Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/119

 Rh to a sort of Defile, and enclos'd them between a Ledge of steep and sandy Mountains. The Emperour's Men, not perceiving the Danger they were in; and thinking nothing too hard for their Bravery, fought very briskly at first, notwithstanding the Disadvantage of the Ground : The Enemy were not so eager to push the Point, but stood barely upon the Defensive, being unwilling to run a hazard for an Advantage, which a little Patience would put into their Hands. The Romans were at a loss to explain this Conduct, till the excessive Heat pent in between the Mountains, till their Wounds, their Weariness, and their Thirst, made them sensible of their Error. Then, when 'twas too late, they understood, that they could neither Retreat, nor Fight, that they must either be scorch'd, and parch'd to Death, or have their Throats cut by the Enemy. And now things were brought to that Extremity, that neither Anger, nor Despair could raise their Spirits: The Emperour who was much more concern'd for their Misfortune than his own, rid about the Army, and endeavour'd both by Perswasion and Sacrifice to reassure them, and retrieve their Courage : But they had no Faith in their Devotions, and neither Rhetorick, nor Religion, signified Rh