ian monarch fled
before his arms; and the acclamations which accompanied his triumph
declared him worthy of the purple. His artful patroness had chosen
the month of the vintage, while the emperor, in a rural solitude, was
permitted to enjoy the pleasures of a subject. On the first intelligence
of her designs, he returned to Constantinople, and the conspiracy was
suppressed by his presence and firmness. From the pomp and honors which
she had abused, Sophia was reduced to a modest allowance: Tiberius
dismissed her train, intercepted her correspondence, and committed to a
faithful guard the custody of her person. But the services of Justinian
were not considered by that excellent prince as an aggravation of
his offences: after a mild reproof, his treason and ingratitude were
forgiven; and it was commonly believed, that the emperor entertained
some thoughts of contracting a double alliance with the rival of his
throne. The voice of an angel (such a fable was propagated) might reveal
to the emperor, that he should always triumph over his domestic
foes; but Tiberius derived a firmer assurance from the innocence and
generosity of his own mind.

[Footnote 28: For the character and reign of Tiberius, see Evagrius,
l v. c. 13. Theophylact, l. iii. c. 12, &c. Theophanes, in Chron. p.
2 0--213. Zonaras, tom. ii. l. xiv. p. 72. Cedrenus, p. 392. Paul
Warnefrid, de Gestis Langobard. l. iii. c. 11, 12. The deacon of Forum
Juli appears to have possessed some curious and authentic facts.]

With the odious name of Tiberius, he assumed the more popular
appellation of Constantine, and imitated the purer virtues of the
Antonines. After recording the vice or folly of so many Roman princes,
it is pleasing to repose, for a moment, on a character conspicuous
by the qualities of humanity, justice, temperance, and fortitude; to
contemplate a sovereign affable in his palace, pious in the church,
impartial on the seat of judgment, and victorious, at least by his
generals, in the Persian war. The most glorious trophy of his victory
consisted in a multitude of captives, whom Tiberius entertained,
redeemed, and dismissed to their native homes with the charitable spirit
of a Christian hero. The merit or misfortunes of his own subjects had a
dearer claim to his beneficence, and he measured his bounty not so
much by their expectations as by his own dignity. This maxim, however
dangerous in a trustee of the public wealth, was balanced by a principle
of