se character will secure him the obedience of
the troops, and enable him to prevent any excesses.

[Footnote 656: 'Qua nos convenit cautela Romam defendere, quam constat
in mundo simile nihil habere?']

'As for the soldiers, we have told them to take up their quarters in
fitting places [outside the City?], that without there may be armed
defence, within for you, tranquil order[657].

[Footnote 657: 'Quos tamen locis aptis praecipimus immorari, ut foris
sit armata defensio, intus vobis tranquilla civilitas.']

'God forbid that in our days that City should seem to be protected by
walls, the very name of which hath been of old a terror to the
nations[658]. We hope for this from the aid of Heaven, that she who
hath always been free may never be stained by the insult of any
blockade[659].

[Footnote 658: 'Absit enim ut nostris temporibus Urbs illa muris
videatur protegi, quam constat gentibus vel sola opinione fuisse
terrori.']

[Footnote 659: 'Ut quae semper fuit libera, nullius inclusionis
decoloretur injuria.']

19. KING THEODAHAD TO THE EMPEROR JUSTINIAN.

[Sidenote: Embassy of Peter.]

'We thank the Divine Being, who loves to see Kings at peace with one
another, that you expressed such joy at our elevation to the throne.
Continue to set to the world this example of benignity; continue to
show your interest in one who recommends himself by his pure affection
for you. For you do not seek to pick shabby quarrels with other
Sovereigns; you do not delight in unjust contests, which are contrary
to sound morality[660], since you seek for nothing but what may
increase the good opinion which men have of you. How could you throw
away that peace which it is the glory of your Piety to have imposed
even on angry nations[661]?

[Footnote 660: 'Non enim rixas viles per regna requiritis: non vos
injusta certamina quae sunt bonis moribus inimica, delectant.' No
doubt this was meant to be taken as a hint of the censure which it
professes to deny.]

[Footnote 661: 'Pacem quam et iracundis gentibus consuevistis
imponere.' An allusion, perhaps, to the peace concluded with Persia.]

'Even you, glorious Sovereigns! [Justinian and Theodora] gain somewhat
when all other realms revere you. It is a common thing for the ruler
to be praised in his own land, but to receive the unforced praise of
foreign lands, that is indeed desirable. You are loved, most pious
Emperor, in your own dominions; but how much grander a thing to be yet