Delphi Complete Works of Sidonius Apollinaris, page 80
Sidonius Sulpicio suo salutem
Sidonius Philagrio suo salutem
Sidonius Salonio suo salutem
Sidonius Chariobaudo 1 Abbati salutem
Sidonius Volusiano Fratri salutem
Sidonius Constantio suo salutem
BOOK VIII
Sidonius Petronio suo salutem.
Sidonius Iohanni suo salutem.
Sidonius Leoni suo salutem.
Sidonius Consentio suo salutem.
Sidonius Fortunali suo salutem.
Sidonius Namatio suo salutem.
Sidonius Audaci suo salutem.
Sidonius Syagrio suo salutem.
Sidonius Lampridio suo salutem.
Sidonius Ruricio suo salutem.
Sidonius Lupo suo salutem.
Sidonius Trygetio suo salutem.
Sidonius domino papae Nunechio salutem.
Sidonius domino papae Principio salutem.
Sidonius domino papae Prospero salutem.
Sidonius Constantio suo salutem.
BOOK IX
Sidonius Firmino suo salutem.
Sidonius domino papae Euphronio salutem.
Sidonius domino papae Fausto salutem.
Sidonius domino papae Graeco salutem.
Sidonius domino papae Iuliano salutem.
Sidonius domino papae Ambrosio salutem.
Sidonius domino papae Remigio salutem.
Sidonius domino papae Principio salutem.
Sidonius domino papae Fausto salutem.
Sidonius domino papae Aprunculo salutem.
Sidonius domino papae Lupo salutem.
Sidonius Oresio suo salutem.
Sidonius Tonantio suo salutem.
Sidonius Burgundioni suo salutem.
Sidonius Gelasio suo salutem.
Sidonius Firmino suo salutem.
BOOK I
Sidonius Constantio suo salutem
I.
To his friend Constantius c. A.D. 477
[1] Diu praecipis, domine maior, summa suadendi auctoritate, sicuti es in his quae deliberabuntur consiliosissimus, ut, si quae mihi1 litterae paulo politiores varia occasione fluxerint, prout eas causa persona tempus elicuit, omnes retractatis exemplaribus enucleatisque uno volumine includam, Quinti Symmachi rotunditatem, Gai Plinii disciplinam maturitatemque vestigiis praesumptuosis insecu- turns.
[1] WITH all the influence you derive from a genius for sound advice, you have long urged me to correct, revise, and bring together in one volume the more finished of those occasional letters which matters, men, and times have drawn from me: I am to set presumptuous foot where Symmachus of the ample manner, and Pliny of the perfected art have gone before.
[2] nam de Marco Tullio silere melius puto, quem in stilo epistulari nec 1 Iulius Titianus sub nominibus inlustrium feminarum digna similitudine expressit; propter quod illum ceteri quique Frontonianorum utpote consectaneum aemulati, cur veternosum dicendi genus imitaretur, oratorum simiam nuncupaverunt. quibus omnibus ego immane dictu est quantum semper iudicio meo cesserim quantumque servandam singulis pronuntiaverim temporum suorum meritorumque praerogativam.
[2] Of Cicero as letter-writer I had best be dumb; not Julius Titianus himself, in his Letters of Famous Women, could worthily reproduce that model; he tried to imitate a style which was not of his time,” and Fronto’s other pupils, in their jealousy, called him ‘ape of orators’ for his pains. I have always been horribly conscious how far I fall short of these great examples; I have consistently claimed for each the privilege of his own period and genius.
[3] sed scilicet tibi parui tuaeque examinationi has non recensendas (hoc enim parum est) sed defaecandas, ut aiunt, limandasque commisi, sciens te inmodicum esse fautorem non studiorum modo verum etiam studiosorum. quam ob rem nos nunc perquam haesitabundos in hoc deinceps famae pelagus impellis.
[3] But I have done your will; here you have the letters, not merely to revise, for that is nothing, but to polish and, as the phrase goes, clear of lees. Do I not know you devoted not to studies only, but to the studious too? Which devotion now makes you launch me, despite my fears, upon this deep main of ambition.
[4] porro autem super huiusmodi opusculo tutius conticueramus, contenti versuum felicius quam peritius editorum opinione, de qua mihi iam pridem in portu iudicii publici post lividorum latratuum Scyllas enavigatas sufficientis gloriae ancora sedet, sed si et hisce deliramentis genuinum molarem invidia non fixerit, actutum tibi a nobis volumina numerosiora percopiosis scaturientia sermocinationibus multiplicabuntur, vale.
