Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/169

Rh, from which he reckons it a Blessing to have been quickly deliver'd himself.

The Peace the Romans were so happy in, lasted scarcely two Years. The Schythians, and Northen People took the Field again, and attacked the Emperour's Vice-Roys, who were in no Condition to make any great Resistance. This oblig'd Antoninus to prepare for an other Expedition: Going therefore to the Senate he mention'd a Supply, which was the first time he had demanded any new Tax.

This Mony, had he been willing to use his Authority, might have been raised by the Strength of Prerogative; But this was none of his Method: He was so Condescensive as to say the Emperours had no Property of their own; and that the very Palace they lived in, belong'd to the Lords and Commons.

About this time he married his Son to Crispina, Daughter to Brutius Valens, who had been Consul; the Wedding was kept like that of a private Person, without any thing of Royal Grandeur, or Expence in't.

After this, he went to Bellona's Temple, and perform'd the Ceremony of the Dart: This Custom was very Antient, and only praftis'd upon a War beyond Sea; and against some very remote Country. The Emperour coming into the Rh