the
officers of the court: now you are yourself called upon to play the
part of a Judge. Even when you are absent from me, you will be deemed
to be sitting by my side; but whatever credit you may earn when
hearing a case by yourself will be reckoned to you alone.

'We therefore ordain that the official staff which waits upon our
orders shall be at your disposal, to carry your decisions into effect,
and to see that none treat them with contempt.

'If you shall think it necessary to hand over any [insolvent] persons
to those who have become security for them, assume that right with
confidence, because that will most effectually relieve my mind when I
shall learn that this matter has been finally disposed of by you[734].
For if I were present you might give me words only; but now in my
absence you owe me, rather, deeds.

[Footnote 734: I suggest this with hesitation as the translation of a
difficult sentence: 'Si quos etiam fidejussoribus committere
necessarium aestimaveris, confidenter assume: quia illud magis
relevare potest animum nostrum, si aliquid per vos cognoscimus
impletum.' Cassiodorus seems to be urging his deputy not to shrink
from the exercise of even the most stringent rights inherent in his
office, in order that causes may be terminated without reference to
him. But is there authority for such a translation of the words
'fidejussoribus committere?']

'Think, then, of all that is involved in your high office. Let your
toil procure me rest from all men. Avoid the rocks on either side of
you. These warnings come rather from my over-particularity[735] than
from any distrust of you, for I believe that with God's help you will
order all things as shall be best for our fame and for the Republic.'

[Footnote 735: 'Curiositas.']

5. THE SAME TO THE SAME.

[On the occasion of a scarcity in Rome, either existing or dreaded.
See the letter to Pope John II (xi. 2).]

[Sidenote: Grain distributions for Rome.]

'I am sure that you will rejoice with me if the needs of the Roman
people can be satisfied by our means, and thus we can testify our
gratitude for the hospitality which we have both received from that
City. To this end have we endured the discomforts of travel, for this
purpose have we racked our brains with anxious thought, that that
people, which tasted such delights of old in the happy days of its
former rulers, may now see its necessities relieved and again enjoy
its former prosperity.

'Their po