Letter 7007: Formula of the Prefecture of the Night Watch of the City of Rome.

VII. FORM OF THE PREFECTURE OF THE WATCH OF THE CITY OF ROME. [1] Although your very title ought to rouse you to keep watch over the city, so that you may fulfill what you are called, nevertheless the customary care of our providence does not fail to invite gently to obedience those whom we choose for action. For what could be more honorable for you than to expend the labor of your diligence diligently in that City, where such witnesses appear to stand by? Indeed, as soon as your watchfulness has been applied, it passes from mouth to mouth among the patricians and consuls: you scarcely chance to do anything attentively before you hear the nobles praise you with admiration. You govern a modest office, and yet you move within the highest reputation. You are called the guardian of the Roman commonwealth, since you defend it from the enemy within. [2] Therefore be vigilant concerning thieves. Even though the laws by no means command you to punish them, nevertheless they have not withheld the license of tracking them down: I believe that, although they were detestable robbers, yet, because they were called Romans, the laws would subject them to a higher authority. Make use, therefore, throughout that indiction, of the dignity of the prefecture of the watch. The terror of inflicting penalties has been taken from you, not the power: for the law, by which it willed that evildoers be seized, decreed that it itself be feared all the more. You will therefore be the safety of those who sleep, the protection of homes, the guardian of locks, an unseen investigator, a silent arbiter, to whom it is lawful to deceive those who lie in wait, and for whom to outwit them is glory. [3] Your activity is a nocturnal hunt, which in a wondrous manner, if it is not seen, then it succeeds in catching. You commit greater thefts upon thieves themselves, while you strive to entrap those whom you know are able to elude everyone. The kind of thing you carry out is a form of conjuring, that you may be able to ensnare the cunning tricks of robbers. For we judge it easier that the riddles of the sphinx could be solved than that the fleeting presence of a robber could be discovered. He who is circumspect toward all things, unsteady toward what is to come, fearful of ambushes, how can he be caught, who like the wind is seen to be confined to no fixed place? [4] Keep watch tirelessly with the birds of the night: let the night open up sights to you, and just as those birds find their food in the dark, so may you be able to find renown. Be now attentive to the duties enjoined upon you. Let bribery not take from you what your industry grants. For although these things seem to be carried on under deep darkness, there is nevertheless no deed that can be hidden. You will also reasonably claim, by our authority, your privileges and those of the office assigned to you, because in so great a City it is necessary that what cannot be settled by one man be conducted through various judges.

VII. FORMULA PRAEFECTURAE VIGILUM URBIS ROMAE. [1] Quamvis nomen tuum ad civitatis te vigilias debeat excitare, ut possis implere quod diceris, tamen providentiae nostrae solita cautela non deserit, nisi eos quos ad agendum deligimus, ad parendum quoque suaviter invitemus. quid enim tibi pulchrius quam in illa urbe operam navanter impendere diligentiae tuae, ubi tales testes videntur assistere? cautela quidem tua, mox adhibita fuerit, per patriciorum et consulum ora discurrit: vix te contingit aliquid sollicite facere et audis proceres cum ammiratione laudare. mediocrem dignitatem regis et in summa opinione versaris. custos Romanae civitatis diceris, quoniam eam ab intestino hoste defendis. [2] Quapropter circa fures esto sollicitus. quos etsi tibi leges punire minime praecipiunt, tamen eos indagandi licentiam non tulerunt: credo ut quamvis essent raptores detestabiles, tamen, quia dicebantur Romani, maiori eos subderent dignitati. utere igitur per indictionem illam praefecturae vigilibus dignitate. horror tibi poenarum ademptus est, non potestas: nam lex a quo voluit malos capi ipsum censuit plus timeri. eris igitur securitas soporantium, munimen domorum, tutela claustrorum, discussor obscurus, arbiter silentiosus, cui fallere insidiantes fas est et decipere gloria. [3] Actus tuus venatio nocturna est, quae miro modo si non cernitur, tunc tenetur. furta magis in furibus facis, dum illos circumvenire niteris quos omnibus illudere posse cognoscis. praestigii genus est quod agitis, ut latronum versutias irretire possitis. facilius enim aestimamus sphingae aenigmata comprehendi potuisse quam raptoris fugacem praesentiam reperire. ille circumspectus ad omnia, instabilis ad ventura, trepidus ad insidias quemadmodum potest capi, qui more venti nullo situ cernitur contineri? [4] Vigila impiger cum nocturnis avibus: nox tibi pandat aspectus et sicut illae reperiunt in obscuris cibum, ita tu possis invenire praeconium. esto nunc ad iniuncta sollicitus. venalitas tibi non adimat quod concedit industria. nam licet haec sub profunda caligine videantur geri, nullus tamen actus est qui possit abscondi. privilegia quoque tua vel officii deputati ex nostra tibi auctoritate rationabiliter vindicabis, quia necesse est in tam magna civitate per diversos iudices agi, quod ab uno non potest explicari.