Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/379

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Meditations, &c.
199

are call'd, don't violate the Constitution; nor break in upon the Laws, therefore they don't Damage the Corporation ; nor by consequence any Member in it. [1]

XXXIV. He that's well Tinctur'd with Philosophy needs but a short Receipt : A common Cordial will keep up such a Man's Spirits, and expel the Cold from his Heart, A Verse or two out of Homer will serve for a Hint, and doe his business. Let the Poet speak.

Men are like Leaves in Verdure and Decay, As Spring supplyes what Autumn blows away, so Mortals fade , and flourish in their Turns. [2]

You see how slenderly Humane Felicity is put together, your Children are but Leaves upon the Matter, a little blast may take them from you. The freshest Lawrels wither apace , and the Ecchoes of Fame are soon silenced; And which has some Comfort, so is Censure and Reproach too. All these Matters like Leaves have their Spring for Growing , then a puff of Wind sends them packing, and quickly after the Wood is new furnish'd again. Things are strangly short-liv'd; And yet your Appetites, and Fears Grasp, and Scamper at that rate, as if all was E-

O 4
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  1. By the City or Corporation, the Emperour means the World, & by the Laws, the Order and Decrees of Providence. See Book 5. Sect. 22.
  2. Hom. Il. E.