按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
he Emperor （1） Ad M。 Caes iii。 17 （2） Ad M。 Caes iii。 12 Antoninus had a high opinion of Herodes； and all we know goes to prove he was a man of high character and princely generosity。 When quite young he was made administrator of the free cities in Asia； nor is it surprising to find that he made bitter enemies there； indeed； a just ruler was sure to make enemies。 The end of it was that an Athenian deputation； headed by the orators Theodotus and Demostratus； made serious accusations against his honour。 There is no need to discuss the merits of the case here； suffice it to say； Herodes succeeded in defending himself to the satisfaction of the emperor。 Pronto appears to have taken the delegates' part； and to have accepted a brief for the prosecution； urged to some extent by personal considerations； and in this cause Marcus Aurelius writes to Fronto as follows 'AURELIUS CAESAR to his friend FRONTO； greeting。（1） 'I know you have often told me you were anxious to find how you might best please me。 Now is the time； now you can increase my love towards you； if it can be increased。 A trial is at hand； in which people seem likely not only to hear your speech with pleasure； but to see your indignation with impatience。 I see no one who dares give you a hint in the matter； for those who are less friendly； prefer to see you act with some inconsistency； and those who are more frIendly； fear to seem too friendly to your opponent if they should dissuade you from your accusation； then again； in case you have prepared something neat for the occasion； they cannot endure to rob you of your harangue by silencing you。 Therefore； whether you think me a rash counsellor； or a bold boy； or too kind to your opponent； not because I think it better； I will offer my counsel with some caution。 But why have I said； offer my counsel？ No； I demand it from you； I demand it boldly； and if I succeed； I promise to remain under your obligation。 What？ you will say if I am attackt； shall I not pay tit for tat ？ Ah； but you will get greater glory； if even when attackt you answer nothing。 Indeed； if he begins it； answer as you will and you will have fair excuse； but I have demanded of him that he shall not begin； and I think I have succeeded。 I love each of you according to your merits and I know that lie was educated in the house of P。 Calvisius； my gran（l…father； and that I was educated by you； therefore I am full of anxiety that this most disagreeable business shall be managed as honourably as possible。 I trust you may approve my advice； for my intention you will approve。 At least I prefer to write unwisely rather than to be silent unkindly。'
（1） Ad M。 Caes ii。； 2。
Fronto replied； thanking the prince for his advice； and promising that he will confine himself to the facts of the case。 But he points out that the charges brought against Herodes were such； that they can hardly be made agreeable； amongst them being spoliation； violence； and murder。 However； he is willing even to let some of these drop if it be the prince's pleasure。 To this Marcus returned the following answer：…（1） 'This one thing； my dearest Fronto； is enough to make me truly grateful to you； that so far from rejecting my counsel； you have even approved it。 As to the question you raise in your kind letter； my opinion is this： all that concerns the case which you are supporting must be clearly brought forward ； what concerns your own feelings； though you may have had just provocation； should be left unsaid。' The story does credit to both。 Fronto shows no loss of temper at the interference； nor shrinks from stating his case with frankness； and Marcus； with forbearance remarkable in a prince； does not command that his friend be left unmolested； but merely stipulates for a fair trial on the merits of the case。
Another example may he given from a letter of Fronto's （2） Here is something else quarrelsome and querulous。 I have sometimes found fault with you in your absence somewhat seriously in the company of a few of my most intimate friends ： at times； for example； when you mixt in society with a more solemn look than was fitting； or would read books in the theatre or in a banquet ； nor did I absent myself from theatre or banquet when you did（3）。 Then I used to call you a hard man； no good company； even disagreeable； sometimes； when anger got the better of me。 But did any one else in the same banquet speak against you； I could not endure to hear it with equanimity。 Thus it was easier for me to say something to your disadvantage myself； than to hear others do it； just as I could more easily bear to chastise my daughter Gratia； than to see her chastised by another。'
1。 Ad。 M。 Caes。； iii。 5。 2。 iv。 12。
3 The text is obscure
The affection between them is clear from every page of the correspondence。 A few instances are now given； which were written at different periods To MY MASTER。（1） 'This is how I have past the last few days。 My sister was suddenly seized with an internal pain； so violent that I was horrified at her looks； my mother in her trepidation on that account accidentally bruised her side on a corner of the wall； she and we were greatly troubled about that blow。 For myself； on going to rest I found a scorpion in my bed； but I did not lie down upon him； I killed him first。 If you are getting on better； that is a consolation。 My mother is easier now； thanks be to God。 Good…bye； best and sweetest master。 My lady sends you greeting。'
（2）'What words can I find to fit my had luck； or how shall I upbraid as it deserves the hard constraint which is laid upon me？ It ties me fast here； troubled my heart is； and beset by such anxiety； nor does it allow me to make haste to my Fronto； my life and delight； to be near him at such a moment of ill…health in particular； to hold his hands； to chafe gently that identical foot； so far as may be done without discomfort； to attend him in the bath； to support his steps with my arm。'
（3）'This morning I did not write to you； because I heard you were better； and because I was myself engaged in other business； and I cannot ever endure to write anything to you unless with mind at ease and untroubled and free。 So if we are all right； let me know： what I desire； you know； and how properly I desire it； I know。 Farewell； my master； always in every chance first in my mind； as you deserve to be。 My master； see I am not asleep； and I compel myself to sleep； that you may not be angry with me。 You gather I am writing this late at night。'
（1） Ad M。 Caes。； v。 8。 （2） i。 2。 （3） iii。 21。
（1）'What spirit do you suppose is in me； when I remember how long it is since I have seen you； and why I have not seen you 1 and it may be I shall not see you for a few days yet； while you are strengthening yourself； as you must。 So while you lie on the sick…bed； my spirit also will lie low anti； whenas；（2） by God's mercy you shall stand upright； my spirit too will stand firm； which is now burning… with the strongest desire for you。 Farewell； soul of your prince； your （3）0 my dear Fronto； most distinguished Consul！ I yield； you have conquered： all who have ever loved before； you have conquered out and out in love's contest。 Receive the victor's wreath ； and