AN Epistle or letter of EXHORTATION WRITten in Latin by Marcus Tullius Cicero, to his brother Quintus the Proconsul or Deputy of Asia, wherein the office of a Magistrate is cunningly and wisely described.  
Translated into english by G. G.  
¶ Set forth and authorized according to the Queen's majesties Injunctions.  
printed AT LONDON BY Roland Hall, dwelling in Golding lane at the sign of the three arrows. 1561.   

GODDRED GYLBY TO THE READER.  
WHERE AS MEN are now a days here in England glutted as it were with god's word, & therefore almost ready to vomit up again the which they have received, loathing the sermons & despising the preachers, some turning to curious arts, & some contemning all arts & sciences, some Epicures, some Atheists, & few or none do standforth as fathers to us younglings to bid us follow their footsteps in virtues and godliness: We the youth of this realm are drawn into divers and sundry doubtful ways and wandering bypaths, and many of us by poverty and other calamities are oppressed at our first breathing & either know not which way to direct our studies or else want help to go forward and are cut of in the first herb according to the Proverb. This is one thing also that grieveth us: we see them that are wise and learned altogether contemned and despised, and they often times are compelled to go and seek to the rich and noble men's houses, but the rich will not come to their houses nor greatly delight in their companies. And though this be some cause that 
‡ Petrus Crinitus lib. 7. 14. de honesta disciplina.  Aristippus answered to Dionysius why the learned do haunt the houses of the rich and the wise many times go & seek to the wealthy and not they to the contrary: for that the wise do know what the rich do want and the wealthy worldlings can not see their want, as he saith. Yet in these our times we may find other matters that compelleth than to seek to such as be in power & authority. For iniquity doth abound in these latter days and the poor are oppressed by the mighty. And as I do here mine elders talk. The laws are good to right the wrongs, but lawyers do not their duties. justice is good, but the justices care not for poor men's causes. Officers are enough and well provided for in all places but these officers understand not their office and duty or if they do understand it, they will not do it, & which is the worst of all, when they do it not, they may not be told of it, especially by a man that is learned in god's word. For what can he skill of civil offices say these politic officers. Thus is the rule of all equity openly contemned. Therefore not seeing whereunto in this my youth I could direct my studies yet neither wheri I could be better occupied both for mine own learning, and for the instruction of such politic men as will vouchsafe to read heathen writers, though they regard not the scriptures: I have translated as I could into our native language, the notable epistle of that famous wise and politic man M. Tullius Cicero unto his brother Quintus, wherein justice and the right use of an office is so well and politicly described that the politic heads may learn thereby to put good things in practice & need neither to be ashamed of the author who was a man of singular wisdom & great experience, nor of the matter which is an instruction of the Magistrate meet for all ages: if God grant me any ability to express it. Take these first fruits of mine infancy in good part, so & you shall encourage me to farther travails. My father commandeth me to follow labour and to suffer others to seek for honours. Far you well in the Lord. At London the seven. of july, the year of our Lord. 1561.   

The exhortation OF MARCUS TULLIUS Cicero unto his brother Quintus.  
ALTHOUGH I DID not doubt but that both many messengers and also fame itself should by her swiftness prevent my letters, and that thou shouldest sooner here tell of others that the third year was added to our desire & to thy labour: yet I thought it necessary that I should also send thee a message of this travail. For as for the former letters not in one but in many, when as now other men had despered of that matter, yet I did put thee in hope that thou should shortly departed, not only that I might comfort thee as long as it might be, with a pleasant opinion and persuasion: but also because I did not mistrust but that the matter might be brought to pass, for so much as both I myself and also the praetors were so earnest in the cause. But now because it is so come to pass that neither the Praetors with their riches nor we with our diligence can do any good, it is a very hard matter not to be grieved therewith: but yet it is not meet that our courage which is exercised in doing and suffering great things should be broken or cast down with sorrow. 
