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！
a mile or so from the highroad。 Then we inspected that ancient town； a miniature it is； but has in it many antiquities； temples； and religious ceremonies quite out of the way。 There is not a corner without its shrine； or fane； or temple； besides； many books written on linen； which belongs to things sacred。 Then on the gate as we came out was written twice； as follows ： 〃Priest don the fell。'（2） I asked one of the inhabitants what that word was。 He said it was the word in the Hernican dialect for the victim's skin； which the priest puts over his conical cap when he enters the city。 I found out many other things which I desired to know； but the only thing I do not desire is that you should he absent from me； that is my chief anxiety。 Now for yourself； when you left that place； did you go to Aurelia or to Campania？ Be sure to write to me； and say whether you have opened the vintage； or carried a host of books to the country…house； this also； whether you miss me； I am foolish to ask it； whenas you tell it me of yourself。 Now if you miss me and if you love me； send me your letters often； which is a comfort and consolation to me。 Indeed I should prefer ten times to read your letters than all the vines of Gaurus or the Marsians； for these Signian vines have grapes too rank and fruit too sharp in the taste； but I prefer wine to must for drinking。 Besides； those grapes are nicer to eat dried than fresh…ripe； I vow I would rather tread them under foot than put my teeth in them。 But I pray they may be gracious and forgiving； and grant me free pardon for these jests of mine。 Farewell； best friend； dearest； most l~rned； sweetest master。 When you see the must ferment in the vat； remember that just so in my heart the longing for you is gushing and flowing and bubbling。 Good…bye。' 1 Ad Verum。 Imp ii。 1； s。 fin。
2 Santentum
Making all allowances for conventional exaggerations； it is clear from the correspondence that there was deep love between Marcus and his preceptor。 The letters cover several years in succession； but soon after the birth of Marcus's daughter； Faustina； there is a large gap。 It does not follow that the letters ceased entirely； because we know part of the collection is lost； but there was probably less intercourse between Marcus and Fronto after Marcus took to the study of philosophy under the guidance of Rusticus。
When Marcus succeeded to the throne in 161； the letters begin again； with slightly increased formality on Fronto's part； and they go on for some four years； when Fronto； who has been continually complaining of ill…health； appears to have died。 One letter of the later period gives some interesting particulars of the emperor's public life； which are worth quoting。 Fronto speaks of Marcus's victories and eloquence in the usual strain of high praise； and then continues。（1） 'The army when you took it in hand was sunk in luxury and revelry； and corrupted with long inactivity。 At Antiochia the soldiers had been Wont to applaud at the stage plays； knew more of the gardens at the nearest restaurant than of the battlefield。 Horses were hairy from lack of grooming； horsemen smooth because their hairs had been pulled out by the roots（2） a rare thing it was to see a soldier with hair on arm or leg。 Moreover； they were better drest than armed； so much so； that Laelianus Pontius。 a strict man of the old discipline； broke the cuirasses of some of them with his finger…tips； and observed cushions on the horses' backs。 At his direction the tufts were cut through； and out of the horsemnen's saddles came what appeared to be feathers pluckt from geese。 Few of the men could vault on horseback； the rest clambered up with difficulty by aid of heel and knee and leg not many could throw a lance hurtling； most did it without force or power； as though they were things of wool。 dicing was common in the camp； sleep lasted all night； or if they kept watch it was over the winecup。 By what regulations to restrain such soldiers as these； and to turn them to honesty and industry； did you not learn from Hannibal's sternness； the discipline of Africanus； the acts of Metellus recorded in history 1 Ad Verum。 imp。； ii。 I； s。fin。
2 A common mark of the effeminate at Rome。
After the preceptorial letters cease the others are concerned with domestic events； health and sickness； visits or introductions； birth or death。 Thus the emp…peror writes to his old friend； who had shown some diffidence in seeking an interview ：（1） 'To MY MASTER。
'I have a serious grievance against you； my dear master； yet indeed my grief is more than my grievance； because after so long a time I neither embraced you nor spoke to you； though you visited the palace； and the moment after I had left the prince my brother。 I reproached my brother severc＇y for not recalling me； nor durst he deny the fault。' Fronto again writes on one occasion： 'I have seen your daughter。 It was like seeing you and Faustina in infancy； so much that is charming her face has taken from each of yours。' Or again； at a later date：（2） I have seen your chicks； most delightful sight that ever I saw in my life； so like you that nothing is more like than the likeness。 。 。 。 By the mercy of Heaven they have a healthy colour and strong lungs。 One held a piece of white bread； like a little prince； the other a common piece； like a true philosophers son。'
1 Ad Verum。 Imp。 Aur。 Caes。； i。 3。
2 Ad Ant。 Imp i。； 3。
Marcus； we know； was devoted to his children。 They were delicate in health； in spite of Fronto's assurance； and only one son survived the father。 We find echoes of this affection now and again in the letters。 'We have summer heat here still；' writes Marcus； 'but since my little girls are pretty well； if I may say so； it is like the bracing climate of spring to us。'（1） When little Faustina came back from the valley of the shadow of death； her father at once writes to inform Fronto。（2） The sympathy he asks he also gives； and as old age brings more and more infirmity； Marcus becomes even more solicitous for his beloved teacher。 The poor old man suffered a heavy blow in the death of his grandson； on which Marcus writes：（3） 'I have just heard of your misfortune。 Feeling grieved as I do when one of your joints gives you pain； what do you think I feel； dear master； when you have pain of mind？' The old man's reply； in spite of a certain self…consciousness； is full of pathos。 He recounts with pride the events of a long and upright life； in which he has wronged no man； and lived in harmony with his friends and family。 His affectations fall away from him； as the cry of pain is forced from his heart：… （4）'Many such sorrows has fortune visited me with all my life long。 To pass by my other afflictions； I have lost five children under the most pitiful conditions possible： for the five I lost one by one when each was my only child； suffering these blows of bereavement in such a manner that each child was born to one already bereaved。 Thus I ever lost my children without solace； and got them amidst fresh grief。。。。。'
The letter continues with reflections on the nature of death； 'more to be rejoiced at than bewailed； the younger one dies；' and an arraignment of Providence not without