testimonie of the affection you beare him and of his owne worth for which you reputed him worthie of your protection The King hauing heard this Embassie he began fiâ—st to thanke you in the best manner he could and then my selfe taking it for a great grace and wonderfull honor â—hat the Senate and people of Rome should haue so great a caâ—e of his saâ—etie and that I vs'd so much diligence to let him know it And so proceâ—ding in his discourse he told me to my great contentment how he â—â—ued freâ— from all feare and suspicion as well of his life as of his kingdome whereat reâ—oycing with him and expressing the contenâ—ment of minde I felt therebyâ— I exhorted him to be mindeâ—ull of the horrible accident of his fatherâ— death and carefully to looke to himsâ—lfe and by our aduise to lay foâ— his owne safetâ—e After this taking leâ—ue of me he returned to Cybistrâ— The day after hee came much disturbed and lamâ—nting to me in my Tents togeatherâ— with Ariarâ—thes hiâ— brother and with his fathers ancientest fâ—iends who lâ—mented no lesse then himselâ—e and hauing pittiâ—ully demanded ayde of mee I cast with my selfe what might be the meaning thereof And â—e at largâ— laid open vnto me the occasion inferring how certaine practises were diâ—couered intended against him Whâ—ch hithâ—rto had lyen hid in respect that they who might haue reuealed them for feare had concealed them And though they saw themâ—elues free'd of the danger yet they fâ—ared to discouer them but being secuâ—ed in my power they boldly made them knowne And amongst these was his louing and courteous broâ—her who also in my presence affirm'd how he had beene prouoked to make a way to the kingdome by his brothers death in that hee could not raigne while he liued but for feare of worie he neuer reueal'd it to him before my arriuall which procur'd such securitie that these treasons came to be discouered Vnderstanding the matter I entreated the king to be circumspect and to vse all meanes and endeauour for the preseruation of his life State And I exhorted those faithfull friends and followers who were so beloued of his father that bearing in minde the disastrous accident befallen the old King with all care and vigilancie they should intend the preseruing of this man present Herâ—upon the King requesting me to lend him a part of my horse and infanterie though I had not onely ample licence from you but also strict iniunction that so I might and should doe yet the necessities of the Commonâ—wealth enforcing me to conduct my Armie vpon the confines of Cilicia without interposing any delay for the bad newes which euery day came out of Syria and supposing the King able enough to defend himselfe without the succor of my Armie in that the trecheries were now made knowne I perswaded him that the first demonstration of himselfe to be a king was to preseruâ— his owne life then that he should be a seuere persecutor of whomsoeuer had committed any treason against his person that hee should punish the heads of the conspiracie and beare himselfe chearefully to others for the rooting of all suspition out of their mindes And that he would rather make vse of mine Armie to daunt the courage of the delinquenâ—s then any wayes to contest with thâ—m Heereunto adding that your decree would be of so great force that no man dâ—â—st innouâ—te any thing they conceiuing that I had expresse commissioâ— from you to ayde him and to curâ—e their insolency that plotted against him And after I had with liuely reasons perswaded him to bee of good courage I rais'd my Campe from the foresaid place directing my march towards Cilicia And so I departed out of Cappâ—doâ—ia hauing miraculously preserued both the life and state of Ariobarzanes Whom you had prudently recommended vnto mee granting him first out of your owne â—ree-will the titâ—e of a King by decree's full of affection Wherein you shewed the great care you tooke of his sâ—fetie whereof I thought good to giue you notice that you might vndeâ—stand how you by your circumspection preuented a great euill which ere long would haue produced wicked effects And I write the more willingly to you heâ—reof because me thinkes I discern'd in king Ariobarzanes so many and such like signes of wit fidelitiâ— and loue as it may be conceiu'd that not without speciall reason you tooke so principall a care of his well doing Fare you well Cicero to Marcus Cato Epist. 3. THE third of September the Embassadors of king Antiochus Commagenus came vnto mee there where I had pitched vnder Iconium bringing newes how the sonne of the Parthian king kinsman to the king of the Armenians with an innumerable companie of Paribians and a great number also of other nations was come to the banks of Euphrates had already begun to transport his Souldiers Hâ—reunto annexing how it was reported that the king of Armenia would make some incursion into Cappadocia whereof I was desirous to adueâ—tise you for our friendships sake not being willing to write publikely thereof for two reasons one because the Ambassadors informed me that the foresaid king Commagenus presently dispatched messengers to the Senate with letters wherein he certified them of all th' other because I made reckoning that Marcus Bibulus vice-Consull being departed from Ephesus euer since the midd'st of August and hauing had faire windes was now come into his Prouince and so consequently with greater certaintie might write vnto the Senate of the euents of Syria And because I see all other meanes excluded of defending these Countries I labor to purchase the loue good will of the people and to keepe our Colleagaâ—es in fidelitie And nothing else occurring worthie of inâ—ormation I beseech you to loue and fauour me as you were wonâ— to doe Farewell Cicero to Marcus Cato Epist. 