Letter 8033: We return to this subject a third time because nothing we have written matters more for the future of our kingdom.

33. KING ATHALARIC TO SEVERUS, MAN OF SPECTABLE RANK. [1] Just as it is the mark of a prudent man to wish to learn what is unknown, so it is madness to pretend ignorance of what has been ascertained, especially at a time when a harmful matter can be brought to the swiftest correction. For by frequent proof we have learned that at the gathering of Lucania which by ancient superstition received the name Leucothea ["White Goddess," because there is there a water of exceeding bright transparency], the resources of traders are often torn apart by the unlawful presumptions of the country folk in hostile plundering, so that those who had come most piously to celebrate the birthday [feast] of Saint Cyprian, and to adorn the appearance of civic order with their merchandise, depart shamefully needy and empty-handed. [2] We have believed that this is to be corrected by a simple and easy remedy: that Your Spectability, together with the proprietors and the lessees of the various estates, ought at the aforesaid time, by a forewarned precaution, to provide for the tranquillity of those who assemble, lest he find men guilty of an atrocious deed whom punishment must destroy. But if any of the country folk, or a man of whatever place, should come for the sake of an unspeakable quarrel, let him, seized at the very beginning, be straightway subjected to the vengeance of the cudgel, and, paraded in disgrace, let him correct his evil wishes, who first attempted to stir up a hidden crime. [3] For this gathering is both festive with very great throng and exceedingly profitable to the surrounding provinces. For whatever is choice that industrious Campania sends, or wealthy Bruttium, or the well-stocked Calabrians, or the well-supplied Apulians, or that the province itself can have, is set out for the adornment of that most beautiful market, so that you would rightly judge so vast an abundance to have been gathered from many regions. For you may see there the broadest plains gleaming with most beautiful stalls, and houses suddenly woven together for the moment out of pleasant foliage, the running to and fro of peoples singing and rejoicing. [4] Where, although you may not behold the work of walls, you may nevertheless see the adornment of a most renowned city. At hand are boys and girls, conspicuous in differing sex and age, whom not captivity but liberty has made to be under a price: these their parents rightly sell, since from that very servitude they advance. For there is no doubt that slaves can be bettered who are transferred from the labor of the fields to urban services. Why should I mention the garments distinguished by countless variety? Why the animals of differing kind, gleaming most plump? Where all things are offered at such a valuation that even the most fastidious buyer is enticed. Thus from that commerce no one returns ungratified, if upright discipline arranges all things. [5] For the place itself too is spread out with the pleasantness of its fields: a certain suburb of the most ancient city of Consilinum, which from the founder of the holy springs received the name Marcellianum. Here breaks forth a clear and sweet abundance of waters, where a hollow fashioned in the manner of a natural cave's vault sends forth such transparent liquids that you would think the pool empty, which you do not doubt to be most full. Here it lies open, translucent down to the bottom, so that you would judge air rather than liquid to appear to your gaze. The most subtle water rivals a serene day, for whatever is carried on in the depth is shown to the eyes with unhindered clarity. [6] There the most joyful fish play together in shoals, which come so fearlessly to the hands of those feeding them, as though they knew themselves not to be caught: for whoever has presumed to do any such thing is soon known to have received the punishment of the divinity. It would be long to describe the memorable things of that spring. Let us come to that singular gift and holy miracle. [7] For when, on the day of the consecrated night, the priest has begun to pour forth the prayer of baptism, and the fountains of his words to flow from his holy mouth, soon the wave, leaping up on high, directs its waters not through the accustomed channels, but sends them up into a height and a heap. The dull element raises itself of its own accord, and by a certain solemn devotion prepares itself for miracles, that the sanctification of the divine majesty may be displayed. For whereas the spring itself covers five steps and possesses only these in its tranquillity, it is seen to grow by two others, which it is never known to occupy except at that time. A great and astounding miracle, that gliding waters should so, at human words, either stand still or grow, that you would believe the eagerness of hearing was by no means lacking in them. [8] Let this heavenly spring become venerable in the speech of all: let Lucania too have its own Jordan. That one furnished the example of baptism; this one guards the sacred mystery with yearly devotion. Wherefore both the reverence of the place and the usefulness of the thing ought to give to the peoples a most holy peace, since in the judgment of all he is to be held most criminal who shall strive to profane the joys of such days. Let these things which we have said be made known to the peoples and set before them, so that, when they are believed by no means to be unavenged, no license for transgressing may be sought. Cassiodorus

