Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/240

 60 lity; How many Field-Worthies, who had knock'd so many Mens Brains out ; How many Tyrants who manag'd the Power of Life and Death with as much Pride and Rigour, and as if themselves had been Immortal; How many Cities, if I may say so, have given up the Ghost: For Instance Helice in Greece, Pompeii, and Herculanum in Italy; not to mention many besides. Do but recollect your Acquaintance; And here you'l find People Managing and making way for Funerals; Mourning for their Friends, and giving Occasion for the same Office themselves. And all within a small Compass of Time. In short. Mankind are poor Transitory Things! They are one Day in the Rudiments of Life, and almost the next, turn'd to Mummie, or Ashes. Your way is therefore to manage this Minute Wisely, and part with it chearfully; And like a ripe Nut when you drop out of the Husk, be sure to speak well of the Season, and make your Acknowledgments to the Tree that bore you.

XLIX. Stand Firm like a Rock, against which tho' the Waves Batter, and Swell, they fall flat at last. How unfortunate has this Accident made me, crys such a one ! Not at all! He should rather say, what a Happy Mortal am I for being unconcern'd Rh