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

[1] It befits you to display in your conduct the honor that you bear in name, so that throughout the province over which you preside you suffer no acts of violence to be committed, but compel all things toward what is just, the source from which our empire flourishes. [2] Therefore, moved by the petition of Moniarius, we address you by this present command: that, if you find in truth that the Breones have unreasonably carried off his slaves -- those Breones who, accustomed to military duties, are said when under arms to oppress civil order, and who on this account disdain to obey justice, since they are ever intent upon the wars of Mars, while, by some means I know not how, it is difficult for those who fight without ceasing to keep measure in their conduct -- [3] therefore, with all insolence laid aside, such as may be taken up from a presumption of valor, you shall cause the things demanded to be restored without delay, lest through the injuries of delay the suppliant seem to hate his own victory.

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.