Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/128

 lxxvi to attack their Army, which was encamp'd between a Fen cover'd with Reeds on one side, and a Forest on the other. The fight was obstinate enough, and the Romans Blood was so heated upon this Occasion; that after they had broken the Sarmatians, kill'd a great many of them, and set all the Country on Fire, they went Questing with Flambeaux to pick up the Enemy that were hid in Forests and Marshes. And here Antoninus's Behaviour was so remarkably Noble, that 'tis more for his Honour than the Victory it self: For he went in Person into the Woods, and amongst the Reeds, to preserve those poor Wretches, encouraging them to trust his Clemency, and surrender themselves.

All these Advantages were not sufficient to put an end to the War ; there was still wanting a more compleat Victory for a finishing stroke. But this was a hard matter to come at, in regard the Barbarians always fought with Reserves, and would never venture their Fortune with their whole Force. Antoninus perceiving the best part of the Season was over, spar'd no pains to bring the Expedition to a Point : And therefore without losing time in treating with Ambassadors, sent to him from all Quarters, more for Amusement, than Submission, he chose rather to