Letter 2041: We rejoice in the kinship of your glorious valor -- that you have stirred the Frankish nation, long settled in...

41. KING THEODERIC TO LUDUIN [Clovis], KING OF THE FRANKS. [1] We rejoice indeed in the glorious kinship of your valor, in that you have happily roused the nation of the Franks, idle through their ancient age, into new battles, and have subdued with your conquering right hand the peoples of the Alamanni, brought low by the slaughter of their stronger men. But since excess always seems something to be pruned away in the authors of treachery, and the punishable guilt of the leading men ought not to be the vengeance visited upon all, restrain your stirrings against the weary remnants, since by right of grace those deserve to escape whom you observe to have fled to the protection of your kinsmen. Be lenient toward those who, terrified, are concealed within our borders. [2] It is a memorable triumph that the most fierce Alamann has so taken fright that you compel him to beg you for the gift of his life. Let it suffice that he has fallen as a king together with the pride of his nation; let it suffice that an innumerable people has been subjugated, partly by the sword, partly into servitude. For if you contend with the remnants, you will not yet be believed to have overcome them all. Receive what has often been proven in such cases: those wars turned out happily for me which were carried through with a moderate ending. For he conquers unfailingly who knows how to temper all things, since pleasant prosperity rather flatters those who do not grow rigid through excessive harshness. Yield therefore graciously to our protecting spirit, what one kindred is accustomed to remit to another by a common example. For thus it comes about that you may both seem to have satisfied our petitions, and may not be anxious about that portion which you know to pertain to us. [3] Wherefore, greeting him with the honor and affection that is fitting, we have directed to your excellence, with our accustomed charity, so-and-so and so-and-so, our envoys, through whom we may obtain both a token of your wellbeing and the effect of our hoped-for petition. But certain matters, which have come to us on behalf of your interests, we have entrusted to the bearers of this letter to be conveyed to you by word of mouth, so that, made more cautious, you may be able steadfastly to fulfill the victory you desire. For indeed your wellbeing is our glory, and we judge that the kingdom of Italy advances as often as we learn glad tidings concerning you. [4] We have likewise sent, as requested, a citharist [lyre-player] learned in his art, who by singing with mouth and hands in harmonious voice may delight the glory of your power: whom we believe will therefore be welcome, because you judged that he ought by all means to be sent. Cassiodorus

XLI. LUDUIN REGI FRANCORUM THEODERICUS REX. [1] Gloriosa quidem vestrae virtutis affinitate gratulamur, quod gentem Francorum prisca aetate residem feliciter in nova proelia concitastis et Alamannicos populos caesis fortioribus inclinatos victrici dextera subdidistis. sed quoniam semper in auctoribus perfidiae resecabilis videtur excessus nec primariorum plectibilis culpa omnium debet esse vindicta, motus vestros in fessas reliquias temperate, quia iure gratiae merentur evadere, quos ad parentum vestrorum defensionem respicitis confugisse. estote illis remissi, qui nostris finibus celantur exterriti. [2] Memorabilis triumphus est Alamannum acerrimum sic expavisse, ut tibi eum cogas de vitae munere supplicare. sufficiat illum regem cum gentis cecidisse superbia: sufficiat innumerabilem nationem partim ferro, partim servitio subiugatam. nam si cum reliquis confligis, adhuc cunctos superasse non crederis. accipe in talibus causis frequenter expertum: illa mihi feliciter bella provenerunt, quae moderato fine peracta sunt. is enim vincit assidue qui novit omnia temperare, dum iucunda prosperitas illis potius blanditur, qui austeritate nimia non rigescunt. cede itaque suaviter genio nostro, quod sibi gentilitas communi remittere consuevit exemplo. sic enim fit, ut et meis petitionibus satisfecisse videamini nec sitis solliciti ex illa parte, quam ad nos cognoscitis pertinere. [3] Quocirca salutantes honore et affectione, qua dignum est, illum et illum legatos nostros ad excellentiam vestram consueta caritate direximus, per quos et sospitatis vestrae indicium et speratae petitionis consequamur effectum. quaedam vero, quae ad nos pro vestris utilitatibus pervenerunt, per harum portitores verbo vobis insinuanda commisimus, ut cautiores effecti optata possitis victoria constanter expleri. vestra siquidem salus nostra gloria est et totiens regnum Italiae proficere iudicamus, quotiens de vobis laeta cognoscimus. [4] Citharoedum etiam arte sua doctum pariter destinavimus expetitum, qui ore manibusque consona voce cantando gloriam vestrae potestatis oblectet: quem ideo fore credimus gratum, quia vos eum iudicastis magnopere dirigendum. Cassiodorus