To Velox, Master of the Soldiers

Gregory to Velox, and so on.

Some time ago we told your glory that soldiers had been made ready to come to your part of the country. But since your letter had told us that the enemy had gathered and were marching in this direction, we kept them here for that reason. Now, however, it seems best that a certain number of soldiers should be sent to you. Let your glory take care to admonish them and urge them to be ready for hard work. And when you find an opportunity, confer with our glorious sons Maurilius and Vitalianus, and do whatever, with the help of God, they direct you to do for the good of the state. And if you learn that the unspeakable Ariulph is making a raid in this direction, or toward the country around Ravenna, then do your work at his rear, as brave men should, so that by God’s help your fame in the state may grow still more from the quality of your work. But this, before everything else, we urge you to do: release without any delay or excuse the household of Maloin and Adobin, Vigild and Grussing, who are known to be with the glorious master of the soldiers Maurilius. Then, when the men of this Maurilius come to your part of the country, they will be able to march along with them without any hindrance. [b]

In two manuscripts the letter is dated the 27th of September, in the tenth indiction. [f]