Versae inde ad Tiberium preces . et ille varie disserebat de magnitudine imperii sua modestia . solam divi Augusti mentem tantae molis capacem : se in partem curarum ab illo vocatum experiendo didicisse quam arduum , quam subiectum fortunae regendi cuncta onus . proinde in civitate tot inlustribus viris subnixa non ad unum omnia deferrent : plures facilius munia rei publicae sociatis laboribus exsecuturos . plus in oratione tali dignitatis quam fidei erat ; Tiberioque etiam in rebus quas non occuleret , seu natura sive adsuetudine , suspensa semper et obscura verba : tunc vero nitenti ut sensus suos penitus abderet , in incertum et ambiguum magis implicabantur . at patres , quibus unus metus si intellegere viderentur , in questus lacrimas vota effundi ; ad deos , ad effigiem Augusti , ad genua ipsius manus tendere , cum proferri libellum recitarique iussit . opes publicae continebantur , quantum civium sociorumque in armis , quot classes , regna , provinciae , tributa aut vectigalia , et necessitates ac largitiones . quae cuncta sua manu perscripserat Augustus addideratque consilium coercendi intra terminos imperii , incertum metu an per invidiam .

After this all prayers were addressed to Tiberius . He , on his part , urged various considerations , the greatness of the empire , his distrust of himself . " Only , " he said , " the intellect of the Divine Augustus was equal to such a burden . Called as he had been by him to share his anxieties , he had learnt by experience how exposed to fortune ' s caprices was the task of universal rule . Consequently , in a state which had the support of so many great men , they should not put everything on one man , as many , by uniting their efforts would more easily discharge public functions . " There was more grand sentiment than good faith in such words . Tiberius ' s language even in matters which he did not care to conceal , either from nature or habit , was always hesitating and obscure , and now that he was struggling to hide his feelings completely , it was all the more involved in uncertainty and doubt . The Senators , however , whose only fear was lest they might seem to understand him , burst into complaints , tears , and prayers . They raised their hands to the gods , to the statue of Augustus , and to the knees of Tiberius , when he ordered a document to be produced and read . This contained a description of the resources of the State , of the number of citizens and allies under arms , of the fleets , subject kingdoms , provinces , taxes , direct and indirect , necessary expenses and customary bounties . All these details Augustus had written with his own hand , and had added a counsel , that the empire should be confined to its present limits , either from fear or out of jealousy .

Their prayers they turned to Tiberius , | and he diuersly spake of the greatnes of the empire staming myld| Onely the sacred Augustus mynde was capable of suche a burden . Him|selfe as called by him to part of care had learned by proofe how harde| and subicct was to fortune , all burden of rule , after all cleauing to| the censure of worthy est men . Not all in City to be referred to one man . | the more , more easely , their labors equal , the common Furalthes charge| might best performe . In this speech there was more dignity than| faithe . doubtful and darke speaches Tiberius bied euin in those| things that hyde he coulde not whether by nature or vise , but suer| they bended nare to truthe , to hyde the more his censure and alwaies| wrapte in uncertainity and doubte . But the fathers whose onily feare| was if they should seam to understand him , burst out in wayles teares and bowes , with hande lyfte up to heauen and bended knee to| Augustus picturie . Whien he had the booke be brought out and recited| contsyning the common treasure , the Cities , and associate forces , the num|ber of the nauy , kingdomes , prouinces , tributes , rebiennierues ? , their lacks| and liberalities , which all with his own hande Augustus rurette , and added his councell . to keep with in limits the Empire , uncertain| whether for feare or hate .