Letter 9042: We return thanks to your Excellency, that, hearkening to our petition, you have concluded such a peace as may be of advantage to both parties, as we had confidence in you that you would. On this account we greatly commend your prudence and goodness, since in choosing peace you have shown that you love God, who is its author. For, if unhappily pe...
Pope Gregory the Great→Agilulph, of Lombards|c. 599 AD|Pope Gregory the Great|Human translated
barbarian invasiondiplomaticillness
Gregory to Agilulph, King of the Lombards.
Your Excellency, we give thanks that you heard our petition and concluded a peace that benefits both sides -- just as we trusted you would. I greatly commend your prudence and goodness. In choosing peace, you have shown that you love God, who is its author.
If peace had not been made -- and I shudder to think of it -- what could have followed but the shedding of the blood of miserable peasants, with sin and danger on both sides? These are people whose labor benefits everyone.
To ensure we actually feel the benefits of the peace you have made, I ask you, greeting you with fatherly affection, to write to your dukes in various regions -- especially those stationed near us -- as often as opportunity arises, instructing them to keep this peace inviolate as promised. They must not seek pretexts for stirring up contention or ill-feeling. That way, we can give even greater thanks for your good will.
We received your envoys with the warmth they deserved -- wise men, truly your own, who brought us the good news that peace had been concluded by God's favor.
Book IX, Letter 42
To Agilulph, King of the Lombards.
Gregory to Agilulph, etc.
We return thanks to your Excellency, that, hearkening to our petition, you have concluded such a peace as may be of advantage to both parties, as we had confidence in you that you would. On this account we greatly commend your prudence and goodness, since in choosing peace you have shown that you love God, who is its author. For, if unhappily peace had not been made, what else could have ensued but, with sin and danger on both sides, the shedding of the blood of miserable peasants , whose labour profits both? But, that we may feel the advantage to us of this peace, as it has been made by you, we beg you, greeting you with paternal charity, that as often as opportunity offers itself, you would enjoin by letters on your dukes in various places, and especially those who are constituted in these parts, that they keep this peace inviolate, as has been promised, and not seek for themselves any occasions whence either any contention or any ill-feeling may arise, to the end that we may be able to give thanks still more for your good will. We received the bearers of these presents, as being in very truth your own people, with the affection that was becoming, since it was right both to receive and dismiss with charity men who are wise, and who announced that by the favour of God peace had been concluded.
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Gregory to Agilulph, King of the Lombards.
Your Excellency, we give thanks that you heard our petition and concluded a peace that benefits both sides -- just as we trusted you would. I greatly commend your prudence and goodness. In choosing peace, you have shown that you love God, who is its author.
If peace had not been made -- and I shudder to think of it -- what could have followed but the shedding of the blood of miserable peasants, with sin and danger on both sides? These are people whose labor benefits everyone.
To ensure we actually feel the benefits of the peace you have made, I ask you, greeting you with fatherly affection, to write to your dukes in various regions -- especially those stationed near us -- as often as opportunity arises, instructing them to keep this peace inviolate as promised. They must not seek pretexts for stirring up contention or ill-feeling. That way, we can give even greater thanks for your good will.
We received your envoys with the warmth they deserved -- wise men, truly your own, who brought us the good news that peace had been concluded by God's favor.
Human translation — New Advent (NPNF / ANF series)