Letter 4039: King Theodoric to Theodahad, Vir Illustris [Most Illustrious].

39. KING THEODERIC TO THEODAHAD, MOST ILLUSTRIOUS MAN. [1] Among the other allurements by which the human race is troubled, the shameful coveting of other men's property must especially be avoided, because, once flung headlong, it is carried away into boundlessness if it be not held down by the weights of justice. For divine reading also bears witness that avarice is the root of all evils, which has been punished by such a fate that, while it seizes much, it is always in want; and on account of the nearness of our own kin we do not wish this to take root in your hearts in such a way that we should grant it even its beginnings. [2] For what business have the squalors of the spirit amid the splendor of high birth? It rather befits you to choose that which is able to adorn us. A man of Amal blood is not befitted by common desire, since he beholds that his own stock is clad in purple. Let us therefore set you right through the incitements of our admonition, in which as yet we ought not to be severe. [3] And so Domitius, a man of respectable rank, by a petition presented to us has complained that possessions of his own right, that is, this one and that one, have been seized by your men in disregard of the laws, when it was proper for them to be recovered in a civil manner, if it appeared that they were being demanded by right. [4] But because we do not suffer obscure things to be cast longer upon you, who shine with the brightness of your lineage, by the present authority we decree that, with our saio Duda overseeing the matter, if the lawful intervals of time are in favor, you cause the things lately occupied, together with all that has been carried off, to be restored to the petitioner without any delay. [5] And if you believe that anything can rightfully belong to your side by the laws, it is fitting that you send an instructed representative to our court, so that, the claims of the parties having been examined under equity, a sentence may be pronounced such as the authority of the law dictates. For it befits men of noble birth to conduct all their affairs under measured civility, because the odium of injury grows upon the powerful by just so much as they are believed able to oppress one who is proved to be of inferior fortune.

XXXVIIII. THEODAHADO V. I. THEODERICUS REX. [1] Inter ceteras, quibus humanum genus sollicitatur, inlecebras praecipue vitanda est alienarum rerum turpis ambitio, quia in immensum iactata rapitur, si iustitiae ponderibus non prematur. avaritiam siquidem radicem esse omnium malorum et lectio divina testatur, quae tali sorte punita est, ut cum multa rapiat, semper egeat, quam propter vicinitatem generis nostri sic in animis vestris coalescere nolumus, ut illi nec initia concedamus. [2] Quid enim faciunt sordes animorum in splendore natalium? illud te potius decet eligere, quod nos possit ornare. Hamali sanguinis virum non decet vulgare desiderium, quia genus suum conspicit esse purpuratum. corrigamus itaque te per incitamenta praeconii, in quo adhuc non debemus esse districti. [3] Domitius itaque vir spectabilis data nobis supplicatione conquestus est, possessiones iuris sui, id est illam atque illam, ab hominibus vestris neglectis legibus fuisse pervasas, dum civiliter oportuit recipi, si iure videbatur exposci. [4] Sed quia de vobis non patimur diutius obscura iactari, qui generis claritate fulgetis, praesenti auctoritate censemus, ut imminente Duda saione nostro, si momenti tempora suffragantur, occupata nuper cum omnibus, quae direpta sunt, supplicanti faciatis sine aliqua dilatione restitui. [5] Et si quid partibus vestris de legibus creditis posse competere, instructam personam ad nostrum comitatum destinare vos convenit, ut intentionibus partium sub aequitate discussis feratur sententia, quam iuris dictat auctoritas. generosos quippe viros omnia convenit sub moderata civilitate peragere, quia tantum potentibus laesionis crescit invidia, quantum premi posse creditur, qui fortuna inferior comprobatur.