Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/142

 xc Cassius, as'' I am well inform'd, is making his way to the Throne, and going upon the Old Design discover'd in my Grandfather your Father's Reign. I beg of you his Motions may he observ'd ; nothing that we do can please him, and he is filling his Coffers at a mighty rate : He makes a jest of our Inclination for Letters, calls you, old Philosophy in Petticoats, and me a little Libertine. You see therefore what you have to do, for my part, I have no Spleen against the Man : But I entreat your Majesty to take care for fear you and your Children should one day be sensible of the danger in continuing a General of his Temper, so much belov'd, and so very absolute in the Army.''

Antoninus imputing Verus's Suspicion, either to his Jealousy, or Disaffection to Cassius, return'd him this Answer.

''I read your Letter, and find it too full of Diffidence and Apprehension for an Emperour, and not at all suitable to the Character of our Reign. If the Gods have decreed the Empire to Cassius, 'tis not in our Power to prevent it ; you remember the saying of your Grandfather Adrian, that no Man could kill his Successor ; But if his grasping at the Scepter is discountenanced by Heaven, he'l destroy himself without our Cruelty ; besides, 'twill look very oddly to try a Man without Evidence, and who, as you observe''