Letter 1011: KING THEODERIC TO SERVATUS, MILITARY GOVERNOR OF THE RAETIAS.

XI. KING THEODERIC TO SERVATUS, MILITARY GOVERNOR OF THE RAETIAS. [1] It befits you to demonstrate in your conduct the honor that you bear in your title, so that throughout the province over which you preside you permit no act of violence, but compel all things to justice -- the foundation upon which our rule flourishes. [2] Wherefore, moved by the petition of Moniarius, we address you by the present edict: if it is indeed the case that the Breones have unreasonably seized his slaves -- men who, accustomed to military service, are said to oppress civil life while under arms, and who on that account disdain obedience to justice, since soldiers who are continually fighting find it somehow difficult to observe the proper measure of conduct -- [3] therefore, with all insolence set aside, which may be assumed from the confidence of valor, you shall see that the petitioned property is restored without interruption, lest by the inconvenience of delay the petitioner seem to despise the very victory he sought.

XI. SERVATO DUCI RAETIARUM THEODERICUS REX. [1] Decet te honorem, quem geris nomine, moribus exhibere, ut per provinciam, cui praesides, nulla fieri violenta patiaris, sed totum cogatur ad iustum, unde nostrum floret imperium. [2] Quapropter Moniarii supplicatione commoti praesentibus te affamur oraculis, ut, si re vera mancipia eius Breones irrationabiliter cognoveris abstulisse, qui militaribus officiis assueti civilitatem premere dicuntur armati et ob hoc iustitiae parere despiciunt, quoniam ad bella Martia semper intendunt, dum nescio quo pacto assidue dimicantibus difficile est morum custodire mensuram. [3] Quapropter omni protervia remota, quae de praesumptione potest virtutis assumi, postulata facies sine intermissione restitui: ne per dilationis incommoda eorum videatur supplex odisse victoriam.