Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/149

 Rh Exploits he has done, is a meer Cypher as things stand. For what can an Eagle signify that has nothing but a Flock of Pigeons to Muster, or a Lion that heads no other Forces but Fallow-Dear ? Besides, 'tis you, not Cassius, that beat the Parthians, and Arabians ; and granting he has gain'd a great deal of Honour in this War, have you not Martius Verus on your side, not at all his Inferiour ; and who has contributed as much as the other to all our Successes in the Field ? But it may be Cassius hearing me alive, has now repented his Attempt ; for 'twas only the Report of my Death which has made him thus Enterprizing. And supposing he should be obstinate at present, when he has once notice of our March against him ; hee'l scarce ever ever have the Resolution to Face us. Hee'l be confounded between your Force, and my Presence, and Shame and Fear together will make him drop his Sword. Fellow Soldiers; the only thing I'm afraid of is, that Cassius not having the Confidence to look me in the Face should make himself away, or that some other Body, understanding I'm going to fight him; should do me this ill Office, and so deprive me of the most glorious Rh