Page:Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (1827) Vol 1.djvu/485

 OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 461 gree of warmth' which could be the result only of ex- CHAP, perience. " How often," was he accustomed to say, " is ' it the interest of four or five ministers to combine to- gether to deceive their sovereign ! Secluded from man- kind by his exalted dignity, the truth is concealed from his knowledge; he can see only with their eyes, he hears nothing but their misrepresentations. He con- fers the most important offices upon vice and weakness, and disgraces the most virtuous and deserving among his subjects. By such infamous arts," added Diocle- tian, " the best and wisest princes are sold to the venal corruption of their courtiers " A just estimate of greatness, and the assurance of immortal fame, improve our relish for the pleasures of retirement ; but the Ro- man emperor had filled too important a character in the world, to enjoy without allay the comforts and se- curity of a private condition. It was impossible that he could remain ignorant of the troubles which afflicted the empire after his abdication. It was impossible that he could be indifferent to their consequences. Fear, sorrow, and discontent, sometimes pursued him into the solitude of Salona. His tenderness, or at least his pride, was deeply wounded by the misfortunes of his wife and daughter ; and the last moments of Diocletian were imbittered by some affronts, which Licinius and Constantine might have spared the father of so many emperors, and the first author of their own fortune. A report, though of a very doubtful nature, has reached and death. our times, that he prudently withdrew himself from * ' their power by a voluntary deaths. Before we dismiss the consideration of the life and Description character of Diocletian, we may, for a moment, direct and^the ad- our view to the place of his retirement. Salona, ajacentcoun- principal city of his native province of Dalmatia, was ^^' ^ Hist. August, p. 223, 224. Vopiscus had learned this conversation from his father. y The younger Victor slightly mentions the report. But as Diocletian had disobliged a powerful and successful party, his memory has been loaded with every crime and misfortune. It has been affirmed that he died raving mad, that he was condemned as a criminal by the Roman senate, etc.