LETTERS OF MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO ΤΟ SEVERAL OF HIS FRIENDS. BOOK VI. LETTER I. [A. U. 703.] TO APPIUS PULCHER. WHEN I first received an account of the illjudged prosecution which has been commenced against you', it gave me great concern: and, indeed, nothing could possibly have happened that I less expected. But as soon as I had recovered from my surprise, I was well satisfied that you will easily disappoint the malice of your enemies: for I have the highest confidence in your own judicious conduct on this occasion, as well as a very great one in that of your friends. VOL. II. See rem. 4. p. 437. vol. 1. friends. I see many reasons, indeed, to believe, that the envy of your adversaries will only brighten that character they mean to sully: though I cannot but regret that they should have thus snatched from you an honour you so justly merit, and of which you had so wellgrounded an assurance; the honour, I mean, of a triumph. However, you will shew your judgment, if you should consider this pompous distinction in the light it has ever appeared to my own view; and, at the same time, enjoy a triumph of the completest kind in the confusion and disappointment of your enemies: as I am well convinced that the vigorous and prudent exertion of your power and influence will give them abundant reason to repent of their violent proceedings. As for myself, be well assured (and I call every god to witness the sincerity of what I promise) that I will exert my utmost interest in support, I will not say your person, which I hope is in no danger, but of your dignities and honour. To this end, I shall employ my best good offices for you in this province, where you once presided: and employ them with all the warmth of an intercessor, with all the assiduity of a relation, with all the influence of a man who, I trust, is dear to these cities, and with all the authority of one who is invested See rem. 3. p. 371. vol. 1. of invested with the supreme command. In a word, I hope you will both ask and expect of me, every service in my power: and believe me, I shall give you greater proofs of my affection than you are disposed, perhaps, to imagine. Notwithstanding therefore that the letter I received from you bythe hands of Quintus Servilius was extremely short, yet I could not but think it much too long: for it was doing an injury to the sentiments of my heart, to suppose you had any occasion to solicit my assistance. I am sorry you should have an opportunity of experiencing, by an incident so little agreeable to you, the rank you bear in my affection, the esteem which I entertain for Pompey, whom I justly value indeed above all men, and the measure of my unfeigned regard for Brutus: circumstances, I should hope, of which our daily intercourse had rendered you sufficiently sensible. However, since it has so happened, I should think that I acted a most unworthy, not to say a criminal part, if I were to omit any article wherein my services can avail you. Pontinius remembers the singular instances of friendship he has received from you, and of which I myself was a witness', with all the gratitude and 3 Pontinius was prætor in the consulate of Cicero, and at this time one of his lieutenants in the province. He distinguished himself in the affair of Catiline: and having quelled the insurrection of the Allobroges, who took up arins on that occasion, he demanded a triumph. But he met with so |