Letter 3004: King Theodoric to Luduin [Clovis], King of the Franks.

IV. KING THEODERIC TO LUDUIN [Clovis], KING OF THE FRANKS. [1] For this reason the divine laws have willed that the bonds of kinship should grow up among kings, that through their peaceable spirit the longed-for tranquility of the peoples might come forth. For this is a sacred thing, which is permitted to be violated by no disturbance. For by what hostages is good faith to be held, if it is not entrusted to affections? Lords are joined together by close kinship, so that divided nations ought to take pride in a like will and, as if through certain channels of concord, the vows of the peoples, brought into union, may be able to join themselves together. [2] Since these things are so, we marvel that your spirits are so stirred up by trifling causes that you should wish to undergo a most savage conflict with our son King Alaric, so that many who fear you may rejoice at your contention. You are both kings of the greatest nations, both flourishing in your prime. You shake your kingdoms not lightly if you clash with liberty granted to the parties. Let not your valor become an unforeseen calamity to the fatherland, because the great envy of kings is, in slight causes, a grave ruin of the peoples. [3] I shall say freely, I shall say affectionately what I feel: it is the mark of an impatient temper to set arms in motion at once upon the first embassy. What is sought from kinsmen, let it be sought through chosen arbiters. For among such men it is pleasing even to the men themselves to grant whatever you should wish to have settled by mediators. What will you yourselves be able to think of us, if you learn that we have abandoned your concerns? Far be that conflict, in which one of you might be able to grieve at being laid low. Cast away the sword, you who wish to fight to my reproach. [4] By the right of a father and of one who loves you, I lay this charge upon you. He shall find us and our friends opposed to him, who shall have believed that such warnings—which we do not suppose—are to be scorned. Wherefore to your excellency we have thought it very necessary to send so-and-so and so-and-so as our envoys, through whom we have also directed our written words to your brother, our son King Alaric, so that the malice of strangers may in no way sow scandals between you: but, persevering in peace, you ought peaceably to bring to an end the matters at issue through friends acting as mediators. [5] Through them also we charge that certain things be told to you by word of mouth, so that the nations, which under your forefathers flourished in long peace, ought not to be laid waste by a sudden shock. For you ought to trust him whom you know to smile upon your interests, since one who wishes to cast another into headlong falls is surely not faithfully advising him.

IIII. LUDUIN REGI FRANCORUM THEODERICUS REX. [1] Ideo inter reges affinitatis iura divina coalescere voluerunt, ut per eorum placabilem animum proveniat quies optata populorum. hoc enim sacrum est, quod nulla permittitur commotione violari. nam quibus obsidibus habeatur fides, si non credatur affectibus? sociantur proximitate domini, ut nationes divisae simili debeant voluntate gloriari et quasi per alveos quosdam concordiae adunata se possint gentium vota coniungere? [2] Quae cum ita sint, miramur animos vestros sic causis mediocribus excitatos, ut cum filio nostro rege Alarico durissimum velitis subire conflictum, ut multi, qui vos metuunt, de vestra concertatione laetentur. ambo estis summarum gentium reges, ambo aetate florentes. non leviter regna vestra quassatis, si data partibus libertate confligitis. virtus vestra patriae non fiat inopinata calamitas, quia grandis invidia est regum in causis levibus gravis ruina populorum. [3] Dicam libere, dicam affectuose quod sentio: impatiens sensus est ad primam legationem arma protinus commovere. a parentibus quod quaeritur, electis iudicibus expetatur. nam inter tales viros et illis gratum est dare, quos medios volueritis efficere. quid de nobis vos ipsi aestimare poteritis, si nos intentiones vestras reliquisse cognoscitis? absit ille conflictus, ubi unus ex vobis dolere poterit inclinatus. abicite ferrum, qui in meum pugnare vultis opprobrium. [4] Iure patris vobis interminor et amantis. ille nos et amicos nostros patietur adversos, qui talia monita, quod non opinamur, crediderit esse temnenda. quapropter ad excellentiam vestram illum et illum legatos nostros magnopere credidimus dirigendos, per quos etiam ad fratrem vestrum, filium nostrum regem Alaricum scripta nostra direximus, ut nullatenus inter vos scandala seminet aliena malignitas: sed in pace perseverantes, quae sunt mediis amicis placabiliter finire debeatis. [5] Per eos etiam et verbo vobis aliqua dicenda mandamus, ut gentes, quae sub parentibus vestris longa pace floruerunt, subita non debeant concussione vastari. illi enim credere debetis, quem vestris utilitatibus arridere cognoscitis, quoniam qui vult alterum in praecipites casus mittere, eum certum est fideliter non monere.