* Men should be most sorry for that which cometh by their own fault.  And because men ought to be most sorrowful for those things which are come by their own fault: there is good cause why it should more grieve me then thee, for it came to pass by my fault otherwise then thou thought, both when thou tookest thy journey and afterward where by letters thou didst go about that a succsessor should not be detained to thee the first year. The which matter whiles I look to the safeguard of our confederates whiles I resist that impudence of certain merchants & whiles I desire that our glory should be augmented by thy virtue I wrought nothing wisely, & specially seeing the I have committed this fault that the second year should also bring the third. Tyhe which thing because I confess it to have been my fault, it belongeth to thy wisdom & humanity to provide & to bring to pass that this which was unwisely done of, me should by thy diligence be corrected. Now if thou do raze up, thyself more earnestli and diligently of all sides to get a good name so that thou do not now strive with others but with thy self and if thou do stir up thy whole mind care thought & 
* Desire of glory over cometh al.  desire of glory which overcometh all things sureli this one year which is added to thy travel shall both bring us the joy of many years & also make our posterity glorious where fore first I desire this of the that thou be not dyscoraged nor discomforted and that thou suffer not thyself to be over whelmed with over great business as it were with a flood but contrariwise that thou raise up thyself and resist it and also that thou willingly set thy shoulders against the weight of thine affairs: For thou dost not rule that part of the common wealth wherein fortune hath much power but that part which may be governed chiefly by reason and diligence. And if I did see that thy dominion and authority had been prolonged to thee whilst thou waste occupied by some great and dangerous war my heart would quake: to consider that the power of Fortune at the same time also should be prolonged against us. But now since that part of the common wealth is committed to thy charge in the which Fortune either hath small oir else no part of rule at all: even that which seemeth unto me wholly to consist in thy virtue & moderation of mind. I think we need not fear any privy trains of enemies, any open war, any rebellion and falling away of our fellows and confederates, any lack of wages or provision for corn, nor finally any sedition of the army, which have often chanced to most wise men: that as 
* The Magistrate is compared to a ship-maister.  shypmasters be they never so cunning can not resist the force of the tempest so they could not withstand the violence of fortune But to thee is given the greatest peace and tranquillity taht can be, so that it is of force enough to overwhelm a shipmaster that sleepeth but a waking governor would be delighted therewith. For first the province doth consist of such confederates as are of all kind of men most gentle: and secondly of such kind of citizens as either because they are publicans are joined unto us by very great friendship, or else because they ocupy merchandise are very rich and judge that by the means of our consulship their riches are in safety. (But it may be said) that even amongst this kind of men there are great controversies many wrongs are done and weighty contentious a rise. As though I should think that thou hadst nothing to do. Yes I know that there is great matters to do and such as need great advisement. But remember that I do attribute some thing more in this busies to advisement then to fortune for what business shall it be to bridle them which are under thy governance if thou cambridle thyself? But let that be a great & hard matter unto others as it is very hard: yet to thee both it hath been always very easy yea & in deed ought to have been so seeing that thy nature is such as seem that it would have been moderate without learning: but now such learning is joined with the good nature as were able to bring into order and beautify the worst disposition that ever man had. Thou truly thyself shalt withstand the greedy desire of money of pleasure and of all other things as in deed thou dost: & then shalt thou have any great to fear lest thou be not able to repress a wicked merchant or a covetous publican?  
As for the Grecians when they see thee so they will have the in such admiration as they are wont to have some noble man mentioned in their chronicles or else thy will think that thou so divine a man, art come down from heaven into the province.  
