Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/121

 Rh with the Water they had provided.

Notwithstanding this seasonable Relief their Case was very desperate, for still there was no hopes of holding out against the Force and Fury of the Enemy: when by another extraordinary Providence no less surprizing than the former, the same Clouds which refresh'd the Romans with Rain, discharg'd a storm of Hail, mix'd with Thunder, and Wildfire, in a terrible manner upon the Barbarians. And thus while the first quench'd their Thirst at their Leisure, the other were burnt, and almost roasted by a Fire which was past their Skill to Extinguish. Some Historians report, that when any of this Wildfire happen'd to light upon the Romans, it did them no disservice, whereas on the other hand, the Rain which fell amongst the Barbarians, was like Oyl thrown into a Furnace, and made the Flames rage the fiercer ; insomuch that they cried out for Water to cool the scalding of the Rain: Nay 'tis said many of them wounded themselves, to try if they could put out the Fire with their own Blood ; And that abundance of the rest came with their Wives and Children, and surrendred to the Romans, that they might have the Benefit of that miraculous Showr which was so favourable to them. Those who yeilded Rh