Emperour, nor the Stoick would allow of any length of Expression. Besides, he wrote chiefly for himself, which makes him still more sparing in his Language : He sometimes draws in little, writes his Meaning, as it were in Short-Hand, and does not beat out his Notions to their full Proportion. To which I may add, that sometimes the height of his Subject carries him almost out of Sight. For there is an obscurity in things, as well as in Language. For these Reasons 'tis no wonder if we find his Sense now and then a little perplex'd : And therefore where I was afraid the Reader might possibly be at a Loss, I have endeavour'd to direct him right by a Note in the Margin : I have likewise in some few Places ventur'd to throw in a Word or two, to make the Text more Intelligible. But when this Liberty was taken, I have been always careful to speak the Emperour's Mind, and keep close to the Meaning of the Original.