Which things I write not as though I exhorted thee to do them but that thou should rejoice that thou dost, and hast done them already:  
For it is an honourable thing to have had great power in Asia for the space of three years and so to have behaved thyself that no old monument, no painted table no precious vessel, no rich apparel, no notable bondman, no beauty of any person and finally no bargain of money of which things there is great store in this province could ever bring thee from the path of exact integrity and continence. And surely what can be more notable or more to be desired then that this virtue this temperance and moderation of mind, should not be hid in the dark but be set forth in the broad light of Asia and in the eyes of a most noble province and in the ears of all people & nations: 
* The presence of a good officer ought not to be terrible but comfortable.  in so much as they are not made afraid by they journeys: they men art not burdened with charges nor troubled with receiving thee: but rather where so ever thou comest there is incomparable joy both publicly and privately. for so much as the city where thou interest doth seem to have received a defender and not a tyrant: the house were thou lodgest, a gest and not a robber? But as for these motters, use itself hath taught that it is not enough that thou thyself should have these virtues but that thou ought to look about diligently that in the preservation of this province not only thou but also all the ministers of thy dominion should be have themselves after the same sort both towards our fellows & citizens and also to all the common wealth. Howbeit thou hast such embasadours as will have regard of their own worship: of whom Tubero is the chief both in honour dignity & age: who I think (chiefly because he writeth an history) may choose many men out of his own chronicles which both he will and also may follow. But halenius is our own both in heart and good will and also in following our kind of life. And what need I speak of Gratidius? Whom I know of a surety so to care for his own estimation that for the brotherly love towards us he careth also for ours. Thou haste also a quaestor which was not chosen by thine own judgement but such a one as was given by lot. Whom it behoveth both of his own accord to be moderate: & also to obey to thy will and commandment. Of whom if peradventure any were some what covetous thou should bear so long with him until he of his own head did violate those laws to the which he is bound not permitting that he should abuse to lucre and gain that power which thou hadst committed to him for honour: for surely it pleaseth me not (chief seeing that the manners of this time are so much declined unto so great lightness & ambition) that thou shouldest search out all filthiness and examine every one to the uttermost but to commit so much to every one of them as he may be trusted withal. And amongst those whom the commonwealth itself hath appointed to be as fellows and helpers with thee thou shalt be above them only in those points which I have 
* That is to give every man that which he may be trusted withal  heretofore prescribed. As for them whom thou hast with thee either of thy household or of the necessary messengers whom men use to call as it were of the praetors band both the deeds and also the words of these men 
* The magistrate must answer both for the words and deeds of their families and train which they choose to have aout them.  must be performed by us. But thou haste those men with thee whom thou shalt have occasion to love doing well, or else if they have not respect to thy honour thou mayst easily correct. Of whom because thou wast unexpart it seemed that thy good nature might easily have been deceived: 
* The berter a man is the sooner is he beguiled  for the better a man is, the less he suspecteth another to be evil But now this third year hath as much integrity as the two former, yes & by experience is made more ware and diligent.  

* The cares of a magistrate.  Let thine ears be such as may be taught to hear those things which they hear in deed, not such as men may whisper in selfly and feignedly for lucre sake.  

* The ring and signets  Let not thy ring be an instrument not regarded but as thou thyself: Not a minister of another man's pleasure but a witness of thy will.  

* the sergeant & pursuivant.  Let the Pursuivant also be in that degree in which our ancestors would have him which did give the office not as a benefit but as a labour & charge and did not rashly commit it to any, but to them whom they had brought to liberty, over whom yet they had authority little less than over their servants.  
Let the Sergeant be a messenger not of his but of thy gentleness: 
* the mazes.  and let them bear those mazes & poleaxes rather for a sign of dignity than of power. 
* The love of subjects  Finally let it be known to all the province that the safeguard of the families good name & substance of all men over whom thou bearest rule are most dear unto thee. Yea & let them think on this, that 
* Bribe givers and bribe takers.  thou wilt not only be an enemy to them which take bribes, but also to them that give bribes if thou know it. And surely no man will give bribes when he doth once perceive that nothing can be obtained of thee by their means which make a show as though they could do much with thee. Neither do my words tend to this end that I would have thee either to rigorous or suspicious against thy officers: 
* Of trusty officers.  For if there be any which for the space of two year were never suspected of thee to be covetous (as I hear of Cesius Cherippus & Labeo, & because I know them I believe it) there is nothing which I think thou mayst not be bold to commit to them or any other of like fidelity. But if there be any in whom thou hast spied or of whom thou hast perceived any thing: trust him with nothing neither commit to him any part of thine honour. 
