Letter 10033: In sending our ambassadors to the most serene Emperor, it was fitting to dispatch greetings to Your Magnitude...

King Witigis to the Master of Offices. [1] As we are directing such-and-such men, our envoys, to the most serene prince [the emperor], it was fitting to send to your greatness through them a salutary letter, so that in every respect they might earn your good offices, since they carry to you the affection of our discourse. [2] And therefore, rendering an epistolary courtesy to your merits, we hope that your prudence may support them before the mind of the most clement emperor, because the things we ask are so just that they deserve the striving of all wise men. For what ought not to have been permitted should easily be set right by you. But you can arrange all things graciously, all things favorably, because grace is wont to be sweeter after bitterness has been atoned for. A stranger, indeed, you might have shunned; but I, who have seen the adornment of your commonwealth, who have come to know so many noble hearts among the magnates, do not desire to part myself from the grace of the most pious prince, if he be willing to consider in my case what is just. [3] For if another deserved offense, I ought to be held most welcome, who have succeeded a hateful man with due retribution. I have followed your inclinations: rewards were owed to me, not injury. And therefore let not grace be denied to one to whom nothing at all is to be charged. And so let hatred be buried with the death of the offender. For even if perchance we deserve something less at your hands, let Roman liberty be considered, which through the tumults of wars is everywhere shaken. To have said little suffices for your wisdom, because what is pondered is ever extended in a deep heart, and being weighed is always increased.

XXXIII. MAGISTRO OFFICIORUM VVITIGIS REX. [1] Illum et illum legatos nostros ad serenissimum principem dirigentes congruum fuit magnitudini vestrae per eos salutiferos apices destinare, ut in omni parte vestra beneficia mererentur, cum nostrae deportarent collocutionis affectum. [2] Et ideo epistularem gratiam vestris meritis exhibentes speramus, ut apud clementissimi imperatoris animos eis vestra prudentia suffragetur, quia sic sunt iusta quae petimus, ut omnium sapientium mereantur adnisum. facile enim a vobis debet corrigi, quod non decuisset admitti. sed potestis omnia gratanter, omnia placabiliter ordinare, quia dulcior solet esse gratia post amaritudines expiatas. refugere vos enim potuisset ignotus: ego autem, qui ornatum rei publicae vestrae vidi, qui tot nobilia procerum corda cognovi, non me desidero a piissimi principis gratia dividere, si in me velit quae sunt iusta cogitare. [3] Nam si alter offensam meruit, ego debeo gratissimus haberi, qui odioso cum vindicta successi. vestros animos sum secutus: praemia mihi fuerant reddenda, non laesio. et ideo non negetur gratia, cui nulla sunt penitus imputanda. atque ideo sepultum sit odium cum morte peccantis. nam etsi de vobis aliquid minus forte mereamur, Romana libertas cogitetur, quae per bellorum tumultus ubique concutitur. pauca dixisse sapientiae vestrae sufficiunt, quia in alto pectore protenditur, quod consideratum semper augetur.