4. BEing resolued to make a sute vnto the Senate which questionlesse in it selfe is iust and honest neuerâ—helesse I thought fit therein to vse your authoritie as an instrument knowing what fauour and assiâ—tance the rare quâ—lities of your minde may affoord me which haue brought you into such reputation with euery man that your meanes in obtaining any great matter of moment are exceeding powerfull And to this effect I was dâ—sirous in this present letter fully to aduertise you of the course I tooke to retaine the amiâ—ie of our associat's and of the Iustice and Chaâ—itie which I shewed to their Subâ—ectes hoping that by this way I should more easilie encline you to fauour me The last of Iuly I was in my Prouince and perceiuing how it was a season to repaire to the Armie without any delaie I stayed onely in Laodâ—cea three daies in Apameae foure three in Sinadis and as many more in Philomelum and leauing in all these townes multitudes of souldiers I disburdened manie other Citties who were surcharged with intollerable tributes and heauie vsuries and clear'd them of infinite debts vnsufferable growing by
Caesar would rather â—ish to meete with friends like me then like themselues For my part if things fall out conformable to my desire I meane to passe so much of my life as remaines quietly at Rhodes but if it so happen that any accident disturbe me I will remaine in Rome and remaine there alwaies wishing that they may doe well I giue great thankes to our Trebatius because he plainely declared vnto me how your minde stood towards me which I discerne to be full of sinceritie and affection and because he was the occasion that I hauing euer willingly loued you should now also be further tyed both to honour and respect you Farewell Cicero to Marcus Oppius Epist. 29. I being as our Atâ—icus knowes very doubtâ—ull about this iourney In that my minde on eiâ—her side suggested many râ—asons your iudgement and counâ—â—ll greatly induced mee to deliberate and make my resolution For you both plainely wrote vnto mee what your opinion therein was and Aâ—ticus related that vnto mee which you had spoken vnto him thâ—reof I euer tooke you to bee wise in deliberating and very faithfull in aduising and I haue had good expâ—rience thereof when in the beginning of the ciuill warre I requiring you by letters that you would aduise mee what I should doe either in going to Pompeius or remaining in Italie you perswaded mee to doe that that stood best with mine honour By which I perceiued what your opinion was therein and I admired that you were of so great fideliâ—ie and in aduiâ—ing mee â—o honâ—st a man â—or you thinking that the contrarie was desired by him that was your best friend you had greater râ—spect to my office then his will or pleasure Certainely before this fell out I loued you and euer knew that my selfe was by you beloued And when I was absent and stood in great danger I remember that in my absence yoâ— defended mee with great care vsing the like humanitie to all mine that were in Rome and after my returne how domesticallie you liued with mee and what opinion I retained of you and what things I diuulged all those that usuallie looke into such actions can truelie testifie But how faithfull in louing you and how constant you reputed mee you then euidently shewed when after Caesars death you betooke you whollie vnto mine acquaintance Which opinion of yours iâ— I by my dearest loue and best offices doe not acknowledge I shall not repute my selfe a man Perseuer you my Oppius in louing me although doubtlesse I write this vnto you not that I thinke you stand in neede of any such remembrance but because it is vsuall to write thus and take all my affaires into your protection Whereof that you may be fully informed I haue giuen commission to Atticus And when I shall be at better leisure I will write vnto you more at large Be carefull of your health For you cannot doe me a greater pleasure THE TWELFTH BOOKE OF THE FAMILIAR EPISTLES OF M. T. CICERO Cicero to Caius Cassius Epist. 