Letter 4040: King Theodoric to the Agents of Probinus, Vir Illustris [Most Illustrious].

40. KING THEODERIC TO THE AGENTS OF PROBINUS, A MAN OF ILLUSTRIOUS RANK. [1] We are compelled by love of justice to command certain matters rather strictly, even while the dispositions of our heart are more merciful toward those of lesser fortune. For he who has had to submit draws us toward compassion, and this is the benefit of his lowly condition, that, with the proof of the case intact, he may meanwhile move us to sorrow, because cruelty raises up the humble, while envy presses down the more powerful. [2] And so, prayers having been offered, it has been alleged that Basilius, a man of respectable rank, formerly obtained our commands, to the effect that the estate of Arcinatum, which your patron had purchased from his wife Agapita with due legal formality, should, all delay set aside, be restored together with all the documents to the aforesaid wife, since he complained with a tearful protestation that his wife had been solicited away from her own private chambers; adding that afterwards, according to our manner of justice, it had been commanded that, if your patron's people should be confident about the nature of the case, they should send with all speed to our court, so that the things which could be settled by reason might flow forth as if from the springs of justice. [3] Wherefore, if the assertions are vitiated by no falsehood, we decree through the office of our see that Basilius be admonished, so that, if there is anything which he can advance on behalf of his own side, to keep himself from being prosecuted in this case, he should come forward to answer your claims, whether he should prefer to come to court or to litigate in the appropriate forum, since we impose the necessity of a long journey upon none save those who recognize that this is to their own advantage. Indeed, in place of a benefit we grant our presence: and therefore that ought not to be imposed upon the unwilling which deserves to be desired.

XL. ACTORIBUS PROBINI V. I. THEODERICUS REX. [1] Districtius aliqua iubere compellimur amore iustitiae, dum circa minores fortunas clementiora sunt nostri pectoris instituta. trahit enim ad misericordiam, qui potuit subdi, et hoc habet beneficium mediocritatis suae, ut probatione salva interim moveat ad dolorem, quia crudelitas sublevat humiles, premit invidia potiores. [2] Datis itaque precibus allegatis Basilium virum spectabilem nostra dudum praecepta meruisse, ut possessio Arcinatina, quam patronus vester a coniuge eius Agapita iuris fuerat sollemnitate mercatus, postposita dilatione cum documentis omnibus praedicto coniugi redderetur, dum a suis penetralibus sollicitatam lacrimabili conquestione quereretur uxorem: addentes more nostrae iustitiae postea fuisse praeceptum, ut, si patroni vestri de causae qualitate praesumerent, ad nostrum comitatum ocius destinarent, ut quae ratione convenire poterant, velut a iustitiae fontibus emanarent. [3] Quapropter si nullo mendacio asserta vitiantur, per officium nostrae sedis Basilium decernimus ammoneri, ut, si non nihil est, quod pro suis partibus possit opponere, quominus in hac causa pulsetur, vestris intentionibus responsurus occurrat, seu ad comitatum venire seu in competenti foro iurgare maluerit, quia nullis necessitatem longinquitatis imponimus, nisi qui suis hoc commodis expedire cognoscunt. in locum siquidem beneficii nostram praesentiam damus: et ideo non debet invitis imponi, quod meretur optari.