Letter 1038: VARIAE, BOOK 1, LETTER 38

XXXVIII. KING THEODERIC TO BOIO, MAN OF SPECTABLE RANK. [1] It is no kindness that is bestowed upon the unwilling, nor does anything seem useful to anyone which is granted against his will. Hence let your Spectability take note that we have been sought out with grave complaints by the young Wiliarit, your nephew, because you are withholding the property of his father, not with the aim of improving it, but out of a desire to make it worse. Therefore, whatever you know yourself to be retaining from the aforesaid lawful estate, restore it without any delay, so that he may dispose of his parents' property by his own free will, since the person also seems to us a fitting one, who, having taken up the liberty of a master, may make his way forward. [2] Eagles nourish their bold chicks for so long with provided food, until, gradually drawing away from their soft down, in their grown age they come to feather; and once a firm flight has been established for them, they accustom their new talons to tender prey, nor do they need to live by another's labor, whom their own catch can satisfy. So with our young men, who are proved fit for the army: it is unworthy that they should be called weak for the ordering of their own life, and be supposed not to govern their own household, who are believed able to wage wars. Among the Goths, valor makes the lawful age, and he who is strong enough to pierce an enemy ought already to free himself from every fault.

XXXVIII. BOIONI V. S. THEODERICUS REX. [1] Non est beneficium quod praestatur invitis: nec cuiquam utile videtur, quod adversa voluntate conceditur. unde spectabilitas tua VViliarit adulescentis nepotis tui cognoscat nos querelis gravibus expetitos, quod res patris eius non meliorandi causa, sed deteriorandi voto detineas. quapropter quicquid ex iure memorato te retentare cognoscis, sine aliqua dilatione restitue, ut res parentum propria voluntate disponat, quia et nobis congrua videtur esse persona, qui assumpta domini libertate proficiat. [2] Pullos suos audaces aquilae tamdiu procurato cibo nutriunt, donec paulatim a molli pluma recedentes adulta aetate pennescant: quibus ut constiterit firmus volatus, novellos ungues in praedam teneram consuescunt: nec indigent alieno labore vivere, quos captio potest propria satiare. sic iuvenes nostri, qui ad exercitum probantur idonei, indignum est ut ad vitam suam disponendam dicantur infirmi et putentur domum suam non regere, qui creduntur bella posse tractare. Gothis aetatem legitimam virtus facit et qui valet hostem confodere, ab omni se iam debet vitio vindicare.