Letter 1021: VARIAE, BOOK 1, LETTER 21

XXI. King Theoderic to Maximianus, Most Distinguished Man, and to Andreas, Most Eminent Man. [1] We are bound to be roused by the affectionate zeal of our citizens toward the enlargement of the city, since no one can love what he perceives the inhabitants do not love. To each his own native land is dearer, while above all things he seeks that the place where he dwells from his very cradle should be kept safe. Therefore let us be invited with equal vows to bestow gifts, so that what we grant of our own accord we may confer with doubled grace. And so let it be burdensome to no one to render an account of the money allotted to the Roman buildings, since a pure conscience desires to prove itself, when it reaps the fruit of its own labor, while it knows that favorable reports concerning it reach us. [2] Wherefore by the present order we decree that you ought to examine the buildings of the city of Rome, to see whether the labor of the work agrees with the expenditures; or, if it should be established that money remains with anyone which has not been spent on the buildings, let him render up for disbursement that which is to be paid out for the allotted matter. With these accounts clearly set forth, send to us a most faithful report, so that you who have been chosen for the searching out of the truth may be seen to answer to our judgment. For we believe that no one wishes to be defrauded of our bounty, since in such a business we judge that he could even spend from his own resources. [3] The very birds wandering through the air love their own nests; the roving wild beasts hasten to their thorny lairs; the pleasure-loving fish, passing through the liquid plains, seek out their own caverns with diligent searching; and all animals, where they know they may take refuge, desire to remain for the longest span of life. What then ought we to say of Rome, which it is right that her own children should love even more?

XXI. MAXIMIANO V. I. ET ANDREAE V. S. THEODERICUS REX. [1] Provocandi sumus affectuosis civium studiis ad augmenta civitatis, quia nemo potest diligere quod habitatores intellegit non amare. unicuique patria sua carior est, dum supra omnia salvum fore quaeritur, ubi ab ipsis cunabulis commoratur. quapropter votis paribus invitemur ad dona, quatenus quod sponte tribuimus, duplicata gratia conferamus. et ideo nulli grave sit Romanis fabricis deputatae pecuniae reddere rationem, cum pura conscientia desideret se probari, quando fructum laboris sui capit, dum ad nos prospera de se pervenire cognoscit. [2] Quocirca praesenti decernimus iussione Romanae civitatis fabricas vos debere discutere, si labor operis concordat expensis: vel, si apud aliquem constet residere pecuniam, quae non sit fabricis expensa, deputatae rei reddat erogandam. quibus rationibus evidenter expressis ad nos instructionem fidelissimam destinate, ut iudicio nostro respondere videamini qui estis ad indaginem veritatis electi. nullum enim de largitate nostra fraudari velle credimus, quando in tali negotio et de propriis facultatibus eum impendere posse iudicamus. [3] Aves ipsae per aera vagantes proprios nidos amant: erratiles ferae ad cubilia dumosa festinant: voluptuosi pisces campos liquidos transeuntes cavernas suas studiosa indagatione perquirunt cunctaque animalia ubi se norunt refugere, longissima cupiunt aetate constare. quid iam de Roma debemus dicere, quam fas est ipsis liberis plus amare?