42 The year had now arrived in
which the pro-consulate of Asia or Africa was
to fall to him by lot, and, as Civica had been lately murdered, Agricola did
not want a warning, or Domitian a precedent. Persons well acquainted with the
Emperor’s feelings came to ask Agricola, as if on their own account, whether he
would go. First they hinted their purpose by praises of tranquillity and
leisure; then offered their services in procuring acceptance for his excuses;
and at last, throwing off all disguise, brought him by entreaties and threats
to Domitian. The Emperor, armed beforehand with hypocrisy, and assuming a
haughty demeanour, listened to his prayer that he might be excused, and having
granted his request allowed himself to be formally thanked, nor blushed to
grant so sinister a favour. But the salary usually granted to a pro-consul, and
which he had himself given to some governors, he did not bestow on Agricola,
either because he was offended at its not having been asked, or was warned by
his conscience that he might be thought to have purchased the refusal which he
had commanded. It is, indeed, human nature to hate the man whom you have
injured; yet the Emperor, notwithstanding his irascible temper and an
implacability proportioned to his reserve, was softened by the moderation and
prudence of Agricola, who neither by a perverse obstinacy nor an idle parade of
freedom challenged fame or provoked his fate. Let it be known to those whose habit
it is to admire the disregard of authority, that there may be great men even
under bad emperors, and that obedience and submission, when joined to activity
and vigour, may attain a glory which most men reach only by a perilous career,
utterly useless to the state, and closed by an ostentatious death.
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