The beginning of the emperor's letter seemed very striking. It
opened thus: "May all the gods and goddesses destroy
me more miserably
than I feel myself to be daily perishing, if I know at
know at this moment
what to write to you, Senators, how to write it, or
what, in short, not
to write." So completely had his crimes and infamies
recoiled, as a penalty,
on himself. With profound meaning was it often
affirmed by the greatest
teacher of philosophy that, could the minds of |