Letter 4004: King Theodoric to the Senate of the City of Rome.

IV. KING THEODERIC TO THE SENATE OF THE CITY OF ROME. [1] It is indeed glorious for us, conscript fathers, to bestow honors far and wide, but it is more praiseworthy to grant fitting rewards to those who have served well. For whatever we bestow upon such men, we lavish rather for the general benefit. Indeed, the advancement of one who holds firmly to what is right profits all, and no room is left for injury when the rule of discipline reaches good men. [2] With this excellent desire, therefore, we have raised the illustrious man Senarius to the dignity of count of the patrimony [comes patrimonii, the official in charge of the crown estates]: a man who, in the clarity of his soul, shrinks from the dark dealings of venality, who takes no delight in false accusation, and who, propped up by the authority of the patrimony, makes no profit for himself out of our power to inspire dread, but is able to hold a justice equal with the rest, whereby he sees fit to please us who serve. The trustworthiness of times past makes us promise these things of him for the future. [3] For in the very flower of his youth he entered our palace mature in merits, and—a thing which wearies even robust ages—deceived by no error of inexperience, turned toward the will of his ruler, he carried out the execution of good commands: now worthy for consultations, now most apt for taking down records, and frequently even chosen for the honor of an embassy, whose manifold merit rendered his office among us hard to define. For a man by whom many things are seen to be fulfilled ought not to be called the man of a single post. [4] But what commended these things still more was his humility, which is as renowned as it is rare. For it is something new to preserve modesty under the love of a prince, since joys always disturb men's minds: for moderation is seldom imposed upon happy circumstances, being more often found in sad ones. [5] Yet amid these astonishing merits he also shines forth with a like brilliance of birth, so that you would be at a loss as to which side he is the richer in, since he possesses each more abundantly. Therefore his distinctions, taken singly, have their renown; joined together, they are a marvel. Wherefore, conscript fathers, let hoary Liberty rise up for these youths as they enter. Nothing is withdrawn from your dignity when the newness of those arriving is honorably welcomed. Public parents named from your clemency, let a twofold reckoning of kindness invite you: let one beginning earn your goodwill, one advanced earn your favor.

IIII. SENATUI URBIS ROMAE THEODERICUS REX. [1] Gloriosum quidem nobis est, patres conscripti, honores passim impendere, sed laudabilius bene meritis digna praestare. quicquid enim talibus tribuimus, pro generali potius utilitate largimur. cunctis siquidem proficit recti tenax provectus nec locus relinquitur iniuriae, cum ad bonos pervenit regula disciplinae. [2] Hoc itaque praeclaro desiderio illustrem virum Senarium comitivae patrimonii dignitate subveximus, qui venalitatis obscura animi claritate refugiat, qui calumnia non laetetur, nec patrimonii auctoritate suffultus de nostro sibi faciat terrore compendium, sed ius aequabile possit tenere cum ceteris, unde nobis placere respicit servientes. haec de illo futura promittere praeteritorum facit temporum fides. [3] In ipso quippe adulescentiae flore palatia nostra meritis maturus intravit et, quod robustas quoque fatigat aetates, nullo deceptus novitatis errore ad imperantis conversus arbitrium effectum bonarum praestitit iussionum, nunc ad colloquia dignus, nunc ad exceptiones aptissimus, frequenter etiam in honorem legationis electus, cuius multiplex meritum incertum apud nos reddebat officium. non enim unius loci vir debet dici, a quo multa videntur impleri. [4] Sed haec amplius commendabat humilitas, quae tam clara quam rara est. novum est enim sub amore principis custodire modestiam, quia gaudia semper animos inquietant: modus enim raro laetis rebus imponitur, qui magis in tristibus invenitur. [5] Verum inter haec stupenda meritorum originis quoque simili claritate resplendet, ut haereas, qua parte sit ditior, cum copiosius utraque possideat. habent ergo singulatim distributa praeconium, iuncta miraculum. quapropter, patres conscripti, assurgat primaevis introeuntibus cana Libertas. nihil de genio vestro subtrahitur, quando venientium novitas honorabiliter invitatur. parentes publici de clementia nominati, duplex vos ratio benignitatis invitet: incipiens mereatur gratiam, provectus favorem.