ce for his only gift, and to
have to obliterate by his oration the unfavourable effect produced on
the multitude by his appearance.

[Footnote 525: So the contemporary poet Maximian, speaking of his own
past successes as an orator, and a good-looking one, says:

'Nec minor his aderat sublimis gratia formae
Quae vel si decent cetera, muta placet.'

Elegiae i. 17-18.]

'We consider it not necessary to praise his eloquence. Of course a
Quaestor is eloquent. While some have the government of a Province
committed to them, others the care of the Treasury, he receives the
ensigns of his dignity in order that by him his Sovereign's fame may
be spread abroad through the whole world.'

15. KING ATHALARIC TO THE SENATE OF THE CITY OF ROME.

[On the election of Pope Felix III, 526.]

[As this letter has an important bearing on the royal rights in
connection with Papal elections, it is translated in full.]

[Sidenote: Election of Pope Felix III (or IV).]

'We profess that we hear with great satisfaction that you have
responded to the judgment of our glorious lord and grandfather in your
election of a Bishop. It was right in sooth to obey the will of a good
Sovereign, who, handling the matter with wise deliberation, although
it had reference to a form of faith alien from his own[526], thought
fit to select such a Pontiff as could rightfully be displeasing to
none. You may thus recognise that his one chief desire was that
Religion might flourish by good priests being supplied to all the
churches.

[Footnote 526: 'Qui sapienti deliberatione pertractans quamvis in
aliena religione.']

'You have received then a man both admirably endowed with Divine grace
and approved by royal scrutiny. Let no one any longer be involved in
the old contention. There is no disgrace in being conquered when the
King's power has helped the winning side. That man makes him [the
successful candidate] his own, who manifests to him pure affection.
For what cause for regret can there be, when you find in this man,
those very qualities which you looked for in the other when you
embraced his party?

'These are family quarrels[527], a battle without cold steel, a
contest without hatred: by shouts, not wounds, a matter like this is
decided.

[Footnote 527: The words of Cassiodorus are, 'crinea sunt ista
certamina.' No one seems able to suggest a meaning for _crinea_. The
editors propose to read _civica_, which however is very flat, an