Letter 3021: It is human custom that people enjoy variety more, and even though they possess exceptional things, anything that...

XXI. KING THEODERIC TO FAUSTUS, MAN OF ILLUSTRIOUS RANK. [1] It is the way of human custom that things which are varied give greater pleasure, and that, however excellent something may be reckoned in everyday use, whatever satisfies to the full breeds weariness. Accordingly, since you dwell continually within the sacred walls, you ask that, for the sake of arranging your own affairs, a leave of absence ought to be granted to you - not because so distinguished a dwelling-place wearies you, but so that your return, once renewed, may become the sweeter. And therefore our devotion grants to your illustrious greatness a leave of four months to withdraw to the province: on this condition, that, those months being completed, you hasten to return to your own household, so that the Roman dwelling-place, which we wish to throng with a manifold gathering, may not, when its inhabitants are withdrawn, grow thin in its renown, most celebrated of all the lands. This we judge to be most fitting for you as well, since a Roman senator might elsewhere grieve at being delayed. For where is that affection of kindred to be found elsewhere? Where could so great a beauty of walls be looked upon? It is a kind of sacrilege for one to make Rome too long absent from himself, when those who have established their household gods within her are able to dwell there.

XXI. FAUSTO V. I. THEODERICUS REX. [1] Humanae consuetudinis mos est, ut variata plus capiant et quamvis in usum habeantur eximia, fastidium praestet omne quod satiat. proinde sacris moenibus iugiter immoranti disponendae utilitatis propriae causa indutias tibi postulas debere concedi, non quod habitatio tam clara pertaedeat, sed quo dulcior fiat renovata regressio. atque ideo illustri magnitudini tuae secedendi ad provinciam quattuor mensium indutias pietas nostra largitur: ita ut expletis eisdem ad penates proprios redire festines, quatenus habitatio Romana, quam multiplici volumus densare conventu, subtractis incolis terrarum opinatissima non rarescat. hoc etiam et vobis iudicamus aptissimum, quando senator Romanus alibi possit dolere tardatus. ubi enim illa gratia parentum? ubi tanta moenium possit respici pulchritudo? piaculi genus est absentem sibi Romam diutius facere, qui in ea possunt constitutis laribus habitare.