I am to thank the Gods that my Grandfathers, Parents, Sister, Preceptors, Relations, Friends, and Domesticks, were almost all of them Persons of Probity. And that I never happened to disoblige, or misbehave my self towards any of them; notwithstanding if my Humour had been awaken'd, and push'd forward, I had been likely enough to have miscarried this way: But by the goodness of the Gods, I met with no Provocations to discover my Infirmities. 'Tis likewise their Providence, that my Childhood was no longer manag'd by my Grandfather's¹¹ Mistress; that my Youth was undedauch'd, and that I barr'd my Liberty for some time in standing clear from Engagements with Women: That I was observant of the Emperour my Father, and bred under him : who was the most proper Person living to put me out of conceit with Pride, and to convince me, that Authority may be supported without the Ceremony of Guards, without Richness, and Distinction of Habit, without Torches¹², Statues, or such other Marks Royalty and State; and that a Prince may shrink himself almost into the Figure of a private Gentleman; and yet act nevertheless, with all the Force and Majesty of his Character when the Government requires it. 'Tis the favour of the Gods that I happen'd to meet with a ¹³ Brother, whose Behaviour and Affection is such, as to contribute both to my Pleasure and Improvement: 'Tis also their Blessing that my Children were neither Heavy in their Heads, nor Mishapen in their Limbs: That I made no farther Advances in Rhetorick, Poetry, and such other Amusements, which possibly might have engaged my Fancy too far, had I found my self a considerable Proficient: That without asking, I gave my Governours that share of Honour, and that sort of Business, which they seem'd to desire; and did not put them off from time to time with Promises and Excuse. That I had the Happiness of being acquainted with those celebrated Philosophers, Apollonius, Rusticus, and Maximus: For having a clear Idea of the Rules of Practice, and the true way of Living; and the Impression frequently refresh'd; so that considering the extraordinary Assistances and Directions of the Gods, 'tis impossible for me to miss the Road of Nature and right Reason, unless by refusing to be guided by the Dictates, and almost sensible Inspirations of Heaven. 'Tis the Favour of these superior Beings, that my Constitution has held out so well, under a Life of Fatigue and Business: That I never had any infamous Correspondence with Benedicta or Theodotus¹⁴; And that after some Amours, and intemperate Sallies, I took up, and recover'd: That when I fell out with Rusticus, as it frequently happen'd, I was not transported into any Act of Violence: That I had the satisfaction of my Mother's Life and Company a considerable while, tho she was very near dying when she was Young. To give more Instances of their Bounty; 'Tis they that kept me from standing in need of any Man's Fortune: And that when I was willing to Relieve the Necessities of Others, I was never told that the Exchequer or Privy Purse, were out of Cash. And farther, 'tis from them that my Wife is so very obsequious, and affectionate, and so remote from the Fancy of Figure and Expence: That I had choice of good Governours for my Children: That Remedies were prescrib'd me in a Dream, against Giddiness, and Spitting of Blood; As I remember, it happen'd both at Cajeta, and ¹⁵Chrysa: That when I had a mind to look into Philosophy, I met neither with a Pedant, nor a Knave to instruct me: That I did not spend too much time in Voluminous Reading, Chopping Logick, or Natural Philosophy: Now all these Points could never have been Compass'd, and Guarded, without a Protection from above, and the Gods presiding over Fate and Fortune.

This was written in the Country of the ¹⁶ Quadi, in my Expedition against them.