Calendar: 1852-1853 Page 325

GENERAL LITERATURE AND SCIENCE 321 who examined his wound discovered the symptoms of approaching death He employed the awful moments with the firm temper of hero and sage the philosophers who had accompanied him in this fatal expedition compared the tent of Julian with the prison of Socrates and the spectators whom duty or friend- ship or curiosity had assembled round his couch listened with respectful grief to the funeral oration of their dying emperor Friends and fellow-soldiers the seasonable period of my depar- ture is now arrived and discharge with the cheerfulness of ready debtor the demands of nature have learned from phi- losophy how much the soul is more excellent than the body and that the separation of the nobler substance should be the subject of joy rather than of affliction have learned from religion that an early death has often been the reward of piety and accept as favour of the gods the mortal stroke that secures me from the danger of disgracing character which has hitherto been supported by virtue and fortitude die without remorse as have lived without guilt am pleased to reflect on the innocence of my private life and can affirm with confidence that the supreme authority that emanation of the Divine Power has been preserved in my hands pure and immaculate Detesting the corrupt and destructive maxims of despotism have con- sidered the happiness of the people as the end of government Submitting my actions to the laws of prudence of justice and of moderation have trusted the event to the care of Providence VL-Crantflatt into βν $ambic£ Have tongue to doom my brother's death And shall that tongue give pardon to slave My brother kill'd no man his fault was thought And yet his punishment was bitter death Who sued to me for him who in my wrath Kneel'd at my feet and bade me be advised