Gregory to Romanus, defender. What need the various offices of the palace of the city of Rome are sustaining as regards their provisions, we believe is not hidden from your Experience.
And therefore, since the bearers of these presents have all chosen to send thither on their own behalf, so that they may plead with our glorious son Leontius, in what manner those provisions may be assigned to be disbursed to them, just as they were bestowed by the most serene princes, and in this matter they have also asked that your Experience ought to concur with them: for this reason, since their poverty and need require that this be imparted to them even without their asking, when you shall have perceived it fitting and opportune, let it be of your zeal thus to afford them solace in whatever things you shall have been able, so that this which the most clement princes granted to them out of their inborn piety, both they may be able to obtain, and you may not seem to exist as one lacking in eloquence.