[4] I had been safer had I breathed no word about these trifles, content with the reception of my poems, which good luck surely helped to recognition rather than skill of mine. Such fame as I have should be to me an anchor cast in the haven of safe repute. I ought to be content with it after the envious snarls of all the Scyllas which my ship has passed. But if the tooth of jealousy spares these extravagances of mine, volume shall follow upon volume, all full-brimming with my most copious flow of correspondence. Farewell.
Sidonius Agricolae suo salutem
II.
To [his brother-in-law] Agricola* A.D. 454(?)
[1] Saepenumero postulavisti ut, quia Theudorici regis Gothorum commendat populis fama civilitatem, litteris tibi formae suae quantitas, vitae qualitas significaretur. pareo libens, in quantum epistularis pagina sinit, laudans in te tam delicatae sollicitudinis ingenuitatem. igitur vir est et illis dignus agnosci qui eum minus familiariter intuentur: ita personam suam deus arbiter et ratio naturae consummatae felicitatis dote sociata cumulaverunt; mores autem huiuscemodi, ut laudibus eorum nihil ne regni quidem defrudet invidia.
[1] You have often begged a description of Theodoric the Gothic king, whose gentle breeding fame commends to every nation; you want him in his quantity and quality, in his person, and the manner of his existence. I gladly accede, as far as the limits of my page allow, and highly approve so fine and ingenuous a curiosity.
Well, he is a man worth knowing, even by those who cannot enjoy his close acquaintance, so happily have Providence and Nature joined to endow him with the perfect gifts of fortune; his way of life is such that not even the envy which lies in wait for kings can rob him of his proper praise.
[2] si forma quaeratur: corpore exacto, longissimis brevior, procerior eminentiorque mediocribus, capitis apex rotundus, in quo paululum a planitie frontis in verticem caesaries refuga crispatur. cervix non sedet enervis sed stat nervis. 1 geminos orbes hispidus superciliorum coronat arcus; si vero cilia Sectantur, ad malas medias palpebrarum margo prope pervenit, aurium legulae, sicut mos gentis est, crinium superiacentium flagellis operiuntur. nasus venustissime incurvus. labra subtilia nec dilatatis oris angulis ampliata. pilis infra narium antra fruticantibus cotidiana succisio. barba concavis hirta temporibus, quam in subdita vultus parte surgentem stirpitus tonsor assiduus genis ut adhuc vesticipibus evellit.
[2] And first as to his person. He is well set up, in height above the average man, but below the giant. His head is round, with curled hair retreating somewhat from brow to crown. His nervous neck is free from disfiguring knots. The eyebrows are bushy and arched; when the lids droop, the lashes reach almost half-way down the cheeks. The upper ears are buried under overlying locks, after the fashion of his race. The nose is finely aquiline; the lips are thin and not enlarged by undue distension of the mouth. Every day the hair springing from his nostrils is cut back; that on the face springs thick from the hollow of the temples, but the razor has not yet come upon his cheek, and his barber is assiduous in eradicating the rich growth on the lower part of the face.
[3] menti, gutturis, colli, non obesi sed suculenti, lactea cutis, quae propius inspecta iuvenali rubore suffunditur; namque hunc illi crebro colorem non ira sed verecundia facit. teretes umeri, validi lacerti, dura bracchia, patulae manus, recedente alvo pectus excedens. 1 aream dorsi humilior inter excrementa costarum spina discriminat. tuberosum est utrumque musculis prominentibus latus, in succinctis regnat vigor ilibus. corneum femur, internodia poplitum bene mascula, maximus in minime rugosis genibus honor; crura suris fulta turgentibus et, qui magna sustentat membra, pes modicus.
[3] Chin, throat, and neck are full, but not fat, and all of fair complexion; seen close, their colour is fresh as that of youth; they often flush, but from modesty, and not from anger. His shoulders are smooth, the upper- and forearms strong and hard; hands broad, breast prominent; waist receding. The spine dividing the broad expanse of back does not project, and you can see the springing of the ribs; the sides swell with salient muscle, the well-girt flanks are full of vigour. His thighs are like hard horn; the knee-joints firm and masculine; the knees themselves the comeliest and least wrinkled in the world. A full ankle supports the leg, and the foot is small to bear such mighty limbs.
