Letter 1024: VARIAE, BOOK 1, LETTER 24

24. KING THEODERIC TO ALL THE GOTHS. [1] Battles are to be announced to the Goths rather than urged upon them, since it is a joy to a warlike stock to be put to the proof: for he who craves the glory of valor does not shrink from toil. And therefore, with the help of God, by whose authorship all things prosper, for the common advantage we have determined to send an army to the Gauls, so that both you may have an occasion for advancement and we may be seen to have bestowed what we have granted upon men who deserve it. For praiseworthy fortitude lies hidden under leisure, and while it has no scope to prove itself, the whole light of its merits is concealed. [2] And so through Nandus our saio [royal agent] we have taken care that you be admonished to set out, in the name of God, in the customary manner, sufficiently equipped with arms, horses, and all necessary things, on the eighth day before the Kalends of July now next approaching [24 June], in all respects with God's favor, for the expedition, that you may both show that the valor of your forefathers dwells within you and that you may happily carry out our command. [3] Lead forth your young men into the discipline of Mars: let them see under your guidance what they may strive to hand down to their descendants. For what is not learned in youth is not known in mature age. The very hawks, whose food is always from prey, drive their young from the nest when they grow sluggish with newness, lest they grow accustomed to soft leisure: they beat with their wings those that linger, they force the tender chicks to flight, so that they may turn out to be such as a mother's affection can count upon. But you, whom both nature uplifts and love of reputation sharpens, take care to leave behind sons of such a kind as it is established you yourselves had for fathers.

XXIIII. UNIVERSIS GOTHIS THEODERICUS REX. [1] Innotescenda sunt magis Gothis quam suadenda certamina, quia bellicosae stirpi est gaudium comprobari: laborem quippe non refugit, qui virtutis gloriam concupiscit. et ideo, iuvante deo, quo auctore omnia prosperantur, pro communi utilitate exercitum ad Gallias constituimus destinare, ut simul et vos provectus occasionem habere possitis et nos quae praestitimus, meritis contulisse videamur. latet enim sub otio laudabilis fortitudo et dum se probandi non habet spatium, occulta est lux tota meritorum. [2] Atque ideo per Nandum saionem nostrum ammonendum curavimus, ut ad expeditionem in dei nomine more solito armis equis rebusque omnibus necessariis sufficienter instructi octavo die kalendarum Iuliarum proxime veniente modis omnibus deo favente moveatis, quatenus et parentum vestrorum in vobis ostendatis inesse virtutem et nostram peragatis feliciter iussionem. [3] Producite iuvenes vestros in Martiam disciplinam: sub vobis videant, quod posteris referre contendant. nam quod in iuventute non discitur, in matura aetate nescitur. accipitres ipsi, quorum victus semper ex praeda est, fetus suos novitate marcentes nidis proturbant, ne molle otium consuescant: alis verberant immorantes, cogunt pullos teneros ad volatum, ut tales debeant existere, de quibus possit pietas materna praesumere. vos autem, quos et natura erigit at amor opinionis exacuit, studete tales filios relinquere, quales vos patres vestros constat habuisse.