490 CIVIL CHARACTER OF AUGUSTUS CAESAR. 



he carried on his own ends with much moderation 

 and discretion ; but he did not order his ends well, 

 proposing to himself vast and high designs above the 

 reach of a mortal man. But Augustus, as a man 

 sober, and mindful of his mortality, seemed to 

 propound no other ends to himself than such as 

 were orderly and well weighed and governed by 

 reason. For first he was desirous indeed to have 

 the rule and principality in his hands ; then he sought 

 to appear worthy of that power which he should 

 acquire : next, to enjoy an high place he accounted 

 but a transitory thing : lastly, he endeavoured to do 

 such actions as might continue his memory and leave 

 an impression of his good government to after ages. 

 And therefore, in the beginning of his age, he affected 

 power ; in the middle of his age, honour and dignity; 

 in the decline of his years, ease and pleasure ; and in 

 the end of his life, he was wholly bent to memory 

 and posterity. 



