Letter 4015: King Theodoric to Benenatus, Vir Spectabilis [Most Respectable].

XV. KING THEODERIC TO BENENATUS, MOST DISTINGUISHED MAN. [1] From the report of the illustrious and magnificent count of the privy purse [comes patrimonii] we have learned that twenty-one fast-galley oarsmen [dromonarii] have been withdrawn from the established number by the misfortune of death. Therefore know that our foresight, whose particular property it is to recover by counsel what is taken away by chance, has determined this: that you make haste, without any hesitation, to approve the above-mentioned galley-men, those, however, who can be found fit for this work. [2] For the laborious toil of rowers requires men strong in spirit and in strength, so that with confidence of mind one may be able to meet the surging tempests. For what is more daring than to enter that treacherous and most vast sea in a small vessel, which only the presumption of desperation makes one struggle through? Wherefore it befits you to apply this caution to our orders, that you make no complaint about the weak men gathered together, since you know that we have sought out the most robust.

XV. BENENATO V. S. THEODERICUS REX. [1] Illustris et magnifici viri comitis patrimonii suggestione comperimus dromonarios viginti et unum de constituto numero mortis incommodo fuisse subtractos. unde providentiam nostram, cuius est proprium quod casu subducitur recuperare consilio, hoc statuisse cognosce, ut supra dictos dromonarios probare sine aliqua dubitatione festines, qui tamen ad hoc opus possint idonei reperiri. [2] Remigum enim labor operosus valentes animo et viribus quaerit, ut confidentia mentis procellis obviare possit undosis. quid enim audentius quam illud infidum ac vastissimum mare intrare parvo navigio, quod eluctari facit desperationis sola praesumptio? quapropter iussis te nostris hanc cautelam convenit adhibere, ut querelam de congregatis debilibus non facias, cum nos robustissimos quaesisse cognoscas.