Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/175

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.

Marcus Antoninus.
cxxiii

more than ordinary: For the Regard I have always had for you, makes me reasonably expect a suitable Return. And now Opportunity presents fair for us both; For Me, that I may have the Satisfaction to be sensible my Esteem and Affection have not been misplaced; For you, to make your Acknowledgements, and show you are not unmindful of what you have Receiv'd.

You see my Son here, who has been Educated under you, Just Launching into his Youth; This part of Life for a Prince especially, is like putting to Sea in a Storm; where without Ballast and good Pilots, he'l be in Danger of being over-set by his Passions, and split upon some Rock or other: And therefore since he is going to lose his Father, I hope that Relation will be supplied, and multiplied in you: Pray take care of him in this dangerous Station, and let him never want good Counsel: Put him in Mind, that all the Wealth in the World, is not sufficient to satisfy the Caprice and Luxury of a Tyrant. And that a Prince's Guards, tho' never so Numerous, are but a slender Protection without the Love of the Subject: That those generally sit longest, and most secure upon the Throne, who Reign over the Affections of the People, and govern more by Goodness, than Terror. For 'tis Inclination and not Farce, which keeps Loyalty firm, andmakes