Letter 7034: We have no doubt that what is freely given is gratefully received, since what is usually begged for as a favor, we...

From: Cassiodorus (formula template) To: [Summoned person -- royal summons issued on the king's own initiative] Date: ~522 AD Context: Template for a royal summons initiated by the king, framed as an honor rather than a command. We have no doubt that what is freely given is gratefully received, since what is usually begged for as a favor, we offer unsolicited. A ruler's remembrance always brings advancement, and the signs of a prince's goodwill are never empty. Therefore, we summon you to our court by this present order, so that you may enjoy no small joy. Set aside the pleasures of leisure and hurry to the designated city by the designated day. We will judge that our presence is welcome to you when we learn that you have hastened to come. Our court desires the presence of good men, since whatever pleases royal wisdom is, by some mysterious process, also approved by divine judgment -- the One who governs our hearts also grants us the ability to perceive rightly.

XXXIIII. FORMULA EVOCATORIAE, QUAM PRINCEPS MOTU SUO DIRIGIT. [1] Non dubitamus ultronea grate suscipi, quae in locum muneris solent postulata conferri, quia domini recordatio concedit semper augmenta nec possunt esse principis vacua gratificationis indicia. quapropter ad comitatum nostrum iussis te praesentibus evocamus, ut non mediocri gaudio perfruaris. [2] Et ideo otii delectatione postposita ad illam diem ad urbem illam venire depropera, ut et tibi aspectum nostrum gratum fuisse iudicemus, cum te festinasse cognoscimus. desiderat enim aula nostra praesentiam bonorum, dum nescio quo pacto quicquid regali sapientiae gratum esse cognoscitur, et divino iudicio comprobatur, quia ille qui corda nostra regit, ipse etiam quod debeamus sentire concedit.