[4] si actionem diurnam, quae est forinsecus exposita, perquiras: antelucanos sacerdotum suorum coetus minimo comitatu expetit, grandi sedulitate veneratur; quamquam, si sermo secretus, possis animo advertere quod servet istam pro consuetudine potius quam pro ratione reverentiam, reliquum mane regni administrandi cura sibi deputat. circumsistit sellam comes armiger; pellitorum turba satellitum ne absit, admittitur, ne obstrepat, eliminatur, sicque pro foribus immurmurat exclusa velis, inclusa cancellis. inter haec intro-missis gentium legationibus audit plurima, pauca respondet; si quid tractabitur, differt; si quid expedietur, accelerat. hora est secunda: surgit e solio aut thesauris inspiciendis vacaturus aut stabulis.
[4] Now for the routine of his public life. Before daybreak he goes with a very small suite to attend the service of his priests. He prays with assiduity, but, if I may speak in confidence, one may suspect more of habit than conviction in this piety. Administrative duties of the kingdom take up the rest of the morning. Armed nobles stand about the royal seat; the mass of guards in their garb of skins are admitted that they may be within call, but kept at the threshold for quiet’s sake; only a murmur of them comes in from their post at the doors, between the curtain and the outer barrier. And now the foreign envoys are introduced. The king hears them out, and says little; if a thing needs more discussion he puts it off, but accelerates matters ripe for dispatch. The second hour arrives; he rises from the throne to inspect his treasure-chamber or stable.
[5] si venatione nuntiata procedit, arcum lateri innectere citra gravitatem regiam iudicat; quem tamen, si comminus avem feramque aut venanti aut vianti fors obtulerit, manui post tergum reflexae puer inserit nervo lorove fluitantibus; quem sicut puerile computat gestare thecatum, ita muliebre accipere iam tensum. igitur acceptum modo sinuatis 1 e regione capitibus intendit, modo ad talum pendulum nodi parte conversa languentem chordae laqueum vagantis digito superlabente prosequitur; et mox spicula capit implet expellit; quidve cupias percuti prior admonet ut eligas 2; eligis quid feriat: quod elegeris ferit; et, si ab alterutro errandum est, rarius fallitur Agentis ictus quam destinantis obtutus.
[5] If the chase is the order of the day, he joins it, but never carries his bow at his side, considering this derogatory to royal state. When a bird or beast is marked for him, or happens to cross his path, he puts his hand behind his back and takes the bow from a page with the string all hanging loose; for as he deems it a boy’s trick to bear it in a quiver, so he holds it effeminate to receive the weapon ready strung. When it is given him, he sometimes holds it in both hands and bends the extremities towards each other; at others he sets it, knot-end downward, against his lifted heel, and runs his finger up the slack and wavering string. After that, he takes his arrows, adjusts, and lets fly. He will ask you beforehand what you would like him to transfix; you choose, and he hits. If there is a miss through either’s error, your vision will mostly be at fault, and not the archer’s skill.
[6] si in convivium venitur, quod quidem diebus profestis simile privato est, non ibi impolitam congeriem liventis argenti mensis cedentibus suspiriosus minister imponit; maximum tunc pondus in verbis est, quippe cum illic aut nulla narrentur aut seria, toreumatum peripetasmatumque modo conchyliata profertur supellex, modo byssina, cibi arte, non pretio placent, fercula ni tore, non pondere, scyphorum paterarumque raras oblationes facilius est ut accuset sitis quam recuset ebrietas. quid multis? videas ibi elegantiam Graecam abundantiam Galli-canam celeritatem Italam, publicam pompam privatam diligentiam regiam disciplinam, de luxu autem illo sabbatario narrationi meae supersedendum est, qui nec latentes potest latere personas.
[6] On ordinary days, his table resembles that of a private person. The board does not groan beneath a mass of dull and unpolished silver set on by panting servitors; the weight lies rather in the conversation than in the plate; there is either sensible talk or none. The hangings and draperies used on these occasions are sometimes of purple silk, sometimes only of linen; art, not costliness, commends the fare, as spotlessness rather than bulk the silver. Toasts are few, and you will oftener see a thirsty guest impatient, than a full one refusing cup or bowl. In short, you will find elegance of Greece, good cheer of Gaul, Italian nimbleness, the state of public banquets with the attentive service of a private table, and everywhere the discipline of a king’s house. What need for me to describe the pomp of his feast days? No man is so unknown as not to know of them. But to my theme again.
[7] ad coepta redeatur. dapibus expleto somnus meridianus saepe nullus, semper exiguus, quibus horis viro tabula cordi, tesseras colligit rapide, inspicit sollicite, volvit argute, mittit instanter, ioculanter compellat, patienter exspectat, in bonis iactibus tacet, in malis ridet, in neutris irascitur, in utrisque philosophatur. secundas fastidit vel timere vel facere, quarum opportunitates spernit oblatas, transit oppositas, sine motu evaditur, sine colludio evadit, putes illum et in calculis arma tractare: sola est illi cura vincendi.
