MINUCIUS FELIX. 513 they are crowned for the slaughter. Thus in thisrespect some are liftedup to empiresand dominations,that the un restrainedexerciseof power might make a market of their spiritto theunbridledlicencethatischaracteristicof a ruined soul.1 For, apart from the knowledge of God, what solid happiness can there be, since death must come? Like a dream, happinessslipsaway beforeitisgrasped. Are you a king ? Yet you fearas much as you arefeared; and however you may be surroundedwith abundant followers,yet you are alonein thepresenceof danger. Are you rich? But fortune isilltrusted; and with a largetravellingequipagethe brief journey of lifeisnot furnished,but burdened. Do you boast of thefascesand the magisterialrobes? It isa vain mistake of man, and an empty worshipof dignity,to glitterin purple and to be sordidin mind. Are you elevatedby nobilityof birth? do you praiseyour parents? Yet we areallborn with one lot; itisonly by virtuethatwe are distinguished.We therefore,who areestimatedby our characterand ourmodesty, reasonablyabstainfrom evilpleasures,and from your pomps and exhibitions,the origin of which in connection with sacredthingswe know, and condemn theirmischievousen ticements. For in the chariotgames who doesnot shudder at the madness of the people brawling among themselves? or at the teachingof murder in the gladiatorialgames ? In the scenicgames alsothe madness is not less,but the de bauchery ismore prolonged:fornow a mimic eitherexpounds or shows forth adulteries; now a nervelessplayer,whilehe feigns lust,suggestsit; the same actordisgracesyour gods by attributingto them adulteries,sighs,hatreds; the same provokes your tears with pretended sufferings,with vain gesturesand expressions.Thus you demand murder, infact, while you weep at itin fiction. 1 Thispassageispeculiar; theoriginalis," Ut ingeniumeorumper- dittementisliccntirepotestatislibera?nundinentur,"withvariousmodi ficationsofreading. CTP.— tOL. II.