Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/176

cxxiv ''makes Subjection go down easily. In such Cases People are Friends, not Flatterers, and never start from their Duty, unless provok'd by Injury, and Ill-usage. 'Tis true, 'tis a hard matter to Reign and be Regular; and to set Bounds to your Will, when your Power is almost Absolute. If you suggest such Things as these, and remind him of what he hears now, you'l both secure an Excellent Emperour for your selves, and also oblige my Memory in the highest manner imaginable, this being your only way to make it Immortal.''

At this Sentence the Emperour grew Speechless, fainted, and fell back into the Bed; and dying the next Day, was much lamented by those of his own Time, and no less admired by Posterity. As soon as his Death was publish'd, the Army, and all Italy were mightily Afflicted at the News. So general a Mourning in earnest was never seen. And never was Rome in a greater Consternation. All the Happiness and Glory of the Empire seem'd to expire with Antoninus: Their Grief express'd it self in all the Varieties of Affection and Regard: Some call'd him their Father, and others their Brother, some their brave General, some their Good-natured Emperour, their Prudent, Exemplary, and every way well qualified, and accomplish'd Prince; And which is very