Letter 1046: VARIAE, BOOK 1, LETTER 46

46. KING THEODERIC TO GUNDOBAD, KING OF THE BURGUNDIANS. [1] Those gifts are to be embraced which are shown to have been sought after in every way: since that is not despised which is able to fulfill a longing. For through any precious things whatsoever the aim is directed to this alone, that the mind of the one desiring may be satisfied. Wherefore, greeting you with the customary affection through the bearers of these things, so-and-so and so-and-so, we have determined that delights of your prudence, timepieces with their own attendants, should be sent: one, in which human ingenuity is seen to be gathered, which is known to range over the spaces of the whole heaven; another, where the course of the sun is recognized without the sun, and the spaces of the hours are bounded by dripping waters. [2] Have in your own country what once you saw in the Roman city. It is fitting that your goodwill should fully enjoy our good things, you who are also joined to us by kinship. Let Burgundy learn under you to inspect the most subtle matters and to praise the inventions of the ancients: through you it lays aside its tribal disposition, and while it regards the prudence of its king, it rightfully covets the deeds of wise men. Let it mark off the spaces of the day by its own activities, let it most aptly establish the moments of the hours. [3] The order of life is conducted in confusion if such discernment is not known in accordance with truth. For it is the manner of beasts to sense the hours from the hunger of the belly, and not to have as certain that which is established as granted for human uses. Cassiodorus

XLVI. GUNDIBADO REGI BURGUNDIONUM THEODERICUS REX. [1] Amplectenda sunt munera quae probantur omnimodis expetita: quando non est abiectum, quod potest explere desiderium. nam per quaslibet pretiosas res ad illud tantum tenditur, ut cupientis animus expleatur. quapropter salutantes gratia consueta per harum portitores illum et illum oblectamenta prudentiae vestrae, horologia cum suis dispositoribus credidimus destinanda: unum, in quo humana sollertia videtur colligi, quod totius caeli noscitur spatia pervagari: aliud, ubi solis meatus sine sole cognoscitur et aquis guttantibus horarum spatia terminantur. [2] Habetote in vestra patria, quod aliquando vidistis in civitate Romana. dignum est, ut bonis nostris vestra gratia perfruatur, quae nobis etiam affinitate coniungitur. discat sub vobis Burgundia res subtilissimas inspicere et antiquorum inventa laudare: per vos propositum gentile deponit et dum prudentiam regis sui respicit, iure facta sapientium concupiscit. distinguat spatia diei actibus suis, horarum aptissime momenta constituat. [3] Ordo vitae confusus agitur, si talis discretio sub veritate nescitur. beluarum quippe ritus est ex ventris esurie horas sentire et non habere certum, quod constat humanis usibus contributum. Cassiodorus