Page:Virgil's Pastorals, Georgics and Aeneis - Dryden (1709) - volume 2.djvu/25

 Form of Government was subverted, and a new one just Established by Ottavius Cæsar: in effect by force of Arms, but seemingly by the Consent of the Roman People. The Commonwealth had receiv'd a deadly Wound in the former Civil Wars betwixt Marius and Sylla. The Commons, while the first prevail'd, had almost shaken off the Yoke of the Nobility; and Marius and Cinna, like the Captains of the Mobb, under the specious Pretence of the Publick Good, and of doing Justice on the Oppressors of their Liberty, reveng'd themselves, without Form of Law, on their private Enemies. Sylla, in his turn, proscrib'd the Heads of the adverse Party: He too had nothing but Liberty and Reformation in his Mouth; (for the Cause of Religion is but a Modern Motive to Rebellion, invented by the Christian Priesthood, refining on the Heathen:). Sylla, to be sure, meant no more good to the Roman People than Marius before him, whatever he declar'd; but Sacrific'd the Lives, and took the Estates of all his Enemies, to gratify those who brought him into Power: Such was the Reformation of the Government by both Parties. The Senate and the Commons were the two Bases on which it stood; and the two Champions of either Faction, each destroy'd the Foundations of the other side: So the Fabrique of consequence must fall betwixt them; and Tyranny must be built upon their Ruines. This comes of altering Fundamental Laws and Constitutions. Like him, who being in good Health, lodg'd himself in a Physician's House, and was over-perswaded by his Landlord to take Physick, of which he dyed, for the benefit of his Doctor: Stavo ben (was written on his Monument) ma, perstar meglio, sto qui.

After the Death of those two Usurpers, the Commonwealth seem'd to recover, and held up it's Head for a little time: But it was all the while in a deep Con-