Letter 2033: Justice demands that a praiseworthy ambition be rewarded, and that what is undertaken with good will be supported by...

XXXIII. KING THEODERIC TO DECIUS, MAN OF ILLUSTRIOUS RANK, PATRICIAN. [1] It is a principle of justice that prosperity of command should follow upon a praiseworthy desire, and that what is undertaken with good will should also be brought to fulfillment by royal encouragements. To you, therefore, who request just desires, we grant by the present authority that, once the pools of the Decennovium [the Decennovium canal district along the Appian Way] and its marshes have been drained, you may possess, free of fiscal charge, the farmlands recovered into dry ground, and that you need fear no obligation to render any cultivation-tax upon the lands set free, which we release under the witness of the public at large. [2] On this matter we have likewise transmitted instructions to the most ample Senate, so that, after a fixed interval has now elapsed, what has been reclaimed from foul whirlpools may pass handsomely into your ownership. For it is fair that each man's own labor should profit him, and just as in spending he learns its hardships, so when the works are completed he should gain increase from them. We, who ever keep watch in zeal for the commonwealth, have also taken this into view: that, if anyone should choose to undertake this labor in joint partnership with you, then, an estimate of the work having been made, he should have portions of property by his own right in proportion to the share he assumes, so that you may neither be alone weighed down by immense burdens, and the work may be carried through more spiritedly, since what is undertaken with the help of an association is more readily accomplished. Thus it will come about that the troublesome envy which is the companion of the greatest enterprises may also be avoided. [3] Wherefore press on diligently with these glorious aspirations, lest it be a heavy thing to your reputation to have grown slack in the undertakings you have assumed. Consider indeed that the faces and eyes of all are turned upon you: look back upon the suspended judgments of our serenity, awaiting the accomplishment of the work you have begun. Hasten with as great a spirit as you are able, so that you may be judged worthy to have risen to so great a task, you who even now are praised with the admiration of all. XXXIIII. KING THEODERIC TO ARTEMIDORUS, PREFECT OF THE CITY. [1] We rejoice that our judgments have borne flower in you: we are glad that a worthy president has stood forth for the citadels of Rome, you who with noble spirit did not suffer a friend to veil a secret with frauds, lest either the offenses should make you accomplices, or your immunity should rather incite you to greater things. And therefore let all the money which had been assigned to the public works of Rome, and which now, through your greatness's investigation, has been established as having been sworn away by perjury -- since it is shown neither to have been returned in its proper time nor to have been spent -- be recovered without any delay, and, by your arrangement, again be applied to the walls of Rome. For it is an abomination that those things should pass over into other uses for which Rome, with no undeserved cause, sighs after they have been withdrawn from her. [2] We ought therefore to strike the concealers of the assigned money with an immoderate penalty, men who in such a cause defrauded our munificence. But there was present that moderating clemency which is ever joined to us, lest, with justice grievously urging us on, we should punish unbecoming deeds in an unbecoming manner. Let it suffice us that cupidity did not attain what it wished. Nor can a greater vengeance come to pass, since it seems to lose as its own property that which it had basely and by concealment judged itself to possess.

XXXIII. DECIO V. I. PATRICIO THEODERICUS REX. [1] Iustitiae ratio est, ut laudabile desiderium sequatur prosperitas iussionum et quod bona voluntate suscipitur, regalibus quoque hortationibus impleatur. vobis itaque desideria iusta poscentibus praesenti auctoritate concedimus, ut stagnis Decemnovii paludibusque siccatis sine fisco possideas in solum rura revocata nec ullam metuas liberatis rebus exhibere culturam, quas sub testimonio generalitatis absolvimus. [2] Hinc etiam ad amplissimum senatum praecepta transmisimus, ut definito nunc spatio ad tuum pulchre transeat dominium, quod est a foedis gurgitibus vindicatum. aequum est enim, ut unicuique proficiat labor suus et sicut expendendo cognoscit incommoda, ita rebus perfectis consequatur augmenta. illud etiam, qui studio rei publicae semper invigilamus, aspeximus, ut, si quis hunc laborem iuncta tecum societate subire delegerit, habita operis aestimatione habeat iuris proprii spatia pro parte quam suscipit, ut nec solus immensis oneribus praegraveris et animosius peragatur, quod sub collegii adiuvatione suscipitur. ita fiet ut et, quae rebus maximis est amica, molesta careatur invidia. [3] Quapropter gloriosis desideriis navanter insiste, ne opinioni tuae grave sit in assumptis conatibus marcuisse. intuere quippe omnium ora atque oculos in te esse conversos: respice serenitatis nostrae suspensa iudicia ad effectum operis instituti. quanta vales animositate festina, ut dignus tanta re emersisse iudiceris, qui iam nunc omnium admiratione laudaris. XXXIIII. ARTEMIDORO PRAEFECTO URBIS THEODERICUS REX. [1] Gaudemus in te floruisse nostra iudicia: laetamur dignum praesulem Romanis arcibus extitisse, qui generosis animis amicum fraudibus non passus es velare secretum, ne vos aut delicta complices facerent aut securitas ad maiora potius incitaret. atquo ideo universa pecunia, quae fuerat fabricis deputata Romanis et nunc magnitudinis tuae discussione constitit abiuratam, cum nec reddita suo tempore nec docetur expensa, resumatur sine aliqua dilatione vobisque ordinantibus iterum Romanis moenibus applicetur. nefas est enim, ut in alios usus transeant quae sibi subtracta non inmerito Roma suspirat. [2] Deberemus itaque celatores deputatae pecuniae inmodica poena percellere, qui in tali causa nostram munificentiam fraudaverunt. sed affuit moderatrix, semper quae nobis est iuncta, clementia, ne indecore facta plecteremus graviter incitante iustitia. sufficiat nobis cupiditatem non implesse quod voluit. nec maior potest provenire vindicta, quando velut propria videtur perdere, quae suppressa turpiter iudicaverat possidere.