Gregory to Honoratus the deacon. Since we have undertaken the place of governance, though unworthy, it behooves us to run to the aid of the necessities of our brethren, as far as means afford. Januarius, therefore, our brother and fellow-bishop of the metropolis of Cagliari, coming hither to the city of Rome, has informed us that Theodore, the glorious master of soldiers, who is known to have undertaken the dukedom of the island of Sardinia, does many things there against the commands of our most pious lords, whereby they have removed by fitting clemency or gentleness very many grievances of the possessors, or of the citizens of their empire. On which account we wish that at a fitting time you should suggest to our most pious lords, according to that which the provincials of the aforesaid island justly and fittingly demand;
since also formerly, to Edantius the glorious master of soldiers, then in the seventh indiction duke of Sardinia, sacred imperial letters came, by which they ordered all the grievous chapters to be removed, so that their commands, proceeding from the bounty of piety, might be preserved unshaken by the dukes whom it shall from time to time happen to be in charge, and their reward should not be dissipated by the administrators; that they may pass their life in quiet under the clement rule of their lords, and may receive, at the coming of the eternal Judge, in multiplied recompense, the counsel which the subjects render to their own with tranquil mind.