of so fair accomplishments that it was glory to wear her Chains and above all for my self added he who know her better then any 〈◊〉 doth for how fair and witty soever you apprehend Nadalia she is yet something beyond what you see You have without doubt observed continued he that she hath uaturally an aire of fierceness but I have perceived that that fierceness do's no more then quicken her sweetness which without this mixture would have something of less brightness I may also proceed that in private conversation this fair Person hath shewed her self more charming then she appeared in those wherein you heard her and without giving me occasion of precisely knowing whether she be kind or severe she hath at least made me know that she is the most charming person in the world At this transport of Anno Hannibal and Lucius could not contain themselves from sighing and yet were unwilling to answer partly because they had a tender respect for Nadalia and partly because they likewise were well affected to Hanno so that they contented themselves with thinking it the violence of this Carthaginians's passion that induced him to term Nadalia the most charming person in the world and hindered him from excepting the divine Thomira and the fair Princess of the Ilergetes The conversation was continued for some time till at length the discourse fell concerning Alcon and the affairs of Saguntum no person presuming to make mention of the princess of Castulon after which Lucius ended his visit deeming it to have been of a reasonable length My Master took this time to go to the house of Nadalia's Father whereunto he was accompanied by Anno for Maharbal and Alorca left them upâ—â— the departure of Lucius because they understood at their first coming to him that he intended to visit Alcon that morning The Father of Nadalia received my Master with all the respect and joy he could express and although he was a man of experience and great entendment yet he could not so well manage his civil resentment of it but that he aggravated it in such terms as were too courtly and not altogether agreeable to the gust of Hannibal Nevertheless the Prince turned the matter by with adress and having answered very obligingly to Alcon he afterwards discoursed with him about the repâ—ration of Saguntum and other affairs conformable to his genius The Saguntine Senator answered alwaies prudently And for the reparation of Saguntum My Lord said he you shall see that I will act both like a man whose duty it is readily to obey you and as a Citizen very zealous for the good of his Country so that in a short spare of time you shall see a fair City where at present there is nothing but the face of ruines and desolations Yet amongst these ruines answered Hannibal are seen the fairest things in the world and if I wanted a witness to confirm what I say I believe Anno would not refuse to be one I shall ever be of that opinion My Lord answered Anno being well pleased that Hannibal had begun this discourse and if it be onely requisite but to speak by experience to induce beliefe of what we say there reremains no cause for Alcon to doubt of my words The Father of Nadalia who had been a brave person in his youth smiled at these words of Anno and answered that he was not at all surprised with these expressions for in our time added he we were wont to speak advantageously of Ladies in all places that we came into and we spoke so freely of them that we soon spent our whole stock of expressions on them But there is this difference replyed Anno that in your time you spoke indifferently to the advantage of all Ladies whereas we have yet onely commended those of Saguntum although we have made former expeditions I have nothing to answer thereunto replyed the Saguntine and though I am of a City whose Ladies you commend yet I dare not oppose the praises which I esteem extreamly just since in my conjecture they tend towards the Princess Without doubt the Princess deserves more then we can give her answered Hannibal but yet said Hanno she is not the onely one to whom they are due and I should ascribe some to Nadalia even in the presence of her Father did I believe I could do her perfect justice Do not imagine continued he immediately adressing towards Alcon who was about to interrupt him that I spake flatteringly I am not com but to beseech you most humbly to suffer me to pretend to the honour of entering into your Alliance and to demand this favor of you in the presence of the Illustrious Prince of Carthage Nevertheless I shal not represent to you the greatness of my birth as means to obtain this honour since few persons are ignorant what rank the house holds whereof I am descended But I shall content my selfe with onely declaring my passion and if I make this discovery before I have rendered considerable services to Nadalia 't is for that I believe that all the services which I shall ever be able to render her can never be worthy to gain me her heart Wherefore I am expectant of that from the goodness of Alcon which I durst never hope from the inclination of Nadalia provided nevertheless that this fair person have no repugnance in following your sentiments if they be favourable unto me for to believe that in this case hers should be conformable to yours is that which I shall never have the vanity to hope Although the proposal of Hanno was extreamly advantageous to the Saguntine yet Alcon judged that it was not requisite to answer expresly and taking upon him as it were the port of a Senator which seemed to be conformable to that a Father is to have when his Daughter is demanded in marriage he answered Hanno that he was perfectly obliged to him for the honour which he offered him and whereunto he never durst have aspired for Nadalia he told him also that he well understood that his house was very Illustrious that it had never given place to any other but that of Barsa and that the greatest Kings of Africa were oftentimes entered into his Alliance But according to the custome added he of persons of this age who believe that too much consideration cannot be had in engagements of this nature you may please to take a few dayes to try whether you can continue in the good inclination you have for Nadalia and for my particular I shall employ my selfe in deliberating upon the matter and taking order for my affairs In the mean time I shall command Nadalia to have the same civility and respect for you she ought to have for a person that designs to espouse her and on whom in appearance she must in a short time depend Ah happy Hanno cryed my Master Yes my Lord I am so answered Hanno and I am so much more as I believed I should never attain
them to that extreamity We shall perhaps have other means to free Aemylius answered Scipio and since ransom or exchange cannot avail for his liberty continued he suffering himself to be transported by the greatness of his courage I will my self go break his fetters maugre the forces of our enemies and the rampants of Carthage After these words he remitted Valerius to the care of â—lavius and without staying to inquire in what manner he had escaped he turned towards the Officers that were assembled in his Chamber and told them with a fierce and ardent aspect that the siege of Carthage was resolved upon and that he would either perish or win that City the same day he attaqued it At these words all the company silently lookt upon him the valour of Scipio and the greatness of the enterprise holding their minds in suspence what they should answer whereupon our famous General again confirming what he had said all the Officers consented with him not being able to believe him capable of attempting what he could not execute In the mean time Martius who had not bin at Scipio's quarters because he was at that time imploy'd in preparing all conveniences for a journey to Rome for Madam he was not in a condition fit for service and had received in the last skirmish a wound with a javelin in the right arm Martius I say was astonished when the procedure of Scipio was related to him and for that he well knew the temper of that young Heroe and admired his rare qualities he was so apprehensive lest he should impatiently precipitate himself into some great danger that being of more years then Scipio and the services he had performed warranting him the liberty to speak his sentiments in the like occasions he writ to him that he ought not to suffer himself to be transported any more by that noble ardor which had already gained him glory enough to merit immortally intreated him to remember that he was General of an Army that it was no longer free for him to act as a Volunteer and that in a word be ought not to be prodigal of a blood illustrious and absolutely necessary to the Common-wealth Scipio who had his heroical qualities conjoyned those of civility and candor by which he was led to interpret things according to the intention of their Author received this Letter of Martius with many demonstrations of friendship and answered to it in these terms Scipio to Martius DId you understand all the power of Love I could easily justifie my procedure to you by naming to you the person whom I must see at Carthage and by that means discoâ—ering to you the secret of my heart After which I presum you would not condemn me but rather pardon the ardor which you now reproach me with though in a very obliging strain and after the manner which I judg'd as ingenious as it is obliging All the company being with-drawn when Scipio received the Letter of Martius and testified his intention to answer it I was left alone in his Chamber with the Officer who waited for the answer which was to be returned to his Master so that Scipio after he had written it read it aloud to me and told me he did not judge it meet to name the person whom he said he was to see in Carthage for fear lest the matter should come too soon to the knowledge of Claudia and Aemylia But when we were alone he entertain'd me with the violence of his passion telling me of the grief Aemilia would resent if she came to understand the misfortune of her brother before the taking of Carthage and afterwards discoursing to me concerning the siege of that City Wonder not Laelius said he to me that I resolve to win Carthage in one day though it be very strong and seem even absolutely impregnabâ—e you know continued he that it is encompassed on one side with a little bay of the Sea that on the other there is a Lake that washes the foot of the walls that the Lake and the Bay meet together so that there is onely a tongue of Land that hinders it from being wholly encompassed Now you may easily enter with your ships into the Port and block up the City towards the Sea and I will cause Syllanus to possess himself of the Tongue of Land and I conceive added he I shall win the City on that side towards the Lake But it is not foardable interrupted I It seems not to be so answered he and all the world believes it is not which will be to my advantage for the walls that stand towards those â—aters being neither high nor well guarded it will not be difficult for me to employ a Scalado there with good success Trebellius has positively assured me of what I now tell you you know he is not often mistaken in such affairs but after having a long time bin the disciple of the famous Archimedes he has had the curiosity to see all the strongest places in Europe vvhose scituation he has exactly observed Besides his skill not hindering him from being couragious he has desired me to permit him to follow me in this occasion which leaves us no reason to doubt of the truth of his words Yet I have heard the contrary reported replyed I to what you are assured of The persons then that inform'd you answered he made not the same observations with Trebellius since they have not told you that the Bay and Lake joyning together the latter is greatly augmented by the flux of the Sea but afterwards decereasing by the ebbe there is not left water enough in it to hinder it from being fordeable Scipio having added many other things tending to convince me after all added he ought not something extraordinary to be done for the deliverance of Emilia's brother and the taking of a City which is not onely the chief of all Spain but into which many persons of greatest quality of severall Nations are retired with all their wealth and whatever they account precious Which being atchiev'd it will not be difficult for us afterwards to reward our Souldiers and gain the affection of the several Nations by gentle treatments of their Soveraigns or Magistrates which we shall without doubt find in Carthage This Madam was the conversation I had with Scipio concerning the memorable enterprise after which we parted and the next morning I took my way to my Ships as Martius did his to Rome But not to be tedious to you I shall proceed to tell you that Scipio having ordered all things necessary with extream diligence he assaulted that important place three dayes after he had taken the resolution to do it And he observed the same order I mentioned to you For as I had the good fortune in spight of all resistance made me to enter into the Port of Carthage and Syllanus was come in the head of his Troop to assault the walls of it by Land Scipio some time after the reflux
