Letter 11004: Senator [Cassiodorus], Praetorian Prefect, to Ambrosius, Vir Illustris, Acting Prefect.

IV. Senator, Praetorian Prefect, to Ambrosius, Most Illustrious Man, Acting Vicar [discharging the office in another's stead]. [1] With confidence, God helping us, we entrust our good opinion to you, whose conscientious character we have proved over a long span of time through the varied conduct of legal cases. For if in the pursuit of advocacy you shone with the brightness of justice, what will you now accomplish, advanced to our councils? Indeed merit grows in that man to whom a greater office is given, since now he must be reckoned among the judges who has deserved to sit beside the powers of the court. Let the benches therefore be adorned by him at whose voice the forums thundered. Though absent, cling to our side, destined to gather from this a fuller praise, because whatever you shall have well arranged will be reckoned wholly to you alone. Set here in our presence, you would share this care and glory with me: but now we are compelled to owe to you only as much praise as we shall have been able to receive thereby, God granting it. [2] Wherefore we decree that the staff observe you, that it comply with our commands; and we further command that obedience be rendered to your directives as well, most justly issued for the public benefit, so that you may have confidence to send orders for the public good, and no one may take the boldness to despise them. If you judge it necessary to commit any persons to sureties, take them up confidently, because this can the more relieve our mind, if we learn that something has been carried out through you. For to one present you would render only words: but now to one absent deeds rather are owed. [3] The counsel of so great a seat is, without doubt, an immense reputation for merits: but consider what is required of him on whom such a name is imposed. Let your labor procure for me the quiet of all. You know what disgraceful things negligence has brought in. The rock is to be avoided where another has struck. But it is my own solicitude rather than any distrust of you that makes me admonish you of these things. For we believe that you will perform all those things which, God helping, we judge to be useful to our reputation and to the commonwealth.

IIII. AMBROSIO V. I. AGENTI VICES SENATOR PPO. [1] Secure vobis, deo iuvante opinionem nostram credimus, cuius conscientiam per causarum varios usus longa aetate probavimus. nam si in advocationis studio iustitiae claritate fulsistis, quid nunc provecti ad consilia nostra facietis? crescit enim in illo meritum, cui maius datur officium, quando iam habendus est in iudicum partem, qui meruit aulicis potestatibus assidere. ornentur ergo subsellia cuius ore fora tonuerunt. absens adhaere nostro lateri pleniorem laudem inde sumpturus, quia integrum tibi reputabitur quod bene ordinaveris solus. hanc coram positus mecum curam participareris et gloriam: nunc autem tibi tantum cogimur debere, quicquid inde praestante deo laudis potuerimus accipere. [2] Quapropter officium tibi observare censemus, quod nostris iussionibus obsecundat, praeceptis etiam tuis pro publicis utilitatibus iustissime designatis praecipimus oboediri, quatinus et tibi sit pro publica utilitate mittendi fiducia et nullus de contemnendi sumat audaciam. si quos etiam fideiussoribus committere necessarium aestimaveris, confidenter assume, quia illud magis relevare potest animum nostrum, si aliquid per vos cognoscamus impletum. praesenti enim sola verba praestares: nunc autem facta potius debentur absenti. [3] Consilium quippe tantae sedis ingens est procul dubio fama meritorum: sed considera quid exigatur cui tale nomen imponitur. labor vester procuret mihi omnium quietem. scitis quae turpia neglectus intulerit. scopulus vitandus est, ubi alter offendit. sed haec vos monere mea potius curiositas quam vestri diffidentia facit. nam omnia vos illa gerere credimus, quae iuvante deo famae nostrae et rei publicae utilia esse iudicamus.