Letter 2025: The voice of pain is always a complaint -- the injured cannot keep silent, and a wounded spirit feeds on outcry.

XXV. EDICT. KING THEODERIC. [1] Although the voice of grief is full of complaint, and minds that have been diminished and wronged cannot restrain themselves and are fed by outcry, nevertheless that speech is uttered more freely which is given liberty by our authority. For we detest that the wretched be oppressed, we are moved by the misfortunes even of those who do not complain, and that reaches us more swiftly which the silence of the sufferer conceals: rightly so, since the injuries of all have regard to us, inasmuch as we believe that to perish for our sense of duty which we perceive through the losses of humble men. [2] Recently, therefore, we have learned from a report of the provincial judges that certain households of very powerful men do not fulfill their public dues in order. From this it comes about that, while the amount of the tax-payment is sought to be procured, the larger sum is exacted from those of slender means. Then the arrogance of the contractors [conductores, lessees of revenue] has caused that the canonical gold pieces were not handed over in proper order, but were flung at the threatened parties under an unjust weight, and that the whole carat-tax [siliqua], which they had been accustomed to render, was not paid in the customary solemn fashion. Accordingly it has come about that the curials [city councilors], for whom we wish provision to be made, compelled by the anxiety of those threatening them, suffered grievous losses: and, if it is permitted to say so, when they were pressed by truculent collectors for debts belonging to others, they were also deprived by the loss of their own possessions. [3] That this crime may be cut away, we have transmitted instructions to the most reverend senate as well, and now by an edictal proclamation we determine that whoever among the possessors or curials feels himself burdened in another's tax-assessment should hasten to come to the hearing of our serenity, knowing that the earlier excesses have altogether displeased us, since he will see beneficial measures succeed them. The judgment of a just prince has therefore lain open to you, although it is always declared by many tokens. Now either draw a veil over the endurance of your grief in silence, or open the path of your voice under the protection of justice. The sum of this counsel will now rest with you, to whom it falls to choose what you perceive to be expedient for you.

XXV. EDICTUM. THEODERICUS REX. [1] Quamvis sit querula vox doloris nec se contineant imminuti et laesus animus vociferatione pascatur, tamen liberior sermo promitur, qui nostra auctoritate laxatur. detestamur enim miseros premi, commovemur et non querentium malis velociusque ad nos pervenit quod dissimulatio patientis abscondit: merito, quando cunctorum nos respiciunt laesiones, dum illud pietati nostrae perire credimus, quod per mediocrium damna sentimus. [2] Nuper itaque provincialium iudicum relatione cognovimus domos aliquas praepotentum suas non implere per ordinem functiones. hinc fieri, ut, dum illationis quantitas procurari quaeritur, a tenuibus summa potior exigatur. superbia deinde conductorum canonicos solidos non ordine traditos, sed sub iniquo pondere imminentibus fuisse proiectos, nec universam siliquam, quam reddere consueverant, sollemniter intulisse. proinde factum ut curiales, quibus nos volumus esse prospectum, imminentum sollicitudine coacti gravia damna sentirent: et, si dici fas est, cum alienis debitis sub truculentis compulsoribus urgerentur, possessionum quoque suarum amissione privati sunt. [3] Quod scelus ut debeat amputari, ad reverentissimum quoque senatum praecepta transmisimus et nunc edictali programmate definimus, ut quisque possessorum sive curialium gravatum se sentit in aliena calculi functione, ad nostrae serenitatis audientiam venire deproperet, sciturus nobis priores excessus omnino displicuisse, cum viderit profutura succedere. patuit ergo vobis arbitrium iusti principis, quamvis multis semper declaretur indiciis. nunc aut sub silentio patientiam doloris obducite aut sub iustitia iter vocis aperite. iam in vobis erit huius summa consilii, quibus adiacet eligere, quod vobis perspicitis expedire.