1. BE assured Cassius that I neuer cease to think vpon you and our Brutus that is of the whole CoÌ„monwealth which hath reposed all her hope in you and Decimus Brutus And certainly from this time forward I begin to conceiue better hopes seeing may Dolabella hath performed such materiall seruice to the Common-wealth For that euill which sprung vp in the Citie continually dispersed it sâ—lfe and euerie day so encreased that for my part I held both the Citie and the peace of Citizens vtterly lost But it is so stop't that as for that reprochfull danger I suppose wee may liue for euer secure Other thâ—ngs that yet remaine to bee acted are important and many but you must be the man that must effect them al Though we are intentiue to dispatch those which are of greatest moment For touching that which hath hitherto beene done wee haue freed our selues of the King but not of the Kingdom For though the King be slaine yet we put all that in execution which the King appointed to be performed And not onely this but some things also which hee himselfe if hee had liued would not haue acted wee approue because hee designed them And of this I know not when wee shall see an end New Lawes are propounded exemptions are granted great taxes imposed banished men are restored and false decrees of the Senate are produced so as it seemes that the hatred onely of that wicked man and the greefe of seruitude is remoued but the Common-wealth is still tormentâ—d with those troubles whereinto hee brought her Of all these things you must make an end of necessitie and not suppose that the Common-wealth hath had alreadie from you what was sufficient Shee hath indeed so much as I would neuer haue hoped for but shee is not content with this and the greatnesse of your benefit and courage considered shee expects and desires froÌ„ you greater matters Hitherto with the death of the Tyrant and by your meanes she is reuenged of her iniuries but which of her ornaments hath shee recouered Take you peraduenture these for ornamenâ—s that shee obeyes him dead whom liuing shee could â—ot support or that wee defend his writings whose Lawes we ought to abrogate you 'l tell me we so determined It is true But wee did it to giue way vnto the times which in a Common-wealth are of great â—orâ—â— But some bearing themselues indiscreetly and vngratfully assume too much securitie vpon our courtesie Of which and manie other things wee will shortly discouâ—se at our meeting In the meane while perswade your selfe that I both in respect of the Common-wealth which was euer most dâ—aâ—e vnâ—o me as also for the loue we beare one another haue an especiall care of your dignity Looke vnto your heath Farewell Cicero to Caius Cassius Epist. 2. I Am verie glad that my sentence and Oration giues you content The which if I could often vse it would be no great labour to vs to re-establish the Common-wealâ—h in lâ—bertie But this foolish and debauched companion and a wickedâ—â— wretch then hee was of whom you weâ—e wonâ— to say that there was slâ—ine an impious man seâ—kes all meanes to procure a murder and hee doth for no other end charge me thâ—t I ploâ—ted Caesars death but because the old souldiers might rise vp against mee Which danger no wayes daunts me so that I may also purchase praise for that which you most gloriously haue â—ffected Aâ—d thus neither Piso who was â—he first that spake against him without anie man to second him nor I who a â—onth after did the like nor Publius Serâ—â—lius who spake after me can securâ—ly goe into the Senate For that bâ—oudie fellow vseth all meanâ—s to pâ—ocuâ—e some slaughter and the xx of Seâ—tember he thought to begin with mee And I can tell you he camâ— prouided iâ—to the Senate hauing for manie dâ—ies in Metellus villâ—ge wâ—ll consideâ—ed that which hee meant to vtter against me But what sound
of your health Fâ—rewell The xâ—j of August THE FIFTEENTH BOOKE OF THE FAMILIAR EPISTLES OF M. T. CICERO Cicero vice-Consull to the Consulls Praetors Tribunes of the people Senate and people of Rome Epist. 1. IF you bee well c. But that I thought Marcus Bibulus vice-Consull could haue giuen you certâ—ine information of the euents succeeded in his Prouince I would not haue omitted so soone as the newes was brought me speedily to aduertise you that the Parthians with almost their whole forces had passed ouer Euphrates Though this were reported to me for a certaine truth yâ—t I thought it not my office to write vnto you of the particulâ—rs of another mans Prouince But perceiuing the same newes euery day more verified and that it was a matter of that consequence and because we did not heare that Bibulus was come into Syria and besides all this in that the managing of this warre appâ—rtâ—ined as it were vnto vs both I iudge it requisite to giue you aduertisment theâ—â—of The Ambassadors of King Antiochus Commagenus were the first that certefied meâ— of a great Armie of Parthians passing ouer Euphrates Hauing heard this some being of opinion that credit should not bee so suddainely giuen to the foresaid King I thought it expedient to attend a while till tydings might arriue of greater certaintie The xix of September conducting mine Armie into Cilicia betweene the confines of Lycaonia and Cappadocia letters were deliuered me from King Tarcondimâ—tus who hath report to be as faithâ—ull an associate of the people of Rome or more trustie then any beyond Mount Taurus Wherin he gaue me to vnderstand how Pacorus sonne to Orodes King of the Parthians was passed Euphrates with a mightie Cauallerie and encampâ—ed himselfe vnder Tyâ—a And thâ—t great tumults were