The cure of
other defects depends upon our own private spirits: some of us, shame will
reclaim; necessity will mend the poor; satiety the rich. Or if any of the
Magistrates, from a confidence of his own firmness and perseverance, will
undertake to stem the progress of so great an evil; he has both my
praises, and my acknowledgment, that he discharges me of part of my
fatigues: but if such will only impeach corruptions, and when they have
gained the glory, would leave upon me the indignation (indignation of
their own raising); believe me, Conscript Fathers, I am not fond of
bearing resentments: I already suffer many for the Commonwealth; many that
are grievous and almost all unjust; and therefore with reason I intreat
that I may not be loaded with such as are wantonly and vainly raised, and
promise no advantage to you nor to me."
The Senate, upon reading the Emperor's letter, released the Aediles from
this pursuit: and the luxury of the table which, from the battle of Actium
till the revolution made by Galba, flowed, for the space of an hundred
years, in all profusion; at last gradually declined.
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