Letter 8030: The administration of justice is the highest calling of government, for without it no kingdom can endure.

XXX. KING ATHALARIC TO GENESIUS, MAN OF SENATORIAL RANK. [1] Out of love for your city, the lord our grandfather did indeed, with royal munificence, construct the structure of an ancient work. But it profits nothing to have brought abundant supplies of water into cities, unless now a suitable disposal of the sewers be provided for: after the manner of human life, in which that healthfulness is maintained if what one takes in through the mouth, when discharged, one releases through another part of the body. [2] And therefore your Loftiness shall cause the townsmen of Parma to apply themselves diligently to this work, so that they may carefully repair the ancient conduits, whether the underground ones or those that adjoin the edges of the streets, so that when the water you long for has, as is customary, flowed in, it may be delayed by no obstruction of cast-off refuse: for water has no charm except that which flows perpetually and, once seen, always passes away. For that water which, beautifully kept busy among its channels, sparkles, how unsightly it is in stagnant pools: for a marsh is neither pleasing to the sight, nor suitable for beasts of burden. [3] It is indeed a most beautiful element, but when it is preserved in its natural purity. Without it the fields lie squalid, the cities are wearied by gasping drought, so that with good reason ancient prudence punished by the interdiction of water those whom it judged ought to be set apart from civic intercourse. Wherefore the agreement of all ought to be zealous for so very useful a matter, since he has not the spirit of a citizen who is not held by love of his own city.

XXX. GENESIO V. S. ATHALARICUS REX. [1] Amore civitatis vestrae antiqui operis formam domnus quidem avus noster regia largitate construxit. sed nihil prodest aquarum copias urbibus inmisisse, nisi nunc provideatur cloacarum opportuna digestio: more vitae humanae, cuius ista salubritas continetur, si quod ore quis suscipit, alia parte corporis relaxatus effuderit. [2] Et ideo sublimitas tua Parmenses municipes huic faciet operi naviter insistere, quatenus antiquos cuniculos sive subterraneos sive qui iunguntur marginibus platearum diligenter emendent, ut cum sollemniter optatus vobis liquor influxerit, nulla abiecti laetaminis obiectione tardetur: quia gratiam unda non habet nisi quae iugiter influit et visa semper abscedit. illa enim quae pulchre rivis exercitata ridet, quam deformis est in lacunis: palus enim nec visu grata, nec iumentis accommoda. [3] Elementum pulcherrimum quidem, sed cum in naturali puritate servatur. sine hoc agri squalent, urbes anhela siccitate fatigantur, ut merito antiqua prudentia quos a civica conversatione segregandos esse iudicavit, aquarum interdictione puniverit. quapropter tam utillimae rei omnium debet studere consensus, quia civis animum non habet, qui urbis suae gratia non tenetur.