Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/174

cxxii Instructers prove insignificant; In short, he was afraid he should grow Lewd, and Licentious, and prove a Tyrant to his People, instead of a Protection. On the other Hand, he saw his Northern Conquests but slenderly secur'd, that those People were enclin'd to a Revolt, that the Enemy had their Swords in their Hand, and upon such a Juncture were the more to be fear'd, for their having been often defeated : He had therefore reason to be Apprehensive lest his Death might bring all these Nations to a Confederacy against the Empire, and that taking Advantage of his Sons Youth, and want of Experience, they might make an Attempt to retrieve their Fortune, and wipe out their former Disgrace. Being somewhat perplex'd with these Thoughts, and floating between Hope and Fear, He order'd his Friends, and Principal Officers to be brought in: When he saw them about the Bed, he bad Commodus stand before them, and then raising himself with some Difficulty to sit up, he spoke to them in this manner.

I'm not surpriz'd at your being troubled to see me in this Condition: Compassion from one Man to another, is very Natural; And those Objects which strike the Sight are always most Affecting : But I perswade my self your Concern upon this Occasion is somewhat