blessed memory may, by God's help, be increased
and made more prosperous under your dominion.

[Footnote 706: 'Quando non est difficile illum in affectu retinere,
qui gratiam constat desideranter expetere.' Very nearly, but not
quite, the modern proverb which says that gratitude is 'a lively sense
of favours to come.']

'The rest of their commission will be more fully explained to your
Serenity by the aforesaid ambassadors.'

33. KING WITIGIS TO THE MASTER OF THE OFFICES [AT CONSTANTINOPLE].

[Sidenote: Embassy to Constantinople.]

'In sending our two ambassadors to the most serene Emperor, it is
fitting also to send letters of salutation[707] to your Greatness. May
your prudence support our reasonable requests with the Emperor. You
can easily correct those things [the war against the Gothic people]
which you ought never to have allowed to take place; and all things
can now be arranged in the most friendly manner, since a
reconciliation between men who have fought out their quarrel is often
the surest ground of friendship. An unknown man might possibly have
been shunned by you; but I, who have seen the magnificence of your
Republic, who have known the hearts of so many of your noble
statesmen, have no desire to quarrel with your most pious Emperor, if
he will only cherish thoughts of justice towards me. If another
[Theodahad] deserved the anger of the Emperor, I ought to be looked
upon with the highest favour, who have executed vengeance on that
hateful predecessor. I have carried your intentions into effect, and
therefore I deserve reward, not punishment. Let all hatred be buried
in the grave of the sinner; and even if you think nothing of our
deservings, think of the liberty of the Romans, which is everywhere
suffering amid the clash of arms. A few words to a man of your wisdom
are sufficient.'

[Footnote 707: 'Salutiferos apices.' See x. 15.]

34. KING WITIGIS TO HIS BISHOPS.

[Sidenote: The same subject.]

'If we owe honour to Priests even when unknown to us, how much more so
to you whom we have seen and spoken to, and with whom we have had
frequent and familiar intercourse.

'By the ambassadors who are bearing our letters to the most serene
Emperor we send a message of reverence to your Holiness, hoping that
you will pray for us and set them forward on their journey with all
necessary assistance, since you are bound to wish well to those whom
you know to be united to you by the ties of religion.'