* Of new friends.  And if thou hast found any man in the province itself, which is all together become thy familiar friend which was afore unknown unto us: look diligent how much thou may trust him: not but the theridamas may be many good men in the province: but this may be hoped for to judge it, it is dangerous. For the disposition of the nature of every man is cloaked with many folds of dissembling and covered as it were with certain veals: the forehead the eyes and countenance will deceive a man often, 
* The tongue of man.  but the tongue oftenest of al. wherefore how canst thou find such men as being drawn with the lust of many would lack all those things from the which we cannot be severed and that should heartily love thee being a strunger and would not rather seem to bear the good will for there own profit sake? It seemeth to me a great matter specially since those men do almost love no private men yet that they should love all they praetors. Of which sort if thou haste known any which loved thee more than the time (for so it might be) reckon him gladly amongst thy friends. But if thou shalt not be sure of that thee is no kind of men whose familiarity thou ought more to 
* Beware of money men.  beware of because they know all the shifts of money and do all things for money yea and care not for his estimation with whom they intent not to lead their life. yea & amongst the Grecians some familiarities must be avoided except of few men which follow the manners of old Grecia. But many of them are so deceitful and unconstant & by their long bondage have learned to much flattery. Whom I would all to be liberally entertained but a few of the best must be chosen for hospitality and friendship. Their great familiarity is not to be trusted (for they dare not be against our wills) yet they envy both our country men & their own. But now since I will be so aware and so diligent in such things wherein I am afraid lest I be to hard: how thinkest thou I would have servants ordered? Whom as in all places so chief in the provinces we ought well to govern. Of which kind many things may be spoken: but this is both shortest and may easily be kept in memory that they do so behave themselves in these journeys in Aslya as though they were travailing in the high way called Appia And let them think the theridamas is no difference whither they come to Tralles or to Formie. And if there be any of thy servants very faithful 
* the charge of servants  let him have the oversight of thy house hold & private business. But as for such things as do appertain to thy office & authority or to any part of the common wealth let him not once meddle therewith. For many things wherewith faithful servants may be trusted yet for advoiding of the speech of people & ill report ought not to be committed to them. But I cannot tell how my folk is fallen to a kind of instruction where as in the beginning I did purpose no such thing. For what should I instruct him whom I know in this matter to be as wise as mi self & by reason of use more wise? But I though that if the authority of my counsel were joined to those things which thou dost thy self they should be more pleasant to thee.  

* The foundation of true honour & dignity  Wherefore let these be the foundation of thy dignity first thy continence & integrity secondly the shame fastness of all them that are with thee (yea & look thou very wearly and diligently have choice of familiarities as well of men of the province as of the Grecians) & last of all a grave & constant order of thy house. Which things seeing they are comely in these our private & daily orders: in so large a dominion which hath so corrupt manners & in a province that so easily corrupteth others thy must needs seem divine & heavenly. This government & order may uphold the severity in making statutes and decrees which thou haste used in those things by the which we have purchased certain privy grudges whereof I am very glad: Unless thou think that I am moved with the complaints of one Paconius whom I know not what he is who is not so good as a Grecian but rather a Mysian or Phrygian or else with the words of Tuscenius a vile and mad man out of whose filthy mouth thou hast gotten with great equity a most shameful lust. But we cannot snsteine these and other things which thou hast decreed in this province full of severity with out great temperance of life. Wherefore look the there be great severity in judgements 
* Let not favour pervert judgement.  so that it be not changed for favour but that it be kept equal and upright. But surely it shall little previl if thou do justice uprightly and diligently unless the same be done of thy compartners to whom thou hast granted some part of that office. And surely me think there is no great diversity of business in governing Asia but that it doth only consist in giving just sentence in the which the fashion how to govern a province is evident. 
