Letter 2002: King Theodoric to Felix, Distinguished Man, Ordinary Consul.

King Theoderic to Felix, Most Illustrious, Consul Ordinary. [1] We love to double our benefits, nor does a bounty once bestowed beget any disdain in conferring it again; rather those who have deserved to receive the first beginnings of our favor provoke us the more to frequent reward. For upon newcomers judgment is expended, but favor is shown to those already approved. It is fitting, indeed, that a prince's decisions should not waver, since earlier gifts are commended by later ones, and every undoubted resolution concerning their repetition is confirmed. Some time ago we granted you a rank among the honors; now we concede to you the summit of dignities: so that we may be seen to have conferred the earlier honors deservedly, and so that our kindness may be reckoned to maintain constancy in what follows. [2] For we do not suffer those to be left without glory who are proclaimed by the distinction of their lineage. Nay rather, let the grace of honors run on through ancestors, and under the rule of a good prince let the fortune of all advance. For who would despair of increase, where the gift lies in love and the disposition is to bestow? You retain the proofs of this clemency as your own approving, since, having abandoned the fortune of your native soil, you returned as though by a kind of right of restoration into your ancient homeland. Our affection received you, filled you with benefits, and made it your wish that you had sought out our rule. For thus it befitted him to grow who was seen to have chosen the better course. Fortune is changed together with masters: and what the subject acquires advances also to the praise of the one who reigns. [3] But you have shown yourself equal to this indulgence. For, enriched with illustrious honor, you bore yourself with such maturity that you let your light years be under the burden, you whom in your earliest age the strongest force of nature could not overcome. For enriched by your paternal substance, which always exalts new heirs, you preserved your riches, though you had come to them apart from the labors of toil. For that is wont to slip away easily which could be found without difficulties. [4] You increased your patrimony by the diligence of your liveliness. For what greater sign of good management could be sought, where the consulship is the witness? In so great a means you earned that to which men scarcely attain even after their patrimonies have been overthrown. Private thrift nourished public liberalities. You surpassed your father's glory by a praiseworthy management: and what he was not able to take up, you accomplished from his wealth. None but great confidence aspires to the lofty chariots, since it is the mark of a noble spirit to desire what is highest. [5] Confidence in himself makes men daring, because it does not allow him to be hidden whom nature commands to come forth. Through you the consulship has returned to a Transalpine family, and you have renewed the withered laurels with green shoots. Behold the sacred City made a candidate by your prayers. Direct, therefore, your steps toward the heights of praises, so that you may surpass in virtue your forebears, whom you restore by this honor. Take up, then, in the fourth indiction the insignia of the consulship, and prove yourself worthy of the longings of so many men by your present liberality. [6] This indeed is the place where lavish expenditure earns acclamation, and it is a kind of virtue not to love one's own substance, where as much reputation is acquired as is withdrawn from one's means. Look to yourself, flying above the shoulders and the lips of all, and show yourself such that you may be deemed worthy of your lineage, worthy of the City, worthy of our judgment, worthy of the consular robes.

II. FELICI V. I. CONSULI ORDINARIO THEODERICUS REX. [1] Amamus beneficia nostra geminare nec semel praestat largitas collata fastidium, magisque nos provocant ad frequens praemium qui initia nostrae gratiae suscipere meruerunt. novis enim iudicium impenditur, favor autem placitis exhibetur. decorum est namque principis arbitria non haerere, quia commendantur priora posterioribus donis et firmatur omnis indubitata de repetitione sententia. pridem tibi honorum tribuimus gradum, nunc fastigium concedimus dignitatum: ut et anteriora merito contulisse videamur et in sequentibus constantiam tenere nostra benignitas aestimetur. [2] Non enim relinqui inglorios patimur, qui generis claritate praedicantur. currat quin immo honorum gratia per parentes, sub imperio boni principis omnium fortuna proficiat. nam quis desperet augmentum, ubi est in amore donum et praestare propositum? huius experimenta clementiae te retines approbasse, cum soli genitalis fortuna derelicta velut quodam postliminio in antiquam patriam commeasses. excepit te noster affectus, implevit beneficiis macus fecitque esse votum, quod nostrum expetisses imperium. sic enim decebat crescere, qui meliora visus est elegisse. mutatur enim fortuna cum dominis: et in laude regnantis proficit, quod subiectus adquirit. [3] At tu parem te huic indulgentiae praestitisti. illustri enim honore ditatus tanta te maturitate tractabas, ut annos leves patereris esse sub pondere, quem non potuit in prima aetate vincere fortissima vis naturae. paterna enim substantia locupletatus, quae semper novos extollit heredes, conservasti divitias, cum ad eas praeter laboris studia pervenisses. solet enim facile labi, quod sine difficultatibus potuit inveniri. [4] Auxisti patrimonium vivacitatis instantia. nam quod signum magis bonae dispensationis quaeratur, ubi testis est consulatus? in tanta facultate meruisti, ad quod vix eversis patrimoniis pervenitur. privata parcitas liberalitates publicas enutrivit. transisti gloriam patris dispositione laudabili: et quod ille assumere non valuit, de eius opibus effecisti. celsos currus nisi confidentia magna non appetit, dum generosi est animi optare quod summum est. [5] Audentes facit homines fiducia sui, quia se non patitur occulere, quem praecipit natura prodire. rediit per te Transalpinae familiae consulatus et arentes laurus viridi germine renovasti. sacram urbem tuis votis aspice candidatam. tende igitur ad laudum celsa vestigium, ut priores tuos, quos honore reparas, virtute transcendas. sume itaque per indictionem quartam consulatus insignia dignumque te tantorum desideriis praesenti comproba largitate. [6] Hic profecto locus est, ubi praeconium meretur effusio, et virtutis genus est propriam substantiam non amare, ubi tantum opinionis adquiritur, quantum facultatibus abrogatur. respice te supra omnium umeros atque ora volitare talemque te praebe, ut dignus genere, dignus urbe, dignus nostro iudicio, dignus trabeis aestimeris.