'Now that we have our fleet, there is no need for the Greek to fasten a quarrel upon us, or for the African [the Vandal] to insult us[392]. With envy they see that we have now stolen from them the secret of their strength. [Footnote 392: 'Non habet quod nobis Graecus imputet aut Afer insultet.'] 'Let all the fleet be assembled at Ravenna on the next Ides of June. Let our own Padus send his home-born navy to the sea, his river-nurtured firs to battle with the winds of Ocean. 'But there is one suggestion of yours of great importance, and which must be diligently acted upon, namely the removal of the nets whereby the fishermen at present impede the channels of the following rivers: Mincius, Ollius (Oglio), Anser (Serchio), Arno, Tiber. Let the river lie open for the transit of ships; let it suffice for the appetite of man to seek for delicacies in the ordinary way, not by rustic artifice to hinder the freedom of the stream.' 18. KING THEODORIC TO UVILIAS [WILLIAS?], VIR ILLUSTRIS AND COUNT OF THE PATRIMONY. 19. KING THEODORIC TO GUDINAND, A SAJO. 20. KING THEODORIC TO AVILF, A SAJO. [Sidenote: On the same subject.] These three letters all relate to the same subject as the two preceding ones--the formation of a navy, and the _rendezvous_ of ships and sailors at Ravenna on the Ides of June. The Count of the Patrimony is courteously requested to see if there is any timber suitable for the purposes of the navy, growing in the royal estates along the banks of the Po. The Sajones are ordered in more brusque and peremptory fashion: Gudinand to collect the sailors at Ravenna on the appointed day; and Avilf to collect timber along the banks of the Po, with as little injury to the Possessors as possible (not, however, apparently paying them anything for it), to keep his hands clean from extortion and fraud, and to pull up the stake-nets in the channels of the five rivers mentioned in Letter 17; 'for we all know that men ought to fish with nets, not with hedges, and the opposite practice shows detestable greediness.' 21. KING THEODORIC TO CAPUANUS, SENATOR. 22. KING THEODORIC TO THE SENATE OF THE CITY OF ROME. [Sidenote: Capuanus appointed Rector Decuriarum.]