Letter 8011: VARIAE, BOOK 8, LETTER 11

11. KING ATHALARIC TO THE SENATE OF THE CITY OF ROME. [1] Be assured, conscript fathers, that the zeal of every one of you ought to be roused to render thanks to a most excellent king, since you know that my advancement has been devised for the benefit of all. And therefore that ought to be received gladly which would necessarily have been a thing to wish for. It is indeed useful to all to follow the judgments of princes, but the man makes them his own who has gladly accepted what belongs to another. [2] You recall that I have always cherished the assembly of the senate, but now most of all, when I seem to enter your college. The taking up of the dignity of your order has doubled our gratitude, since I feel myself to be among those by whom I am confident that I can be loved. There is added also that most welcome pledge of your spirit, that through us the genius of the patricians stands raised up, since none of the nations will think anything abject in you which it looks upon as honored in me. [3] In seeking honors, too, before the prince Theodoric, of glorious memory, the prince of kings, I have often joined my prayers to yours, so that by a kind of foretaste I may seem to have sent on ahead such men as those whom it was fitting for me to enter among with good will. For that thing is sought more confidently where men hasten on after benefits have been conferred. Often have I, through interceding, advanced consuls, often patricians, often prefects, striving to obtain for you what I could only have wished for myself with difficulty. Rejoice now, conscript fathers, in my auspices, I who have always favored your honors. [4] Do you wish to know with what affection I embrace you? Engrafted into the royal stock, I have wished to hold a title in common with you. Live secure, with God favorable, and, what is the most fortunate kind of sweetness, exult together with your children. Strive, as you always have, to be praised for Roman ways, and pursue the renown of good deeds under deep tranquillity. It concerns our glory that those whose number we have increased we should guard, with divinity favorable to us.

XI. SENATUI URBIS ROMAE ATHALARICUS REX. [1] Confide, patres conscripti, quod ad agendas optimo regi gratias omnium vestrum studia debeant concitari, quando provectum meum excogitatum noscitis pro utilitate cunctorum. atque ideo alacriter excipiendum est, quod necessarie fuisset optandum. omnibus quidem utile est iudicia principum sequi, sed ipse facit propria, qui gratanter susceperit aliena. [2] Retinetis me senatus semper fovisse coetum, sed nunc maxime, cum vestrum videor intrare collegium. assumptio dignitatis ordinis vestri nobis gratiam duplicavit, quando me inter eos esse sentio, a quibus me amari posse confide. accedit etiam illud animi vestri gratissimum pignus, quod patriciorum genius per nos constat erectus, quando nemo gentilium in vobis putabit abiectum, quod in me respicit honoratum. [3] In expetendis quoque honoribus apud gloriosae memoriae Theodericum principem regum mea vobis saepe vota coniunxi, ut quadam praesentia talia videar praemisisse, ad quos me cum gratia decebat intrare. confidentius enim illud expetitur, ubi post collata beneficia festinatur. saepe consules, saepe patricios, saepe praefectos habita intercessione promovi, vobis inpetrare contendens, quod mihi ardue potuissem optare. congaudete nunc, patres conscripti, meis auspiciis, qui vestris favi semper honoribus. [4] Vultis scire, qua vos affectione complectar? insertus stirpe regia vocabulum vobiscum volui habere commune. vivite deo propitio securi et, quod est felicissimum suavitatis genus, exultate cum liberis vestris. studete, sicut semper, praedicari moribus Romanis et bonorum actuum famam sub alta quiete perquirite. interest nostrae gloriae, ut, quorum numerum auximus, eos propitia divinitate tueamur.