raised through all Syria The selfeâ—same day I recâ—iued letters to the same effect from Iamblicus th' Arabians Phylaâ—â— Who is thought to be well affected and a friend to our Common-wealth These newes being heard though I had little securitie of the doubtfull valour of our associats who would take no notice thereof expecting â—ome present innouation yet I hoped that they were become somewhat more friendly to the people of Rome amongst whom I had alreadie beene and who by â—ryall had found our integritie and clemencie and that Cilicia might the better be confirmed in loyaltie if it had but some proofe of our equitie And to this effect and for the suppressing of those Ciliâ—ians who were in armes and to make the enemie who was in Syria to conceiue that the Romanâ— Armie did not only not drawe backe as daunted by these rumors but aâ—so aduancâ—d as resolu'd to vanquish I began to march with the Armie towards Mount Taurus It is not requisite to relate vnto you in what state these Prouinces are in that you had other meanes to vnderstand it But if my authoritie bee of any esteeme with you in those things especially which you haue heard and whereof I am an eye witnesse I would aduise you to send succours hither which though they shall come later then was conuenient yet is it good to sâ—nd them You know that I came to the gouernment of this Prouince with little strength though so dangerous a warre was feared as now is expected And though I knew my selfe weakely prouided to defend it yet for mine honors sake I would not refuse such a charge preferring your authoritie before any disaster that might befall meeâ— And now seeing that to succeed which was feared I informe you that if you send not in defence of thâ—se countries as great an Armie as you vse to send to those places that are pestered with warres of grâ—atâ—st consideration You are in danger to loose â—heâ—e Prouinces which you well know to be of waightie consequence to the Râ—mane people Neither must you put any confidence in the souldiers that are heere for they are but few and these few cannot looke the enâ—mie in the face And they haue gâ—uen so bad a triall of themselues that Marcus Bibulus being in Asia in great want of men as a very prudent man would not entâ—rtaine them although hee had your lycence to that effect We can hope for little from our fâ—iends for hauing beene pillaged and oppressed by our gouernours they are either so weake that they can afford vs no ayde or beare vs such an hatred as it would bee meere â—olly to â—â—ust to them in any enterprise King Dâ—iotaâ—us is with all his forces at our command Cappadocia is emptie The other Kings and Princes cannot doe much neither are they willâ—ng I will not be discouraged though I want souldiers And I hope I shall not want direction Th' euent is vncertaine God grant we may come off with safetie for I make no doubt of honour Farewell Cicero vice-Consull to the Consuls Praetors Tribunes of the people Senate and people of Rome Epist. 2. I Could not arriue in my Prouince beâ—ore the last of August through the difficultie of my iouâ—ney as wâ—ll by sea as by land But being come thither I began pâ—eâ—ently to view the Armâ—e and to furnish it with what was necessarie And though I had but weake meanes yet hâ—uing respect to that which you enioyned mee I wrought so that by mine industrie and diligence I prouided it of all things necessarie This being done newes and letters comming euery houre how the Parthians were come downe into Syria with all their forces I resolu'd to march by Lycaonia by th' Isaurâ— and through Cappadocia fearing much least the Parthians might get out of Syria and fall into my Prouince Whereunto they had an open way marching by Capadocia which is an open passage And doing as I determined I took my way through that part of Cappadâ—cia that confineth vâ— on Cilicia And comming with my Armie to a certaine towne called Cybistra lying on the side of Mount Taurus there â— encamped to the end that Artuasdes king of the Armeâ—â—ans might know howsoâ—uer hee were affected that the Romane Armie was vpon his confines And besides this to haue the supportation of King Dâ—iâ—tarus a loyall friend to our Common-wealth Who by his counsell and force might greatly assiâ—t vs. Here therefore pitching our Tâ—nts for the speedy receiuing of aduertisements out of Syria and sending my Cauallâ—rie into Cilicia that the Citties there perceiuing my ariuall might the rather persâ—uer in their fidelitie I staid there for the space of three daies Which I spent in a very important and necessarie office Which wasâ— that I offâ—r'd my selfe to king Ariobarzanes a very iust King and friend to the Romanes promising him â—ll ayde and succor for the defence of himselfe and of his kingdome and causing him to vnderstand how affectionately you had recommended him vnto me and with how great honor to himselfe you seemed to hold him in high esteeme in that the Romane Senate neuer vs'd so louing an action to any king as they had done to him giuing him no slender