lost no time and determined to carry Sephira by surprise in order to which they immediately caus'd Blinds to be provided under which they advanced Rams to batter the City and they manag'd their enterprize with so good success that the Garison being terrified by their attempt which they conceiv'd miraculous betook themselves to flight at the first appearance of a breach and ran to give the Allarm to the Camp before Carthage whereupon Amilcar and Narva entred Sephira without opposition and after they had disposed a Garison in it of about four thousand men they advanced towards the Rebels Camp The young Narva put himselfe in the Head of a thousand Numidian Horse whom he chose out to go and face the Enemy to endeavour to draw him out of his entrenchments to some skirmishings But as he advanced directly towards the Camp he met Spendius followed by three or four thousand men whom a different design had lead towards Sephira Narva was extreamly glad of this occasion and turning himselfe to speak to the Numidians which he conducted My friends said the Prince with an aire that breath'd nothing but encounter you see we shall meet with what we go to seek after let us charge the Rebels and make me know that 't is not without cause that I have chosen you forth as the bravest courages of my Troops After these few words Narva cast his eye toward the side of Carthage and as if that sight had more powerfully animated him he incontinently defied Spendius with a great cry and ran up to him with his Sword in his hand but with so much fierceness that the enemies were daunted with it Spendius notwithstanding indeavoured to reassure both by words and actions and received Narva with a boldnesse greater then his crime could have permitted So there became a bloody combate and sufficiently obstinate and resolved Spendius was wounded on the thigh and the sight of his blood augmenting his rage he laid upon the generous Narva with such fury as would have been insupportable to an ordinary valour this of Narva's was of another nature then to see it selfe surmounted and the Prince so well redoubled his efforts at the same rate the Rebel renewed his which drew blood from the Traytor Spendius by two wounds in his right arm and evidenced the remarkable difference there is between actions of generosity and those which are animated onely by dispair At length Spendius whom rage began to blind and betray took no further â—eed to his guard or the defect of his Arms but incessantly assailing and spending his fury gave place to the Prince Narva to preserve his judgement at the measure he lost his own The generous Numidian was slightly hurt but he enforc'd Spendius to disengage himselfe from the Combate and with such valour continued on fighting and was so vigorously seconded by his own Troops that the Enemies gave back as soon as they had brought off their perfidious General Narva pursued them for some time and made three hundred of them prisoners besides that the appearance of the dead seemed to shew that he had slain five or six hundred Rebels and had only lost about four and twenty of his own Cavalry Soon after he caused those of his own or the Enemies which were capable of succour to be raised up and taken care for the prisoners he gave order to be guarded by some of his Troops and went to joyn with Amilcar who received him with great acknowledgements and affection The Numidian Prince rendred him account of that which had passed and modestly mentioning his own actions contented himself with telling him that Fortune had not favoured Rebellion and that the little he came from performing might in some manner serve for a succesful presage Amilcar notwithstanding soon understood how the affair was mannaged from the mouthes of the Numidians and even from those of the Prisoners upon which having embraced Narva and styled him the generous Deliverer of the Carthaginians Ah My Lord answered the Numidian Prince I am but little qualified for the bearing of that glorious Title and you have too much goodness to receive a relation favourably which the Numidians have not been able to make without the transport of that zeal which they have for their Prince and to give belief to the discourse of a few Prisoners who to excuse their defeat choose rather to represent me as valiant then to pass themselves for cowards Nevertheless these considerations do not so far remove me from the quality of a Deliverer as that which my self have of being a slave Yes my Lord continued he I am a slave but 't is to the fair Princess Asdrulia So that My Lord you perceive Narva is unworthy of your Caresses you see that he does more against you then he is able to do for you since the whole Republick partakes in the little services I render you and that you alone are concerned in the offence and presumption I have been guilty of in casting my eyes upon the divine Princess Asdrulia This crime hath notwithstanding seemed not to me unhandsome and I should not have confessed it in any other occasion having onely declared it in this because your affairs are in no condition to give me hopes of a long life So that I have thought fit to beg my pardon upon a belief that I had not altogether bad grounds to desire it and was loath to carry a crime longer about me which I am upon the point of washing away with my blood Narva in the close of these words was casting himself at the feet of Amilcar but the Prince prevented him and having embraced him with greater tenderness then before Generous Prince answered he I am perfectly obliged to you both for the important services which you render to Carthage and the esteem wherewith you honour Asdrulia This latter Obligation which is particular to my selfe produces more powerful resentments in me and as I have no partaker in it I am sorry it is not in my power alone to satisfie you and that Asdrulia does not so absolutely depend upon me as to dispose of her in your favour If the first words of Amilcar were pleasing to the Numidian Prince the last seemed to him so surprising and fatal that he changed colour and exclaimed with a tone that testified his sadness and dispair Ah! My Lord you ought for my satisfaction to have better disguised this refusal and preserved the life of Narva yet a little longer since you have judged it not unprofitable to your affairs I do not conceive answered Amilcar that you have reason to be affected as you seem nor that my expressions ought to have caused that alteration which I remarked in your countenance It is true My Lord replyed Narva that I ought not to be surprised when you refuse me a Treasure which I ought not to have obtained but it is also true that the manner wherewith you have refused me is not very ordinary and I believe if
strokes sufficiently spoke you the famous Hannibal and if your arms and habâ—liments caused you to be taken for a Carthaginian yet I might have better known by your actions that you were the illustrious Prince of Carthage But my Lord added he to take away a part of the regret which you may possibly have for drawing your sword against me and to testifie to you that I was not altogether unworthy to be treated favourably I will declaâ—â— to you that I am King of a Realm sufficiently large and as soon as I shall have taken a little repose I shall let you see by the story of my life that the quality of King possibly is not the thing which will most affect you Upon this Declaration Hannibal redoubled his civilities and craved pardon of the stranger for that he had not treated him as he should have done had he understood his true condition My Lord continued the Prince of Carthage your self only ought to have regreat for measuring the sword against a man that appear'd no more then a simple Carthaginian and if Fortune hath given me some advantage she hath only plaid a new prank of her old game and by a Caprichio ordinary with her inclined to be your enemy because she delights to overturn the powerfull and to favour me beleeving she should raise a man whom she took for an ordinary Native of Carthage Your Victories replyed the stranger have no dependance on her and your valour does alwaies so assuredly produce its effects that it is easie to judge it holds nothing from the Empire of that inconstant Goddess These two Princes continued on their conversation in very obliging terms and ended not till they arrived at the Carthaginian Camp There Hannibal took all possible care for the King whom he had wounded he lodg'd him in one of his own Tents and caused him to be presently dress'd by his best Chirurgions by whom he was informed to his great joy of the curableness of the Kings wounds insomuch that he would go in person to give him assurance of the contentment he received thereby Being there he heard a noise in his Tent which obliged him to turn his eye about to discover the cause whereupon he saw Adherbal entring who was a Carthaginian of quality and in no mean esteem with him The Prince had not time to demand the cause which had so much moved him for Adherbal immediatly as he entred testified his surprise and joy and following the force of his impetuous humour My Lord cryed he To horse Laelius is ours with a thousand Talents Hannibal could not contain from smiling at this strange introduction and by and by looking seriously upon Adherbal Recollect your self said the Prince and speak more clearly if you would be understood Although Adherbal was in favour enough with his Prince yet he was sensible he had committed a miscarriage in not delivering himself but by a transport and after having made a low reverence as to crave pardon for his fault he offered a more particular discovery Hannibal commanded him to speak aloud not seeing any person in his Tent whom he might suspect Whereupon Adherbal presented a Numidian who came from the parts of Vermina to advertise that Laelius was to passe within a hundred furlongs of Capsa with onely four thousand men that with those few Forces he convey'd a magnificent Present worth above two thousand Talents which the Republick of Rome sent to Masinissa and that this Numidian very well knew where there was a convenient place to surprise the passage of the Romans Hereupon the Carthaginian Prince discoursed with the Numidian and having received his advice caused his Attendant Aspar to be called and whispering something in his ear he commanded him to go forth and use extreme diligence This order being given he turned himself towards this illustrious stranger and protested that he could not resolve to leave him were it not convenient to permit him to his quiet and necessary for himself from time to time to take care for the affairs of his charge After this complement he went forth of his Tent and betook himself to choose out the best Horse which Bomilcar had brought to whom he gave the command of them and of severall other Troops he added to form a body being not willing to go himself in this expedition either by reason of his hurt or out of some other consideration The Prince having given such orders as were necessary retired to his Tent by the counsell of the Chirurgions to take his rest He passed the Evening and almost the whole night with devising means to see his Princesse so that he could not sleep till about the break of day and waked not till very late Which he no sooner did but he remembred the promise of the wounded â—ing and deeming that he might take this occasion to learn his name and adventures he sent to know in what condition he was The messenger which went to that purpose returned presently with News that the King had passed the night with very great unquietnesse that he had not fallen asleep but two or three hours since and that the Chirurgions thought it not fit he should be visited so soon This answer obliged the Carthaginian Prince to entertain himself a part of the day with Maharbal and some eminent Officers who were present at his rising and as he was telling them of the news he had received of Antiochus King of Syria he saw Bomilcar enter accompanied by Adherbal and the Numidian Courtier Hannibal perceived a deep sadnesse in the countenance of Bomilcar and being desirous to know the occasion What said he obligingly can Bomilcar be sad when he comes from fighting I come not from fighting My Lord answered Bomilcar Laelius is retired to a fortress which the Romans have possessed for about a moneth and being not in a condition to go force it I am returned but less troubled for his retreat then at the news which the Courtier of Vermina hath given me But My Lord added Bomilcar I most humbly beseech you to dispense with me for relating it to you this day and to permit me to acquaint you as late as I can with a misfortune whose greatness surpasses your power to redresse it These last words of Bomilcar amused Hannibal extremely and as the Prince deliberated what resolution he should take whether to be better informed or to expect yet some time there came one to tell him that the King requested him to take the pains to come to his Tent. Hannibal was glad of this means to break off his irresolution and although he had inward sentiments of sorrow yet he promised himself a kinde of consolation from this visit beleeving that the conversation of a sick person would be melancholick and sutable to the humour that had seised him The wounded King was aware of the alteration of Hannibal and interesting himself in that which afflicted this great man he demanded of him with much civility the
