Letter 10017: Learn, citizens, with what firmness your prince has loved you: tried by harsh circumstances, he has refused to let...

Learn, citizens, with what firmness your prince has loved you: tried by harsh circumstances, he has refused to let you remain anxious. We were unwilling to defer your hopes any longer, since we always wish you to rejoice in the highest prosperity of the state. Your security is our glory, and we truly welcome it with gratitude when we sense that you have joy. Therefore, yielding to your petitions, we have decreed that oaths be administered to you through the persons named, so that you may know the mind of your king and not be allowed to wander in false suspicions when you can clearly grasp what to believe about your prince. Consider what benevolence you see being shown to you, when the one who swears is the one who cannot be compelled. We know that we have been given to all as a remedy. We do not disdain to heal our subjects, and so, although it seemed beneath our dignity, we have willingly agreed to do what we see the general public has wished. Understand how much your affection seems to lay upon us: we bind ourselves to you by an oath -- we who are reminded by sacred readings to keep promises made by a mere word. Now show your devotion; pray constantly to the heavenly majesty that the peaceful times we want you to have may come about through divine favor...

XVII. POPULO ROMANO THEODAHADUS REX. [1] Cognoscite, Quirites, quali vos princeps vester firmitate dilexerit, ut temptatus asperis rebus non vos pateretur esse sollicitos, nec voluimus amplius vota vestra differri, quos semper optamus in summa rei publicae celebritate laetari. vestra enim securitas noster ornatus est et hoc vere gratanter accipimus, cum gaudia vos habere sentimus. quapropter, flexi petitionibus vestris, per illum atque illum praestari vobis sacramenta censuimus, ut regis vestri animum non habeatis incognitum: nec liceat falsis suspicionibus errare, dum manifeste teneatur quod credatis in principe. [2] Aestimate quid vobis benignitatis videatur impendi, quando ille iurat, qui non potest cogi. scimus enim pro remedio nos datos esse cunctorum: non despicimus sanare subiectos: et ideo, licet culmini nostro videretur incongruum, libenter adquievimus facere, quod generalitatem probamus optasse. intellegite, quantum nobis imponere vester videatur affectus: fide vobis constringimur, qui vel solo verbo promissa servare sacris lectionibus ammonemur. ostendite nunc devotionem vestram: supernae maiestati iugiter supplicate, ut tranquilla tempora, quae vos habere cupimus, caelesti munere concedantur.