Letter 10008: VARIAE, BOOK 10, LETTER 8

QUEEN AMALASUINTHA TO JUSTINIAN AUGUSTUS [the emperor]. [1] The favor of your devotion so delights us that we are glad to seek from your quarter whatever can contribute to our adornment: for the divine powers have granted you such things that you both abound abundantly in His gifts and, with a kindly spirit, grant to those who hope for them the things that are necessary. [2] And therefore, reverently greeting your gentleness, we have dispatched the bearer of this letter to the benefactions of your excellency, so that the marbles and the other necessary items, which we had once caused Calogenitus to procure, you may order, with the Lord's favor, to reach us through the bearer of these presents, that we may know ourselves to be truly loved by your devotion, you who bring our wishes to fulfillment. For your glory is our ornament, since whatever is added to our praises is recognized as your bestowal. For it is fitting that this Roman world too, which the love of your serenity illumines, should shine resplendent by your aid.

VIII. IUSTINIANO AUGUSTO AMALASUINTHA REGINA. [1] Ita nos gratia vestrae pietatis oblectat, ut quicquid ad decorem nostrum potest proficere, libenter a vestris velimus partibus postulare: quia talia vobis divina tribuerunt, ut et vos eius affluenter muneribus abundetis et sperantibus benigno animo quae sunt necessaria concedatis. [2] Et ideo mansuetudinem vestram reverenter salutans harum portitorem illum ad excellentiae vestrae beneficia destinavi, ut marmora vel alia necessaria quae quondam Calogenitum comparare feceramus, per praesentium portitorem ad nos pervenire domino favente iubeatis, ut cognoscamus nos a pietate vestra re vera diligi, quorum facitis vota compleri. vestra enim gloria est noster ornatus, quando vos praestitisse cognoscitur quod nostris laudibus adplicatur. decet enim ut et orbis iste Romanus iuvamine vestro resplendeat, quem amor vestrae serenitatis illustrat.