Letter 10005: King Theodahad to Theodosius, His Agent.

5. KING THEODAHAD TO THEODOSIUS, HIS OWN MAN. [1] We wish the rule of our power to be moderation in matters, so that, in proportion as we have received divine benefits, to that same degree we may love impartial dealings the more. For private partialities are, in our judgment, shut out from our mind, because we have been made, with God's help, the general lord and guardian of all. And therefore by the present order we command that whoever is known to belong to our household and is proved to have been committed to your care shall not grow insolent through any presumptions, since he alone is to be called mine who has been able to be peaceable under the laws. Increase our renown through your forbearance. [2] If anyone should happen to have business with another, come down to the common courts of law: let the tribunals protect you, not unjust presumption. We wish discipline to begin from those of our own household, so that the rest may be ashamed to err, when we are known to grant no license of transgression to our own people. We have changed our purpose along with our dignity, and if formerly we strictly defended what was just, now we mercifully soften all things, because the prince does not hold any house as exempt, but whatever we govern by divine aid we confess to be properly our own. [3] Be, therefore, altogether attentive concerning those who were formerly subject to our authority: permit no one to commit anything against the law. Let praise of you rather reach me than any complaint go forth, because a good conscience then truly rules when it hastens to be of service to all in general.

V. THEODOSIO HOMINI SUO THEODAHADUS REX. [1] Potestatis nostrae censuram rerum volumus esse modestiam, ut, quantum divina beneficia percepimus, tantum aequabilia plus amemus. privata siquidem studia a nostro animo probantur exclusa, quia generalis dominus custos factus sum deo auxiliante cunctorum. et ideo praesenti iussione praecipimus, ut quicumque ad domum nostram noscitur pertinere et curae tuae probatur esse commissus, nullis praesumptionibus insolescat, quia solus dicendus est ille meus, qui legibus potuerit esse tranquillus. augete famam nostram per patientiam vestram. [2] Si quis habuerit cum altero forte negotium, ad communia iura descendite: fora vos tueantur, non iniqua praesumptio. a domesticis inchoare volumus disciplinam, ut reliquos pudeat errare, quando nostris cognoscimur excedendi licentiam non praebere. mutavimus cum dignitate propositum et si ante iusta districte defendimus, nunc clementer omnia mitigamus, quia domum exceptam non habet princeps, sed quicquid divino auxilio regimus, nostrum proprie confitemur. [3] Estote ergo circa eos, qui iuri nostro ante fuere subiecti, omnino solliciti: nullum contra legem aliquid permittatis excedere. laus ad me vestra potius perveniat quam aliqua querella procedat, quia bona conscientia tunc vere imperat, cum generaliter praestare festinat.