* Constancy Gravity.  Constancy also & gravity must be added which may resist not only favour but also suspicion.  

* love. Humanity Diligence.  Whereunto must be joined promptness to hear gentleness in discerning & finally diligence both in making and giving answer & also in reasoning. For these things friend was not lightly wont neither without a cause to lay out of his hands for there is no dainty of a diligent & moderate government in them omitted. If Cyrus who knew he should never be a private man so diligently observed these things which what care ought they to keep & observe them which bear rule with this condition that they must departed from it again and return under obedience of those laws by order of the which the governance was committed vntothem? 
* The felicity of the subjects is the end of government.  And surely me thinketh that this ought to be the end of all things that the rulers should do. Namely that they which be under their dominion may be as happy as is possible: which thing is greatly commended both by true report & also by all men's talk the thou dost chief esteem it & hast so ever sense thou camest first into Asia. And it is surely that office not only of them which beareth rule over the confederates and citizens of Rome but also of him which hath the charge of servants yea and of doom beasts to care for the profit & utility of them over whom he beareth rule. And I perceive the all men do agree that in such kind of things thou art as diligent as may be & that the cities are charged with no new debt nor impost but that many towns are by thee discharged of their old debt which was both great & grievous yea the many which were fallen in decay & almost desolate are by thee restored of whom there is one most city of jenia & an other of Caria Samus & Halicarnassus: & that theridamas is no dissension nor discord in the cities: & that thou dost provide that the cities be ruled by the counsel of the nobles: that the robberies of Mysia are taken away & murders in many places are stopped & caused to cease & that peace is established in the whole province & not only the those thefts which were committed by the way side & in the fields arceased & put away but also many more & greater thefts & murders which were committed in cities: & that false accusation which is the most cruel servant of the praetors covetousness is taken away & removed from the same & from goods and from the wealthy quietness of rich men: that the costs & tributes of the cities are equally susteimed of all which inhabut the borders of the said cities: the one may easily have access to thee that thy ears are open to the complaints of all men the no man's poverty or misery is not only not shut out from the common assemblies & from thy judgement but not so much as from thy house and privy chamber: & finally the in thy hole dominion there is nothing grievous nothing cruel and that all things are full of clemency meekness & humanity. And surely how great a benefit is it the thou haste delivered Asia (though we sustain great grudge) from the injust & grievous tribute for & public buildings? for if one noble man do complain openly that thou hadst taken from him two hundred. M. pence because thou hadst commanded that money should not be appointed for common places: how much money than should be paid if money should be laid out for all them which make plays at Rome the which thing was also ordained? How be it we have suppressed these complaints of our citizens moved with this counsel which I cannot tell how it is praised in Asia but at Rome it is had in no small reverence: because that where as the cities had decreed money for our church and monument which thing they had done of their own accord both because of my great deserts and also for thy great benefits: 
* The magistrate may take money of the subjects for the building of temples and monuments.  yea & the law did specially except that it should be lawful to take for a church or a monument and because that which was given should not perish but should remain in the ornaments of the church so that it should have seemed to have been given not so much to me as to the people of Rome and to the immortal Gods? yet I thought that that in the which the dignity that law yea and the will then which did it, did consist, ought not to be received both for other causes and also that they to whom it was not dew nor lawful might bear it more willingly. 
* The governor must be careful both for religion and justice to make the people blessed.  Wherefore labour with all thy mind and diligence to keep the trade which thou haste as yet used that thou live & by all means defend them and study that they be as blessed as may be whom the senate & the people of Rome have committed to thy power & fidelity and of whom they have given thee charge. And if so be that by lot thou hadst been made ruler of Africa or of Spain or of france which are fierce and barbarous people: yet it were a part of thy humanity to provide for their commodity & to look to their health and profit. But since we bear rule over that kind of men in whom not only humanity to self is but also from whom it is thought to have proceeded to others we ought specially to show humanity to them of whom we received it for I will not be ashamed to say this (chief in that manner of life and in those noble acts in which there can no suspicion of sluggishness or of lightness remain) that we have obtained these things which we have gotten by those arts and studies which were given us by monuments and doctrines of Grecia. 
