Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/139

 Rh had Debauch'd in Syria ; upon this occasion the Emperour wrote the following Letter to one of the Governours of his Provinces.

I have given Cassius the Legions which the Luxuries of Syria and Daphne have made good for nothing, and which Cesonius Vectilianus'' found perfectly emasculated, and almost drown'd in the hot Baths. I perswade my self you will like my Fancy, especially since you know Cassius to be a Commander of great Strictness, and that he comes up to the Discipline of the old Cassii. You remember the famous Verse in Ennius, who was no ill Poet.''

Go back for Discipline to former times,

Old Customs are the Nations main support.

All that I have to desire of you is, that the Army may not want Provisions, and if I understand Cassius, I dare engage he'l give a good Account of it.

The Answer wrote by this Governour to the Emperour, will give us a farther light into the Character and Reputation of Cassius; 'Tis this.

Your Majesty has made an Excellent Choice in disposing the Legions of Syria to Cassius; For 'tis highly necessary that an Army debauch'd by the Luxuries of Greece'', should be put under a good severe General. In '' Rh