. Saint Gregory the Great. licy of the Exarchand his master towards the Lombards. Aboveall, probably what rankled in his mind was theepithet applied to him by Maurice, when, withoutthe consent of the Emperor, he had made a com-promising peace with the Lombards and had beenstyled a simpleton for his pains. Anyhow it is plainthat he came to bitterly dislike Maurice. This isquite true, and perhaps not entirely unjustified; butthat he should have addressed his murderer, and themurderer of so many reputable persons, in the termsof flattery contained in his congratulatory letters isintolerable and s
. Saint Gregory the Great. licy of the Exarchand his master towards the Lombards. Aboveall, probably what rankled in his mind was theepithet applied to him by Maurice, when, withoutthe consent of the Emperor, he had made a com-promising peace with the Lombards and had beenstyled a simpleton for his pains. Anyhow it is plainthat he came to bitterly dislike Maurice. This isquite true, and perhaps not entirely unjustified; butthat he should have addressed his murderer, and themurderer of so many reputable persons, in the termsof flattery contained in his congratulatory letters isintolerable and shocking, for he could hardly pleadignorance of what was taking place at Constanti-nople, and of the manner of man he was who wasnow at the helm. His ties with the capital wereclose, and his correspondents there were first letter to Phocas commences with the phrase, Glory to God in the Highest, who, according as itis written, changes times and transfers kingdoms,. . sometimes when the merciful God has decreed. THE COLUMN OF PHOCAS IN THE RO^rAN FOT?UM. To face p. 124. ENHANCEMENT OF THE PAPAL POWER 125 to refresh the mourning hearts of many with hisconsolation; he advances one to the summit ofgovernment, and through the bowels of his mercyinfuses the grace of exultation into the minds ofall. . We . . rejoice that the Benignity ofyour Piety has arrived at Imperial the heavens rejoice, and let the earth beglad (Ps. xcv. 11); and let the wholp people of therepublic, hitherto afflicted exceedingly, grow cheer-ful for your benignant deeds. Let the proud mindsof enemies be subdued under the yoke of yourdomination, etc. etc. In a second letter to Phocashe begins with the phrase : It pleases us to con-sider with rejoicing and great thanksgiving, whatpraises we owe to Almighty God, and how the yokeof sadness has been removed, and we are come totimes of liberty under the Imperial piety of yourBenignity ; and it ends with the words, May theHoly Trinity guard your
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