Letter 12018: The royal progress, just as it brings danger to the negligent, so it confers distinction on those who work...

18. Senator, Praetorian Prefect, to Constantinianus, a most accomplished man. [1] Just as the royal progress brings danger to the negligent, so it confers distinction on those who labor strenuously, since it is a reward of life to serve in the sight of one's lord, from whom neither a fault can be concealed nor a good deed hidden away. How welcome it is to complete the appointed journey without any offense, to see the marks of diligence, to pass over uncertain places without fear, to climb mountainous regions with an easy step, not to tremble on bridges as the timbers shift, and to accomplish the road in such a way that everything is found to have answered to one's wishes! You surpass your own service if you can be pleasing to the lord of affairs. For with him whom we strive to obey, it is great advancement if you should deserve to come into his favorable view. [2] Therefore, the road of the Flaminian Way, which has been furrowed and trenched by streams, you are to join its gaping banks by the very wide interposition of bridges; lay bare the overgrown margins of the highways, which are choked by the roughest brushwood. Let the assigned number of post-horses be provided for, with a select quality of limbs; let the supply of the designated provisions be gathered without any loss to the landholders, since you render everything welcome only if you offend in no part. One thing withdrawn deforms the whole, and the entire matter is believed to be lacking where even the smallest complaint stirs up harshness. [3] Moreover, seek out with all diligence the foodstuffs that are prepared for the royal tables, demanding them with full care. For what will it profit to satisfy the army, if it should befall you to err in the very feeding of our lords? Let the provincials, once admonished, obey: let the individual cities furnish what is declared in the schedules. For as often as a glad sovereign is met, benefits are effectively requested. Consider also that, being present, I judge your deeds: either, rejoicing, I render thanks to you from our lords, or, angered, I assign to you the displeasure of the sovereign. Act, therefore, so that your excess be not imputed to me, since I make satisfaction to all whom I shall have offended by your faults. Let the whole army rather pay me its thanks. It will be a great glory for you both to render me free of care and to have deserved the good judgments of such great men.

XVIII. CONSTANTINIANO VIRO EXPERIENTISSIMO SENATOR PPO. [1] Regius apparatus sicut neglegentibus affert periculum, sic strenue laborantibus praestat ornatum, quia praemium est vitae domino vidente servire, cui nec culpa celari nec bonum possit abscondi. quam gratum est sine offensione aliqua iter agere destinatum, videre indicia diligentiae, dubia sine timore transire, gressu facili montuosa conscendere, in pontibus cum trabium mobilitate non tremere viamque sic conficere, ut omnia probentur animo convenisse! militiam vestram transcenditis, si rerum domino placere possitis. nam cui nos parere contendimus, magnus provectus est si mereamini ad eius placidos venire conspectus. [2] Quocirca iter Flaminiae rivis sulcantibus exaratum, hiantes ripas latissima pontium interiectione coniungite, oppressas margines platearum asperrimis silvis enudate. paraveredorum adscriptus numerus procuretur cum electa qualitate membrorum: annonarum designatarum copia sine aliquo possessorum dispendio congregetur, quia sic omnia grata redditis, si in nulla parte peccetis. res una subtracta cuncta deformat et totum deesse creditur, ubi vel minima querela asperitas commovetur. [3] Species praeterea, quae mensis regiis apparantur, exactas tota sedulitate perquirite. nam quid proderit exercitui satisfacere, si vos contigerit in ipsa dominorum pastione peccare? pareant provinciales ammoniti: civitates singulae declarata brevibus subministrent. nam quotiens laeto principi occurritur, efficaciter beneficia postulantur. cogitate etiam, quod praesens facta vestra diiudico: aut gratias vobis domini gaudens reddo aut commotionem principis iratus attribuo. agite ergo, ne mihi imputetur vester excessus, quia cunctis de vobis satisfacio, quos culpis vestris offendero. persolvat mihi potius gratiam universus exercitus. magna vobis erit gloria et me securum reddere et tantorum bona iudicia meruisse.