taxations which were impos'd vpon them beyond all reason And because the Armie was disseuer'd through a certaine disorder growing before my arriual vpon which cause fiue Cohorts of it were withdrawen vnder Philomelum without either Legate or Tâ—ibune and finally without so much as a Centurion the remainder of the Armie lying in Lycaonia I gaue Commission to Marcus Anneius thâ— Legate to reconduct the sayd cohorts thither where the others were and so knitting together the whole Armie that he â—hould encampe himselâ—e there in Lycaonia vnder Iconium After he hauing performed all things according to mine order giuen him I came to the Campe the xxvi of August hauing first drawen together a good number of the best forraine souldiers I could take vp both foot and horse besides those which were voluntarily offered me by the free Nations those Kings who are in league with vs. In the meane while hauing mustred my men I directed my mâ—rch towardes Cilicia And the first of September being on my way Embassadors ouertooke mâ— from king Commagenus which being all astonished fraught with feare related to me for a certaine truth how the Parthians were passed into Syria whereat my mind was wonderfully troubled in respect of Syria and mine owne Prouince and briâ—fly in respect of all Asia Wherefore I resolu'd too to hold on my way by that part of Cappadâ—cia which confineth with Cilicia perceiuing that if I should fall into Cilicia I might easily deâ—end it through the naturall siâ—uation of Mount Amanus for there are but onely two entries out of Syria into Cilicia and both of them are narrow that with a very few men the enemies passage may be stopped and on the part of Syria Cilicia could not be better fortified but Cappadocia I feared because it lay open to Syria and is expos'd to the danger that might accrew from bordering kings Who though they be our frends yet dare they not manifest themselues enemies to the Parthians Therefore in the furthest part of Cappadâ—cia not farre â—rom Mount Taurus vnder the towne of Cybistra I encamped both to defend Cilicia and to supplant the new disseignes oâ— bordâ—ring Nations holding Cappadocia And in the meane time â—umors on all sides being spâ—ead and a great warre expected king â—â—â—â—tarus a wise and vâ—lianâ— man of â—hom bâ—â—h you I together with the whole Sâ—â—atâ— had euer a singular good conceipt haâ—ing found him vpon all occasions faithfull aâ—d wâ—ll affâ—cted to the people of Râ—me sent Ambassadors to me infoâ—ming me that he would come with all hâ—s Forces into my Campe. Wherâ—pon I being mou'd through so louing and courâ—eous a demonstration gaue him thankes by letters exhorting him to hasten his comming as much as was possibleâ— and hauing stayed at Cybistra fiue dayes to furnish my selfe of things necessarie for the warre I deliuer'd king Arioâ—aâ—zâ—nes from an imminent perill which beâ—ore he had not perceiued And being â—ecommended to me at your requâ—st by the Senate I did not onely procure his safetie but so effected that he might cause himselfe to be both obey'd and feared Bâ—sides this I prâ—uailed so far with the same King that he shew'd fauour to Metra and that Athenâ—us whom you so seriously recommended to me Who through the malice of Athenaides had beene banished so that he now maintaines them about him in greâ—t and honouâ—able fashion And perceiuing what warre might eâ—sue betweene king Ariobarzanâ—s and the Priest if the Priest with Armes meant to defend himselfe as the common opinion was he would doe being a poweâ—â—ull young man and furnished with horse foot and which imported most with money being fauoured by thâ—m that affected innouation I caus'd â—im to depart out of the kingdome and so accommodaâ—ed â—he Kings affaiâ—es as without tumult or Armes he might bearâ— himâ—elfe as a King and liue without any â—ealousie keeping a roiall guard within his Pallace In the meane â—pace by letters receiu'd from diuers and by messengers arriued I vnderstood how a great Armie of the Parthians and Arabians made approach to Antiochia and that a great troope of their horse who were gotten into Cilicia were discomfited and hewen in pieces by my Cauallerie and Praetorian Infantâ—rie who weâ—e of the gâ—arison of Epiphanea Whereupon seeing that the Parthia Nation giuing ouer the enterprise of Capâ—adocia drew neare to Cilicia with great dayes iourneyes I conductâ—d the Armie towardes Mount Amanus whither being come I had aduertisement how thâ— enemy was risâ—n from before Anâ—iochiâ— Bibulus was 〈◊〉 thereinto And hearing that Dâ—â—â—tarus waâ— hasting towâ—rds me with a strong Cauâ—llerie and Infantâ—rie and mulâ—itude of Forces I sent him word that I now saw no neâ—d why he shoulâ— remooue himselfe so farre fâ—om his â—ingdome but vpon any occurrâ—nt I wouâ—d suddainly giue him notice Afâ—â—r these euents retaining a firme resolution to pacifie the people of Mount Amanus and to expell them that euer wâ—re enemies though I came with an intâ—ntion to â—uccour both the one and other Prouince if the time permitted neuerthelesse I iudging that this would redound to the benefit of both those Prouinces I thought it most expedient to bring my determination â—o effect And thereâ—ore making a shew of departing from