Letter 4003: KING THEODERIC TO SENARIUS, ILLUSTRIOUS COUNT OF THE PRIVATE ESTATES

KING THEODERIC TO SENARIUS, MOST DISTINGUISHED COUNT OF THE PRIVATE ESTATES. [1] We believe it pertains to the adornment of the palace to choose persons suited to high offices, since the renown of masters grows from the distinction of those who serve them. For it befits a prince to advance such men that, as often as he has deigned to look upon a noble of his, so often he may recognize that he has held to right judgments. For he who is given to be imitated ought to be conspicuous in his character. It is easy for anyone to live for himself; but it befits a chosen man to live for many. [2] Receive therefore, through the third indiction, the dignity of the Distinguished Countship of our Patrimony, which royal authority bestows on you not undeservedly. For long you, having lent a twofold compliance to our administrations, were both a sharer in our counsel and brought what had been arranged to completion by a praiseworthy undertaking. Often you took up the office of an arduous embassy: you stood firm against kings, an advocate not unequal to them, compelled to display our justice even to those who could scarcely perceive reason on account of their raw obstinacy. Royal authority, inflamed by contentions, did not terrify you; rather you subjected boldness to truth, and, obeying our ordinances, you struck the barbarians in their own conscience. [3] Why should we relate your zeal, anxious with long lamplit study, and the blameless compliance of your continuous labor? In the office of recording you employed an eloquent talent: the hearer himself, delighted, gave his favor, since you made things better when you had begun to read them aloud. Your delivery delighted our judgment, because you refreshed the mind of those dictating as much as the labor of those thinking could weary itself. There was in you also another part of a praiseworthy life, in that you kept our secrets closed by the uprightness of your character, privy as you were to the affairs of many, and yet, though you knew much, not puffed up. To your colleagues you were pleasing by your graciousness, to your superiors by your humility. [4] Thus out of great diversity there became one mind of all on your behalf, joined together. You will surely reap the most welcome fruit of a proven upbringing, since your advancement has been able to make all so glad that everyone judges that his own desires have prospered in you. Preserve therefore this lovable and illustrious constancy of virtues, and, supported by the authority of our house, seek favor the more zealously the more you perceive that you have found a place for benefactions. Strive therefore still further by good deeds toward more powerful successes of yours, knowing that our favor is always increased in that man who desires to be found worthy of the height he has attained.

III. SENARIO V. I. COMITI PRIVATARUM THEODERICUS REX. [1] Ad ornatum palatii credimus pertinere aptas dignitatibus personae eligere, quia de claritate servientium crescit fama dominorum. tales enim provehere principem decet, ut quotiens procerem suum fuerit dignatus aspicere, totiens se recta iudicia cognoscat habuisse. moribus enim debet esse conspicuus, qui datur imitandus. facile est quemque sibi degere: multis autem electum vivere decet. [2] Cape igitur per indictionem tertiam illustris comitivae nostri patrimonii dignitatem, quam tibi non inmerito tribuit regalis auctoritas. diu namque nostris ordinationibus geminum mutuatus obsequium et consilii particeps eras et disposita laudabili assumptione complebas. subisti saepe arduae legationis officium: restitisti regibus non impar assertor, coactus iustitiam nostram et illis ostendere, qui rationem vix poterant cruda obstinatione sentire. non te terruit contentionibus inflammata regalis auctoritas, subiugasti quin immo audaciam veritati et obsecutus ordinationibus nostris in conscientiam suam barbaros perculisti. [3] Quid studium tuum longa lucubratione sollicitum et laboris continui inculpabile referamus obsequium? usus es sub exceptionis officio eloquentis ingenio: favebat ipse sui delectatus auditor, dum meliora faceres, cum recitare coepisses. pronuntiatio tua nostrum delectabat arbitrium, quia tantum dictantium reficiebas animum, quantum se lassare poterat cura cogitantum. fuit quoque in te pars altera vitae laudabilis, quod arcana nostra morum probitate claudebas, multorum conscius, nec tamen, cum plura nosses, elatus. collegis gratia, superioribus humilitate placuisti. [4] Sic omnium pro te factus est unus animus ex magna diversitate sociatus. carpes certe probatae institutionis gratissimum fructum, quando provecus tuus ita potuit omnes laetos efficere, ut universi in te iudicent sua desideria profecisse. tuere igitur hanc virtutum amabilem praeclaramque constantiam nostraeque domus auctoritate subnixus tanto studiosius gratiam quaere, quantum te locum beneficiis respicis invenisse. tende itaque adhuc bonis actibus tuos ad potiora successus, sciens gratiam nostram in illo semper augeri, qui se dignum adepto culmini desiderat inveniri.