III. Augustus eating at the table of one of his friends, where a poor slave breaking a crystal vessel, fell upon his knees, begging him that his master might not fling him to the lampreys; as he had use to do for food, with such of them that offended him: Augustus hating his friend's cruelty, broke all his friend's crystal vessels, both reproving his luxury and his severity. He never recommended any of his own children, but he always added, If they deserve it. He reproved his daughter for her excess in apparel, and both rebuked and imprisoned her for her immodest latitudes. The people of Rome complaining that wine was dear, he sent them to the fountains, telling them they were cheap. IV. Vespasian was a great and an extraordinary man, who maintained something of the Roman virtue in his time. One day seeing a young man finely dressed, and richly perfumed, he was displeased with him, saying, "I had rather smell the poor man's garlic, than thy perfume:" and took his place and government from him. A certain person being brought before him, that had conspired against him, he reproved him, and said, "That it was God who gave and took away empires." Another time conferring favour upon his enemy, and being asked why he did so, he answered, that he should remember the right way. V. Trajan would say, "That it became an emperor to act towards his people, as he would have his people act towards him." The governor of Rome having delivered the sword into his hand, and created him emperor; "Here," saith he, "take it again: if I reign well, use it for me: if ill, use it against me." An expression which shows great humility and goodness, making power subservient to virtue. VI. Adrian, also emperor, had several sayings worthy of notice: one was, "That a good prince did not think the estates of his subjects belonging to him." He would say, "That kings should not act the king:" that is, should be just, and mix sweetness with greatness, and be conversible with good men. "That the treasures of princes are like the spleen, that never swells, but it makes other parts shrink:" teaching princes thereby to spare their subjects.--Meeting one that was his enemy before he was emperor, he cried out to him, "Now thou hast no more to fear:" intimating, that, having power to revenge himself, he would rather use it to do him good.