Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/146

 xciv ''Foot. What ! do you think I'le endure such Governours of Provinces as these are ? If I may call such Fellows Governours and Proconsuls, who fancy Antoninus, and the Senate give them the Command of a whole Country, only to fill their Pockets, and supply their Debauchery. I suppose you have heard that our Virtuoso's Captain of the Guards was but a mere Beggar just before his Preferment ; and now all of a suddain his Fortune is swell'd to a vast bulk: And which way can his Coffers grow thus fast, unless by preying either upon the Publick Revenues, or Private Property? Well! I'm not sorry for their Thriving ; let these Spunges suck as plentifilly as they please, I hope to squeese them into the Exchequer shortly. Let but the Gods vouchsafe to Countenance a good Cause, and the Cassii will not fail to set up the Commonwealth as high as ever.''

Martius Verus, Lieutenant General, who as I observ'd, had a great share under Cassius in the Action, and Successes in Armenia, having now the Government of Cappadocia, dispatch'd away Couriers to Antoninus, to inform him of the Revolt. The Emperour being afraid lest Cassius should by some Means or other, seize upon Commodus, get him Murther'd, wrote privately to Rome for the young Prince to be convey'd to him, and endeavour'd to