Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/363

 Rh And then falls a Wondring, and Growling at Decay, and Revolution ; as if such Accidents were Unnatural, and Extraordinary : Especially since Things do but return whence they came, and fall back no farther then their first Principles. For upon the Dissolution of particular Bodies, either the Elements are scatter'd at large, or else they march straight to their Head Quarters; And that which is solid turns to Earth, and the particles of Air joyn their own Element ; And thus they are received into the main Body of the Universe ; The Universe I say, which will either be destroy'd by Fire, after a certain Period ; Or else be renewed by perpetual Vicissitudes. To return : I would not have you think that those particles of Earth, or Air, which you have now in your Constitution, are the same with those you brought into the World with you. Don't mistake : Your Body has been made over and over since that time. The Matter which now belongs to you is as it were but of yesterday's growth; tho' you have lived so long in the World, your Carcase is but a young one ; For you have taken it all in at your Mouth but somewhat lately : And therefore when you perceive it wear off you need not be so much troubled at the Loss ; For the Alterations in your Rh