um Dominis mandata suscepimus.']

'We wish that you should enjoy the privileges conceded to you by
former rulers without any encroachment by violent men.

'And now be of good heart; I pledge myself for your righteous
government. Had I been present with you face to face, ye could not
have seen my mind; but ye can read it in this letter, which is the
mirror of my heart, the true image of my will, and ye can see that it
desires only your prosperity.'

9. SENATOR, PRAETORIAN PRAEFECT, TO THE JUDGES OF THE PROVINCES.

[Sidenote: Exhortation to the Judges to govern in conformity with the
Edict.]

'Knowing that past suffering makes men anxious and timid as to the
future, we have put forth an edict [the preceding document] in order
to reassure the minds of the Provincials, and to deliver them from the
torment of ever-present fear.

'Therefore we call upon your Excellency[751] to cause this edict to be
exposed in all the places which are most resorted to. Thus let the
love and devotion of all classes be excited towards our happy
Sovereigns[752], that as our thoughts towards the people are entirely
thoughts of goodwill, so their dispositions towards the rulers who
govern them in righteousness may be only loyal[753].

[Footnote 751: 'Dicatio tua.']

[Footnote 752: 'Circa Dominos felices.']

[Footnote 753: 'Ita se et illi devotos debent _pie regnantibus_
exhibere.' Compare again Claudian's words:

'Nunquam libertas gratior exstat,
Quam sum _rege pio_.']

'It now rests with you, by your just government of the Provincials, to
carry our promises into effect.

'Remember that the official staff standing by, is a witness of the
acts of every one of you; and so comport yourselves, that both they
and all others may see that you in your own conduct obey the laws
which you administer.

'Be more anxious to remedy the poverty of the Provincials than to
inflict punishment upon them. So act that when you are giving an
account of your stewardship your year of office may be felt to have
been all too short[754]. If you have acted justly, and earned the
goodwill of your Provincials, you will have no need of gifts to stave
off accusations.

[Footnote 754: 'Sic agite ut cum justitia probata quaeritur, annus
vester brevis esse videatur.']

'We do not appoint any spies upon your actions, and we pray you so to
act that this most humiliating expedient may not be necessary.

'If you meet with any who pertinaciously set thems