise man, as that it be born out to the last.