Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/177

Rh extraordinary, among such a Multitude of Commendors, there was not one Soul of them that over-shot his Character, or said more of him than he deferv'd. The Senate and Commons, made him a God, even before the Solemnity of his Funeral. And as if it had been a small Matter to erect him a Statue of Gold in the Julian Chappel, They branded all those for a parcel of lewd ungodly Wretches, who according to their Circumstances, had not either a Picture, or a Statue of Antoninus in their own Houses.

Thus in the fifty ninth Year almost compleat, died the best and greatest of all the Roman Emperours: He reign'd nine Years with his Brother Verus, and ten by himself. 'Twas a great Happiness for him he lived no longer: For by this means he was unacquainted with the wretched Qualities of his Son Commodus, who, for all manner of Wickedness, was one of the greatest Monsters in History.