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Nero was only left of all the Sons in Law: Him all the Popular Ado∣ration Courted.
D'Ablancourt renders it; There remain'd no more alive then Tiberius, so that Fortune began to cast an Eye upon him alone.
While Marcellus and Agrippa, both Augustus's Sons in Law, were alive, as also Caius and Lucius, the Sons of Agrippa, Tiberius had much ado to brush off several slights and Scorns, that were put upon him in the Family of Augustus, his Fa∣ther
in Law. But when the Palace was empty by the Death of all his Rivals, then he rul'd Lord and Master: All Peo∣ple made their Addresses to him; they took no notice of any Body else; Courted no Body else but only him alone. Illuc 〈…〉〈…〉, as if Tacitus would seem to intimate, that they began even to neglect Augustus him∣self; as it is the Custom of Subjects, more especially Courtiers to adore the Rising Beams, and forsake the Setting Sun. Flattery has been always sway'd by Interest, and Mercenary. When Princes grow in Years, and begin to stoop to∣wards the Grave, Flattery removes her Altars, and offers her Incense to those who are to Succeed, to the end she may be sure betimes to make sure of their earliest Favour and good Opinion. There∣fore it was a Sentence of Galba, ground∣ed upon good Reason, that Flattery was vaid of Love; and that there was not any Poison more dangerous then hers. And I wish it were the Will of Heaven, that all Princes were as well Convinc'd of this Truth, as Galba. Surely it would be much better for the General Prosperity of their Affairs; and their Reputation, of which they can never be too jealous,
would advance it self to a higher Pinacle of Grandeur. For then they would have Subjects that would adore their Persons, whereas those Many Flatterers that croud about their Thrones, Idolize nothing but their Exalted Fortune. And therefore it was, that Tiberius and Galba always con∣temn'd and scorn'd 'em.