Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/136

 lxxxiv Antoninus to soften the Articles in a great Measure, and to make a New Treaty, much more in their Favour than that they had sworn. And this in all likelyhood is the Reason, why Antoninus, contrary to his Custom, omitted the recital of the Conditions of this Peace, in a Letter which he wrote to the Senate to acquaint them with his Proceedings.

The Design of seizing the Empire could never have been projected by a Person more likely to succeed than Cassius. For, to give him his due, he was qualified in all Points proper for his Purpose. The Victories won by him in Armenia, Arabia, and Egypt, had gain'd him the Esteem and Love of the Soldiers. To give some part of his Character ; he was very stout in his Person, and firm to his Resolution, admirable at Fatiguing, and no less a Libertine in his Pleasures when he thought them seasonable ; prodigal of his own Fortune, and wild to make himself Master of another Bodies : His Qualities were govern'd by his Interest, and he was either Good-natur'd, or Severe, Profane, or Religious, as occasion'd serv'd. He had improved the Natural Craftiness of his Temper by Practise, and Pains; He had an extraordinary Talent to guild his Character, and cover his Deformities, to conceal Vice, and