you may please to permit me to make that rehearsall after we have heard that which we expect from your attendant And for the present no more to misdoubt the sadness of Thomira you may believe that since the heart of this fair Princess gives entry to troublesome passions it will not refuse it to those which enter with sweetness and pleasingness and even without any ones taking heed unto them I shall do all that pleases you answered Hannibal with an air wholly changed and a countenance which the Idea of Thomira afflicted had rendred extremely sad Yes I shall do whatever pleases you and cause all the particularities of my life to be related to you and will learn no more then what you please to let me know whenever you think it seasonable to inform me Aspar continued he turning to his Attendant relate to the Princes all you know of my life but remember that it is not fit your zeal should transport you in speaking of your Master and I forbid you all exaggerations whereinto you are sometimes carried The Prince of Carthage went forth at these words making a low reverence to the four Princes After which Aspar approached his illustrious Auditors and having observed their silence himself also continued a few moments without speaking to recollect his Idea's and put a kinde of order into his memory according to the diversity of times and the importance of the principall evincements he was to relate and then began his story in these words The History of Hanniball THe Prince whose life I am to represent unto you hath atchieved such excellent exploits and so little ordinary to the rest of men that my recitall would seem prodigious and filled with the exaggerations which are forbidden me did not you already know that I am to speak of the famous Hannibal The praises which I am obliged to express of this great person would appear with reason suspected in the mouth of a Domestick if all the world did not authorise them by the remarkable interest it hath taken in the victories of my Master The command therefore which I have received is very well pleasing to me My Lords since it gives me place to make the Elogium of Hannibal so I call the story of his life But how agreeable soever the matter be which I undertake it nevertheless seems to me so great and difficult that I may with justice fear lest my expression be inferiour to it and do not cloud the lustre of those actions it would discover But it is necessary that I obey whatever the event be Yet before I enter upon my Subject I conceive it to the purpose to tell you something by the way concerning the illustrious house of Barsa from which my Master is descended as also necessary to declare unto you how justly that house possesses the Soveraign authority it hath in Carthage and let you see he hath not without powerfull inducements broken the alliance which we had made with the Republick of Rome For in truth I am obliged to convince the errour of those Nations who would make Hannibal pass for an Usurper of the power he hath in Carthage and I ought also to shew that this Prince hath made war upon the Romans more out of justice then ambition to the end my Discourse may at least set forth the equity of my Master if it cannot sufficiently represent both all his fair actions and illustrious qualities To speak therefore of the establishment of the house of Barsa in Africa it is convenient that by the way I speak of the foundation of Carthage since this puissant Republick is not more ancient then the illustrious Family of the Barsins You know My Lords that the fair Dido daughter of Belus King of the Tyrians was constrained to fly from Tyre to escape the cruelty of her Brother Pygmalcon who had treacherously murthered her Husband Sicheus so that happening to arrive at this part of Africa which was called Zeugitana she bought of Jarbas King of Getulia as much land as could be encompassed with the Hide of an Oxe whereupon causing the same to be cut into small thongs it was very easie to enclose a considerable circuit wherein she made a City to be built which she called Carthage and in the middle thereof raised that fair Cittadell which we rightly call Byrsa the word signifying a Hide The Government of this Cittadel was given to a great Lord who had refused to abandon the Princess Dido upon which occasion the Africans not knowing the sirname of that illustrious Tyrian called him the Lord of Barsa finding this pronuntiation more conformable to their language then that of the word Byrsa which being Greek was uncouth to them But afterwards this illustrious name became greatly extended since no small part of Africa bears it Behold therefore in a few words the originall of the name of Barsa but I humbly beg your permission to dilate a little more that which I have to speak and to draw from the end of the first Punick war the true causes of this second and the lawfull authority of the Barsins Neverthelesse I shall not relate the particulars of that first war the people and Nations that were concerned in it the severall fields and battels and the time it lasted have rendred it sufficiently known to all the world It suffices to say that the Carthaginians the Romans Hiero King of Syracuse and divers other of their Confederates waged it in Africa and in Sicily and continued it four and twenty years You know also that it was composed after the defeat of Hanno who commanded our Navy by a Peace and an Alliance which Amilcar and Lutatius made between the Carthaginians and the Romans whose Generals they were comprising therein the King of Sicely and the Allies of either Re-publick The Senate of Rome in stead of giving their consent sent ten Delagates who adding hard conditions to the Treaty of Peace would oblige Carthage to pay a thousand Talents above what had been agreed between Amilcar and Lutatius and stood upon great advantages to themselves concerning Articles of Navigation and commerce Amilcar could not suffer this oppression and having still at Eryx his Army which they could not yet overcome put himself in a posture to impose the same condition on the Romans by a way more glorious But at the same time he received News that there was great troubles at Carthage that he was enjoyned to yield to the times and to close up a peace rather necessary then advantagious Whereupon Amilcar was constrained to finish the Treaty with Lutatius and to undergo after the conclusion of this peace a war in his breast more cruell and insupportable He saw that the honour of Carthage received a blot which seemed inextinguishable he knew the treasure of this Re-publique was exhausted and perceived himself constrained to live in peace with a people that caused these mischiefs which he was to suffer without daring to pretend to bring a remedy
be her Soveraign Mistress In a word that 's the place where we shall evidence that 't is not safe to provoke a Souldiery There is no doubt to be made of the success of this Enterprise I will undertake for the Event It is enough to tell you that you are fear'd to let you see at the same time that you are Victorious Take therefore this money of Giscon since it is due to you seise his person and all his train of Carthaginians lest they give our Tyrants notice of our designe and let us go carry them the Tidings thereof our selves effecting it with sixty thousand men The Discourse of the perfidious Spendius had but too much power upon the mindes of this rebellious multitude insomuch that Giscon was immediatly clapt under a Guard with seven hundred Carthaginians who had convoy'd him and the Law of Nations was violated in the person of a Delegate and such a Delegate who had not repaired towards them but to give them satisfaction Spendius being unwilling to lose this occasion which he had so much desired divided his Troops into three bodies making the first of Lybians and Baleares which was commanded by Matho the second consisted of Gaules and Spaniards of whom Autharic was Leader the third which Spendius chose to command himself was compos'd of Greeks and Ligurians This division was but too well contrived and it suffices only to know the Scituation of Carthage to conceive the pitifull estate whereunto we were reduced I beleeve you know My Lords that our City is built upon a Cape and consequently is advanced something into the Sea that it is on one side environed with the waters thereof and on the other side with a Lake which together almost give it the form of an Island So that it adheres to the Continent of Africa only by a tongue of Land on one side of which Tunis is seated which looks towards the Lake and on the other is seen the City of Utica upon the Sea-shore About the middle of this tongue of Land slow the streams of Machâ—ra whose discharging is not much remote from the Port of Carthage This River is not altogether fordeable nor wholly Navigable and the only passage is at the Bridge of the City Sephira which is further advanced into Africa Spendius marched towards Utica with his forces who were much augmented by the way and immediatly took order for drawing of a Trench whilest Autharic made preparations for the winning of Sephira and Matho betook himself to besiege Tunis Behold all our Revenues debar'd by the siege of these three Cities Behold also our Enemies possessing this tongue of Land I spoke of which only affords commerce with Africa and three armies ready to be united according as any enterprise should require But it is better to unwinde my self from this part of the story and silently pass over all the cruelties which the seditious exercised during the warre It suffices to tell you that this irreconcilable war was more bloudy then can be imagined the Rebels gave no Quarter they stoned all the prisoners and put to death all the Officers considerable they took with excessive torments upon the Cross In a word this cruell warre was remarkable for more inhumane actions then ordinary war are eminent for generous Atchievements The great conduct of Amilcar and Hannibal was no advantage in this conjuncture and these two Heroes being destitute of Forces proportionable to those of the Revolted were constrained to attend some succours from Sardinia when in the mean time News was brought that all the Garisons of the Carthaginians in that Island were cut in peeces and the Romans received into the most considerable holds With this News was joyned that of the loss of Tunis Utica and Sephira it was also said that Hippo which had been alwaies faithfull to us during the war of Agathocles and that of the Romans had opened its gates to the seditious and for a completing of our misfortunes two dayes after we beheld from the tops of our Towers an Army of about fourscore or a hundred thousand men coming to besiege us Then it was that despair possessed the hearts of the Carthaginians and this poor people resolved to abandon the City since they had the Sea free to save themselves But Amilcar whose heart was invincible detain'd them and told them that affairs were not come to so deplorable an extremity as to have recourse to remedies of that nature He shewed them that they might receive succours from Sea that they knew that Naura Prince of Numidia had fifteen or sixteen thousand men beyond Sephyra with which he designed every day to break through the Enemies and put them into Carthage and at last added he they should alwaies have the same opportunity of embarking since the enemies had no shipping The Senate and the people were immediatly instant with Amilcar to take upon him the care of this