the sayd Mountaine and remouing about a dayes iourney off and pitching my tents vnder Epiphanâ—a the xij oâ— October about the shutting in of the â—uening I with the most actiue of my souldiers aduanced and so marching all night at breake of day we ascâ—nded the mountaine and dâ—â—â—ding the Armie part remâ—ined vnder mine and my brothers command part I committed to Caius Pâ—ntinius and the rest I left to Luâ—iâ—â— Anâ—cius and Lucius Tullius who are all the Legates I haue and so marching on in thiâ—â—quipage we assâ—iâ—â—d the enemies on a suddaine of whom some were slâ—ine some â—aken hauing no time left them for flight Pâ—ntinius beleaguer'd Erana Which being the Metropolitane of Amanuâ—â— may rather be tearmed a cittie then a Burrough and moreouer Sepyra and Commoris Which townâ—s were verie strong deâ—ending themselues resolutely But yet they were so oppressed that in the end with greatâ— slaughter of the enemies they were taken And this assault beginning before day light continued till two houres within the night Besides â—his we tooke six small towns and burnt diuers others After these eâ—fects ensued we pitched at the foote of Amanus call'd by the name of Alâ—xanders Altars in which place staying some foure dayes we spent the time in extinguishing our enemies and in â—orraging and wasting that part of Amâ—nus which lies against my Prouince These things being perform'd I conducted mine Armie within sight of Pindenissus a Burrough of priuiledged Cilicians Which is seated vpon a verie high mountaine a place inexâ—ugnable and inhabiâ—ed by men who alwayes scorn'd â—o be gouern'd by their owne Kings much lesse by others And percâ—iuing that they gaue receptacle to all that flâ—d making opâ—n defence through hope they had that â—he Parâ—hianâ— would arriue to their succour me
thought the honour of the Romane soueraigntie spurred me forward to suppresse their insolencie that others thereat might be astonished who stood ouâ— stiffe against our dominion I therefore impaled and intrenched them and I beleaguer'd them with six Bulwares and encamped about them with as great an extent as I was able And I oppugn'd it with Countermures shelters and tourrets And so battering it with diuers engins and assailing it with Crosse-bow shot with great labour and without any disturbance or charge to our Associates I tooke it within the space of lesse then two moneths For they within perceiuing the Cittie burnt and ruined on euery side out of necessitie yeelded themselues A little beyond are the Tibarani as wicked and audacious as the former Who hearing of the taking in of Pindenissus sent me hostages And then I dismissed the Armie winter being now come on to their seuerall quarters And gaue charge to Quintus my brother that he should disperse the Armie in the taken and suspected Burroughs Now be asâ—ured I shall repute it for a great honour if when these my actions are related to the Senate you will but approue that a thankefull demonstration may be made thereof And â—hough I know it to be the custome oâ— maâ—ure and qualified men to employ one another in such like cases and to adde their â—arnest entreaties neuerthelesse I thinke it may suffice me onely to haue giuen you information thereof Calling to mind how many times you haue with your sentences fauoured me in how many places exalted and honoured and vpon how many occasions benefitted me your words I euer estâ—emed of such power that when soeuer you commended me I was sure to compasse all my pretences And finally I remember when not minding to grant the celebration of a publicke feast vnto a famous man and endued with singular integritie you said you would grant it him if it were demanded for maâ—ters effected by him as Consull in the Cittie And the same honor you yeelded to me in my gowne not by vertue of Armes as it was graunted to many but as neuer any had it for my Countries preseruation I forbeare to alledge how for my sake you car'd not to excite against your selfe many enemies to expose your selfe to many perils and to resist the violence of my Fortunes Which you were ready to oppose euen â—o the end if I had beene so pleased And last of all that you reputed mine your enemie whose death you also approued defending Milo's cause in the open Senate So that I might easily percâ—iue how worthily you esteâ—med oâ— me On my pâ—rt I wil not now produce the good â—ffices I euer perform'd for you but onely â—n affectionate enclination towards you Through which I was enforced not alone to reuerence you in heart and imitate your example and your vertues For there 's none that doth not so much but in all my actions in alâ— my writings as well Greeke as Latine and breâ—fly in all those Sciences wherein I exercised my selfe I could not but prefer you before all men aswell those whom wee know by sight as those whom fame hath giuen vs notice of You will peraduenture demand of mee what the reason is I make so great an accompt of receiuing this fauour from the Senate To which I will freely answer because I thinke I can ought so to do aswell by reason of our studies as for our inward friendship and also for the domesticall