Letter 6012: VARIAE, BOOK 6, LETTER 12

12. FORMULA FOR THE COUNTSHIP OF THE FIRST ORDER [Comitiva primi ordinis, a high court rank carrying senatorial dignity]. [1] It seems indeed to many a fortunate thing, and one granted in turn, to be occupied for the public good in honest official duties; but how much happier it is to take up a splendid honor and yet not to have the vexations of constant care? For at times unremitting toils make even the dignities themselves unwelcome, since human weakness is wont quickly to grow weary of distaste, and what one is believed first to have sought after, one is afterward perceived to wish to avoid. But it is far more excellent to be present before the royal gaze and absent from troubles, to enjoy the favor of one's position and to avoid the affronts of office. It is a sweet thing to earn something in such a way that it can be disturbed by no anxiety, since it is rendered far more pleasing where only the joys of prosperity are felt. [2] This honor, therefore, you may regard as bestowed upon you by an untroubled recompense as much as it is known by ancient foresight to have been conferred upon those who labored exceedingly, so that scarcely could it raise to such a height the governors of provinces praised for a year's administration, men to whom they confessed they owed very much. The counselors of the prefects too, distinguished by their good standing, eminent in drafting documents, who in that office of the most ample prefecture appear to exercise their eloquence in such a way that you would believe it to be a second quaestorship for the dispatch of public business. Hence we also frequently take them on as judges, because we approve them as most learned. [3] Recognize, therefore, what should be thought of such an honor, since accomplished men find in it the rewards of this dignity in return for so many praiseworthy services, and it is deservedly conceded with such great pomp, a dignity which is also reckoned with the splendor of the senatorial order: an illustrious rank [spectabilitas, the grade of vir spectabilis] and most worthy of our consistory, which enters among the illustrious, is summoned among the nobles: a dignity girded with the honor of an unoccupied belt of office, which knows how to offend no one, is known to burden no one, and above all good things does not know how to stir up envy. [4] Wherefore, prompted by your character, we grant to you by the favor of Our Majesty the countship of the first order from that indiction, so that you may enter our consistory just as you were invited, and may adorn it, praised for your character, since this honor is neighbor to the illustrious, in that no other rank is held to come between. Let it delight you to imitate those whom you touch by your nearness. [5] You make the position ample and honorable, if you conduct yourself with moderate behavior. Let it surely admonish you that the dignity you have undertaken is reckoned by the title of the first order, assuredly because all who are adorned with the honor of the spectabilis rank follow you. But see that no one who follows you in dignity precede you in reputation. Otherwise it is a heavy weight of envy to shine with the brightness of the belt of office and not to give light with the lamp of one's character.

XII. FORMULA COMITIVAE PRIMI ORDINIS. [1] Magnum quidem multis et inter vices videtur esse geniatum publicae utilitati probis actionibus occupari: sed quanto felicius honorem splendidum sumere et cogitationum molestias non habere? interdum enim assidui labores et ipsas ingratas faciunt dignitates, dum inbecillitas humana cito solet sustinere fastidia et quod prius ambisse creditur, postea vitare velle sentitur. sed hoc multo praestantius adesse conspectibus regiis et abesse molestiis, gratiam habere loci et vitare contumelias actionis. dulce est aliquid sic mereri, ut nulla possit anxietate turbari, dum multo gratius redditur, ubi prosperitatis sola gaudia sentiuntur. [2] Hunc igitur honorem tam tibi respicis otiosa remuneratione praestitum quam nimium laborantibus antiqua noscitur provisione collatus, ut rectores provinciarum anni actione laudatos vix ad tale culmen adducerent, quibus confitebantur plurima se debere. consiliarii quoque praefectorum conscientia clari, dictatione praecipui, qui in illo actu amplissimae praefecturae sic videntur exercere facundiam, ut ad utilitates publicas expediendas alteram credas esse quaesturam. unde frequenter et nos iudices assumimus, quia eos doctissimos comprobamus. [3] Quid ergo de tali honore sentiatur, agnosce, quando perfecti viri pro tot laudabilibus institutis huius inveniunt praemia dignitatis et merito cum tanta pompa ceditur, quae senatorii quoque ordinis splendore censetur, spectabilitas clara et consistorio nostro dignissima, quae inter illustres ingreditur, inter proceres advocatur: otiosi cinguli honore praecincta dignitas, quae nullum novit offendere, nullum cognoscitur ingravare et super omnia bona concitare nescit invidiam. [4] Quocirca provocati moribus tuis comitivam tibi primi ordinis ab illa indictione maiestatis favore largimur, ut consistorium nostrum sicut rogatus ingrederis, ita moribus laudatus exornes, quando vicinus honor est illustribus, dum alter medius non habetur. delectet te illos imitari, quos proximitate contingis. [5] Tu locum amplum et honorabilem facis, si te moderata conversatione tractaveris. ammoneat te certe, quod suscepta dignitas primi ordinis appellatione censetur, utique quia te sequuntur omnes qui spectabilitatis honore decorantur. sed vide ne quis te praecedat opinione, qui sequitur dignitate. alioquin grave pondus invidiae est splendere cinguli claritate et morum lampade non lucere.