Letter 1043: VARIAE, BOOK 1, LETTER 43

43. King Theoderic to the Senate of the City of Rome. [1] You know, conscript fathers, that the summits of high office are your distinctive glory; you know that it profits you whenever it falls to us to bestow honor in the rank of the fasces [the consular and magisterial dignities]. For whatever is received by any one man belongs to the Senate, which earns it. You recognize, indeed, what we judge concerning you, since to men proved by long labor we grant this as the surest reward: that they may deserve to become sharers in your body. [2] For this is a man who, having left behind the sweetness of his native soil, chose rather to cleave to us, and although he was illustrious in his own homeland, he nonetheless elected to undergo our fortune. By the greatness of his goodwill he overcame the force of nature, he who rejoiced in the prince Zeno not so much as a benefactor as a kinsman. And what could that kinship of a parent have failed to obtain from that commonwealth, which so very easily favors even strangers? But his exceeding devotion looked down upon all these things, so that we ourselves, on whose behalf he is known to have done these deeds, may rightly seem astonished that for the sake of one man's favor so many desirable things were despised. [3] Beyond this surpassing loyalty he added to us the solace of his conversation, so that he might soften with the sweetness of his speech the harsh cares of the commonwealth, which we take up out of the necessity of emerging affairs. Gracious in address, a faithful patron of suppliants, not knowing how to accuse, ready to commend. He distinguished himself with such purity of mind that, while among us he deserved the dignities of the court, he claimed for himself as a most joyful service the management of the public spectacles, so that under the appearance of pleasure he might seem freely to wish to serve, holding back indeed from labors, yet in no part dissociating himself from us. [4] As a festive guest he even adorned the royal table, striving there to join himself to us, where it is certain that we are able to take delight. But what more is to be said of his character, for whom this suffices as perfect proof: that he has continually deserved to possess our love? There is no greater merit than to have found the favor of those who reign: for to those to whom it is permitted to seek out the best from among all, they always seem to have chosen the deserving. [5] And therefore, weighing his labors with recompense, we have granted the fasces of the urban prefecture to Artemidorus, an illustrious man. To this man, then, conscript fathers, resplendent with so many and such great merits, show favor with your tongues, show favor with your assemblies. It will also be a credit to your goodwill that, when you bestow affection upon the deserving, you incite the rest by your example.

XLIII. SENATUI URBIS ROMAE THEODERICUS REX. [1] Scitis, patres conscripti, vestrum esse genium culmina dignitatum: scitis vobis proficere, quod nobis contigerit in fascium honore praestare. quicquid enim ab unoquoque suscipitur, senatus est, qui meretur. quid enim de vobis aestimemus, agnoscitis, quando viris longo labore compertis hoc certe in praemium damus, ut vestri corporis mereantur esse participes. [2] Hic est enim vir, qui genitalis soli relicta dulcedine nobis maluit inhaerere, et licet esset clarus in patria, nostram tamen elegit subire fortunam. superans gratiae magnitudine vim naturae, qui principe Zenone non tam benivolo quam affine gaudebat. et quid illa re publica gratia non potuit obtinere parentis, quae sic facillime favet extraneis? sed haec omnia nimius despexit affectus, ut nos ipsi, pro quibus haec fecisse cognoscitur, merito stupere videamur in unius gratia tot desiderabilia fuisse contempta. [3] Qui super hanc eximiam fidem solacia nobis suae confabulationis adiecit, ut asperas non numquam rei publicae curas, quas emergentium rerum necessitate suscipimus, sermonis suavitate deliniret. blandus alloquio, supplicantium fidelis patronus, accusare nesciens, commendare praesumens. qui tanta se animi puritate clarificavit, ut cum apud nos mereretur aulicas dignitates, spectaculorum ordinationem laetissimam sibi militiam vindicaret, quatenus sub specie voluptatis libere videretur velle servire, a laboribus quidem temperans, sed in nulla se nobis parte dissocians. [4] Regalem quin etiam mensam conviva geniatus ornavit, ibi se nobis studens iungere, ubi nos certum est posse gaudere. sed quid ultra de eius moribus est dicendum, cui ad perfectam probationem sufficit, quod amorem nostrum iugiter habere promeruit? non est maius meritum quam gratiam invenisse regnantum: nam quibus fas est de cunctis optimos quaerere, videntur semper meritos elegisse. [5] Atque ideo labores eius remuneratione pensantes Artemidoro illustri viro urbanae praefecturae fasces indulsimus. huic ergo, patres conscripti, tot ac talibus meritis praelucenti favete linguis, favete collegiis. erit quoque vestrae benivolentiae laus, ut, cum dignis caritatem impenditis, ad exemplum ceteros incitetis.