Letter 3034: It is our policy to send men proven in strength and moderation to govern and protect you, so that the welfare of the...

34. KING THEODERIC TO THE PEOPLE OF MARSEILLES. [1] It is our purpose to direct toward your governance and defense persons proven in courage and moderation, so that both the welfare of the provincials may be relieved and the public good may be increased under the rule of good men. [2] Accordingly we have determined that Count Marabad, known to us for his fairness, should be sent to the city of Marseilles, so that, with God's help, he may accomplish whatever pertains to your security and civil order, and, mindful of our favor, may be able to take care for justice, bring comfort to the lowly, set the severity of his strictness against the insolent, and, in short, suffer no one to be oppressed by unjust presumption, but compel all toward what is just, from which empire ever flourishes. [3] Wherefore, obey with willing minds the appointed man in those things which he shall command you for the public good, so that your good faith, which is already shown by earlier examples, may be declared also by the proofs that follow, since obedience is more welcome which is preserved unbroken by devotion. We, moreover, intend to render an occasion for reciprocity, who cannot forget services bestowed upon us.

XXXIIII. MASSILIENSIBUS THEODERICUS REX. [1] Propositi nostri est probatas fortitudine et moderatione personas ad ordinationem vestram defensionemque dirigere, ut et provincialium ratio sublevetur et utilitas publica bonis praesidentibus augeatur. [2] Proinde comitem Marabadum nobis aequitate compertum ad Massiliensem civitatem credidimus dirigendum, ut quicquid ad securitatem vel civilitatem vestram pertinet, deo iuvante perficiat memorque gratiae nostrae curam possit habere iustitiae, minoribus solacium ferat, insolentibus severitatem suae districtionis obiciat, nullum denique opprimi iniqua praesumptione patiatur, sed omnes cogat ad iustum, unde semper floret imperium. [3] Quapropter designato viro in his, quae vobis pro publica utilitate praeceperit, libentibus animis oboedite, ut fides vestra, quae iam prioribus monstratur exemplis, subsequentibus quoque declaretur indiciis, quia gratius est obsequium quod devotione perpeti custoditur. nos autem reddere cogitamus locum vicissitudini, qui impensa servitia non possumus oblivisci.