OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE.

“ islands of the ocean. By our sins, in the ab-“ sence of our princes, the noble institution of“ the senate has sunk in oblivion; and with our“ prudence, our strength has likewise decreased“ We have revived the senate and the equestrian“ order: the counsels of the one, the arms of the“ other, will be devoted to your person and the“ service of the empire. Do you not hear the“ language of the Roman matron ? You were a“ guest, I have adopted you as a citizen; a“ Transalpine stranger, I have elected you for“ my sovereign; 11 and given you myself and all“ that is mine. Your first and most sacred duty“ is to swear and subscribe that you will shed“ your blood for the republic; that you will“ maintain in peace and justice the laws of the“ city and the charters of your predecessors;“ and that you will reward with five thousand“ pounds of silver, the faithful senators who shall“ proclaim your titles in the capitol. With the“ name, assume the character of Augustus .”The flowers of Latin rhetoric were not yet ex-hausted ; but Frederic, impatient of their vanity,interrupted the orators in the high tone of royal-ty and conquest. “ Famous indeed have been“ the fortitude and wisdom of the ancient Ro-“ mans; but your speech is not seasoned with“ wisdom, and 1 could wish that fortitude were“ conspicuous in your actions. Like all sublu-;< nary things, Rome has felt the vicissitudes of“ time and fortune. Your noblest families were“ translated to the East to the royal city of Con-

* Ho.spes eras, civem feri. Advena fuisti ex Transalpinis partibus;principem constitui.

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CHAP.

LXIX