s tribute. Follow the good example of
your predecessors: carefully avoid the bad. Remember how full your
Province is of nobles, whose good report you may earn but cannot
compel. You will find it a delightful reward, when you travel through
the neighbouring Provinces, to hear your praises sounded there where
your power extends not. You know our will: it is all contained in the
laws of the State. Govern in accordance with these, and you shall not
go unrewarded.'

[Footnote 464: 'Nostrum est merentibus tempus augere.' The limit of
one year might therefore be exceeded by favour of the Sovereign.]

3. FORMULA OF THE COUNT OF THE GOTHS IN THE SEVERAL PROVINCES.

[Sidenote: Comitiva Gothorum per singulas Provincias.]

[Dahn remarks ('Koenige der Germanen' iv. 157): 'We must go thoroughly
into the question of this office. The _Comes Gothorum_ is the most
important, in fact almost the only new dignity in the Gothic State,
and the formula of his installation is the chief proof of the
coexistence of Roman and Gothic law in this kingdom.' I have therefore
translated this formula at full length.]

'As we know that, by God's help, Goths are dwelling intermingled among
you, in order to prevent the trouble (indisciplinatio) which is wont
to arise among partners (consortes) we have thought it right to send
to you as Count, A B, a sublime person, a man already proved to be of
high character, in order that he may terminate (amputare) any contests
arising between two Goths according to our edicts; but that, if any
matter should arise between a Goth and a born Roman, he may, after
associating with himself a Roman jurisconsult[465], decide the strife
by fair reason[466]. As between two Romans, let the decision rest with
the Roman examiners (cognitores), whom we appoint in the various
Provinces; that thus each may keep his own laws, and with various
Judges one Justice may embrace the whole realm. Thus, sharing one
common peace, may both nations, if God favour us, enjoy the sweets of
tranquillity.

[Footnote 465: 'Adhibito sibi prudente Romano.']

[Footnote 466: 'Aequabili ratione.']

'Know, however, that we view all [our subjects] with one impartial
love; but he may commend himself more abundantly to our favour who
subdues his own will into loving submission to the law[467]. We like
nothing that is disorderly[468]; we detest wicked arrogance and all
who have anything to do with it. Our principles lead us to execrate
violent men[46