Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/193

my Liberty for some time in standing clear from Engagements with Women: That I was observant of the Emperour my Father, and bred under him : who was the most proper Person living to put me out of conceit with Pride, and to convince me, that Authority may be supported without the Ceremony of Guards, without Richness, and Distinction of Habit, without Torches^[1], Statues, or such other Marks Royalty and State; and that a Prince may shrink himself almost into the Figure of a private Gentleman; and yet act nevertheless, with all the Force and Majesty of his Character when the Government requires it. 'Tis the favour of the Gods that I happen'd to meet with a ^[2] Brother, whose Behaviour and Affection is such, as to contribute both to my Pleasure and Improvement: 'Tis also their Blessing that my Children were neither Heavy in their Heads, nor Mishapen in their Limbs: That I made no farther Advances in Rhetorick, Poetry, and such other Amusements, which possibly might have engaged my Fancy too far, had I found my self a considerable Proficient: That without asking, I gave my Governours that share of Honour, and that sort of Business, which they seem'd to desire; and did not put them off from time to time with Promises and Excuse. That

1. To have Torches, or Fire, always carried before them was an Honour peculiar to the Roman Emperors and Empresses.
2. Lucius Verus who was adopted by the Emperor Antoninus Pius.