Letter 10016: Our devotion, conscript fathers, is a most imperious thing -- since we are conquered by our own will, we who are...

Our devotion, conscript fathers, is a most imperious thing -- since we are conquered by our own will, we who are bound by no one else's terms. For though, with God's help, we are capable of everything, we believe only praiseworthy things are permitted to us. You know, wise men, the meaning of our words. Recognize now the clemency that you should have expected from us all along. See -- we do not even allow those to be anxious whom we were thought to threaten. This is how a prince should overcome a grave suspicion: this is how he should have acted who wished to be guilty of no wrong. We have accordingly decreed that the oaths you requested shall be administered to the persons named by our authority. This was not difficult for one who intends to govern well, because in granting you security, we were adding nothing to what we already intended. We were going to act in the very manner we now promise, because we owe this to God, not to any man. For we who have studied the kingdoms of old through sacred reading -- what else can we desire but what we perceive has pleased the divine in others? God himself is the rewarder of all good things: whatever kindness we show to our subjects, we are confident that he repays to us. Therefore, now that you have obtained security, show the faithfulness of your conscience, because after such assurances, clemency is returned...

XVI. SENATUI URBIS ROMAE THEODAHADUS REX. [1] Imperiosa nimium res est, patres conscripti, pietas nostra, quando propria voluntate vincimur, qui alienis condicionibus non tenemur. nam cum deo praestante possimus omnia, sola nobis credimus licere laudanda. cognoscitis, prudentes viri, verba quae loquimur: vel nunc clementiam, quam nobis ante promittere debuistis, agnoscite. ecce nec sollicitos patimur, quibus infensi esse putabamur. sic est a principe gravis vincenda suspicio: sic curare debuit, qui noxius esse non voluit. postulata siquidem sacramenta vobis ab illo atque illo praestari nostra decrevit auctoritas, quod bene imperaturo non est difficile persuasum, quia sic vobis securitatem dedimus, ut nihil nostro proposito addere videremur. [2] Talia siquidem qualia promittimus eramus acturi, quia deo debemus ista, non homini. nam qui per lectiones sacras antiqua regna cucurrimus, quid aliud optare possumus, nisi quod divinitati in aliis placuisse sentimus? ipse enim remunerator est bonorum omnium deus: nam quicquid in subiectos pietatis efficimus, illum nobis repensare sine dubio iudicamus. quapropter conscientiam fidelem adepta securitate monstrate, quia post talia redditur clementiae nostrae potius quam offertur affectus.