via, whom I hope to make my intercessors with you?" 35. The apology, which intimated a desire of living, was not disagreeable to Augustus, who politely assured her she was at liberty to keep whatever she had reserved, and that in every thing she should be indulged to the height of her expectations. He then took leave, and departed; imagining he had reconciled her to life, and to the indignity of being shown in the intended triumph, which he was preparing for his return to Rome: but in this he was deceived. 36. Cleopa'tra had all this time corresponded with Dolabella, a young Roman of high birth in the camp of Augustus, who, from compassion, or perhaps some stronger motives, was interested in her misfortunes. By him she was secretly informed, that Augustus determined to send her and her children, within three days, to Rome, to grace his triumphant entry. 37. She at length, therefore, determined upon dying; but first throwing herself upon Antony's coffin, bewailed her captivity, and renewed her protestations not to survive him. Having bathed, and ordered a sumptuous banquet, she attired herself in the most splendid manner. After partaking of the banquet, she commanded all, except her two women, to leave the apartment. She had contrived to have an asp secretly conveyed to her in a basket of fruit, and then wrote to Augustus to inform him of her fatal purpose, desiring to be buried in the same tomb with Antony. 38. Augustus, upon receiving the letter, instantly despatched messengers in hopes to stop the fulfilment of her intentions, but they arrived too late. Upon entering the chamber, they beheld Cleopatra lying dead upon her couch, arrayed in royal robes. Near her I'ras, one of her faithful attendants, was stretched at the feet of her mistress; and Char'mion 1, the other, scarcely alive, was placing the diadem upon Cleopa'tra's head. "Alas!" cried one of the messengers, "is this well done, Charmion ?" "Yes," replied she, "it is well done; such a death becomes a glorious queen, descended from a race of glorious ancestors." Pronouncing these words, she dropped and expired with her much loved mistress 2. 1 Pronounced Kar'mion. 2 Cleopatra was forty years old at the time of her death, and had lived twelve years with Antony. Questions for Examination. 1. What new conquest was achieved by Augustus? 2. What was Antony's conduct on his arrival ? 3. Was he elated by this slight success? 4. How was he rewarded, and in what manner did he evince his gra titude? 5. What were Antony's feeling and conduct on the occasion ? 6. Did he attempt farther hostilities? 7. Was this satisfaction well founded? 8. How was he affected by this ill success? 9. Was Cleopatra prepared for these misfortunes? 10. What precautions had she taken? 11. What was her design in building this sepulchre? 12. Was Antony affected by this news? 13. What followed? 14. Did Antony persist in his purpose? 15. Did he immediately expire? 16. Had he another interview with Cleopatra ? 17, 18. Relate the particulars of this interview. 19. How did Augustus act on this occasion? 20. Why was Augustus anxious to preserve the life of Cleopatra ? 21. Did he obtain ready admittance to her, and what was the conse quence? 22. How was she treated? 23. By whom were the last honours paid to Antony? 24. Did this kindness reconcile her to her situation? 25. By what means did Augustus overcome her resolution? 26. What circumstances attended the entrance of Augustus into Alex andria? 27. Were their fears realized? 28. Who fell victims on the occasion? 29. Did Augustus visit Cleopatra, and how was he received? 30. What was his conduct towards her? 31. How did Cleopatra conduct herself at this interview? 32. Was Augustus moved by her artifices? 33. Mention her next attempt, and its consequence. 34. Relate the particulars. 35. Was the apology accepted? 36. With whom did Cleopatra correspond, and what did she learn? 37. What resolution did she form, and how did she accomplish it? 38. Did not Augustus attempt to prevent her resolution, and was he successful? CHAPTER XXII. SECT. I. Happy Augustus! who so well inspired, 3. Oblit'erate, v. to blot out, to cause Clemency, s. mercy, gentleness, mildness. 3. Devasta'tion, s. the act of laying waste, destruction. 5. Don'atives, s. gifts, largesses. 10. Af'fable, a. free, condescending. DYER. 20. E'dicts, s. proclamations that have the force of laws. 24. Manumis'sion, s. the act of setting slaves free. 26. Disallow'ed; part. forbidden, not allowed. 27. Extir'pate, v. to root out, to destroy. Dete'r, v. to frighten from. 1. By the death of Antony, Augus'tus having become master of the Roman empire, returned to Rome in triumph; where, by feasts and magnificent shows, he began to obliterate the impressions of his former cruelty; and thenceforward resolved to secure, by his clemency, a throne, the foundations of which were laid in blood. 2. He was now at the head of the most extensive empire that mankind had ever beheld. The former spirit of the Romans, and those characteristic marks that distinguished them from others, were now totally lost. The city was inhabited by a concourse from all the countries of the world and being consequently divested of all just patriotic principles, perhaps a monarchy was the best form of government that could be found to unite its members. 