Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/134

 lxxxii know whether that time was never to come again? This Opinion is farther confuted by Antoninuss Answer, in which he calls Herod his Friend, and after having just mention'd his Winter Quarters, express'd his Grief for the Death of his Empress, and given some Account of his own ill Health, he adds, I wish with all my Heart that this may find you well, that you would not question the Continuance of my Kindness, nor fancy I have done you any wrong by punishing some Malefactors, who were used more favourably than they deserv'd : Pray dont let this Matter trouble you ; and if I have disoblig'd you any other way, or given you the least Uneasiness ; I would have you demand Satisfaction of me in Minervas Temple at Athens, at the Initiating Mysteries ; For notwithstanding the Heat of the War, I am very desirous of being Initiated there, and would gladly have the Ceremony perform'd by yourself. A Prince does not use to write in this manner to a banish'd Subject.

As soon as the Spring came on, Antoninus not being willing to give the Barbarians time to raise new Forces, took the the Field to prevent them. And having pass'd the Danube he fought the Enemy several times and routed them ; insomuch that at last despairing to make Head against a General so remarkable for