CDLXXXIX (F VI, 10, §§ 4-6)
TO TREBIANUS (IN EXILE)
ROME (SEPTEMBER)
I would have sent you a letter before, if I
had been able to hit upon the best sort to write:
for at such a crisis the duty of friends is either
to console or to make promises. I did not offer
consolation, because I was told by many of the
fortitude and wisdom with which you were bearing
the hardship of the present situation, and how
thoroughly you were consoled by the consciousness
of your actions and policy. If that is the case,
you are reaping a rich reward of your excellent
studies, in which I know that you have ever been
engaged, and I exhort you again and again to
continue this line of conduct. At the same time,
see here! You are a man deeply versed in what is
recorded not only of particular examples, but in
ancient history generally, while I am not quite
ignorant of them either; but, though less deeply
read than I could wish, I have had an even greater
experience than I could have desired in actual
affairs and practical business. Well, I pledge my
word to you, that this indignation and this
injurious treatment will not last long. For, in
the first place, the man himself who has the chief
power appears to me to be daily inclining
insensibly towards just views and natural equity;
and, in the second place, the merits of our cause
itself are of such a kind, that It must
necessarily revive and be renewed along with the
Republic, which cannot possibly be kept down for
ever. In fact, every day something is done in a
spirit of greater Clemency and liberality than we
feared would be the case. And since such things
depend upon shifting circumstances,
often minute, I will look out for every chance,
and will not pass over any opportunity of helping
and relieving you. Accordingly, that second style
of letter which I mentioned will daily, I hope,
become easier to adopt-enabling me to make
promises also. That I should prefer doing
practically rather than in mere words. I would
have you be convinced of this—that you
have more friends than others who are and have
been in the same misfortune as yourself, as far at
least as I have been able to ascertain; and that I
yield to no one of them. Be sure you keep up a
brave and lofty spirit. That depends on yourself
alone: what depends on fortune will be guided by
circumstances and provided for by prudent measures
on our part.
ROME (SEPTEMBER)