* Practise humanity to wards then of whom we learn it.  Wherefore besides the common loyalty & fidelity which is due to all men we seem to owe it chief to these men that by whose precepts we have been taught among them we should set forth those things which we have learned of them. And surely Plato the prince both of wit and learnng thought 
* When shall realms be blessed & happy.  that then common wealths should be happy when either learned and wise men begin to govern them or else when they which did govern them did bestow all their study in learning and in wisdom. For he thought the this joining together of auctoriti and wisdom was the preservation of cities which thing perchance happened to all our common wealth but now surely it is chanced to this thy province that he should bear chief rule therein, who had bestowed much time and diligence even from his youth in learning virtue and humanity. Wherefore see that this year which is added to thy labour may also seem to have been added to the wealth of Asia: for Asia was more happy in retaining thee than we were in leading thee of thy journey from us but bring thou to pass that our earnest desire may be mitigated with the joyful remembrance of the province: for seeing thou hast been more diligent than any man in deserving that so great honours should be given thee, as I know not whither they were given to any beside, thou must needs be a great deal more diligent in maintaining these hounours. Howbeit I wrote to thee heretofore what I did judge of this kind of hounors. 
* The right judgement of honours.  I thought them always if they were common to be vile: if they were rodeined by necessity of time light: but if they were given for thy deserts (as it is come to pass) I thought that thou oghtest to be very diligent in maintaining of them: wherefore seeing in those cities thou hast the chief rule and power in the which thou seest the virtues consecrated and set in the number of the gods thou must remember in all things which thou dost ordain, which thou dost decree, and what soever thou dost what thou owest to so great hope which men have conceived of thee, likewise tot he judgements of men and finally to so great honours. The which office is such that thou missed care for all men that thou give remedies for the discommodities of men and provide for their well th', as thou wouldest both be called and counted the parent of Asta. But to this thy will and diligence the publicans are a great hindrance: whom if we resist we shall separate from our friendship that company which hath done very much for us and which by us is joined to the common wealth and not only from our friendship but from the common wealth also: but if we do in all points suffer them we shall suffer them utterly to perish for whose safeguard not only, but also for their profit we ought to care. This is the only difficulty, if we will weigh it a right that is in all thy dominion: for a man to be continent to bridle all his lusts to keep under his own household and to observe equity in judgement to show himself ready to consider suits to hear men and to admit to his speech is more glorious than hard. For it consisteth not in any labour but in that a man can find in heart to do it. 
* The publicans and tolle gatherers are commonly extortioners.  As for that business of the Publicans how grievous it is to our fellows we understand of the citizens which in pleding that the toll should be taken out of Italy did not so much complain of the toll as of certain injuries done by the toll gatherers. Wherefore I am not ignorant what doth chance to our fellows in those far countries, since I have heard in Italy the complaints of our citizens. In this case so to behave thyself that thou mayst both satisfy the publicans (specially seeing the things of the common wealth are but lately recovered) and not suffer our fellows and confederates to perish requireth a divine virtue which is thine. And first of all as for that which is most grievous to the Grecians that they are tributaries ought not to seem so grievous forsomuch as before they were subject to the people of Rome by their own ordinances they were so. As for the name of a publican they can not reject it seeing that without a publican they could not pay the tribute which Silla did equally appoint them. Yea & it may be well known that the grecians are no gentler in gathering of their tributes than our publicans by this the all the Caunians now of late fled out the isles, which were assigned of Silla to the Rodians, to ask help of the senate desiring rather to pay tribute to us then to the Rodians: wherefore neither ought they to abhor the name of publicans which were always tributaries: nor they reject it which could not of themselves pay tribute: nor they refuse it which did require it. Yea & let Asia remember this thing that if it were not held up with this government that it should lack no misery which can come either by war with foreign nations or that comethby inward discords. 
