Letter 2009: VARIAE, BOOK 2, LETTER 9

IX. King Theoderic to Faustus, Praetorian Prefect. [1] Our humanity knows how to be swayed by petitions, and out of its disposition toward kindness it cannot keep within the bounds of justice. For it belongs to a benevolent prince to overstep the limits of equity for the advantage of clemency: since mercy alone is that to which all the virtues do not refuse to yield with honor. [2] Some time ago, indeed, having weighed his merits, we had granted to Sabinus the charioteer one solidus per month; but now, although he is a performer, he has moved us by an honorable supplication, asserting that one who serves as a minister of the public rejoicing ought not to be burdened with most wretched beggary. And therefore by the present order we decree that the aforementioned driver of horses shall receive a second solidus per month, which is to be charged to the public accounts. For we rejoice whenever the pages of our expenditures are loaded with entries of this kind, because it is a great advantage to us whenever we bestow something upon the poor in any manner of dealing.

VIIII. FAUSTO PPO THEODERICUS REX. [1] Inclinari precibus nostra novit humanitas nec pro affectu pietatis fines potest iustitiae custodire. benigni quippe principis est ad clementiae commodum transilire terminos aequitatum: quando sola est misericordia, cui omnes virtutes honorabiliter cedere non recusant. [2] Dudum siquidem aestimatis meritis Sabino aurigae unum solidum menstruum feceramus: nunc autem quamvis histrio honesta nos supplicatione permovit, asserens ut qui laetitiae publicae minister existit, mendicitate tristissima non debeat ingravari. et ideo praesenti iussione decernimus, ut alterum solidum per mensem supra memoratus equorum moderator accipiat, quod publicis debeat rationibus imputari. gaudemus enim, quotiens expensarum paginae his titulis onerantur, quia magnum nobis est commodum, quando nonnulla pauperibus in qualibet conversatione largimur.