3. However, it was very remarkable, that during these long contentions among themselves, and these horrid devastations by civil war, the state was daily growing more formidable and powerful, and completed the destruction of all the kings who presumed to oppose it. 4. The first care of Augus'tus was to assure himself of the friends of Antony; for which purpose he publicly reported that he had burnt all Antony's letters and papers without reading them, convinced that, while any thought themselves suspected, they would be fearful of even offering him their friendship. 5. He had gained the kingdom by his army, but he resolved to govern it by the senate. This body, though greatly fallen from its ancient splendour, he knew to be the best constituted, and most remarkable for wisdom and justice. To the senate, therefore, he gave the chief power in the administration of his government, while he himself secured the fidelity of the people and the army by donatives, and acts of favour. 6. By these means the odium of severity fell upon the senate, and the popularity of pardon was solely his own. Thus restoring splendour to the senate, and discountenancing corruption, he pretended to reserve to himself a very moderate share of authority, to which none could object: namely, power to compel all ranks of the state to do their duty. 7. This was, in fact, reserving absolute dominion in his own hands; but the misguided people began to look upon his moderation with astonishment: they considered themselves as restored to their former freedom, except the capacity of promoting sedition; and the senate supposed their power re-established in all things but their tendency to injustice. It was even said that the Romans, by such a government, lost nothing of the happiness that liberty could produce, and were exempt from all the misfortunes it could occasion. 8. This observation might have some truth under such a monarch as Augustus now appeared to be; but they were afterwards taught to change their sentiments under his successors, when they found themselves afflicted with all the punishments that tyranny could inflict, or sedition make necessary. 9. After having established this admirable order, Augustus found himself agitated by different passions; and considered, a long time, whether he should keep the empire, or restore the people to their ancient liberty. 10. But he adopted the advice of Mæce'nas, which was, to continue in power; and he was afterwards swayed by him on every occasion. By the advice of that minister, he became gentle, affable, and humane: he encouraged men of learning, and gave them much of his time and his friendship. These in their turn relieved his most anxious hours, and circulated his praise throughout the empire. 11. Thus having given peace and happiness to his subjects, and being convinced of the attachment of all orders of the state to his person, he resolved upon impressing the people with an idea of his magnanimity, by making a show of resigning his authority. 12. To this end, having previously instructed his creatures in the senate how to act, he addressed them in a studied speech, importing the difficulty of governing so extensive an empire; a task to which, he said, none but the immortal gods were equal. He modestly urged his own inability, though impelled by every motive to undertake it; and then, with a degree of seeming generosity, freely gave up all that power which his arms had gained, and which the senate had confirmed, giving them to understand, that the true spirit of the Romans was not lost in him. 13. This speech operated upon the senate variously, as they were more or less in the secret. Many believed the sincerity of his conduct as an act of heroism unequalled by any thing that had hitherto appeared; others, though ignorant of his motives, distrusted his designs. Some there were, who having greatly suffered during the popular commotions, were fearful of their being renewed; but the majority, who were properly instructed by his ministers, frequently attempted to interrupt him while speaking, and received his proposals with pretended indignation. 14. These unanimously besought him not to resign the administration; and upon his continuing to decline the request, they in a manner compelled him to comply. However, that his person might be in greater security, they immediately decreed that the pay of his guard should be doubled. 15. On the other hand, that he might seem to make concessions on his side, he permitted the senate to govern the weak, internal provinces, while the most powerful provinces, and those that required the greatest armies for their defence, were taken entirely under his own command. Over these he assumed the government for ten years only, leaving the people still in hopes of regaining their ancient freedom; at the same time, however, laying his measures so well, that his government was renewed every ten years to his death. 16. This show of resignation only served to confirm him in the empire, and in the hearts of the people. New honours were heaped upon him. He was now first called Augustus (a name I have hitherto used, as that by which he is best known in history). A laurel was ordered to be planted at his gates. That house was called the palace wherever he made his abode. He was confirmed in the title of father of his country, and his person declared sacred and inviolable. 17. In short, flattery seemed on the rack to find out new modes of pleasing him; but, though he despised the arts of the senate, he permitted their homage, |