Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/122

 lxx were treated with great Clemency by the Emperour ; But the Soldiers, who were more enraged at the Affront they had receiv'd than affected with the Danger they had escap'd, cut all in pieces that durst make any Resistance, routed the rest, and took a great many Prisoners.

The Means and Occasion of this Deliverance are variously reported. Some said that one Arnuphis, an Egyptian Magician rais'd this Storm, at the Emperours Instance, by the Strength of his Enchantments. For who can imagine that amongst such a Number of Heathens over-grown with Folly and Superstition, there should not be a great many very forward to give away the Honour of the Miracle to their own Religion? But this Conjecture is easily confuted by Antoninus in his first Book, where he tells us, that he was better Instructed than to be led away with the Impostures of Wizards, and Figure-flingers, who pretend they can Discharge Evil Spirits, and do strange Feats by Virtue of a Charm.

Others who had a great Opinion of the Emperour's Virtue and Piety, which indeed were Extraordinary, imputed this wonderful Rescue to the Prevalency of his Prayers. To confirm this, 'tis said when the Day was juft upon the Point of being lost, the Emperour lifting up; his Hands,