Pastoral Rule, Dialogues & Letters 397

Gregory to Childebert, king of the Franks. By as much as royal dignity precedes other men, by so much does the summit of your kingdom surely surpass the kingdoms of other nations. To be a king, since there are others also, is no marvel; but to be a Catholic, which others do not merit, this is enough. For just as the splendour of a great lamp shines forth with the clearness of its light in the darkness of earth's night, so the brightness of your faith glows red and gleams amid the dark faithlessness of other nations. Whatever other kings boast to have, you have. But they in this respect are vehemently surpassed, since they have not that chief good which you have.

That therefore they may be conquered in action as they are in faith, let your Excellency ever show yourself benign to your subjects. And if there be any things which are able to offend his mind, let him not punish them unexamined. For then indeed will it more please the King of kings, that is, the Almighty Lord, if, restraining your power, you believe less to be lawful to yourself than what you are able to do. Since, therefore, you keep the sincerity of faith both in mind and in work, the love of blessed Peter, the prince of the apostles, which is in you, plainly shows that his possessions, out of regard for the Christian religion, have hitherto been well governed and preserved under the power of your Highness.

But since the patrician Dynamius, who out of our commendation was bestowing solicitude upon these very things, is now, as we have learned, unable to govern them, lest the little patrimony established there should perish through negligence, we have therefore sent our most beloved son Candidus the priest, the bearer of these presents, to govern it; whom, having first addressed a greeting with fatherly charity, we commend to your Excellency in all things, asking that, if perchance any prejudice has there been done, or the property of that same little patrimony is detained by anyone, it may be corrected by the justice of your power, and that the things which have been taken away may be restored to their former right; so that, just as your faith, so also your equity may shine forth to all nations, which is exceedingly glorious and praiseworthy.

Moreover, we have sent to your Excellency the keys of Saint Peter, in which is enclosed a portion of the chains of his fetters, which, suspended from your neck, may guard you from all evils.