Letter 3048: The provident commands of a ruler should be a cause for joy, since we are offering what you yourselves should have...

48. King Theoderic to all the Goths and Romans settled in the neighborhood of the fortress of Verruca. [1] A provident command of those who rule ought to be a cause of rejoicing for all, since you see us offer that which you yourselves ought to have sought. For what is more welcome than always to apply foresight to human affairs, foresight which either proves necessary or, even when superfluous, does no harm? And therefore we have entrusted a charge to Leodefridus, our saio [royal agent], here present, that through his urging you may build dwellings for yourselves in the fortress of Verruca, which has received a name suited to its situation. [2] For there is in the midst of the plains a rocky mound rising in a rounded shape, which, with its lofty sides stripped of woods, makes the whole hill as it were a single tower; its lower parts are slenderer than its summit, and after the manner of a very soft mushroom it spreads out above while it is drawn thin in the lower part. It is a rampart without battle, a siege made secure, where neither may an adversary presume anything nor the one enclosed dread anything. The Adige, honored among rivers, flows past it with the purity of its pleasant stream, furnishing a cause both of fortification and of beauty: a fortress almost unique in the world, holding the barriers of the province, which is the more proved to be outstanding because it stands set against savage peoples. [3] This famous stronghold, this marvelous security, whom would it not delight even as strangers to visit, when the desire to dwell there is not lacking? And although, with God's help, we believe the province to be secure in our times, nevertheless it is no less a part of prudence to guard even against things that are not thought to arise. [4] A fortification must always be made ready in time of leisure, for it is ill sought just when it is judged necessary. The mergi [grebes/diving birds], which take their name from their deed, the dwelling-companions of fishes, water-birds naturally foreseeing coming storms, seek dry places and abandon the pools. The dolphins, fearing the waves of the deep, linger by the shallow shores. The sea-urchins, which are as it were the honey of flesh, a tenderness within a ribbed shell, the saffron-colored delights of the rich sea, when they have recognized coming storms and desire to change their place, since because of the lightness of their body they have no confidence in swimming, embrace little stones to which they can be equal in weight, and, balanced as it were by the ballast of anchors, they make for the rocks, which they do not believe will be tossed about by the waves. [5] The birds themselves change their homelands at the coming of winter. Wild beasts seek lairs according to the quality of the season. Should not the care of men provide for what it may have need of in adversity? There is not in the world a single fixed thing: human affairs are shaken by changeableness. And therefore it is called providence, that the things which are to come may be dealt with in advance.

XLVIII. UNIVERSIS GOTHIS ET ROMANIS CIRCA VERRUCAS CASTELLUM CONSISTENTIBUS THEODERICUS REX. [1] Laetitia debet esse cunctorum provida iussio dominantum, quando illud, quod vos debuistis expetere, nos videtis offerre. quid est enim gratius quam humanis rebus cautelam semper adhibere, quae aut fit necessaria aut non gravat esse superfluam? et ideo Leodefrido saioni nostro praesenti delegavimus iussione, ut eius instantia in Verruca castello vobis domicilia construatis, quod a positione sui congruum nomen accepit. [2] Est enim in mediis campis tumulus saxeus in rotunditate consurgens, qui proceris lateribus, silvis erasus, totus mons quasi una turris efficitur, cuius ima graciliora sunt quam cacumina et in mollissimi fungi modo supernus extenditur, cum in inferiore parte tenuetur. agger sine pugna, obsessio secura, ubi nec adversarius quicquam praesumat nec inclusus aliquid expavescat. huic Athesis inter fluvios honorus amoeni gurgitis puritate praeterfluit causam praestans muniminis et decoris: castrum paene in mundo singulare, tenens claustra provinciae, quod ideo magis probatur esse praecipuum, quia feris gentibus constat obiectum. [3] Hoc opinabile munimen, mirabilem securitatem cui desiderium non sit habitare, quam vel externos delectat invisere? et quamquam deo iuvante nostris temporibus provinciam securam credamus, tamen prudentiae nihilominus est cavere etiam quae non putantur emergere. [4] Munitio coaptanda semper in otio est, qua tunc male quaeritur, quando necessaria iudicatur. mergi, quibus nomen ex facto est, cohabitatores piscium, aquatiles volucres futuras tempestates naturaliter praevidentes sicca petunt, stagna derelinquunt. delphini fluctus pelagi metuentes vadosis litoribus immorantur. echini, qui sunt mella carnalia, costatilis teneritudo, croceae deliciae divitis maris, dum futuras tempestates agnoverint, loca mutare cupientes, quia illis pro levitate corporis nandi nulla fiducia est, lapillos, quibus pares possunt esse, complexi, quadam anchorarum ponderatione librati scopulos petunt, quos fluctibus vexandos esse non credunt. [5] Aves ipsae adventu hiemis patrias mutant. ferae pro qualitate temporis cubilia quaerunt. hominum sollicitudo non debet providere quod potest in adversitate requirere? non est in mundo unum: humanae res mutabilitate quatiuntur. et ideo providentia dicitur, ut quae sunt futura tractentur.