, wheel'd on Europe-shadowing wings,
And barking for the thrones of kings.']

'Remember how often Alaric's father Euric gave you presents and staved
off war from your borders. Repay to the son the kindness of the
father. I send you two ambassadors, and I want you to join your
representations to mine and Gundibad's, calling on Clovis to desist
from his attacks on Alaric and seek redress from the law of
nations[277], or else expect the combined attack of all of us, for
this quarrel is really the quarrel of us all.'

[Footnote 277: 'Et leges gentium quaerat.' But how was the law of
nations to be enforced?]

[The turn of the Thuringians to be swallowed up by the Frankish
Monarchy came in 531.

See on this letter Dahn, 'Koenige der Germanen' ii. 144 and 8 _n._ 2;
Pallmann ii. 55.]

4. KING THEODORIC TO LUDUIN (LUDWIG, OR CLOVIS), KING OF THE FRANKS.

[Sidenote: Desires Clovis to desist from war on Alaric.]

[On the same subject.] 'The affinities of kings ought to keep their
subjects from the plague of war. We are grieved to hear of the paltry
causes which are giving rise to rumours of war between you and our son
Alaric, rumours which gladden the hearts of the enemies of both of
you. Let me say with all frankness, but with all affection, just what
I think: "It is the act of a passionate man to get his troops ready
for action at the first embassy which he sends." Instead of that refer
the matter to our arbitration. It would be a delight to me to choose
men capable of mediating between you. What would you yourselves think
of me if I could hear unmoved of your murderous intentions towards one
another? Away with this conflict, in which one of you will probably be
utterly destroyed. Throw away the sword which you wield for _my_
humiliation. By what right do I thus threaten you? By the right of a
father and a friend. He who shall despise this advice of ours will
have to reckon us and our friends as his adversaries.

'I send two ambassadors to you, as I have to my son Alaric, and hope
that they may be able so to arrange matters that no alien malignity
may sow the seeds of dissension between you, and that your nations,
which under your fathers have long enjoyed the blessings of peace, may
not now be laid waste by sudden collision. You ought to believe him
who, as you know, has rejoiced in your prosperity. No true friend is
he who launches his associates, unwarned, into the headlong dangers of
war.'

5. KING THEODO