fect cognizance, but we have also desired to
have them confirmed by you as what is proper for us and likely to prove
beneficial.

8. This, my grown-up son Gratian, to whom all of you bear affection as a
common pledge, who has long lived among your own children, I am, for the
sake of securing the public tranquillity on all sides, about to take as
my colleague in the imperial authority, if the propitious will of the
ruler of heaven and of your dignity, shall co-operate with a parent's
affection. He has not been trained by a rigid education from his very
cradle as we ourselves have; nor has he been equally taught to endure
hardships; nor is he as yet, as you see, able to endure the toils of
war; but in his disposition he is not unworthy of the glorious
reputation of his family, or the mighty deeds of his ancestors, and, I
venture to say, he is likely to grow up equal to still greater actions.

9. "For as I often think when contemplating, as I am wont to do, his
manners and passions though not yet come to maturity, he is so furnished
with the liberal sciences, and in all accomplishments and graces, that
even now, while only entering on manhood, he will be able to form an
accurate judgment of virtuous and vicious actions. He will so conduct
himself that virtuous men may see that they are appreciated; he will be
eager in the performance of noble actions; he will never desert the
military standards and eagles; he will cheerfully bear heat, snow,
frost, and thirst; he will, if necessity should arise, never shrink from
fighting in defence of his country; he will expose his life to save his
comrades from danger, and (and this is the highest and greatest work of
piety) he will love the republic as his own paternal and ancestral
home."

10. Before he had finished his speech, every soldier hastened to
anticipate his comrades as well as his position permitted him, in
showing that these words of the emperor met with their cheerful assent.
And so, as partakers in his joy, and as convinced of the advantage of
his proposal, they declared Gratian emperor, mingling the propitious
clashing of their arms with the loud roar of the trumpets.

11. When Valentinian saw this, his confidence increased; he adorned his
son with a crown and with the robes befitting his now supreme rank, and
kissed him; and then thus addressed him, brilliant as he appeared, and
giving careful attention to all his words:--

12. "You wear now," said he, "my Gratian