Constitutio
Inasmuch as I have not chosen a philosophy that stands aloof from
public life, and inasmuch as the religion that most cherishes humanity urges us to acquire
a character devoted to the common weal,. I have given ear to your summons, and I am glad
to know the reason which have brought the two cities so speedily into agreement. For I
think it will be profitable to them, both now and in the future, that they are at once
grateful and show their gratitude towards those who initiated kind actions. I welcomed
therefore the united expressions of the people and at the same time I extolled all
individual speakers with praise. But I too must needs be of the company of eulogists, and
this also become me more than all others. I even consider that I myself owe thanks to
those who have conferred any benefit, on behalf of every one, whether an individual or
city. For how can the man whose duty it is to pray for the common good, fail in gratitude
to him who has added to it by his military service and the rest of his administration? How
can I fail to treat with all honour the man who has throughout laboured with the sweat of
his brow, that I may obtain the object of my prayers, that the accursed barbarians should
perish evilly, in evil wise? It was I indeed that prayed to God, but it was the hands of
Anysius that carried out God's will. Of the cavalry who attacked us the other day, over a
thousand in number, not the fifth part survives, say those who have suffered. They
themselves yet live and have counted the fallen. These results, too, have been attained
with no great amry to lead the way; but the men who fought along with them numbered forty.
I will say nothing derogatory to the cavalry and infantry we are supporting, but he,
Anysius, thinks that we ought to use the Unnigardae for everything. The rest of his
forces, numerous as they were, he did not even lead out to be spectators of the prowess of
others. These men can carry out the military plans of this chief only. He is their comrade
in arms and captian; he is their fellow-soldier and general. With them as an armed guard
he runs a course through the country. He appears quickly everywhere, and he conquers
wherever he appears. If there were more of these troops in addition to the two hundred
that we have, I boldly declare that with the help of God this young leader would transfer
the war to the enemy's country. We shall have to ask for two hundred Unnigardae, with
Anysius as general, if we are to bring back our kindsmen from the land of the barbarians.
Would that I might live to see as division of spoils taken from their
bodies, and the estwhile master of barbarian captives doing his turn as a slave! It was
easy enough to pray for this a day or two ago, but now we may even hope for it.
Trustworthy facts before our eyes have become pledges of our expectations. To achieve
this, therefore, Anysius must take the field at the head of two hundred Unnigardae. This
many has both the nature and the training which fit him to handle the Unnigardae. He had
them faculty of equipping them completely and of keeping them in hand. The Unnigardae with
Anysius are the hands of Rome. The forty we have with us I could praise for their strength
quite apart from him, but I would not answer for their judgement. Let an ambassadorial
report be sent concerning him, requesting troops and an exntension of time for this noble
fellow. And what a man, too, in other respects! Was it not he who brought to an end the
war we had in time of peace, one almost more severe than the barbarian war, proceeding as
it did from the indiscipline of the soldiers and the cupidity of the officers? To him
alone as of the many generals is it due that a civilian who has been wronged can now raise
his voice louder than a soldier's. Whoi can be described as incorruptible? Is it not he
who makes a small case even of lawful gains of his own? Who could be more religious than
he who makes a beginning with God in every word and deed? In return for all these gifts we
may all of us here present pray that a long and comfortable old age may be continued to
him, and that his virtue may increase as the years go by.