Letter 10018: The remedy we have devised for you, conscript fathers, with a devoted heart, we will not allow to be turned against...

18. King Theodahad to the Senate of the City of Rome. [1] The remedy which we have devised on your behalf, conscript fathers [senators], out of a dutiful mind, we do not allow to be turned bitter for you by any contrary suspicion, since it is the very image of injury to take counsel in secret and to make a show of wishing something else. Recognize, then, that our arms are appointed rather for your safety, so that whoever attempts to attack you, the hand of the Goths, by divine aid, must oppose him. For if a vigorous shepherd shuts out ambushes against his flock, if a careful head of household cuts off from deceivers any opening for stealthy seizure, with what caution does it become us to defend Rome, which is agreed to have nothing like it in the world? The highest matters are not committed to chance, for he is proved to love too little who neglects to deal with adversities. [2] But lest even the defense itself should prove burdensome to you in any respect, we have caused provisions for the appointed army, at his arranging, to be purchased according to the market of saleable goods, so that both the necessity of plundering might be removed from them, and the cause of loss might be taken away from you. Over these men we have also set the steward of our household, Wacces, who, by the quality of his virtues, would by right be revered by the warriors, by whose example they might both avoid excesses and seek out the instruments of valor. [3] These men, nevertheless, we have ordered to remain in suitable places, so that the armed defense may be outside, and tranquil civility within for you. Understand what the consoling genius of your prince has devised on your behalf: the defense besieges you, lest a hostile hand encircle you, and we rescue from dangers those whom we vindicate with the blood of our own people. For far be it that in our times that city should seem to be protected by walls, which is agreed to have been a terror to the nations even by its reputation alone. For thus do we hope from divine aid, that the city which has always been free may be disfigured by the injury of no confinement.

XVIII. SENATUI URBIS ROMAE THEODAHADUS REX. [1] Remedium, quod pro vobis, patres conscripti, pia mente tractavimus, non sinimus vobis fieri acerba suspicione contrarium, quia laesionis instar est occulte consulere et aliud velle monstrare. cognoscite itaque arma nostra pro salute vestra potius destinata, ut qui vos temptaverit appetere, divino auxilio Gothorum manus ei debeat obviare. nam si insidias gregis strenuus pastor excludit, si pater familias diligens decipientibus locum subreptionis intercipit, qua nos convenit cautela Romam defendere, quam constat in mundo simile nihil habere? summa non mittuntur in casu, quia probatur minus diligere, qui neglegit adversa tractare. [2] Sed ne in aliquo vobis gravis existeret vel ipsa defensio, exercitui destinato ordinante illo annonas fecimus secundum forum rerum venalium comparari, ut et illis tolleretur necessitas excedendi et vobis auferretur causa dispendii. his etiam praefecimus maiorem domus nostrae Vuaccenem, qui pro suarum qualitate virtutum bellatoribus esset iure reverendus, cuius exemplo et excessus vitarent et fortitudinis instrumenta perquirerent. [3] Quos tamen locis aptis praecepimus immorari, ut foris sit armata defensio, intus vobis tranquilla civilitas. intellegite quid excogitaverit consolatorium principis pro vobis ingenium: defensio vos obsidet, ne manus inimica circumdet et a periculis excipimus quos nostrorum sanguine vindicamus. absit enim ut nostris temporibus urbs illa muris videatur protegi, quam constat gentibus vel sola opinione fuisse terrori. ita enim de divino speramus auxilio, ut quae semper fuit libera, nullius inclusionis decoloretur iniuria.