Letter 4005: King Theodoric to the Devoted Count Amabilis.

King Theoderic to Amabilis, devoted man and count. [1] It becomes no one to receive our commands with reluctance, since they are known rather to advance the advantages of the devoted. We have learned, therefore, that there is a scarcity of provisions in the Gallic region, toward which trade, ever ready, hastens, so that goods bought at a narrower price may be sold off more liberally. Thus it comes about both that the sellers are satisfied and that our foresight assists those people. [2] And therefore let your devotion know by the present authority that all the shipmasters of Campania, Lucania, or Tuscia ought to bind themselves with suitable guarantors, so that with foodstuffs and wares they may set out for the Gauls, intending to have license to sell off in such manner as shall be agreed between buyer and seller. [3] It is a great advantage to strike a bargain with the needy: since hunger is wont to despise everything in order that it may satisfy its own need. For since the seller serves his own desire, he who sells when asked seems almost to give. To go with merchandise to the well-fed is a struggle: but he who can carry provisions to the hungry demands a price at his own discretion.

V. AMABILI VIRO DEVOTO COMITI THEODERICUS REX. [1] Nullum decet nostras gravanter suscipere iussiones, quae magis utilitates noscuntur extollere devotorum. in Gallicana igitur regione victualium cognovimus caritatem, ad quam negotiatio semper prompta festinat, ut empta angustiore pretio largius distrahantur. sic evenit ut et venditoribus satisfiat et illis provisio nostra subveniat. [2] Atque ideo devotio tua praesenti auctoritate cognoscat omnes navicularios Campaniae, Lucaniae sive Tusciae fideiussoribus idoneis se debere committere, ut cum victualibus speciebus tantum proficiscantur ad Gallias, habituri licentiam distrahendi sic ut inter emptorem venditoremque convenerit. [3] Grande commodum est cum indigentibus pacisci: quando fames totum solet contemnere, ut suam necessitatem possit explere. nam cum ambitioni suae serviat, prope modum donare videtur, qui vendit rogatus. ad saturatos cum mercibus ire certamen est: suo autem pretium poscit arbitrio, qui victualia potest ferre ieiunis.