important affair and all with a common consent put the Sovereign authority into his hands chusing rather to give their City to an illustrious Citizen then to abandon it to the Barbarians The Prince Amilcar was in great thoughtfulness framing and quashing designs in his mind and felt inquietudes conformable to the miseries of his Country insomuch that I think in this distressed conjunction any other spirit would have been broken but his But at length this great man to whom nothing seem'd impossible took a resolution to deliver Carthage but such a resolution as was not lesse extraordinary then the soul that fram'd it or the miseries unto which our City was reduc'd The Prince caused a Muster to be made of all their Troops and found that the Souldiers and the Inhabitants could not furnish more then thirty thousand fighting men of which he drew off twenty thousand and embarked them leaving the other ten thousand to guard the City Amilcar had observed that there was a very strong wind up and thereupon judg'd that that wind entring upon the mouth of the River Machaera did there increase its violence being straitned and inclosed so that by reason thereof the current of the River being in some measure repell'd the tumultuous waves recoiling into the River and driving back the Channel made the River Navigable Wherefore the same night the wind arose he put his men upon the River and went to unship his Army beyond the Enemies Camp in a place secure from discovery from whence he speeded one to Narva to injoyn him to come to Sephira whence he was not far distant assuring him by his Messenger that himselfe would be at the foot of the walls of that City in the head of twenty thousand men about break of day Narva could not at first give credit to what the envoy related and if any other but Adherbal whom he knew full well had brought him these surprising tidings he would not perhaps have believed him but at length he credited the message and exactly obey'd the Orders of Amilcar These two Princes
But I should never come to an end if I should reckon up all the places where he fought Therefore to be brief I must assure you that he fought every where where his presence was necessary and that wheresoever he fought he animated his party both by his voice and by his example and beat down all his enemies that made head against him At length the Prince Hannibal put the Rebels to slight after he had slain fifteen thousand of them I say the Prince Hannibal My Lords since it is certain that he carried this Victory by his conduct and by his great courage The Rebels rallied again and fought several times after but the advantage continued alwaies intire with us During this war it may be said that my Master began to discover those fair accomplishments and habitudes which now fill the mouthes of the whole world He never thought upon himselfe till he had put every thing else in order he neither eat nor slept but when time and the exigence of affairs permitted him he oftentimes lay in the Corps du Guard but that which hath been observed for the most generous and singular in this Prince is that in this War and in all others as without doubt you all know My Lords he hath been alwaies the first to charge and the last to make the retreat But My Lords I come at length to give you an account of that bloody battel of Castel-alto where the Vectones were absolutely defeated but alas where we finish'd the Victory with the loss of the great Amilcar This Prince not being able to suffer that Hannibal should be exposed to so great dangers rush'd forward to partake with him who was figting on all sides and after he had performed all that a valiant man and of an age less declining could have done he was dispatch'd with three or four wounds which he received at the same instant and could utter onely these words Ah Hannibal I leave thee in danger My Master who had never cast eye upon his enemies but to beat them knowing the sound of this voice turned his head and seeing the great Amilâ—ar fall under the Horses feet whom he loved and honoured infinitely he cast himselfe upon the ground to embrace him and perceiving that he was dead he uttered all the resenting words that tenderness could inspire a Son with and afterwards betook himselfe to do all that rage could enforce to when in its greatest extent For having caused the body of Amilcar to be carried to the Camp and being become more terrible and cover'd all over with blood he remounted his Horse and soon carried terror and death to every place where he discharged his dreadful blowes It is impossible My Lords to represent unto you all that he did in this fury it is enough to let you know that never any enraged Lion in our Africa did so much as our provoked Prince did in this occasion At length our enemies were cut in pieces and the Prince Hannibal who had committed nothing that a man resolved to perish could attempt found himselfe but lightly wounded in three places of his body After this general defeat of the Vectones which cost us so dear my Master caused the body of Amilcar to be interred with all the military pomp that could be imagined But the tears of the Carthaginians were more glorious to the deceased Prince then any ceremony whatsoever and 't is credible this death did so sensible touch our Souldiers that it might have been conceived by our Army that the loss of Carthage was involv'd in that of Amilcar if that Prince had not repaired it in leaving us the great Hannibal For all the Commanders and Souldiers remarked in my Master all the accomplishments of Amilcar and had then saluted him General if at Carthage it had not been deemed convenient to make a kind of inter-raign by putting the soveraign authority into the hands of the Prince Asdrubal who was Brother-in-law to Hannibal by marrying the Princess Magarisbe for my Master was look't upon as too young to manage the affairs of our Empire You know without doubt My Lords that Asdrubal was slain three years after his advancement and that the Prince Hannibal was declared Prince of the Republick of Carthage and Generallissimo of all its Armies notwithstanding the canvasings of Hanno who was head of a contrary party My Master was no sooner raised to this great dignity but he framed a design not less noble and eminent then the condition he was in for not contenting himself to go into Sicily or Sardinia to recover them he deâ—â—rmined to carry the War into Italy gain a conquest worthy of his courage in marching against the proud Rome But being of a deep entendment he would not enterprise this War but upon reasonable grounds because his late Brother-in-law Asdrubal had also made an alliance with the Romanes of which the principal Article was that the River Iberus should part both the Empires and that the Saguntines should be Neuters Hannibal to the end he might be better served by his Souldiers and not incur the hatred of the people made it evident that he had cause to complain of the Saguntines who had joyned themselves to the interests of Rome contrary to what had been agreed and drew forth his Army to march against the Sagâ—ntines declaring it his purpose rather to revenge the outrage then to possess himselfe of the Territories of another he saw notwithstanding that Rome would declare her selfe for a people that had declared for her and that so the Romanes appearing invaders of the Carthaginians he might represent them odious to the Nations which should be infested with this War and might fight his Enemies with the aid and assistance of several people who would look upon him as a Pâ—ince injustly attaqued But in the first place before he set upon the Saguntines he marched against the Olcades who are scituated on this side the River Iberus I shall not recite you the particular adventures of this War but onely tell you that Hannibal in four moneths conquered this Province and took the rich City Carteia which was the Metropolis of it From Carteia he went to take up his winter quarters at New Carthage where he caressed all the Commanders and Souldiers of his Army commending the vivacity and greatness of their courage and thereupon making a division to them of all the spoiles he yet more satisfied them then by all his Elogiums As soon as the Sun by his approaches began to chase away the cold which is wont to incommodate Armies Hannibal took the field and caused his to march against the Vacceans This Prince was too valiant to meet with any great resistance so that he overcame the Vacceans be sieged and took the great Cities of Hermandica and Arbacala and after so good success attaqued also the Carpen aines But it was not without pains that my Master aâ—chiev'd this last enterprise for their Army which consisted of a hundred
and musing at such times as all the world diverts themselves and it is certain that he was the onely person that never spake to Nadalia against whom all the world had engaged to endeavour the overthrow of a person who had appeared redoubtable in the conversations which had been made at Sagunium The subject of them was likewise very agreeable for Alcon who was one in this journey had given his word that the Mariage of Nadalia should be solemnized at Castulon so that this fair person looking upon Anno as a man design'd to espouse her and also esteeming him a person commendable for many noble qualifications she sometimes gave testimonies of the favourable inclinations she had towards him Not that Anno had made very great progress in the heart of Nadalia the conquest of which was too difficult to cost so little time and so few servâ—ces but it may be conceived that the worth of this Carthaginian joyned with the commandment of a Father had not acted without some successe I shall not entertain you my Lords said Aspar with other particularities of this voyage nor hold you in a relation of the commodious reception of the whole company in all places my Master having taken an admirable order for all those concernments onely this you may please to understand that on the sixt day of our travail we arived at Castulon where the people received the Princess and her Illustrious Company with infinite rejoycings and acclamations five or six dayes were spent in Feastings and publick sports which the Princess was constrained to permit notwithstanding the absence of Edescon after which she took order for the affairs of Castulon and all that depended thereon But before disposing of the charges she had to bestow she made a complement to my Master and told him that she durst not intreat the great Prince of Carthage to take into his hands the disposal of them yet it is fit my Lord added she with great civility that I take the liberty to offer small things unto you for if I expected till I could present you with something worthy of you I should without doubt await unprofitably My Master returned the Princess thanks with much respect and if you will not Madam proceeded he offer me things which you judge not worthy of me give me I beseech you divine Princess such as I acknowledge my self unworthy of that is added he sighing some proof of your goodnesse and some small testimony of your inclinations Hannibal pronounced these words with an aiâ— so passionate that Thomira was a little touched with them And as she was about to answer him and perhaps favourably too the Prince of Celtiberia Alcon and Alorca interrupted her by entering her Chamber where was made afterwards no other then a General conversation In the mean time Anno who was upon the point of becoming happy repaired to Alcon whose apartment was in the Palace of Thomira to beseech the favour of him to delay his felicity no longer But assoon as he had communicated this design to Nadalia that fair person opposed it and conjured Hanno in terms so powerful that it was impossible for the passionate Carthaginian to resist such prayers You may well judge Hanno said she to him that 't is not out of aversion that I oppose your design If I have yet any repugnance to become engaged for my whole life it is not by reason of any consideration of yours and I do not apprehend your proposal terrible but onely because it must necessarily separate me from the Princess and because I have a certain humour which is not yet disposed to an engagement of this kind Therefore give me two or three dayes if you please to resolve my self absolutely upon it and I promise you that I will endeavour to serve the Prince of Carthage for in brief added she I shall labour for the advantage of the Princess when I shall endeavour to overcome a scruple in her breast which is opposite to the happiness of Hannibal and I shall have the satisfaction to contribute something to the contentment of a great Prince to whom I am importantly obliged and to tell you the truth proceeded she