Letter 7039: It might seem unnecessary to specifically request protection from a ruler whose very purpose is to defend everyone.

39. FORMULA OF PROTECTION. [1] It seems indeed superfluous to seek protection particularly from the sovereign, whose purpose it is to defend all men in common. But because the abominable rashness of certain violent men disturbs your security, we are not loath to be led by the complaints of the grieving toward this side of our compassion, so that what we desire to grant to all, we may bestow above all upon the one who supplicates. And therefore, since you have been wounded, as you complain, by the losses inflicted by various persons, we mercifully receive you into the camp of our defense, so that you may appear to contend with your adversaries no longer, as hitherto, in open combat upon the field, but under the protection of a wall. Thus it comes about that you, who were pressed by savage forces, are rendered equal through royal aid. [2] Wherefore our authority grants you the protection of our name as a most strong tower against uncivil assaults and the harms arising from compacts: yet on this condition, that you, raised up by these privileges, do not scorn to render civil answer, and that you, whom at first a detestable boldness oppressed, do not yourself appear insolently to trample upon the public laws. And because our command ought to have effective ministers, nor is it fitting for a sovereign to speak what cannot seem capable of fulfillment, by the order of the present benefit, [protection] against the Goths to such an officer, against the Romans to such an officer [is entrusted], so that fidelity and diligence may easily guard you: since no one labors to defend what is feared to be offended, while the lord who grants is dreaded to become ungrateful. Enjoy therefore our clemency: rejoice in the benefit received. For if hereafter you are assailed by anyone under uncivil treatment, you shall rather fulfill your own desires against your enemies.

XXXVIIII. FORMULA TUITIONIS. [1] Superfluum quidem videtur tuitionem specialiter a principe petere, cuius est propositi universos communiter vindicare. sed quia securitatem tuam quorundam violentorum exsecranda temeritas inquietat, non piget dolentium querelis ad hanc partem pietatis adduci, ut quod omnibus praestare cupimus, supplicanti potissimum conferamus. atque ideo diversorum te, quemadmodum quereris, dispendiis sauciatum in castra defensionis nostrae clementer excipimus, ut cum adversariis tuis non, ut hactenus, campestri certamine, sed murali videaris protectione contendere. ita fit ut, truculentis viribus pressus, reddaris auxiliis regalibus exaequatus. [2] Quapropter tuitionem tibi nostri nominis quasi validissimam turrem contra inciviles impetus et conventionalia detrimenta nostra concedit auctoritas: ita tamen, ne, his praesumptionibus sublevatus, civile despicias praebere responsum et tu videaris insolens calcare iura publica, quem primitus detestanda premebat audacia. et quia ministros efficaces nostra debet habere praeceptio nec decet principem loqui quod non videatur posse compleri, praesentis beneficii iussione, adversus Gothos illa, adversus Romanos illa, facile te fides et diligentia custodivit: quia nemo laborat defendere quod timetur offendi, dum praestans dominus fieri formidatur ingratus. fruere igitur nostra clementia: beneficio laetare suscepto. nam si ulterius a quoquam sub incivilitate temptaris, tua de inimicis potius vota complebis.