And although the Latin tong did faire blome and blossome in _L. Crassus_, and _M. Antonius_, yet in _Tullies_ tyme onely, and in Tullie himselfe chieflie, was the Latin tong fullie ripe, and growne to the hiest pitch of all perfection. And yet in the same tyme, it began to fade and stoupe, as _Tullie_ him selfe, in _Brutus de Claris Oratoribus_, with weeping wordes doth witnesse. And bicause, emongs them of that tyme, there was some difference, good reason is, that of them of that tyme, should be made right choice also. And yet let the best _Ciceronian_ in Italie read _Tullies_ familiar epistles aduisedly ouer, and I beleue he shall finde small difference, for the Latin tong, either in propriety of wordes or framing of the stile, betwixt _Tullie_, and those that write vnto him. As _ser. Sulpitius, A. Cecinna, M. Cælius, M. et D. Bruti, A. Pollio, L. Plancus_, and diuerse Epi. Planci // other: read the epistles of _L. Plancus_ in _x. Lib._ x. lib. Epist. // and for an assay, that Epistle namely to the _Coss._ 8. // and whole _Senate_, the eight Epistle in number, and what could be, eyther more eloquentlie, or more wiselie written, yea by _Tullie_ himselfe, a man may iustly doubt. Thies men and _Tullie_, liued all in one tyme, were like in authoritie, not vnlike in learning and studie, which might be iust causes of this their equalitie in writing: And yet surely, they neyther were in deed, nor yet were counted in mens opinions, equall with _Tullie_ in that facultie. And how is the difference hid in his Epistles? verelie, as the cunning of an expert Sea man, in a faire calme fresh Ryuer, doth litle differ from the doing of a meaner workman therein, euen so, in the short cut of a priuate letter, where, matter is common, wordes easie, and order not moch diuerse, small shew of difference can appeare. But where _Tullie_ doth set vp his saile of eloquence, in some broad deep Argument, caried with full tyde and winde, of his witte and learnyng, all other may rather stand and looke after him, than hope to ouertake him, what course so euer he hold, either in faire or foule. Foure men onely whan the Latin tong was full ripe, be left vnto vs, who in that tyme did florish, and did leaue to posteritie, the fruite of their witte and learning: _Varro, Salust, Cæsar_, and _Cicero_. Whan I say, these foure onely, I am not ignorant, that euen in the same tyme, most excellent Poetes, deseruing well of the Latin tong, as _Lucretius_, _the ready way to the Latin tong._ 295