familiaritie that hath â—eene betwixt our fathers If euer there were a man that by nature ney â—f mine owne affection deceiue me not that out of iudgement and learning neuer relished the vaine praises that are giuen by the vulgâ—r I certainely am that man And thereof my Consulship can giue testimonie wherein as in all my life past I confesse I hâ—ue practised those courses from whence a true glorie might ariâ—e vnto me Buâ— yet I was euer of this opinion that glorie should should not be affected And that this is true refused I not the Prouince assigned to me by the Senate Which being munified and secure yeelded mee mee vndoubted hopeâ— of a Triumph And when I might with little labour haue obtain'd the Augurall dignitie as you cannot but conceiue did I not contemne it but after I râ—ceiu'd that iniurie which notwithstanding turn'd to my great renowne although you euer termed it the ruine of the Common-wealth I applied all my endeuor that the Senate and people of Rome might fauour me with all titles of honour for a signe as it were of mine innocencie Whereupon afterwards I tooke vpon mee the Augureship which at first I car'd not for and the same honour which the Senate is accustomed to grant those men that by armes haue augmented the State of the Common-wealth heretofore by mee contemned I now seeke that with iust title it may bee also relucent in mee And to the end my minde may bee herein satisfied and in this may bâ—e perceiu'd a little sparke of desire to cure the wound of my receiâ—ed iniury Though before I told you I would not entreat you to lend mee your ayd and helpe now with my whole heaâ—t I request your furtherance But not vnlesse my actions at this present be such as doe not onely not seeme friuolous but of that moment that manie haue for matters of lesse consequence been with greatest honours by the Senate dignified And surely if I haue truely obserued your renowned vertues as in effect I haue for you know with what vigilant attention I vse euen to collect your words I conceiue amongst the rest how you were wont not onely to looke into the actions of Captaines valiantly atchiued but also into their customes life and institutions and coâ—sequently to honour them according as thâ—se qualities were in them more or lesse resplendant Which if you please to consider in my actions you shall discerne that to preuent the rebelling of those people who perceiuing so great a war readie to ruine them would presently haue reuolted I betooke my selfe to the safeguard of equitie and moderation And by these stratagems I haue compassed such designes as by no Armie were euer atchiued hauing drawne these Associates â—o our amitie who were our capitall enemies and re-vnited â—hose subiects with our dominion who perceiuing things in a commotion were alienâ—ted expecting to what part Fortune would bee enclined I know not what conceit hath transported mee further then was requisite especially with you to whose eares the complaints of al those people come which are our Associates Of the aboue-mentioned succesâ—es they will plentifully enforme you who thinke themselues re-established by mine ordinance And omitting to alledge that there is not anie one man who will not concur with mee in making a faithful relation of my euents They of the Isle of Cyprus and the Kingdome of Cappadocia shall bee the men who shall speake vnto you in my commendation The like will bee done as I suppose by your especiall friend King
Deiotarus These put all together cannot peraduenture speake so far that they can with words adde anie thing to the effects But because in all ages there was a lesser number of those that could subdue their owne appetites then of those that knew how to vanquish an enemie certainely you ought to repute my operations the greater and more iust comparing with the excellencie of armes these parts which are more rare and found with greater difficultie I will not proceed to more â—fficacious entreaties But as it were distrusting to be heard I will cal Philosophie to mine ayde which is the dearest thing that I esteeme in the world and the most worthie giâ—t that euer the Gods bestowed vpon humane generation This communion therefore of studies wherby both of vs hauing from our childhood applied all our thoughts and endeuors thereunto we haue almost alone brought that ancient true Philosophie which some hold to taste of sloth idlenesse into the Foruâ— and Common-wealth almost into the armie shal preâ—ch my deserts vnto you which I suppose Cato cannot but vnlawfully denie Wherefore assure your selfe that if it so happen that the Senate through your perswasion grant me this honour I shall repute I haue aâ—tained to my intention by the means I most desired that is by the loue you beare mee and your owne authoritie Farewell Marcus Cato to Cicero Imperator Epist. 