To Maurilius and Vitalianus, on the People of Suana

Gregory to Maurilius and Vitalianus, masters of the soldiers. We have urged your glory, both by word of mouth and by letter, through our son Vitalianus, charging you to confer with him. But on the 11th of January Ariulph sent us this letter, which we are forwarding to you. So when you have read it, see whether the people of Suana have stood firm in the loyalty they promised to the state. Take sufficient hostages from them, such as you can rely on, and bind them again by oaths, giving back to them what you took from them as a pledge, and bringing them to a right mind by what you say to them. But if you find out quite clearly that they have negotiated with Ariulph about surrendering to him, or at least have given him hostages, as Ariulph’s letter which we have forwarded to you leads us to suspect, then, after sound deliberation, so that neither your souls nor mine are burdened in the matter of our oaths, do whatever you judge to be to the advantage of the state. But let your glory act in such a way that nothing is done for which our adversaries could blame us, and also (may the Lord avert it) that nothing is neglected that the advantage of the state requires. [a]

Furthermore, my glorious sons, take anxious care, since the enemy, as far as I have found out, has gathered an army and is said to be stationed at Narina. And if, God being angry with him, he should decide to turn his course this way, raid his positions so far as the Lord helps you, or at least let those you send keep careful watch by night, so that no news of any sad event may reach us.