suit. For as Augustus was now very aged, she had over him obtained such
absolute sway, that for her pleasure he banished into the Isle of Planasia
his only surviving grandson, Agrippa Postumus; one, in truth, destitute of
laudable accomplishments, in his temper untractable, and stupidly
conceited of his mighty strength, but branded with no misdemeanour or
transgression. The Emperor had withal set Germanicus, the son of Drusus,
over eight legions quartered upon the Rhine, and obliged Tiberius to adopt
him, though Tiberius had then a son of his own, one of competent years;
but it was the study of Augustus, to secure himself and the succession by
variety of stays and engraftments. War at that time there was none, except
that in Germany, kept on foot rather to abolish the disgrace sustained by
Quinctilius Varus, there slain with his army, than from any ambition to
enlarge the Empire, or for any other valuable advantage. In profound
tranquillity were affairs at Rome. To the Magistrates remained their
wonted names; of the Romans the younger sort had been born since the
battle of Actium, and even most of the old during the civil wars: how few
were then living who had seen the ancient free State!

The frame and economy of Rome being thus totally overturned, amongst the
Romans were no longer found any traces of their primitive spirit, or
attachment to the virtuous institutions of antiquity. But as the equality
of the whole was extinguished by the sovereignty of one, all men regarded
the orders of the Prince as the only rule of conduct and obedience; nor
felt they any anxiety, while Augustus yet retained vigour of life, and
upheld the credit of his administration with public peace, and the
imperial fortune of his house. But when he became broken with the pressure
of age and infirmities; when his end was at hand, and thence a new source
of hopes and views was presented, some few there were who began to reason
idly about the blessings and recovery of Liberty; many dreaded a civil
war, others longed for one; while far the greater part were uttering their