Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/79

 Rh may be 'twas only to raise his Figure, and make his Court appear more Magnificent; or lastly, which seems more probable, it might be design'd as a Check upon his Extravagance ; and to keep him from flying out by the Authority of the Company. But all these Precautions signify'd nothing. For Verus, who was now quite tired with Dissembling, was not at all over-aw'd by the grave Retinue which Antoninus had given him. As soon as this Emperour was out of sight, Verus was resolv'd to knock off the Shackles, for now he had neither Fear, nor Fancy to continue Restrain'd any longer : Now he suffer'd his Inclinations to strike out ; forgot the Defeat of the Roman Legions, took no notice that Syria was ready to Revolt, but lanch'd into Vice immediately, and went all the Lengths of an Infamous Liberty; carrying his Debauchery to such an Excess, that it threw him into a dangerous fit of Sickness at Canusium. This News being brought to Rome, Antoninus, tho' just come thither, set forward to visit him. But before he began his Journey, he made Vows for his Brother's Recovery in a full House of the Senate; which upon his Return he very Religiously performed, after he understood that Verus was Embark'd. Rh