[7] The siesta after dinner is always slight, and sometimes intermitted. When inclined for the board-game, he is quick to gather up the dice, examines them with care, shakes the box with expert hand, throws rapidly, humorously apostrophizes them, and patiently waits the issue. Silent at a good throw, he makes merry over a bad, annoyed by neither fortune, and always the philosopher. He is too proud to ask or to refuse a revenge; he disdains to avail himself of one if offered; and if it is opposed will quietly go on playing. You effect recovery of your men without obstruction on his side; he recovers his without collusion upon yours. You see the strategist when he moves the pieces; his one thought is victory.
[8] cum ludendum est, regiam sequestrat tantisper severitatem, hortatur ad ludum libertatem communionemque. dicam quod sentio: timet timeri, denique oblectatur commotione superati et tum demum credit sibi non cessisse collegam, cum fidem fecerit victoriae suae bilis ahena. quodque mirere, saepe illa laetitia minimis occasionibus veniens ingentium negotiorum merita fortunat. tunc petitionibus diu ante per patrociniorum naufragia iactatis absolutionis subitae portus aperitur; tunc etiam ego aliquid obsecraturus feliciter vincor, quando mihi ad hoc tabula perit, ut causa salvetur.
[8] Yet at play he puts off a little of his kingly rigour, inciting all to good fellowship and the freedom of the game: I think he is afraid of being feared. Vexation in the man whom he beats delights him; he will never believe that his opponents have not let him win unless their annoyance proves him really victor. You would be surprised how often the pleasure born of these little happenings may favour the march of great affairs. Petitions that some wrecked influence had left derelict come unexpectedly to port; I myself am gladly beaten by him when I have a favour to ask, since the loss of my game may mean the gaining of my cause.
[9] circa nonam recrudescit mohs illa regnandi, redeunt pulsantes, redeunt summoventes; ubique litigiosus fremit ambitus, qui tractus in vesperam cena regia interpellante rarescit et per aulicos deinceps pro patronorum varietate dispergitur, usque ad tempus concubiae noctis excubaturus. sane intromittuntur, quamquam raro, inter cenandum mimici sales, ita ut nullus conviva mordacis linguae felle feriatur; sic tamen quod illic nec organa hydraulica sonant nec sub phonasco vocalium concentus meditatum acroama simul intonat; nullus ibi lyristes choraules meso-chorus tympanistria psaltria canit, rege solum illis fidibus delenito, quibus non minus mulcet virtus animum quam cantus auditum.
[9] About the ninth hour, the burden of government begins again. Back come the importunates, back the ushers to remove them; on all sides buzz the voices of petitioners, a sound which lasts till evening, and does not diminish till interrupted by the royal repast; even then they only disperse to attend their various patrons among the courtiers, and are astir till bedtime. Sometimes, though this is rare, supper is enlivened by sallies of mimes, but no guest is ever exposed to the wound of a biting tongue. Withal there is no noise of hydraulic organ, or choir with its conductor intoning a set piece; you will hear no players of lyre or flute, no master of the music, no girls with cithara or tabor; the king cares for no strains but those which no less charm the mind with virtue than the ear with melody.
[10] cum surrexerit, inchoat nocturnas aulica gaza custodias; armati regiae domus aditibus assistunt, quibus horae primi soporis vigilabuntur. sed iam quid meas istud ad partes, qui tibi indicanda non multa de regno sed pauca de rege promisi? simul et stilo finem fieri decet, quia et tu cognoscere viri non amplius quam studia personamque voluisti et ego non historiam sed epistulam efficere curavi. vale.
[10] When he rises to withdraw, the treasury watch begins its vigil; armed sentries stand on guard during the first hours of slumber. But I am wandering from my subject. I never promised a whole chapter on the kingdom, but a few words about the king. I must stay my pen; you asked for nothing more than one or two facts about the person and the tastes of Theodoric; and my own aim was to write a letter, not a history. Farewell.
* Translated by Hodgkin, Italy and her Invaders, ii. 352. The king here described is Theodoric II, successor of Thorismund, predecessor of Euric.
Sidonius Philomathio suo salutem
III.
To his friend Filimatius A. D. 467
[1] I nunc et legibus me ambitus interrogatum senatu move, cur adipiscendae dignitati hereditariae curis pervigilibus incumbam; cui pater socer avus proavus praefecturis urbanis praetorianisque, magisteriis Palatinis militaribusque micuerunt.
