When British flags over fair India flew
and an old viceroy demitted to a new,
the old was honoured for the the service past
with a new title higher than the last.
Just so, it's right that each imperial ghost
retires to an even higher post
thenceforth receiving honours divine
once the Senate hears the proper sign.
For think what years of toil and pain
make a successful emperor's reign:
to start, you very often need
to win a civil war ere you accede.
For that, you need to win your legions' love
to have the favour of the gods above,
and strain your mind for fruitful strategy.
Thereafter calls for still more energy,
for having passed your initial test
you may have little chance to rest.
Soon you could be called to the frontier
where the barbarians draw near,
or else the soldiers want more pay
and willfully revolt to get their way.
The cities are too prone to riot:
free bread must be their steady diet.
Games and gifts you ought to share,
not just in Rome but everywhere.
So your largesse will not be lax,
you'll need to bring in loot or tax,
and while fiscal facts are faced -
take care the coins are not debased!
Your relatives will likely plot
to take themselves all that you've got.
With such chores, if, when you leave,
all the Roman people grieve
for one who gave them more
than all the strengths they had before,
if you have that skill and nerve
perhaps you thoroughly deserve
your space in many a humble shrine.