I should be glad that the Princess should become engaged first to avoid the regret of having began to separate myself from her Nadalia pronounced these words with so much grace and a kind of pleasing freedom that Hanno found himself closely encountred he was about to obey and rebel at the same time and his irresolution appeared to manifestly in his countenance that Nadalia observed it In the name of the immortal Gods Hanno replyed this fair person accord me this Ah cruel Nadalia interrupted Hanno do not do me the injury to believe that I will disobey you I have onely one passion in my soul which you have given birth to there so that the trouble which you observe is no Rebellion it proceeds from that passion alone which combates it selfe and which would deem it selfe weak did it not act both for you in this occasion and against you 'T is not that I am unresolved to do all you require of me but I might accuse you of having produced too many reasons where there needed but one command I will obey you in all things Nadalia and you cannot doubt it since I obey you in this occasion As they were in these terms they beheld Alcon enter who came from Thomira who having saluted Hanno It is fit said he to him that according to the custome of the world I impart you some news which will surprise you and tell you that the Princess hath conferr'd the Government of Castulon upon Alorca But it must be confess'd pursued he with an air wholly serious That this fair Princess as young as she is is the most judicious person in the world She represented me a thousand reasons which obliged her to chuse Alorca to fill this charge she gave me to understand that there was jealousie between the most noble Families of Castulon which pretended to this imployment that so it was meet to intrust it with a stronger to extinguish that jealousie she also made me know that she was glad to have acquitted her selfe in any measure towards the Prince of Carthage in which regard she preferred Aloâ—ca and that even before the Carthaginians because he had served Hannibal without being obliged unto it she choose him by reason of his being a Spaniard and consequently could not but understand better then the Carthaginian in what sort a people of Spain ought to be governed besides that she believe'd Alorca would not be deficient in point of fidelity because for some time as you know he hath bent himself towards her with an extraordinary zeal Hanno returned an answer approving yet more the choise which Thomira had made and added many reasons to those of Alcon and so spent his visit in speaking of any other thing then the subject which induced to go to the Father of Nadalia But
the amiable Daughter of Alcon began immediately to act in favour of my Master she communicated her design to Lucius who approved it extreamly and as he conceived it advantageous to Thomira he promised to concur on his part and to represent to his fair Cousin that she ought not to be obstinate in refusal of a thing which a thousand reasons should cause her to accept But that which was yet more rare was that the same day also the people of Castulon began to talk that it was fit the Princess Thomira should mary the Prince Hannibal there were some so bold as to go even into the Court of the Palace and say aloud that the Princess as judicious as she was had no reason to refuse for a Husband the greatest Prince of the world My Master himselfe imposed silence to them which spake in this manner and was so apprehensive that the bruit which was abroad might distaste his Princess that he made great liberalities to cause all zealous persons to hold their peace which without doubt many other persons would have encouraged to speak out in the like conjuncture It is indeed true that Thomira was troubled at this indiscreet zeal that she was through discontent retired into her Cabinet and if the presence of Lucius and Nadalia who together came to wait upon her had not been some consolation she would unquestionably have resented much greater disturbance Well Lucius and Nadalia said she have you observed the levity of the people of Castulon and do you not remark that it seems they have not been so desirous to see me and forward to receive me with expressions of joy but to render me this day more neerly sensible of their insolence It is certain added she a little moved that Princes would be unhappy enough if they were bound to follow the humour of the people and indeed more unhappy then their subjects for these have the satisfaction of being subject onely to persons that act usually according to reason whereas Princes would be obliged to follow the sentiments of the people who ordinarily act onely by caprichioâ— and conceit Nevertheless Madam answered Lucius this of Castulon believes they have acted according to reason and to your advantage although to speak reasonably it is not fitting for people to attempt even commendable things in tumult and I believe their best intentions become criminal when they are explicated in a seditious manner Wherefore we may conjecture that 't is the manner of acting that hath provoked you and not the subject which makes the people of Castulon murmur for Madam this being no wise disadvantageous to you I cannot perswade my selfe that it ought to be disagreeable to you I shall pass further Madam said Nadalia then the Prince of Celtiberia and aver that you ought to be glad of this tumult and being you have a scrupulous virtue which perhaps you ought not to follow so severely there is reason for you to be satisfied that there is occasion to believe that the prayers of your people extort a consentment from you which you otherwise dare not give and which besides will instate you in the regency of half the world This is not all Madam continued she let us consider things in their true colours Can you see in the world a Prince more puissant goodly and that can bring you more honour And although the Illustrious Hannibal should not have done what he hath to gain your esteem could you refuse it him after that which he hath done to day For sincerely it is very admirable that in your consideration he hath silenced the people who spoke not but in his favour How Nadalia interrupted the Princess is it possible that I should owe an obligation of this nature to the Prince Hannibal There is nothing more true then what I have said replyed Nadalia and it is certain Madam that the generous Prince of Carthage in the fear he had this bruit might disgust you resolved to extinguish it which being a matter of difficulty to effect and that he could not think of ill-entreating persons that acted for his advantage he hath accomplish'd it by so great liberalites that one may say that the same time he caused a whole people to hold their peace he gave them a new subject to talk of But Madam continued he if after a serious disourse I might be permitted to resume a kind of air for which I have often been warr'd upon I should onely describe to you the conduct of Alorca he sudenly hath appeared all pale and troubled he trembled even at his enterance into the Palace at least I have been told so and said and did such things as I am not curious to relate unto you for did I know them really Madam I should know more then he doth himself It must be acknowledged replyed the Princess all surprised with this discourse that Hannibal is extreamly generous and that that Prince which was formerly represented to me all fierce and violent ha's transcendent civility in his actions But it must also be confessed that there is a kind of fallacity which causeth me to have these Obligations to that Prince rather then to the persons I might expect them from for setting aside Hannibal's calming the bruit we spoke of doth it not seem that Alorca who hath both wit and courage loseth the imployment of both in this occasion to the end Hannibal alone should oblige me In verity I do not comprehend the intrigue of this management but find something in it not conformable to the wonted order of things and in a word I believe that Hannibal is destined to do nothing but what is great and surprising My Master entered about the end of these words and understanding by Lucius and Nadalia the subject of the conversation he did not afford the Princess time to thank him but rendered her his own remerciments for her singular goodness and this with very much respect and yet with as great fear as he should have had if he had excited the tumult which he appeased Madam said this passionate Prince you have the goodness to take notice of a thing of my doing which a thousand others might have done and yet do not observe that which is far greater in me and which Hannibal alone is capable of doing Yes Madam a thousand Princes may serve you a thousand adore you and a thousand dye for Thomira but divine Princess added he with a transport no person can adore you in the manner that Hannibal adores you he resents for you that which he alone is capable to resent and hath so great respects for the Princess Thomira that he could imagine nothing greater did not he attend uncessantly to the infinite merit which hath given them birth The passionate discourse of my Master raised such a fresh vermilion in the face of the fair Thomira who daring not to behold Hannibal nor Lucius nor Nadalia remained as astonished instead of being able to answer Speak Madam
that Thomira is snatched from me but she must needs learn me her self that she is unworthy the grief that I resent for her Here my Lord pursued he turning towards my Master receive I beseech you this Tablet I will keep nothing that may reproach me with the faults of Thomira Take this Ticket which is addressed to you and consider it as a thing that must cure your passion and cause you to contemn a woman that is capable of making so free a declaration Alas my Lord interrupted my Master how do you treat the Princess Thomira is it because she is criminal or for that she hath some goodnesse for a Prince that adores her and can you believe her too indulgent having such goodness onely in the time that I am remote from her He uttered many passionate things of this sort to which Edescon gave mitigating answers And that which was most rare was that in returning to Castulon Hannibal on the one side rendred thanks to the Princess and was incensed against Lucius while on the other side Edescon shewed himself in wrath against Thomira and perfectly satisfied with the Prince of Celtiberia Hannibal was not onely enraged against Lucius he did not altogether spare Alcon in his affliction but demanded of him if ever any thing was more unhandsome and offensive then the proceedings of Nadalia who acted cruelly against him after she had made semblance to do him good offices with the Princess of Castulon Alas my Lord answered Alcon all surprized and afflicted I do not apprehend clearly in this affair but in what manner soever it hath been carried I cannot believe that Nadalia hath acted against you To know this interrupted Hannibal you need onely read the last words of my Princess and there will be no reason to doubt of it after such express terms I should not withdraw my self from you did not Lucius and Nadalia force me so to do If Alcon was by these last words too much perplexed to answer my Master was of a humour not to be easily silent in this occasion insomuch that he complained and threatned till he was arrived at Castulon He was no sooner in this City but he immediately sent Discoverers into all places where his Princesse could be imagined to have past Himself also took horse to finde news of her and learnt some the next morning of some persons who had seen Lucius Thomira and Nadalia and two unknown men My Master was informed that the Prince of Celtiberia had embarked his fair Cousin upon the River Boetis to gain the Sea and go seek in Italy some place of surety against the power of the Carthaginians Upon which Love and Ambition conspiring together in the breast of Hannibal this Prince suddenly chased away all his sadness and expressed nothing but a noble impatience to go speedily into Italy where Thomira and Glory seem'd to attend him Nevertheless before he took orders for the affairs of Spain he declared his design to the Prince Edescon and protested to him a thousand times That whereas he intended to go in search of the fair Princesse of Castulon it was not out of any hope to be received favourably by her but onely to draw her out of the hands of Lucius and afterwards to restore her into those of the Prince Edescon The Father of Thomira answered my Master That he ought to have a design more glorious and then intreated him not to desolate Celtiberia as he had resolved which Hannibal accorded him and had so great respect to him that he restrained his rage