Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/64

 xii himself for the Functions of Government, but all this forcing did but increase his Inclination for Philosophy, in which he spent all the time he could spare out of Publick Business : This Passion of his for the study of Wisdom, was not a little promoted by the Emperour Antoninus Pius : Who besides the engaging him farther by his own Example, sent for the Famous Apollonius of Chalcis from Athens ; now the Conversation of this Stoick Philosopher was not unserviceable to the young Prince. And here I can't omit the relating a Passage, the oddness of which will help us to understand the Temper both of the Philosopher, and the Emperour. As soon as Appollonius was arriv'd at Rome, Antoninus Pius sent him Word, That he might come to Court as soon as he pleas'd, and his Scholar should be put into his Hands. To this Message the Philosopher reply'd; That 'twas the Scholar's Business to wait upon his Master, and not the Masters to run after the Scholar. This Answer being carried to the Emperour, he only smil'd at it, and said, That Appollonius, he perceiv'd found less trouble in his Journey from Athens to Rome, than in walking from his Inn to the Palace ; This was all the Notice he took of Appollonius's Freak, and sent Marcus Aurelius to his Lodgings. Rh