Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/76

 xxiv the greatest Crimes against himself; but not to be prevail'd on where Reasons of State and Publick Interest required Severity. His Laws had a Regard to the common Advantage of all Ranks and Nations under his Government ; neither could any Prince be more tender of the Property and Privileges of the Subject. The Good of the Commonwealth was always his Rule to act by, from which he was never diverted by any Private Fancy, Interest, or Ambition of his own. To conclude, since his Designs were only to oblige Mankind, and Resign to Providence he never strain'd his Politicks to the Prejudice of his Morals, but always kept within the compass of Justice and Truth.

Lucius Verus had none of these good Qualities ; his Inclinations were eager, unballasted, and lewd ; 'tis true, he could not be tax'd with the Savage Fancies and Barbarities of some Tyrants, and that was the best of him. But this Contrariety of Temper did not appear in the first Years of their Reign. The irresistable Merits of Antoninus made some Impression upon his Brother, insomuch that the Motives either of Shame. or Gratitude, gave check to his Humour, and kept him in Order, while they liv'd together. Nay he pretended to Copy after this Prince, and imitate the Rh