are possessed with is a noble one, but it disturbs your judgment.
Hear me with patience, and with the tranquillity that becomes a
philosopher. It is true that Octavius had done all you have said; but it
is no less true that, in our circumstances, he was the best master Rome
could choose. His mind was fitted by nature for empire. His
understanding was clear and strong. His passions were cool, and under
the absolute command of his reason. His name gave him an authority over
the troops and the people which no other Roman could possess in an equal
degree. He used that authority to restrain the excesses of both, which
it was no longer in the power of the Senate to repress, nor of any other
general or magistrate in the state. He restored discipline in our
armies, the first means of salvation, without which no legal government
could have been formed or supported. He avoided all odious and invidious
names. He maintained and respected those which time and long habits had
endeared to the Roman people. He permitted a generous liberty of speech.
He treated the nobles of Pompey's party as well as those of his father's,
if they did not themselves, for factious purposes, keep up the
distinction. He formed a plan of government, moderate, decent,
respectable, which left the senate its majesty, and some of its power. He
restored vigour and spirit to the laws; he made new and good ones for the
reformation of manners; he enforced their execution; he governed the
empire with lenity, justice, and glory; he humbled the pride of the
Parthians; he broke the fierceness of the barbarous nations; he gave to
his country, exhausted and languishing with the great loss of blood which
she had sustained in the course of so many civil wars, the blessing of
peace--a blessing which was become so necessary for her, that without it
she could enjoy no other. In doing these things I acknowledge he had my
assistance. I am prouder of it, and I think I can justify myself more
effectually to my country, than if I had died by my own hand at Philippi.
Believe me, Cato, it is better to do some good than to project a great
deal. A little practical virtue is of more use to society than the most
sublime theory, or the best principles of government ill applied.

_Cato_.--Yet I must think it was beneath the character of Messalla to
join in supporting a government which, though coloured and mitigated, was
still a tyranny. Had you not better have gone into a