* wherefore tribute is given.  But seeing that this government can not be retained without tribute let her willingly be content for a little part of her fruits to redeem perpetual peace & quietness. And if so be that they can willingly abide the name & company of publicans all other things which thou dost by counsel & wisdom shall seem more easy to them: yea & they may in making oft their berges have respect not to the law of the Censors but rather to the commodity of doing their: business & to the deliverance from grief, yea & thou mayst do that which thou also hast done very well & at this time dost, to wit, that thou tel them what dignity is in the publicans & how much we are dound to that company that setting aside authority and force of power & sceptre thou mayst join the grecians and publicans together in favour & authority. Yea & desire this of thenfor whom tho haste done so much, & which are bound to thee in all things that they bit their gentleness would suffer us to keep & preserve that friendship which we have which the publicans: but what do I exhort to thee these things which thou canst not only of thine own accord do without any man's teaching but also hast for the most part already done them? For most honest & the greatest fellowships do not cease daily to thank us: the which thing was therefore more pleasant to me because that the grecians do it. But it is a hard matter to join those things together in one accord which are divers in commodities in profit & almost by nature. And surely I have written those things which are written above not to teach thee (for thy wisdom needeth no instruction of any man) but the rehearsal of thy virtue when I wrote did delight me: Although I have longer in these letters than I would or then I thought I should have been There is one thing which I would not cease to command thee nor will suffer thee so much as in me lieth 
* A praise with an. exceptation.  to be praised with an acception: for all that come out of thy province do so report of thy virtue integrity & humanity the in thy greatest praises they except, only wrath: the which vice as it seemeth 
* Wrath the sign of a light mind.  to be the point of a light & unstable mind in a customable & private kind of life: 
* Nothing is more uncomely than to join bitterness of nature to authority.  so nothing is more uncomely then to join bitterness of nature to high authority: wherefore I will not now undertake this to declare unto thee those things which are spoken of most wise men concerning wrath both because I will not be overlong & also because thou mayst easily know it by many men's writings. Neither think I that we ought to let pass that which is the property of a letter, to wit, that we let him to whom we writ know those things whereof he is ignorant. Yea and all bring us word of this that there is none more pleasant than thou when anger is absent: 
* wrath. banisheth all humanrte.  but if any man's wickedness and perverse manners do move thee then thou art so angry that all men find lack of humanity in thee: wherefore seeing we are come into this kind of living not so much for desire of glory as by the thing itself & by the course of fortune that the posterity should always talk of us: let us beware as much as in us lieth & asmuch as we can do that no notable vice be reported to have been in us. Neither yet go I about this (which as in all ages so especially in our age it is a hard matter) to change the mind & if any thing be thoroughly grown in our manners suddenly to pluck it away: 
* A remedy against wrath.  but I do admonish thee here of that if thou canst not altogether avoid this vice because anger doth take place in thy mind before the reason can provide for it: that thou should afore prepare for thyself & ever more remember that thou must resist wrath: & when as it doth most move thee then thou oghtest most diligently to 
* Rule thy tongue.  bridle thy tongue: which seemeth sometimes to be no les virtue than not to be angry at all, for to be angry is not only a point of gravity but sometime also of gentleness: but to temper the mid & talk when a man is angry or les to keep silence & to hold in thine own power the motion of thy mind & grief, although it is not that point of perfect wisdom it is a point of no final wit: & herein they bring word thou art much more easily & gentle: neither do we hear of any more grievous motions of that minds or despitful words which are both far distant from learning & humanity & also contrary to authority & dignity for if the wrath can by no means be appeased it is to great bitterness: but if it may be easily entreated it is great lightness 
* Of two evils the less is to be chosen.  which for all thee (as choice may be in evil things) 
* It is better to be to gentle then to cruel.  ought to be chosen before bitterness. But because in the first year there was much talk of this I think because that the iniveries of men their covetousness & pride did chance contrary to thine opinion & did seem intolerable: & the second was much more gentle because that both custom & reason & (as I think even my letters) did make thee patient & gentle: 
