menta, qui differo
laudare principia.' The annotator says that these words are not to be
found in the extant writings of Symmachus [the orator]. It was
probably the younger Symmachus, the father-in-law of Boethius, who
uttered them. At this time Athalaric was killing himself by his
debaucheries.]

2. SENATOR, PRAETORIAN PRAEFECT, TO POPE JOHN[728].

[Footnote 728: Pope John II (a Roman, son of Projectus, and originally
named Mercurius) succeeded Boniface II Jan. 1, 533. His pontificate
lasted till May 26, 535. His successor was Agapetus. This letter
appears to have been written at a time of scarcity in Rome.]

[Sidenote: Salutations to the Pope.]

'Your prayers are assuredly the cause of our promotion. Your fastings
have procured plenty for the citizens. Saluting you therefore with all
due reverence, we pray you to continue your prayers for long life to
our rulers, for peace and plenty to the State, and for an increase of
heavenly wisdom to me. Let the Judge in public life be such as the
Catholic Church has trained her son to be. I am indeed a Judge of the
Palace, but I shall not cease to be your disciple[729]. Cast not off
upon me the whole care of this City, which you watch over with a
father's love, but take thought both for its bodily and spiritual
wants, and admonish me whenever you think I am erring. Your See is an
object of admiration through all lands, and your charity is
world-wide; but yet you have also an especial, local love for the
sheep of your own flock.

[Footnote 729: 'Sum quidem Judex Palatinus, sed vester non desinam
esse discipulus.']

'Rome has in her own borders those shrines of martyrdom[730] of the
Apostles [Peter and Paul] which the whole world longs to behold. With
such patrons, if only your prayers ascend, we need fear no evil.'

[Footnote 730: 'Confessiones.']

3. SENATOR, PRAETORIAN PRAEFECT, TO DIVERS BISHOPS.

[Sidenote: Salutations to the Bishops.]

'Fathers after the flesh delight in the advancement of their sons.
Even so do ye, my spiritual fathers, diligently pray to the Holy
Trinity that He may make my candle to give light to all that are in
the house; yea, and that He may so purge and enlighten mine own
conscience that I may not, while an accurate Judge over other men, be
a deceiver of mine own self.

'I beg of you to declare a fast, and supplicate the Lord that He will
prolong the life of our Sovereigns[731], for the happiness of the
realm; that He will defend our