Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/132

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.

lxxx
The Life of the Emperour

This Jest did much more harm to him that spoke it, than to those 'twas broke upon. [1] For the Countenance of the Quintilians was by no means unserviceable to Demostratus, and Praxagoras ; for

[2] The Emperour and the Empress admitted them several times into the Presence, heard them upon the Subject of their Commission, and treated them with so much Distinction, that Herod took notice of it, not in the least doubting, that Antoninus favour'd the Athenians in Complaisance to Faustina, and at the Instance of one of his Daughters, who appear'd for them. Thus Herod being disturb'd with Jealousy, and extreamly troubled for the loss of two fine Slaves ( whom he call'd his Daughters, ) just kill'd with Lightning, being thus ruffled to a degree of Rage and Impatience, away he hurries in the Morning to the Emperour, and behaving himself with a great deal of Passion, insolently tells him; Thus I am rewarded for my Trouble with Verus, whom you sent for Instruction to my House ! Call you this Justice to sacrifice me to the Humour of a Woman, and a little Girl ? At this the Captain of the Guards was just stepping forward, either to take him by the Collar, or cut his Throat; but was prevented by Antoninus, who without either changing Countenance, orshowing

  1. Philostr. in vit. Herod.
  2. Philostr.