in his presence against the Prince of Celtiberia While these things past at Castulon Asdrubal Barsa arrived there My Master embraced this Prince with very great tenderness and when Asdrubal told him that four Roman Ambassadors had denounced war against Carthage We will carry it to Rome interrupted he fiercely and we shall see whether the Carthaginians know not as well how to manage it as the Romans do to declare it He said no more to this affair but having presently ended the conversation he went to contrive and order expediences for his voyage into Italy Tâ—â— great Persâ—nage who is as prudent a Captain as he is a fierce and hardy Souldier determined with an admirable conduct to provide for the safety of Africa and Spain and to that purpose sent Thirty thousand Spaniards into Africa to defend the most considerable places and left a like number of Africans in Spain to the end these two Countreys might be better preserved by two Nations who at the same time in both the one and the other served both for Garrison and Hostage Having ordered many other things necessary for the conservation of a Countrey which he was to forsake and leaving Asdrubal at new Carthage he directed his course towards the Pyrenian Mountains in the head of an Army of a hundred thousand foot and twenty thousand horse and a train of fifty Elephants But being all the world speaks the victories of the famous Hannibal and I am entred upon a story sufficiently well known if you please my Lords to dispence with me I shall forbear to particularize the Battels which my Master fought and the Victories which he gained Yet it is meet to tell you that he brought to his obedience the Ilergetes the Bargusins and the Ausetanes and having passed those high Mountains which separate Spain from the Gauls he left Hanno the charge of all that Countrey and to guard the passage of the Pyrenean Mountains with twenty thousand foot and four thousand horse After which he made new levies to recruit that diminishment of his Army and was eager of having such forces as might in appearance assure those Conquests he had made from which he was obliged to be far distant When we descended into the Countrey of the Gauls my Master restrained all acts of Hostility and sent Ambassadours to inform the Gauls that he intended to march as a Traveller and not as an Enemy and that he was determined not to draw his sword till he were arrived in Italy Upon which he obtained a free passage so that we marched as far as the Rhosne in no other disturbance then if we had marched in the Territories of our own Empire But we found a powerful obstacle at the passage of this River for Regulus not prevailing with the Turdetanes to rise against us had passed into Gaul to effect the like design there hoping he should easily draw a Nation to take up Arms who passionately affected fighting The Volcae the Cavarians with this Roman in the head of them put themselves in a posture to dispute us the passage of the Rhosne But Hannibal designed to overcome by a slight lest the courage of the Gauls might be a means to withhold him from embarrassing Italy Wherefore he made shew that he would pass the Rhosne and accordingly prepared a good number of boats but in the mean time he sent Maharbal with five and twenty thousand men to foord it
defeated under the conduct of the unfortunate and generous Aemilius and that of the precipitous Varro Noâ— but the enemies were valiant and likewise stronger in number but it must be confessed that the great courage and excellent management of my Master out-ballanced the inequality and won us that renowned Victory For one of our principal Officers named Giscon understanding the prodigious numerousness of the Roman Army that came to fight us appeared wholly astonished at the conjuncture But my Master instead of abating his fierceness was remarked to have more alacrity and gaiety then he was wont to have after the losse of his Princess wherefore he immediately went to Horse and being followed by the greatest part of his Officers possessed himselfe of a little rising place whence he discovered the two Consul's Armies which were lately united to come up against him Hannibal viewed all this conjoyned multitude attentively but all those that were with him expressed some kind of real admiration and astonishment so that Giscon addressing to him Well my Lord said he do you not observe that the number and strength of our enemies is as great as I represented it to you It is true answered my Master but I also observe a wonder which you take no notice of 'T is proceeded he smiling that in the great multitude of men which we behold there is not so much as one of your name of Giscon This answer caused all that heard it to take heart and being afterwards spread abroad in the Army it was hoped that Hannibal would be as invincible as he appeared immovable by sporting at the sight of so many enemies and it was believed impossible not to conquer under the leading of so grand a personage The success evinced that it was not without reason their hopes were conceived For Hannibal this day performed all that the greatest Captain could do and might be expected from the most valiant Souldier Yet I shall omit to describe to you the ordering of the Armies since undoubtedly you know that Hannibal marshalled his in such sort that the Romanes were inconvenienced by the Sun the Wind and the Dust I shall only tell you that my Master would this day himself command the main battalia that he might be opposed to Aemilius whom he knew to be the most excellent Captain of the Romanes and that this Illustrious Carthaginian was in great danger of perishing this day which was the most glorious of his life For this fierce Prince being farre engaged in the Army of the enemies to find out Aemilius or the young Scipio whom he knew to be returned from Spain was on a sudden wholly abandoned by his own and Aemilius being wounded about this time the Voluntaries that fought near his person alighted to succour him and likewise many others doing so too my Master found himself plunged in the thickest rout of them so that after a thousand brave deeds he was upon the point of â—ailing but as he was in the midst of danger enclosed with abundance of enemies Ducarion who commanded the Insubrians and the Ligurians of our Army ran into his help with a Cavalier which we did not then know but whom we soon perceived to be one of the most valiant men of the world For he exploited so manful actions that notwithstanding two or three wounds falling on him he got close up to my Master and there fought on with singular vigour and spirit But instead of reciting to you all that our valiant General did afterwards I conceive it not requisite to speak of the particularitys of this battel being it is enough to acquaint you that we ingaged in it at Cannae to let you judge what importance the victory was which Hannibal won and how deplorably desperate the loss was our enemies suffered there for it is certain that they lost betvveen sixty eighty thousand men that Emilius Servilius were slain that Regulus vvas mortally vvounded and that there perisht such a number of persons of quality that my Master sent the Senate of Carthage a large Vessel of pure Gold filled vvith the Rings dravvn from the fingers of the Roman Knights vvich we found dead upon the place Then it was that the pride of Rome vvas abated and that our enemies lookt upon themselves as absolutely overthrown beyond recovery and that in our Army amongst a thousand cryes of joy our Souldiers vvere heard cry out fiercely in the height of their Victory Away Let us to Rome Rome is our own Hannibal was ravished vvith joy when he heard his Souldiers of themselves demanding to go vvhether he vvas minded to lead â—hem So that having resolved upon the siege of Rome he designed not to defer it long and onely to afford his Forces a few dayes for their repose and refection but being in need himselfe of that whereof he was carefull in the behalf of others he caused his Armour to be unbraced and two or three wounds he had received to be dressed which we had the contentment to see were but slight and that this Illustrious Prince had not purchas'd the memorable field of Cannae at too great a price Yet he was obliged to take his bed by order of the Chyrurgions where instead of taking the quiet they believed he should find he caused me to be called to discourse to me of the state of his Affairs And well Aspar said he to me with a fierceness mixed with somewhat of disturbance and melancholly you see me Master of Italy and I shall within few dayes give Lawes to the Romanes you see me vanquisher of my enemies but alas Aspar you also see me absent from my Princess what joy would mine be continued he if I could carry Thomira triumphing to Rome what could I imagine wanting to my felicity were it possible for me to establish the Throne of this Princess in the Capitol and from thence cause her to behold all the Nations of the Earth subject to their Soveraignty But the Traytor Lucius puts an obstacle to this felicity which the Romanes could not do he deprives me of Thomira and that false man makes me in a lost condition when my Victories seem to present me with the possession and rule of the whole world It is true added he with a transport that I shall find vengeance for him and have the pleasure of punishing him for his crime without the displeasure of Thomira since he hath committed it against the sentiments of that adorable Princess For continued he didst not thou see Aspar the Bâ—llet which Thomira left in the wood of Castulon and didst thou not observe in it these obliging words I was inclinable to satisfie you and I might even tell you were it not boldness that it was with less repugnance then a person of my sex ought apparently to have in such a case If these words Aspar oblige me to render a thousand thanks to my Princess do not these other give me all manner of cause to hate Lucius and to pursue
mens minds are elevated above the sentiments of the vulgar it is requisite that you act with prudence and fairness instead of imploying open force and for these services you may hereafter expect all manner of recompence from Hannibal For in removing the occasions of his weaknesse you will confirm the foundations of his glory HANNIBAL Ah Alorca cryed my Master perfidious Alorca why is it that thou hast put off the condition which subjected thee to the sufferance of all the punishments which thy crime deserves After which the Prince turning towards Malarcon commanded him to go on with his discourse which he did in these terms This pernicious Letter did but too well produce its effect my Lord for as soon as Alorca had shewn it to six men whom he intended to use in this occasion they promised to obey him to the utmost Wherefore this desperate Lover leading Lucius out to walk towards the River Boetis and inviting him into a house upon the bank thereof caused him to be arrested by the six men I spake of who presently zeised his sword and afterwards performed all that had been appointed them I staid in this house to command in it vvhat vvas fit vvhilst Alorca vvent to court Thomira to go and vvalk in the Wood of Castulon vvhither she vvas vvont to resort vvithout other company then that of Nadalia and a fevv persons necessary to attend on her At this time Alorca beseeching the Princess to cause all her Attendants to proceed no further then the entrance of the Wood except Nadalia He no sooner savv himself alone with these two fair Ladies but he cast himself at the feet of Thomira as I was afterwards told and having prepared the minde of that admirable Princess by divers changes of his countenance and a certain rapture which I cannot express Alas Madam said he to her that I should ever be obliged to tell you the most detestable Crime that can be imagined I believe Alorca so little capable of commiting it answered the Princess with a most charming sweetness that I wonder at the changes that appear in you You have reason Madam replied he to believe as you do But if you knew the crime I am commanded to perpetrate you would yet judge me more unfit for it then any other At these words the Princess and Nadalia were very much surpriz'd not being able to imagine who could command Alorca to do any thing especialy of the nature of that he spoke of But Alorca soon drew them from this surprize to cast them into a greater For addressing to the Princess I must therefore Madam speak more clearly to you and represent Hannibal to you such as he truly is Ah Alorca interrupted the Princess being provoked by this discourse how do you speak of a great Prince and of a Prince which hath none but illustrious qualities and to whom we have so great obligations You will soon