ever he
condescends to behold them he may feel that his _judicia_[328] have
been justified. We therefore hereby bestow upon you, for the fourth
Indiction [Sept. 1, 510], the Illustrious dignity of Comes of our
Patrimony.'

[Footnote 328: Same expression as in preceding letter.]

Services of Senarius as a diplomatist, in standing up against
Barbarian Kings and subduing their intellects to the moderate counsels
of Theodoric[329].

[Footnote 329: 'Subiisti saepe arduae legationis officium. Restitisti
regibus non impar assertor, coactus justitiam nostram et illis
ostendere, qui rationem vix poterant cruda obstinatione sentire. Non
te terruit contentionibus inflammata regalis auctoritas,' etc.]

His success as an advocate[330]. The charm of his pronunciation. His
purity of morals; his popularity with high and low. He is exhorted
still to cultivate these dispositions, and to win favour for his
office by his affable demeanour.

[Footnote 330: 'Usus es sub exceptionis officio eloquentis ingenio.'
'Exceptio' is a law term, the defendant's answer to the plaintiff's
bill; but is it so used here?]

4. KING THEODORIC TO THE SENATE OF THE CITY OF ROME.

[Announcing the promotion of Senarius, conferred in the preceding
letter.]

[Sidenote: On the same subject.]

Describes the merits of the new Comes, who when young in years but
mature in merit had entered the service of the Palace; his diplomatic
career[331] and his moderation and reserve in the midst of success,
although naturally 'joy is a garrulous thing,' and it is difficult for
men who are carrying all before them to restrain the expression of
their exaltation.

[Footnote 331: Again we have 'exceptiones' mentioned (see preceding
letter). 'Nunc ad colloquia dignus, _nunc ad exceptiones aptissimus_,
frequenter etiam in legationis honorem electus.']

Compliments to the Senate, who are invited to give a hearty welcome to
the new comer.

5. KING THEODORIC TO AMABILIS, VIR DEVOTUS[332] AND COMES.

[Footnote 332: Probably this epithet means that Amabilis was a Sajo.]

[Sidenote: Supply of provisions to famine-stricken Provinces of Gaul.]

'Having heard that there is dearth in our Gaulish Provinces we direct
your Devotion to take bonds from the shipmasters along the whole
western coast of Italy (Lucania, Campania, and Thuscia) that they will
go with supplies of food only to the Gauls, having liberty to dispose
of their cargoes as may be agreed between buyer and se