However what was most glorious for him he had
attained; to be thought worthy of alliance with the Emperor: hence the
source of his present hopes: and, since he had heard that Augustus, in the
disposal of his daughter, had not been without thoughts even of some of
the Roman knights; he begged that if a husband were sought for Livia,
Tiberius would remember his friend; one whose ambition aimed no higher
than the pure and disinterested glory of the affinity: for that he would
never abandon the burden of his present trust; but hold it sufficient to
be, by that means, enabled to support his house against the injurious
wrath of Agrippina; and in this he only consulted the security of his
children. For himself; his own life would be abundantly long, whenever
finally spent in the ministry of such a Prince."
For a present answer, Tiberius praised the loyalty of Sejanus;
recapitulated cursorily the instances of his own favours towards him, and
required time, as it were for a thorough deliberation. At last he made
this reply: "That all other men were, in their pursuits, guided by the
notions of convenience: far different was the lot and situation of
Princes, who were in their action to consider chiefly the applause and
good liking of the public: he therefore did not delude Sejanus with an
obvious and plausible answer; that Livia could herself determine whether,
after Drusus, she ought again to marry, or still persist his widow, and
that she had a mother and grandmother, nearer relations and more
interested to advise.
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