Letter 2013: VARIAE, BOOK 2, LETTER 13

XIII. KING THEODERIC TO THE SAIO [royal agent/enforcer] FRUMARITH. [1] We are indeed moved by zeal for piety at the complaint of suppliants, but most of all by that complaint which turns upon the losses of the innocent, so that those who had no profit in the exacting should undergo a grievous loss in the repaying. It is plainly unbecoming to the justice of our time that the contempt of one man should burden another, and that those who are blameless should bear the guilt of another's defiance. For Ulpianus, in a tearful petition, has represented that, during the time of his administration, he bound himself by the tie of suretyship to Venantius, who was demanding payment, on behalf of a public debtor in the sum of four hundred solidi. When this man, scorning to fulfil his bond through the presumption of his savage rustics, the aforesaid number of solidi has burdened the suppliant. [2] And therefore we decree that the aforesaid Venantius, whom the ill-will of many crimes frequently assails, and who is known only by his continual complaints, be brought to account in the present matter, so that, being lawfully convicted, he may without any delay of evasion fulfil those things which he is represented to have promised; for boldness, when pressed by the weight of the laws, is always better cured, and, while fear is imposed upon such men, no license for sinning is granted.

XIII. FRUMARITH SAIONI THEODERICUS REX. [1] Commovemur quidem pietatis studio querela supplicum, sed ea maxime, quae versatur in dispendiis innocentum, ut quibus non fuerunt in exigendo compendia, gravem subeant in reddendo iacturam. quod nostri temporis manifestum est non decere iustitiam, ut alterius despectus alterum gravet et reatus sit innoxiis de contemptibus alienis. Ulpianus siquidem flebili petitione suggessit administrationis suae tempore debitorem publicum in quadringentis solidis Venantio postulanti fideiussionis se vinculo tradidisse. quo sponsionem suam praesumptione truculentium rusticorum despiciente complere supplicem memoratus solidorum numerus oneravit. [2] Ideoque praedictum Venantium, quem frequenter multorum scelerum pulsat invidia, notum solummodo querelis assiduis, in praesenti negotio decernimus conveniri, ut legaliter convictus ea, quae promisisse suggeritur, sine aliqua mora tergiversationis adimpleat, quia melius semper legum pondere pressa curatur audacia et, dum metus talibus imponitur, peccandi licentia non praebetur.