g formula, rather less
forcibly urged, and with no special reference to the City of Ravenna.

An exhortation at the end not to be too hasty, nor to shed blood
needlessly, even when dealing with thieves.

9. FORMULA OF THE COUNT OF PORTUS.

[Sidenote: Comitiva Portus Urbis Romae.]

'It is a service of pleasure rather than of toil to hold the dignity
of Comes in the harbour of the City of Rome, to look forth upon the
wide sail-traversed main, to see the commerce of all the Provinces
tending towards Rome, and to welcome travellers arriving with the joy
of ended peril. Excellent thought of the men of old to provide two
channels by which strangers might enter the Tiber, and to adorn them
with those two stately cities [Portus and Ostia], which shine like
lights upon the watery way!

'Do you therefore, by your fair administration, make it easy for
strangers to enter. Do not grasp at more than the lawful dues; for the
greedy hand closes a harbour, and extortion is as much dreaded by
mariners as adverse winds. Receive then for this Indiction the
_Comitiva Portus_; enjoy the pleasures of the office, and lay it down
with increased reputation.'

10. FORMULA OF THE TRIBUNUS VOLUPTATUM.

[Sidenote: Tribunus Voluptatum.]

[Minister of public amusements, the Roman equivalent to our 'Lord
Chamberlain' in that part of his office which relates to the control
of theatres.]

'Though the wandering life of the stage-player seems as if it might
run to any excess of licence, Antiquity has wisely provided that even
it should be under some sort of discipline. Thus respectability
governs those who are not respectable, and people who are themselves
ignorant of the path of virtue are nevertheless obliged to live under
some sort of rule. Your place, in fact, is like that of a guardian; as
he looks after the tender years of his ward, so you bridle the
passionate pleasures of your theatrical subjects.

'Therefore, for this Indiction, we appoint you Tribune of [the
people's] Pleasures. See that order is observed at the public
spectacles: they are not really popular without this. Keep your own
high character for purity in dealing with these men and women of
damaged reputation, that men may say, "Even in promoting the pleasures
of the people he showed his virtuous disposition."

'It is our hope that through this frivolous employment you may pass to
more serious dignities.'

11. FORMULA OF THE DEFENSOR OF ANY CITY.

[Sidenote: Defen