Letter 4002: King Theodoric to the King of the Heruli.

II. KING THEODERIC TO THE KING OF THE HERULI. [1] It is agreed that to be made a son through arms is a great proclamation of honor among the nations, since no one is worthy to be adopted save he who deserves to be recognized as the most valiant. In our own offspring we are often deceived; but those whom considered judgments have begotten do not know how to be cowardly. For these have favor not from nature, but from their merits alone, since strangers are bound by a bond of the spirit; and so great is the force in this act, that they would sooner wish to die than that anything harsh should appear to be inflicted upon their fathers. [2] And therefore, after the custom of the nations and by the condition of manhood, we beget you as our son by the present gift, so that you may fittingly be born through arms, you who are known to be warlike. We give you, indeed, horses, swords, shields, and the rest of the instruments of war: but that which is in every way stronger, we bestow upon you our judgments. For you are believed to be the highest among the nations, you who are approved by the verdict of Theoderic. [3] Take up therefore the arms that will profit both me and you. He asks devotion from you who rather arranges to defend you: prove your spirit, and you will not have a service to render. He adopts you, of whose nation you would rather be feared. For the supports of the Goths, with God's help, are well known to the Heruli. We have given you arms: the nations, moreover, have long since furnished one another with pledges of their valor. [4] Greeting you accordingly with fitting grace, we entrust the rest, through such-and-such and such-and-such, our envoys, in our ancestral tongue, who may both plainly set forth our letter to you and add what is to be said for the confirming of our goodwill.

II. REGI ERULORUM THEODERICUS REX. [1] Per arma fieri posse filium grande inter gentes constat esse praeconium, quia non est dignus adoptari, nisi qui fortissimus meretur agnosci. in subole frequenter fallimur: ignavi autem esse nesciunt, quos iudicia pepererunt. hi enim gratiam non de natura, sed de solis meritis habent, quando vinculo animi obligantur extranei, et tanta in hoc actu vis est, ut prius se velint mori quam aliquid asperum patribus videatur infligi. [2] Et ideo more gentium et condicione virili filium te praesenti munere procreamus, ut competenter per arma nascaris, qui bellicosus esse dinosceris. damus tibi quidem equos enses clipeos et reliqua instrumenta bellorum: sed quae sunt omnimodis fortiora, largimur tibi nostra iudicia. summus enim inter gentes esse crederis, qui Theoderici sententia comprobaris. [3] Sume itaque arma mihi tibique profutura. ille a te devotionem petit, qui te magis defensare disponit: proba tuum animum et opus non habebis obsequium. adoptat te talis, de cuius gente tu potius formideris. nota sunt enim Erulis Gothorum deo iuvante solacia. nos arma tibi dedimus: gentes autem sibi olim virtutum pignora praestiterunt. [4] Salutantes proinde gratia competenti reliqua per illum et illum legatos nostros patrio sermone mandamus, qui vobis et litteras nostras evidenter exponant et ad confirmandam gratiam quae sunt dicenda subiungant.