As the benevolence of God has been evinced for the care of Our subjects, military discipline has begun to be established, and this result has been so thoroughly accomplished by Divine Providence that the impetuosity of the barbarians has been restrained, and the affairs of the government improved. But as certain persons have not paid sufficient regard to their own safety, and have presumed to remove and employ for their own private benefit soldiers and allies, who should be fighting against the enemy for the defence of the Empire, We, by the present law, forbid all Our subjects in the future to remove soldiers, no matter to what corps of the army they may belong, or allies (in whose behalf We have greatly exerted Ourself), with the intention of employing them in their private houses or on their lands, for they have been trained in the use of arms in order that they might promote the common welfare of all.

  Hence all persons who have soldiers or allies either in their houses, or on their estates, and employ them in any way whatsoever in private occupations, are warned that if, within thirty days from the date of the promulgation of this law in their province, they do not dismiss them, their own property will be confiscated for the Treasury, they themselves will be deprived of their offices and honors, and any soldiers or allies who remain with them after the expiration of this term shall not only be stripped of their military rank, but also be put to death. The magistrates of each province also are notified that if they do not immediately arrest soldiers or allies who have been found living in places subject to the jurisdiction of collectors, or their friends, or any other persons, or owners of property, or those who are employed on the lands or in the private service of anyone whomsoever, and seize and subject them to punishment and send the soldiers to the corps to which they belong, and the allies to their own posts, they will be liable to a penalty of ten pounds of gold, and will, in addition, be sentenced to exile, as having presumed to disobey orders. Therefore no one can, for the purpose of evading this law, avail himself of any Imperial Pragmatic Sanction, or order of any of Our judges, or any other pretext of this kind, but the soldiers must return to their commands with all haste, and the allies repair to their posts, and both of them exert themselves for the public welfare, as We absolutely forbid Our soldiers or allies, in the future, to be occupied for the benefit of private persons.

  As soon as Your Eminence becomes acquainted with the provisions which We have been pleased to include in the present law, you will hasten to have them published in this Most Fortunate City by means of edicts, and in the provinces by proclamations issued for that purpose.