Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/103

Rh ments; he likewise order'd that the Poor should be buried at the Publick Charge: And how inclinable he was to pardon a Malefactor, we may learn from the following Instance; a Captain of a Troop of Banditti, who had a mind to be plundering of Rome, bethought himself of this Opportunity. He goes into Mars's Field in the Suburbs, climbs a wild Figtree there, and entertains the Mob with abundance of Prognostications, telling them withal that upon such a day when they saw him fall off the Tree, and turn himself into a Storke, the Sky would rain Fire, and lay the World in Ashes: The People, being generally given to Superstition, and over-credulous, swallow'd this Prophecy with a great deal of Belief, and Admiration; and in the mean time the Camerades of this Figure-slinger; made their Advantage of their Folly, and strolling from home. When the Day for this terrible Metamorphosis was come, the Knave drops off the Fig-tree, and in the Tumble, lets a Stork loose out of his Bosom with a good cleanly Conveyance, and then dives himself out of sight in the Crowd; The Mob were strangely amaz'd at this Miracle, and expecting a shower of Fire would come powdring down upon them, made a great hubbub, and confusion in the City. The Emperour being informed of this Adventure, had the pretended Prophet brought before him; and after having Rh