XXXIII. SEVERO V. S. ATHALARICUS REX. [1] Sicut incognita velle nosse prudentis est, ita comperta dissimulare dementia est, eo praesertim tempore, cum noxia res ad correctionem possit celerrimam pervenire. frequenti siquidem probatione didicimus Lucaniae conventu qui prisca superstitione Leucothea nomen accepit, quod ibi sit aqua nimio candore perspicua, praesumptionibus illicitis rusticorum facultates negotiantium hostili direptione saepe laceratas, ut qui ad natale sancti Cypriani religiosissime venerant peragendum mercimoniisque suis faciem civilitatis ornare, egentes turpiter inanesque discederent. [2] Hoc nos simplici ac facili remedio credidimus corrigendum, ut spectabilitas vestra praedicto tempore una cum possessoribus atque conductoribus diversarum massarum, quietem convenientium anticipata debeat cautela procurare, ne atrocis facti reos inveniat, quos poena consumat. quod si aliquis rusticorum vel cuiuslibet loci homo causa nefandae litis advenerit, inter ipsa initia comprehensus fustuariae subdatur protinus ultioni et pompatus mala vota corrigat, qui prius occultum facinus excitare temptabat. [3] Est enim conventus iste et nimia celebritate festivus et circumiectis provinciis valde proficuus. quicquid enim praecipuum aut industriosa mittit Campania aut opulenti Bruttii aut Calabri peculiosi aut Apuli idonei vel ipsa potest habere provincia, in ornatum pulcherrimae illius venalitatis exponitur, ut merito tam ingentem copiam iudices de multis regionibus aggregatam. videas enim illic conlucere pulcherrimis stationibus latissimos campos et de amoenis frondibus intextas subito momentaneas domos, populorum cantantium laetantiumque discursum. [4] Ubi licet non conspicias operam moenium, videas tamen opinatissimae civitatis ornatum. praesto sunt pueri ac puellae diverso sexu atque aetate conspicui, quos non fecit captivitas esse sub pretio, sed libertas: hos merito parentes vendunt, quoniam de ipsa famulatione proficiunt. dubium quippe non est servos posse meliorari, qui de labore agrorum ad urbana servitia transferuntur. quid vestes referam innumera varietate discretas? quid diversi generis animalia nitere pinguissima? ubi tali cuncta taxatione proponuntur, ut quamlibet emptor fastidiosissimus invitetur. sic de illo commercio nemo ingratus redit, si cuncta probabilis disciplina componit. [5] Est enim et locus ipse camporum amoenitate distensus: suburbanum quoddam Consilinatis antiquissimae civitatis, qui a conditore sanctorum fontium Marcellianum nomen accepit. hic erumpit aquarum perspicua et dulcis ubertas, ubi in modum naturalis antri apsidis fabricata concavitas sic perspicuos liquores emanat, ut vacuum putes lacum, quem non dubitas esse plenissimum. hic perlucidus usque ad fundum patet, ut aspectibus tuis aerem potius apparere iudices, non liquorem. aemulatur serenum diem aqua subtilissima, nam quicquid in imo geritur, inoffensa oculis claritate monstratur. [6] Conludunt illic gregatim laetissimi pisces, qui ad manus pascentium sic intrepidi veniunt, tamquam se noverint non esse capiendos: nam qui tale aliquid praesumpsit efficere, mox poenam divinitatis cognoscitur excepisse. longa sunt illius fontis memoranda describere. veniamus ad illud singulare munus sanctumque miraculum. [7] Nam cum die sacratae noctis precem baptismatis coeperit sacerdos effundere et de ore sancto sermonum fontes emanare, mox in altum unda prosiliens aquas suas non per meatus solitos dirigit, sed in altitudinem cumulumque transmittit. erigitur brutum elementum sponte sua et quadam devotione sollemni praeparat se miraculis, ut sanctificatio maiestatis possit ostendi. nam cum fons ipse quinque gradus tegat eosque tantum sub tranquillitate possideat, aliis duobus cernitur crescere, quos numquam praeter illud tempus cognoscitur occupare. magnum stupendumque miraculum fluenta labentia sic ad humanos sermones vel stare vel crescere, ut eis credas audiendi studium minime defuisse. [8] Fiat omnium sermone venerabilis fons iste caelestis: habeat et Lucania Iordanem suum. ille exemplum baptismatis praestitit, hic sacrum mysterium annua devotione custodit. quapropter et reverentia loci et utilitas rei dare debet populis sanctissimam pacem, quia cunctorum iudicio sceleratissimus habendus est, qui talium dierum gaudia temerare contendet. relegantur populis et proponantur ista quae diximus, ut cum inulta esse minime creduntur, excedendi licentia non quaeratur. Cassiodorus