* An old officer must so grow in virtue that he must be altogether faultless.  as for the third year it ought so to be amended that no man may have occasion to rebuke the least thing that may be. But now I do not handle the matter with thee by the way of exhortation & precepts & teaching but by brotherly prayers that thou wouldst set thy whole mind care & thought to gather & win the praise & commendation of all men on every side. Now if so be that our matters stood in any mean state of talk & commendation: I would require no notable thing norani thing of thee above the common custom. But now because of the dignity & greatness of those things in the which we have been occupied unless we get wonderful great praise of this province I can not see how we can avoid wondered great rebuke and shame, for such is our state that all good men do both favour it & also require & look for all diligence and virtue at our hands: but all wicked men because we have taken in hand a perpetual battle against them would be content upon very small occasion to put us to rebuke. Wherefore since that this stage whereupon we stand is filled with the celebrity of all Asia, & in quantity is the greatest in judgement, the best learned, & by nature so far sounding that the voices & signs are brought to rome I beseech thee labour & do thy diligence that thou may not only seem to have been worthy those things but also to have overcome all things by thy cunning. And because that I among other kind of officers have obtained the administration of the common wealth in the city, and thou the governance in a province, although my part do give place to no man, yet look that thy part overcome all other: remember that we do not strive of the glory that remaineth & is looked for, but for that that is gotten already which was not so necessary to have been desired as it is meet it should now of us be maintained. And if so be that I might be separate from thee in any thing I will desire no more than this state which I have already obtained. But now the matter goeth so that unless all thy words and deeds do agree with the things which we do. Here I shall think myself to have gotten nothing by my so great labours and so great dangers of all the which thou haste been partaker. But seeing thou above all others hast helped us to get great renown: surely thou ought to labour above all others to preserve the same. For thou must not only have the estimations and judgements of those men which are now living, but also of them which shallbe hereafter. 
* We judge more equally of them that are departed because towards them envy ceaseth.  How be it their judgement shallbe more right seeing it is free from slander & ill wil Finally thou aught to think thus that thou dost seek glory not only for thyself: the which thing though thou didst yet thou wouldst not contemn it, especially seeing that thou hast consecrated the memory of thy name amongst wonderful great monuments. But this thy glory must be communicate with me, yea and delivered to our children. Wherein thou must beware lest if thou be negligent thou do not only seem to have cared little for thyself, but also to have envied thy friends & kinsfolk. Nether do I say this that my words should seem to awake thee which afore didst sleep but rather to have pricked thee forward which afore didst run for thou wilt always do that which thou haste done, that all men may praise thy justice, temperancy, severity and integrity.  
But an infinite desire of glory doth wholly possess me for the singular love which I bear to thee. Howbeit I think thus that Asia is now as well known to thee as every man knoweth his own house, & since that to thy great wisdom so good experience is joined I think there is nothing which doth appertain to praise which thou dost not well see & which thou dost not daily very well remember without any man's exhortation. 
* Love causeth long letters.  But I because that when I read thy letters me think I speak with thee, am most delighted with thy longest letters & I am often times very long myself in writing. Now last of all I desire and exhort thee to this that 
* Good officers must be like good poets.  as good poets & as cunning players do so that thou in the last part & conclusion of thine office and business be as diligent as may be that this third year of thy government may seem to have been most perfect & most adorned as though it were the third act in a comodie, the which thing thou shall easily bring to pass if thou think that I (whom alone thou rather dost please then all others) am all ways which thee and present in all things which either thou dost or sayest. Now it remaineth to desire thee that if thou love me & wouldst have all thine to do well thou have regard to thine own health and welfare.  
FINIS.