sedly anachronistic, of 'Ne quis
ergo venditionem sibi impositam conqueratur, sciat libertatem in
crimine non requiri.']

6. KING ATHALARIC TO ----, PRIMISCRINIUS.

[Sidenote: A furlough granted for a visit to Baiae.]

'You complain that your health is failing under the long pressure of
your work, and that you fear, if you absent yourself, you may lose the
emoluments of your office. At the same time you ask leave to visit
the Baths of Baiae. Go then with a mind perfectly at rest as to your
emoluments, which we will keep safe for you. Seek the Sun, seek the
pure air and smiling shore of that lovely bay, thickly set with
harbours and dotted with noble islands--that bay in which Nature
displays all her marvels and invites man to explore her secrets. There
is the Lake of Avernus, with its splendid supply of oysters. There are
long piers jutting out into the sea; and the most delightful fishing
in the world is to be had in the fish-ponds--open to the sky--on
either side of them. There are warm baths, heated not by brick-work
flues and smoky balls of fire, but by Nature herself. The pure air
supplies the steam and softly stimulates perspiration, and the
health-giving work is so much the better done as Nature is above Art.
Let the Coralli [in Moesia, on the shore of the Euxine] boast their
wonderful sea, let the pearl fisheries of India vaunt themselves. In
our judgment Baiae, for its powers of bestowing pleasure and health,
surpasses them all. Go then to Baiae to bathe, and have no fear about
the emoluments.'

7. KING ATHALARIC TO REPARATUS, PRAEFECT OF THE CITY.

[We learn from Procopius ('De Bello Gotthico' i. 26) that Reparatus
was brother of Pope Vigilius; that in 537 he escaped from the
captivity in which the other Senators were kept at Ravenna by Witigis,
and fled to Milan. In 539 Reparatus, who was then Praefectus
Praetorio, was captured at Milan by the Goths, hewn in pieces, and his
flesh given to the dogs (Ibid. ii. 21).]

[Sidenote: Reparatus appointed Praefectus Urbis.]

'The son of a high official naturally aspires to emulate his father's
dignities. Your father had a distinguished career, first as Comes
Largitionum, then as Praefectus Praetorio. While holding the latter
office, he repaired the Senate-house, restored to the poor the gifts
(?) of which they had been deprived[586], and though not himself a man
of liberal education, pleased all by the natural charm of his manner.

[Footnote 586: 'Curiam