Letter 12020: You will recall with me, most faithful men, that when the holy Agapitus, Pope of Rome, was being sent on a royal...

20. SENATOR, PRAETORIAN PREFECT, TO THOMAS AND PETER, MOST DISTINGUISHED MEN, KEEPERS OF THE TREASURY [arcarii]. [1] You remember, together with me, most faithful men, that the holy Agapitus, pope of the city of Rome, when by royal command he was being sent on the business of an embassy to the prince of the East, received from you, on pledges given, so many pounds of gold by a receipt-note [pittacium] solemnly drawn up, so that he to whom our provident lord and master gave the order might press on even to his sudden departure. First indeed he acted kindly who in time of need gave a loan of money: but how much more gloriously did he act who bestowed as a gift that very thing which might have been offered only with thanks owed in return! [2] Necessity was overcome without loss: the hand of the pope gave what his own substance did not possess, and that journey was rendered free of expense which is agreed to have been completed by means of gifts. Of what sort, I ask, did it seem to be, that the prelate should pour out his wealth upon those asking, and the Church should feel no losses? He was a distributor rather than a donor, because that one must necessarily have the credit applied to him, from whose resources the outlay seemed to be made. What might such an embassy not accomplish before a pious prince, an embassy which is agreed to have been dispatched by a singular precedent? [3] Wherefore, admonished by our instruction and made secure by the royal command, repay to the agents of the holy apostle Peter, without any delay, the sacred vessels together with the bond of the written acknowledgment [chirographum], so that, profitably restored, they may seem swiftly to obtain the things desired: let the ministries fit to be told throughout the whole world be carried back into the hands of the Levites; let that be given which was its own, since by right through generosity he receives back what the priest bound under the laws. [4] Surpassed is the precedent which in our history we have related with great attention. For when King Alaric, sated with the plundering of the city of Rome, had received the vessels of the apostle Peter, his own men carrying them off, as soon as he learned the cause of the matter by an inquiry made, he commanded them to be conveyed back to the sacred thresholds out of the hands of the despoilers, so that the greed which by the eager pursuit of plundering had committed a crime might wipe out its excess by a most lavish devotion. But what wonder is it, if he was unwilling to plunder things to be revered as belonging to the saints, who enriched himself by so great a devastation of the city? [5] Our king, however, with a religious purpose has restored the vessels, which by the right of pledge seemed to have been made his own property. And therefore for such deeds let frequent prayer be offered, since we believe that joyful things can be granted, when we ask for a recompense for good acts.

XX. THOMATI ET PETRO VV. CC. ARCARIIS SENATOR PPO. [1] Retinetis mecum, fidelissimi viri, sanctum Agapitum urbis Romae papam, cum ad Orientis principem legationis gratia mitteretur iussione regia, datis pignoribus a vobis tot libras auri facto pittacio sollemniter accepisse, ut cui providus dominator iussit, ad subitum eius etiam urgeret egressum. primum quidem benigne praestitit qui in necessitate mutuas pecunias dedit: sed quanto gloriosius fecit etiam illud largiri, quod cum gratiarum actione potuisset offerri! [2] Victa est sine damno necessitas: manus papae dabat quod eius substantia non habebat et iter illud est indemne redditum, quod donis constat expletum. quale, rogo, videbatur antistitem petentibus profundere et ecclesiam nulla detrimenta sentire? distributor fuit potius quam donator, quia necesse est illi applicari, de cuius facultatibus videbatur expendi. quid non agat apud pium principem talis legatio, quam destinatam singulari constat exemplo? [3] Quapropter nostra praeceptione commoniti et regia iussione securi sanctorum vasa cum obligatione chirographi actoribus sancti Petri apostoli sine aliqua dilatione refundite, ut lucrose reddita celeriter impetrare videantur optata: referantur manibus levitarum ministeria toto orbe narranda: donetur quod proprium fuit, quando iuste per largitatem recipit quod sacerdos legibus obligavit. [4] Superatum est exemplum quod in historia nostra magna intentione retulimus. nam cum rex Alaricus urbis Romae depraedatione satiatus apostoli Petri vasa suis deferentibus excepisset, mox ut rei causam habita interrogatione cognovit, sacris liminibus deportari diripientium manibus imperavit, ut cupiditas, quae depraedationis ambitu admiserat scelus, devotione largissima deleret excessum. sed quid mirum, si reverenda sanctorum diripere noluit, qui tanta se urbis vastatione ditavit? [5] Rex autem noster religioso proposito reddidit vasa, quae iure pignoris propria videbantur effecta. et ideo talibus factis frequens praestetur oratio, quando laeta concedi posse credimus, cum retributionem bonis actibus postulamus.