see Madam replied he how Hannibal defaces all these obligations with the Order he hath lately sent me and if that Cathaginian hath treated you civilly it hath been with reluctancy and violence to his own fierce and cruel disposition and being separated from you at a time he was dissatisfied and never seen you since his nature hath become more powerful then all your charms So that his ambition having regain'd its accustomed place this proud Affrican hath resolv'd to bow no more under your Empire and hath chosen to that purpose the most horrible precaution that can be conceiv'd But Madam added he I beseech you spare me the pain of telling you the business exactly and read this Letter which will instruct you in it and be assured that Alorca will quit all and hazard all to follow you After these words he presented to Thomira the Letter which I told you of wherein the fair Princess read near the same words I repeated to you In truth my Lords said Aspar to the Princes his Auditors it is most difficult to represent to you in what estate my Master found himself when Malarcon told him that Thomira had read the Letter of Alorca it is enough to tell you that this Prince having quietly attended to the recital of all the Treacheries that had been done against him could not contain from trembling and agitation of minde when he fancied this pernicious Letter in the hands of his Princess But being the various transports of this Prince did not interrupt the course of Malarcons story I shall tell you that he continued it in this manner As soon as this generous Princess had ended reading the Letter she beheld Nadalia with very great amazement And then turning towards Alorca I am perfectly obliged to you said she to him with a perfectly-charming sweetness for that you have had reluctancy to follow the Orders of the Prince Hannibal but Alorca expect not any intreaties from me which would be unworthy of the spirit of Thomira I am prepared for all sorts of events and 't is possible you may see that I am not guilty of much weakness Alas Madam what is it you say cryed Nadalia how would you dye and can you believe Alorca capable of following your sentiments or must you follow his Madam Yes Madam you must and moreover you must immediately bethink you of quitting Spain to go and secure in some unknown place the person of the fairest Princess of the World How Nadalia answered the Princess would you have Thomira resolve to flie and instead of awaiting a glorious death at Castulon go and carry her misery from one Countrey to another No no Nadalia Thomira will never resolve on this and you shall see that shee Ah Madam interrupted Alorca can you still deliberate on what you have to do and will you not at length follow the sentiment of Nadalia Can you imagine I expect to be prayed to do that which â—ought But my Lord pursued Malarcon in the mean while that in the Wood of Castulon Thomira is preferring death before flight and that Nadalia and Alorca endeavour to overcome this generous Princess Lucius by little and little recover'd himself from the amazement an adventure so extraordinary had caus'd to him for this Prince seemed at first so surprized that he could scarce believe what he saw He could not imagine what cause could move Thomira to have him arrested and yet believing that it was not but by order from that fair Princess that Alorca acted he suffered this rude treatment without complaining But no sooner had he learnt what was the Commission we told him Alorca had received but he was extreamly perplexed in consideration of Thomira and bethought of attempting his utmost to escape out of our hands and go take care for the preservation of his fair Cousin the Princess But again considering that a man unarmed cannot without miracle presume to master seven others with weapons he intended to act after another manner and to compass that by intreaties which his valour would without doubt never have
Original of this Illustrious House for according to several inquisitive Antiquaries the Aemilii is descended from that famous Aemilia daughter of Aenaeas and Lavinia who was of such admirable beauty that Mars himself became amorous of her And the Hero that was the issue of that affection was not Romulus as some would have it but the first of the Aemilii who having no father upon earth bore the name of his Illustrious Mother and caused these words to be engraven on the Gate of his Palace in our language which signifie We are from Mars Behold therefore Madam what are the Houses of the Cornelii and the Aemilii which have given us the Illustrious Scipio and the admirable Aemilia As for the education of the fair person I named last I shall not insist upon the particularities of it but content my self to tell you that Publius who was undoubtedly an excellent person omitted not to breed up Scipio nobly For himself train'd him up in all his exercises at home and then caus'd him to be taught the Sciences and also sent him to Greece to perfect and polish his mind It was my happiness that my Father sent me hither too at the same time so that it was at Athens where I began to contract that friendship with Scipio which is so taken notice of in the world and will unquestionably be the sole advantage that will make me known to posterity But if the Romans admired the wit of Scipio I may say the Greeks were astonish'd at it all the excellent persons that were at that time at Athens resorted to Scipio's lodgings either to make conversation with him or to take his sentiments for the works which were then writ in Greece And to shew you that Scipio's mind is none of those narrow ones who cannot addict themselves but to one science or to one kind of writing I have onely one thing to tell you that all the world knows already You may please then to know Madam that Ermius who was at that time at Athens and who began there to write Latine Verses in imitation of the Greeks and to bring our Poetry into the world which our Fathers never before attempted began also to ingratiate himself with Scipio and to shew him his Works before he durst publish them to the world But if Scipio were admirably accurate in judging the Works of Ermius which have a style majestical and rough he did not judg with less exquisiteness of the ageeable Comedies which Terence began to compose at that time and us'd to bring to him himself and which had a certain air so easie natural and gallant that all the ingenious love them with an extream passion But this was not all the attraction of Scipio's wit to draw persons of different humours and contrary Nations to him as I told you for he allured even the Greeks themselves who liv'd not at Athens Polybius quitted Megalopolis being charm'd by the reputation of this Illustrious Roman to come and be near him and hath since begun as no question you have heard to write of the Warr which we have at Carthage But Madam I should not have spoken thus largely of Scipio's wit but onely because he shews it at full view but to few persons and shews to very few of his friends whatsoever he writes in Verse or Prose I will not be so prolix in commending his courage since in the recital of his life you will see a thousand evidences of a prodigious valour and I shall also forbear to tell you of two or three single fights he had at Athens in defending the interests of his Nation and his friends Not but that there is something extraordinary and surprising in that which I pass over in silence for though Scipio had not reacht his sixteenth year yet he got the better in three combates which he fought with so much advantage and glory that all the Swordmen began to make their resort and familiarity with him as the wits had done already But he might have drawn more pleasant advantages from those which he gain'd in his fightings if he had pleased for his reputation joyn'd with his noble aspect caus'd all the handsome persons whom we saw both at Athens and the other Cities of Greece where we came to have a high esteem for him and so great a complacency that I have wonder'd a hundred and a hundred times how Scipio could live in Greece without being intangled and that he had no more but a generous and respectful civility for so many amiable persons For nothing is more true then that he never resented those agreeable agitations which they call Love all that time during which he liv'd after a most perfectly pleasing manner But it was requisite for him in a short space after to forsake that calm manner of living for news came into Greece that Asdrubal having bin slain his brother in law Hannibal was put in the head of the Army of the Carthaginians that he had already over-run a part of Spain that he ever since won all the places that he attempted and that after such good success he prepared to besiege the strong City of Saguntum confederated with the people of Rome We also heard at the time that Regulus was gone to put himself into Saguntum and that the Romans had sent Ambassadors to Carthage to complain of the proceedings of Hannibal there who contrary to the League made by his Father Amilcar and renewed by Asdrubal his Brother in law led his Army against the confederates of Rome Scipio no sooner understood what I have rehears'd to you but he felt himself inflam'd with a desire of glory and an ardor wholly generous So that the same day having taken order for all accommodations for his journey he departed the next morning to go into Italy My self being a Roman of no bad inclinations and a friend to Scipio departed with him and we went to the Isle of Zocynthus to ship our selves because we were inform'd there was a Vessel of Lilybaeum there in readiness to hoise sayl and return for Sicily But alas fair Nadalia we were no sooner arrived at Zacynthus whose Inhabitants without doubt you know went in former times into Spain to found Saguntum but we beheld all the world in sorrow and learnt that Hannibal had entered that miserable City by assault They went yet further and as people are wont not to intermix in lamentable news any thing that may mitigate them they told us nothing of the passages of Hannibal and Thomira but contrarily inform'd us all were destroy'd by fire and sword and that they had not spared the Prince Edescon nor Lucius nor Regulus At this news Scipio lost all moderation expressing a thousand regrets for this miserable City and in his agitations threatned Carthage and blamed Rome for not having succour'd her Allies But as soon as we were imbarqu'd the wind became so favourable to us that we soon arriv'd in Sicily where chance caus'd us to meet with a man
less by reason of the wounds he has receiv'd then of love He could not finish what he intended to say love was the last word he pronounced which I believe he could not have reacht to if there had not been infinite sweetness in pronouncing it before the person beloved In brief Madam my illustrious friend fell into a swound by having spoken after a too passionate manner for the pittiful condition into which he was reduc'd by a great loss of blood follow'd with a thousand violent agitations and the denyal of Aemilia to hear him though it was after a manner extreamly civil did not a little contribute thereunto That fair person was so affected with this accident that she immediately made a great shreek and testified as much sorrow as amazement After which turning towards us as Claudia was hastning to see what the matter was Ah! Madam said she to her Scipio is dead Scipio dead cryed Claudia and I together O Gods continued I casting up mine eyes to heaven with the greatest sorrow that ever I resented can you suffer Scipio to perish in so unjust a quarrel Will you suffer so admirable a life to be extinguished in its beginning and can you think it enough to shew to the earth but transiently a Haro whom it seem'd you had destinated for the most memorable exploits by the grand qualities you so liberally favoured him with I continued thus to bewail the infelicity of my friend and beseech the Gods for his preservation not being then able to assist him saving by vows and prayers And indeed the Gods in a short space restored him to us whether it were that they would not a work which they had so excusably framed should be of so little continuance or would not withdraw so great a prop from the City of Rome which they protect with a goodness of which all the world has seen indubitable testimonies during the war which Hannibal brought into Italy So the Chyrurgions recovered this Illustrious person though with extream difficulty who opened his eyes at last after severall cordials and began to give us some hope But when he became capable of well discerning the objects that were about his bed he assumed new vigour by perceiving the lovely eyes of Aemilia were wet and