Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/89

 Rh I grant we have reason to believe that Antoninus was well enough satisfied with his Death ; such a Supposition is no less than what may be expected from the Prudence and Gravity of this Prince, and from the tender Regard he had for the welfare of his People. But that, as a certain Historian adds, He should publickly own his Satisfaction in a Speech of Thanks to the Senate, this is altogether incredible. However, that Author will have it, that the Emperour hinted to the House, that the Parthian War had never been so happily ended, had it not been manag'd by his Direction and Advice ; and then declar'd, That having now the Soveraignty wholly in his own Hands ; and no longer embarrass'd with a debauch'd Assistant, he would alter his Measures, and begin a new Reign. Now Antoninus was too Modest, and too Wise to talk at this rate; such Discourse was neither suitable to his own Maxims, nor to the Character he gives of Verus in his first Book, nor in fine to the purport of his Speech, the design of which was to thank them for ordering the Apotheosis of Verus. His Enemies no doubt set this Report about, to give some Colour to another Calumny which they spread at the same time, that the Emperour having discover'd the Design of Rh