Nations and empires flourish and decay,
	By turns command, and in their turns obey.

Ovid.    

	Extended empire, like expanded gold
	Exchanges solid strength for feeble splendor.

Johnson.    

	Westward the course of empire takes its way,
	The four first acts already past,
	A fifth shall close the drama with the day;
	Time’s noblest offspring is the last.

Bishop Berkeley.