Letter 3001: KING THEODERIC TO ALARIC, KING OF THE VISIGOTHS

KING THEODERIC TO ALARIC, KING OF THE VISIGOTHS. [1] Although the numberless multitude of your forebears lends confidence to your valor, although you may recall that the powerful Attila was brought low by the strength of the Visigoths, nevertheless, because the hearts of fierce peoples grow soft through a long peace, beware of suddenly casting onto the dice those who, it is well known, have for so long had no exercise in war. [2] Conflict is a fearsome thing to men, if it is not constant, and unless confidence be assured by practice, the assurance for sudden combat is not to be had. Far be it that blind indignation should snatch anything away from you. It is foresighted moderation that preserves nations; but fury for the most part hurls headlong into peril, and then alone is it useful to rush to arms, when justice can find no standing with one's adversary. [3] Wherefore hold back, until we ought to dispatch our envoys to the king of the Franks, so that the judgments of friends may cut off your quarrel. For between two men joined to us by kinship we do not desire that anything of this sort should happen, whereby it might perhaps come about that one be found the lesser. No spilled blood of kinsmen inflames you, no seized province grievously burns you: thus far the contention is a small one, over words: you will settle it most easily, if you do not provoke your tempers by arms. Let us set before our kinsman, however near, our sworn confederates, peoples of distinction, and justice, which makes kings the stronger: he quickly changes his purpose who perceives men so armed against him. [4] And therefore, having first spoken the honor of our greeting, we have believed that our envoys, this man and that, ought to be dispatched to you, who may sufficiently impart to you our instructions and may hasten, with your consent, even as far as our brother Gundobad and the other kings, lest you should seem to labor under the instigation of those who maliciously delight in another's strife. For may the powers of heaven avert that such iniquity should prevail over you. Your common harm we judge to be our enemy. For he will rightly find me set against him who strives to be opposed to you.

I. ALARICO REGI VVISIGOTHARUM THEODERICUS REX. [1] Quamvis fortitudini vestrae confidentiam tribuat parentum vestrorum innumerabilis multitudo, quamvis Attilam potentem reminiscamini VVisigotharum viribus inclinatum, tamen quia populorum ferocium corda longa pace mollescunt, cavete subito in aleam mittere quos constat tantis temporibus exercitia non habere. [2] Terribilis est hominibus conflictus, si non sit assiduus et nisi usu praesumatur, concertandi subito fiducia non habetur. absit ut vobis aliquid indignatio caeca subripiat. moderatio provida est, quae gentes servat: furor autem instantia plerumque praecipitat et tunc utile solum est ad arma concurrere, cum locum apud adversarium iustitia non potest invenire. [3] Quapropter sustinete, donec ad Francorum regem legatos nostros dirigere debeamus, ut litem vestram amicorum debeant amputare iudicia. inter duos enim nobis affinitate coniunctos non optamus aliquid tale fieri, unde unum minorem contingat forsitan inveniri. non vos parentum fusus sanguis inflammat, non graviter urit occupata provincia: adhuc de verbis parva contentio est: facillime transigitis, si non per arma vestros animos irritetis. obiciamus quamvis cognato cum nostris coniuratis eximias gentes iustitiamque, quae reges efficit fortiores: cito convertit animos, qui contra se tales sentit armatos. [4] Et ideo salutationis honorificentiam praelocuti legatos nostros illum atque illum ad vos credidimus esse dirigendos, qui vobis et mandata nostra sufficienter insinuent et usque ad fratrem nostrum Gundibadum vel alios reges cum vestra voluntate deproperent, ne videamini eorum inmissione laborare, qui maligne gaudent alieno certamine. avertant enim divina, ut supra vos iniquitas illa praevaleat. commune malum vestrum iudicamus inimicum. nam ille me iure sustinebit adversum, qui vobis nititur esse contrarius.