One day a petition was presented to him with so much awe as to displease him.

"Friend," cried he, "you seem as if you were offering something to an elephant rather than to a man; be bolder." 3.

Once as he was sitting in judgment, Maece'nas perceiving that he was inclined to be severe, and not being able to get to him through the crowd, he threw a paper into his lap, on which was written, "Arise, executioner!" Augustus read it without displeasure, and immediately rising, pardoned those whom he was disposed to condemn.4.But what most of all showed a total alteration, was his treatment of Corne'lius Cinna, Pompey's grandson.
This nobleman had entered into a conspiracy against him: Augustus sent for the other conspirators, reprimanded them, and dismissed them.

But resolving to mortify Cinna by the greatness of his generosity--"I have twice," says he, "given you your life, as an enemy and as a conspirator: I now give you the consulship; let us therefore be friends for the future; let us contend only in showing whether my confidence or your fidelity shall be victorious." 5.

In the practice of such virtues he passed a long reign.