Letter 6014: We would like the Senate's distinguished chamber to be filled by its own natural increase, and for its offspring to...

From: Cassiodorus, on behalf of the King To: The Roman Senate Date: ~522 AD Context: A formula (template letter) for enrolling new members in the Senate, comparing the cultivation of the Senate to the grafting of trees. We would like the Senate's distinguished chamber to be filled by its own natural increase, and for its offspring to grow so abundantly that -- rare as it is for ambition to be satisfied -- it might actually content the hopes of its own members. But a truly devoted cultivator does not stop at hoping: he seeks to add still more to that great number. A diligent farmer anticipates the heavenly rains by watering his seedlings before they have earned the showers they need. Even the gardener who strives to improve the fruit of his trees introduces grafts of different stock, so that by multiplying the sweetness of his produce he may plant a pleasing variety in his orchards. In the same way, we wish to bring the most delightful virtues into the fold of the Gabine cincture [the distinctive way of wearing the toga that marked a Roman senator]. But this cultivation is quite different from that of trees. With trees, something thought superior is grafted in: foreign stock is brought to the existing tree so that it may take on the newcomer's sweetness. With you, however, raw material is offered so that it may improve. For though fire shines brightly at night, it appears dim when set beside the sun. This is why nothing can be brought to your order that seems truly exceptional unless it is also enhanced by membership itself. Therefore, let the Senate receive as its new light this man -- conspicuous in the splendor of his birth and wisely kindled by the fire of his intellect. Until now he has been distinguished by his own merits alone; henceforth he will shine with the luster of your company. Open the chamber, receive the candidate: he was already destined for the Senate from the moment we conferred upon him the dignity of the broad stripe [the laticlavium, the wide purple stripe on the toga marking senatorial rank]. Public fathers must be generous, for the title "father" owes its meaning not merely to one's own children but to a concern for the common good.

XIIII. FORMULA DE HIS QUI REFERENDI SUNT IN SENATU. [1] Optamus quidem curiam senatus amplissimi naturali fecunditate compleri subolemque eius tantum crescere, ut (quod difficillimum aviditatis genus est) parentum videatur vota satiare. sed minus amantis est non amplius aliquid quaerere, unde tantum numerum possit augere. agricola diligens praeveniendo adiuvat imbrem caelestem et ante rigat plantaria, quam pluvias mereantur optatas. arborum quin etiam fetus meliorare contendens diversi germinis feturas instituit, ut multiplicata dulcedine fructuum hortis suis conserat varietatis ornatum. sic nos virtutum iucundissimas laudes in cinctum Gabini desideramus includere, ut germen alienum amplexu gratiae colligatum curiae moribus inolescat. [2] Sed haec cultura longe dissimilis est. arboribus enim quod melius putatur inseritur: ad illas peregrina veniunt, ut de illorum potius suavitate dulcescant. vobis autem, ut agrestia proficiant, offeruntur. nam quamvis ignis nocte reluceat, soli tamen praesentatus obscurus est: hinc est quod ad illum ordinem nihil potest eximium deferri, nisi quod per ipsum probatur augeri. et ideo illum natalium splendore conspicuum et ingenii calore prudenter accensum senatus lumen excipiat. hactenus enim fuit suis meritis clarus: sed iam erit de vestra conspicuitate perlucidus. [3] Pandite curiam, suscipite candidatum: iam senatui praedestinatus est, cui nos contulimus laticlaviam dignitatem. benignos esse necesse est publicos patres, quia hoc vocabulum non tantum suo debet germini quantum studio votoque generali.