Letter 7008: VARIAE, BOOK 7, LETTER 8

VIII. FORMULA FOR THE PREFECTURE OF THE WATCH OF THE CITY OF RAVENNA. [1] Although at first glance you are adorned with the dignity of a great title - since the prudence of the ancients could not denote the highest and the lowest things by a similar appellation, lest it should pollute, by the cheapness of another office, the splendor which it gave to the highest - nevertheless from this it is understood what the authority of our forefathers could have intended, when they chose to call "prefects" those watchmen who go about for the general repose. For to you is entrusted the security of fortunes, the adornment of the city, the benefit of all - that is, that you may wage a peaceful war against domestic marauders, if you should perceive that any of the citizens is being harmed. [2] Guard the fortunes of all. While you keep watch, untroubled sleep is enjoyed and no annoyance is felt. Settled in peace, you take your victories over the nocturnal thief. By your laurels the city, defended, rejoices in the morning, for, when it looks upon the captives, it then recognizes that it had been rid of a hidden enemy. Daily you triumph, if you keep good watch, and although the glory of warlike combat is rare, it serves you continually through the robbers you discover. O office undertaken with too great an affection for the citizens! You take it upon yourself to track down the brigands whom the master cannot find for his own sake, and in twofold fashion you are beneficent: either you prevent thefts to come, or you bring to a close those already committed. [3] Is this not a certain ineffable favor toward the city - to take upon oneself alone that which one sees to be advantageous to all? Deservedly did prudent antiquity assign to you the glorious name of prefect, because no one could do this except him who loved the citizens more than his own conveniences. Your office also is established as supported by no small endowment, since to those very men who are known to do military service for the security of the citizens, the rights of their rank have been extended. [4] Since these things are so, we grant to you, delighted by your reputation, the prefecture of the watch for the said indiction, in such a way that you may discharge in every manner both the care of this dignity and the privileges proper to you. But although a general assent persecutes the most hateful name of thieves, nevertheless, because it is a matter concerning the shedding of human blood, we order that nothing be undertaken suddenly or without deliberation. Follow moderation, you who condemn boldness; love restraint, you who condemn thefts. Let those who are brought to trial be heard as they are about to say something for their own safety, since whatever is not examined is not deemed justice. But for those who are convicted and who confess, let what is secret be preserved: for he who follows the laws does nothing cruel.

VIII. FORMULA PRAEFECTURAE VIGILUM URBIS RAVENNATIS. [1] Quamvis dignitate magni nominis prima fronte decoreris, quia non potuit antiquorum prudentia summa imaque simili appellatione censere, ne splendorem quem summis dabat alterius vilitate pollueret, tamen hinc intellegitur, quid sentire maiorum potuisset auctoritas, quando praefectos vigilibus appellare voluerunt qui pro generali quiete discurrunt. tibi enim commissa est fortunarum securitas, civitatis ornatus, utilitas omnium, scilicet ut contra domesticos grassatores bellum pacatum gereres, si quem civium laedendum esse sentires. [2] Custodi fortunas omnium. securus somnus te vigilante carpitur et molestia nulla sentitur. in pace positus sumis de nocturno fure victorias. tuis laureis mane civitas defensa laetatur, quae, dum captos respicit, tunc se occulto hoste caruisse cognoscit. cottidie triumphas, si bene vigilas, et cum rara sit gloria bellici certaminis, tibi iugiter latronibus famulatur inventis. o ducatum nimia civium affectione susceptum! assumes praedones inquirere, quos pro se dominus non valet invenire et duplici ratione beneficus aut futura furta prohibes aut admissa concludis. [3] Nonne ista quaedam est ineffabilis gratia civitatis unum in se suscipere, quod videt omnibus expedire? merito tibi gloriosum nomen praefecti prudens antiquitas deputavit, quia istud facere non poterat, nisi qui cives a suis commodis plus amabat. officium quoque tuum non parvo constat munere sublevatum, quando et ipsis momenti iura dilatata sunt, qui pro securitate civium militare noscuntur. [4] Quae cum ita sint, praefecturam tibi vigilibus per illam indictionem, delectati tua opinione, concedimus, ita ut et curam huius dignitatis et privilegia tibi competentia modis omnibus exsequaris. sed quamvis nomen odiosissimum furum generalis persequatur assensus, tamen quia de effusione humani sanguinis agitur, nihil subitum aut indeliberatum iubemus assumi. modestiam sequere, qui damnas audaciam: continentiam dilige, qui furta condemnas. ad gesta perducti audiantur aliquid pro salute dicturi, quoniam quicquid non discutitur, iustitia non putatur. convictis vero atque confessis quae sunt secreta serventur: quando crudele nihil efficit qui sequitur leges.