Letter 8014: Receive, conscript fathers, the appointment that marks the beginning of our reign.

14. King Athalaric to the Senate of the City of Rome. [1] Receive, conscript fathers, the judgment which our beginnings have set forth, since those things that have been carefully considered are altogether weighed more heavily, because such a sequel is believed to follow as the commencement is felt to have been. For no one supposes that man will be diligent in the future whom he does not see to be a guardian of his own reputation in its very newness. A provident planter strives to adorn his garden with fruitful seedlings, so that those plants which have been tended with anxious labors may render the hoped-for fruits: how much more does it befit a kingdom to be composed amid its beginnings with the pleasantness of peace, lest it seem to have the appearance of an uncultivated field! [2] And therefore we have thought to grant a quaestor to our benefactions as a kind of gateway, through which the summits of the dignities of those who come might fittingly proceed. Surely the things we speak of concerning this candidate are known to you, since they are even recent. For when the anxious hearts of his subjects were mourning the passing of our grandfather, lord of glorious memory — for indeed a good thing, while it is sought after its loss, is loved the more — through him the things desired both of our auspicious accession and of your security were laid open to you. Understand by what equity we bind ourselves in things to come, that the very man should become for you the guardian of the laws who had been made the promiser of justice to be preserved. [3] An eloquent and comely orator was present at the royal commands, soothing also by his very appearance those whom he rendered most well-disposed by his discourse. For such ought courtiers to be, that they reveal the goods of nature by the testimony of their countenance and can be recognized by their character when they are seen. For one who is silent is for the most part despicable, if his tongue alone ennobles him; but he always remains in honor if, when his mind is tranquil, a most serene aspect also commends him. By this deed, in short, we testify that we have an abundance of prudent men, since such a one is chosen as is praised on both sides. [4] But it is foolish to proclaim the goods of eloquence in a quaestor, since he is approved as taken on especially for this purpose, that he may commend the reputation of the times by the quality of his words. For to other judges the collection of revenue in the provinces is committed, to others the custody of the private treasury is delegated: but in this man the insignia of courtly renown are placed, whence the report, spread abroad through the whole world, may be praised. Which matter, conscript fathers, we have deemed must be repeated to you to this degree, that you may believe we seek such men as it is expedient to find both for our praise and for your security. Recognize, learned men, the good will of the prince: have confidence concerning the benefactions, you who are proved to possess a knowledge of letters. It is the mark of the most slothful man to be sluggish, when he knows that the lords of affairs have invited him to advancement. [5] Wherefore, conscript fathers, let the favor of your kindness receive the illustrious Ambrosius, adorned with the summit of the quaestorship. For there ought to be no doubt about that man who has already deserved to be approved by your order in his first dignity.

XIIII. SENATUI URBIS ROMAE ATHALARICUS REX. [1] Accipite, patres conscripti, iudicium quod initia nostra protulerunt, quando plus cogitantur omnino quae cauta sunt, quia talis subsecutio creditur, quale primordium venisse sentitur. nemo enim futurum putat esse diligentem, quem in ipsa novitate opinionis suae non videt esse custodem. providus institutor hortum suum fecundis nititur ornare plantariis, ut reddant fructus optatos, quae sollicitis fuerant exculta laboribus: quanto magis regnum decet inter initia pacis amoenitate componi, ne habere speciem agri videatur inculti! [2] Et ideo beneficiis nostris quasi quandam ianuam cogitavimus dare quaestorem, per quem venientium dignitatum culmina decenter exirent. sunt vobis certe de candidato nota, quando et moderna, quae loquimur. nam cum transitum gloriosae memoriae domni avi nostri subiectorum anxia corda lugerent — bonum quippe amissum dum quaeritur, plus amatur —, per eum vobis et nostri auspicii et vestrae securitatis optata patuerunt. intellegite, quali nos aequitate constringimus in futuris, ut ipse vobis legum fieret custos, qui conservandae iustitiae fuerat promissor effectus. [3] Affuit mandatis regalibus eloquens et decorus orator, permulcens etiam inspectus, quos gratissimos reddebat auditus. tales enim decet esse aulicos viros, ut naturae bona indicio frontis aperiant et possint agnosci de moribus, cum videntur. tacens enim plerumque despicabilis est, si eum tantum lingua nobilitat: semper autem in honore manet, si, cuius est tranquillus animus, eum quoque serenissimus commendet aspectus. hoc denique facto testamur copiam nos habere prudentium, quando talis eligitur, qui ex utraque parte laudetur. [4] Eloquentiae vero bona ineptum est in quaestore praedicare, cum ad hoc specialiter probetur adscitus, ut opinionem temporum commendet qualitate dictorum. aliis enim iudicibus provinciarum committatur exactio, aliis privati aerarii custodia delegetur: hic autem aulicae famae insignia reponuntur, unde per totum mundum opinio vulgata laudetur. quod vobis adeo, patres conscripti, aestimavimus esse repetendum, ut tales nos quaerere credatis, quales et nostrae laudi et vestrae securitati expediat inveniri. agnoscite, docti, bonum principis votum: confidite de beneficiis, qui litterarum probamini habere notitiam. segnissimi est torpere, cum se ad provectum cognoscat rerum dominos invitasse. [5] Quapropter, patres conscripti, illustrem Ambrosium quaesturae culmine decoratum favor vestrae benignitatis excipiat. de illo enim non debet dubitari, qui a vestro ordine iam in prima dignitate meruit approbari.