To Maurilius and Vitalianus, on Ariulph’s Approach

Gregory to Maurilius and Vitalianus, masters of the soldiers. When we received your glory’s letter, we gave thanks to God that we were assured of your safety, and we greatly rejoiced at your careful provision; and what you wrote about was prepared at once. But after your men arrived, the magnificent Aldio wrote to us that Ariulph was already close at hand, and we were afraid that the soldiers sent to you might fall into his hands. Yet here too, so far as God gives help, our son the glorious master of the soldiers has prepared himself against him. But if the enemy himself should advance this way, let your glory also, as you have been accustomed to do, accomplish what you can at his rear. For we hope in the power of Almighty God, and in that of the blessed Peter himself, the prince of the apostles, on whose feast day Ariulph is eager to shed blood, that he will find Peter too standing against him without delay. [a]