5. HAuing vnderstood of the vigilant care you haue taken of the people committed to your charge and the Iustice you haue executed in your gouernment your zeale in procuring their happines I haue found such contentment therein as our friendship and the loue I beare vnto my Countrey requireth Which notwithstanding to me is no new thing nor to anie that haue knowne the diuine forme by you obserued in the Regiments of Rome wherefore not thinking it fit that your praises should bee concealed hauing with innocencie and good counsels defended the Prouince preseru'd the Kingdome of Ariobarzanes with the King himselfe recalled to the obedience of our Empire the Confederates I spake openly in the Senate in testimonie of your vertues which had produced so happie effects The Senate vndâ—rstanding your desire according to the ancient order did delâ—berate that all the Temples of the Citie should bee visited And if for that which you haue effected not by anie fauour of prosperous Fortune but by meanes of your owne moderation and prudence you had rather the people of Rome should giue thankes to the immortall Gods then acknowledge it from your selfe I in like manner reioyce thereat But if you affect this honour esteeming it an earnest of your Triumph And would for this haue vs more bouud to Fortune then to your selfe Know that Triumph doth not alwaies second such honor In my opinion 't is farre greater glorie when the Senate iudges that the Prouince was maintain'd and preseru'd rather by the clemencie and sinceritie of the Captaine then either by the force of Souldiers or the Gods benignitie And about this point I haue been longer then vsuall to make you conceiue the great desire I haue to settle you in this opinion that I haue both procur'd that for you which in my iudgement did accrue most vnto your greatnesse and that I reioyce that you haue obtained what you most desired Farewell Loue vs and as you haue begun prosecute the affaires of the Common-wealth and our Associates with diligence and seueritie Cicero to Marcus Cato Ep. 6. NAEVIUS as I remember by the mouth of Hector saith I finde O Father inestimable contentment in hearing my selfe commended by you a commendable person The like may I say who thinke I haue gained wonderfull glory because you congratulate with mâ—e for my obtained honour and much more in that with the testimonie of your opinion you haue praised my actions For that Fame which springs from the iudgement of some graue man and one of authoritie augmenteâ—h a mans râ—nowne and reputation and euâ—ry man presumes that it proceeeds from truest vertue But what in this I take for a singular fauour and yeelds mee high contentment is that I conceiue how in respect of our friendship you haue been most liberall to me of that which you would willingly haue afforded any for the tâ—uths sake And if our Citie in which it is a miracle to finde one Cato had not onely that one but did abound in many Cato's there is no Pompe nor Triumph so magnificent which I would not esteeme as nothing in comparison of the praises which you haue deliuered of me For according to my opinion and in their iudgement who with discreeâ— and sound vnderstanding respect the end of true glory nothing in the world could haue addâ—d vnto my good name so much as by your speeches hath beene added In which as I haue beene aduertised from home you exalted me to heauen I will not contend in alledging the reasons that made me not ambitious but desirous to purchase vnto my selfe that genâ—rall grace which is so much esteemed hauing written thereof at large in my last letters And though you infer â—hat a mâ—n sâ—ould not bend to such like respects this no waies distasâ—s me for â—'is true that honors should not be so openly hunted afâ—er but when they are oâ—fâ—red by the Seâ—â—te they ought not to be reâ—used And because it pleaseth me to suppose that the Senate in recompence of my labours sustained in the seruice of the commonwealth reputes me not vnworthy of an ordinary fauour In such a case I desire no other from you but after you haue granted me what your owne iudgement implyes that you will also reioyce if I happen to attaine to my desire as you reioyced at the honor which not long since was conferred on me Whereof I know you tooke that contentment which was requisite in that you were present at the recording of the decree thereupon passed considering that such delâ—berations are vsually registred by the dearest Fâ—iends of that part whom the Act concerneth I hope we shall shortly see one another againe and God grant in a better State then I can expect of the Commonwealth Farewell Cicero Vice-consull to Marcus Marcellus Consull Ep. 7. I Am wonderfull glad that you obtained the end of your reaâ—onable desire For your piety towards your friendâ— and loue towards your country deserued the reputation which your singâ—lar and excellent vertues in your Consulship haue procured you wherein you haue set vp a ladder as it were for Caius Marcellus to mount vnto the same degre of dignitie I am assured there is none in Rome that will not shew himselfe therewith as contented as we doe Who being sent by you to the vttermost bounds of our Empire doe highly exalt you with iust and true praises For though I haue specially loued you from your childe-hood and you haue not onely satisfied mee at all times and vpon anie occasion but also reputed me worthie of all honour Neuerthelesse obseruing the kinde part that you