He was now at liberty to satisfy his duty and his inclination.

He solemnly restored the senate and people to all their ancient rights; and wished only to mingle with the crowd of his fellow-citizens, and to share the blessings which he had obtained for his country." [4] [Footnote 4: Dion (l.liii.p.

698) gives us a prolix and bombast speech on this great occasion.

I have borrowed from Suetonius and Tacitus the general language of Augustus.] It would require the pen of Tacitus (if Tacitus had assisted at this assembly) to describe the various emotions of the senate, those that were suppressed, and those that were affected.

It was dangerous to trust the sincerity of Augustus; to seem to distrust it was still more dangerous.