that apparently some tears had dropt from them And indeed Claudia and Aemilia could not without weeping behold such a person as Scipio in so great a danger and even dying for their quarrel to whom they had so great obligations and as yet given him no tokens of the gratitude they pretended to testifie to him Wherefore they went not forth of our Chamber till they had seen Scipio in as good a condition as he was in at their coming to him though Claudia insisted no more to have us carried to her house because the Chyrurgions judg'd it unfitting Assoon as they were gone Madam Scipio related to me the discourse he had with Aemilia and then told me he believ'd the remedies appli'd to him would be unprofitable since it did not please Aemilia he fhould live I cannot Scipio interrupted I suffer this your injustice and without doubt you would not speak in this manner if you had seen the grief of that fair person I oberved well answered he that by all appearance she had shed some tears But Laelius this does not fully satisfie me because most certainly she believed she bestowed them on my death Should what you say be true replied I have you any reason to conclude she would not have you live since your seeming death caused her to weep Ah! Laelius answered he do not deceive your self but believe there is a great difference between these two respects for it is usual enough to be effected with the death of any whatsoever But it does not often happen that any persons interess themselves to contribute towards the contented life of others who are indifferent to them So that Laelius added he though he saw I could not approve his speaking Aemilia forbidding me to speak to her of my passion forbids me also to live for to tell you in a word what I think since I know you desire I should not speak much it is an undoubted truth that 't is impossible I should live without loving Aemilia or that I should live without speaking to her of it and if she has not the goodness to suffer me to do so then take your measures accordingly added he either to preserve my life or to prepare your self to see me separated from you by a death which will without doubt be cruel to me for more then one cause The Gods will preserve us from that unhappiness replyed I and I believe moreover Aemilia will never consent to the loss of an Illustrious Roman whose crime consists onely in declaring to her that one of the most worthy persons of the world dyes for love of her but for a love so respectful that he presumes not to discover it but tremblingly and when he is upon the point to dye of the wounds which he has lately received for her having embraced her interests in the most generous manner that can be imagin'd No no Scipio she is too reasonable to carry her cruelty so far as you apprehend and I pass higher and believe she is not displeased that you love her but for that she make profession of a scrupulous virtue she judges it not becoming to listen to a Declaration of love without endeavouring to impose you silence out of decency But according to the knowledge I have of her I believe she would have strangely ill-heated any other besides you For Ladies of great quality and eminent virtue are very difficult in admitting such discourse as we are speaking of for that they will not their hearts should be attaqued by any being determin'd to dispose of them only according to the pleasure of the persons to whom nature has made them subject Nevertheless I despair not of success for you with Aemilia and if you will promise me to yield to all things for the promoting of your cure I promise you I will act not unprosperously with the person you love Ah! Laelius if you would I have done Scipio interrupted I and I cannot suffer you to speak longer These last words caused my dear friend to be silent who was more apprehensive of displeasing me then injuring his own health and afterwards suffer'd any course to be taken for his cure Not long after Madam an occasion of serving my friend with Aemilia presented it self For Claudia her self visited us and daily came to see in what condition we were though she had sent twice or thrice before for the same cause So that as she was pleas'd from time to time to give such orders concerning us as were necessary her adorable daughter often remain'd near my bed not venturing to approach that of Scipio alone Whereby it was easie for me to take my time to speak to that fair person and to let her know that
to Lucius in termes that expressed much better his contentment then his gratitude whilest the admirable Aemylia retired into her chamber after having seen that joy did no less testifie Scipio's affection then grief had done some days before and both passions get even proofs of it as certain as dangerous There was also another thing that helped to allay the excessive joy of our Illustrious Lover which was that Lucius and Publius told him that for the good of Rome they had resolved not onely to defer his marriage but to keep the matter secret For I believe said Lucius if you should marry Aemilia to day we should lose the forces of Pynaeas to morrow but you ought not to be troubled at the deferring of a thing you are certain of which is done onely to retain a considerable assistance to the State Scipio was suprised at these words but love joy and hope suddenly transporting him he was upon the point as he told me afterwards to declare to Lucius that himself would perform actions that should repair the loss of the Illyrians Nevertheless for that virtue always guided that Illustrious Roman and regulated as well his words as action he suppressed his sentiments and onely requested Lucius to permit that the marriage might be accomplished privately Do you think me capable Scipio interrupted the father of Emilia to transact in the manner you speak of an action of lustre and rejoycing and in which privacy always seems to hide some considerable defect No no Scipio do not except it I will never act in that manner and I would not give Pyneas so just an occasion to complain of me when the businesse should come to be discovered For the King of Illyria might say I had abused him by such a secret carriage of it but he cannot accuse me of any thing whatsoever when after he has serv'd us I cause him to be rewarded by the people of Rome and afterwards prepare his mind to suffer your marriage with moderation by telling him as 't is time that Claudia propounded it to me before himself declar'd to me openly that he pretended to my alliance Thus you see Scipio by this course I act as I ought and is it not enough for you that I promise you Aemilia since a word passed by a person of my humour is sacred and inviolable You see also that I intend to take my time to temper the mind of a Lover before whom I prefer his Rival and that I act for the advantage of the Common-wealth by not depriving it of a powerful aid for indeed though Pyneas has rendred Illyria tributary to Rome yet he is not obliged to supply us with forces and we have no right to exact any thing of him beyond the Tribute which is imposed upon his Kingdom But My Lord replyed Scipio can you consider the violence of my passion without But Scipio interrupted Lucius can you consider what I have said without yielding to it and would you direct persons who have very much reason for what they design because you have very much love for what you aspire to These words pronounc'd with an aspect Majestical though not severe and that by the person who alone had right to dispose of Aemilia made Scipio reflect seriously on the matter so that revolving in his mind for a few minutes the happy change of his affairs and afterwards considering the generous and obliging manner of Lucius's proceeding he presum'd no longer to answer him but onely made him a profound reverence as if to signifie that he submitted to his Orders In the mean time before we went away from Lucius's house Publius went alone to Aemilia's Chamber where as we knew afterwards he gave her a thousand testimonies of esteem and dearness which that prudent Ladie received with all the civilitie and submission which she thought her self obliged to render to a person of high quality grave years and extraordinary wit After whose return to us in the Hall we departed and went to my Fathers house who was extreamly glad to see us especially perceiving we seem'd very joyful but that which surpris'd us was that when he had embraced us and expressed his tenderness to us Publius told him that he 〈◊〉 câ—me from Lucius's house and that without losing time we were going to that of Regulus These words augmented my fathers joy who having once again embraced Scipio accompanied Publius to go accordingly to Regulus's house and Scipio and I followed them But as Publius and my father were speaking together and I was entertaining my self with my Illustrious friend either concerning Emilia's beauty or in conjecturing the occasion of our going to Regulus's house my father turned about towards me and toâ—d me he would not have me so surprised as Scipio had bin and therefore you must now Laelius added he that you are going to see Attilia and moreover to engage your self to her and in all appearance within a few days you shall marry that amiable person Verily Madam you will be surprised at the effect of these words for I had no sooner heard them but Attilia instantly presented her self to my mind with her amiable sprightly and gallant aspect and I remember I thought upon the charmes of that fair Virgin with a certain motion of dearness such as I had never resented before But assoon as I came to Regulus's house and had cast my eyes upon his amiable sister that dearness made it self more sensible in my heart and contrary to the practise of those who cease to love when they marry their Mistresses I assure you I began to love Attilia passionately from the time it was told me I should marry her And indeed that fair person had charmes sufficiently powerful to affect the most insensible hearts But it not being her History that I am relating you will please to excuse me Madam from repeating the particularities of the conversation we made it suffices that you know it was extreamly handsome and agreeable that Attilia spoke but little in it but very judiciously and with much modesty and that after we had set a day for the meeting of our friends we departed extreamly satisfied with the civility of Regulus and all the fair qualities of his amiable sister My Father detained Scipio that right at his house notwithstanding Publius's reluctance to part with him and after having taken care of our wounds by the resistance of the Chirurgions we brought with us from Ostia he left us in the Chamber of Scipio where that Illustrious Lover and I had the sweetest conversation that ever we had made speaking of nothing but the pleasing adventures that had befallen us and frequently reflecting upon the circumstances which seemed to augment our felicitie The End of the Second Book The Grand SCIPIO PART II. BOOK III. THe report of our arrival being soon dispersed about the City the next morning we received very many visits from our relations and friends at my fathers house of which the most acceptable
which she commanded Scipio to depart and bad him adiew having first tendered her hand to him which he kissed very respectfully and as she retired she turned face away to hide it from Scipio the teares which undoubtedly fell from her fair eyes and so entring into her Closet presently made fast the dore Scipio crost his armes and sighed in beholding this department of Aemilia and the grief he resented would certainly have hindred him from going forth of the chamber of that fair person if he had not endeavoured to moderate it by casting his eyes upon the Scarfe which he had receiv'd and recall'd into his mind the obliging expressions and shewes of tenderness he had observ'd in that adorable person at her separating from him Indeed these very thoughts afflicted him oftentimes for he could not conceive it possible for him without dying with sorrow to depart from a divine person who had very much goodness for him and began to give him some tokens of a kindness which certainly was able to charme the hearts of the most insensible Nevertheless when he came also to consider that it behov'd him to be wholly cover'd with glory that he might merit the esteem of Aemilia and likewise remembr'd what he had done before he was a Lover and so proceeding to think of the great exploits he was obliged to perform in order to rendring himself in some manner worthy of the most fair and illustrious person of the world his courage was excited to as high a pitch as his love Upon which he left the chamber of Emilia with a generous resolution and it may be said that the consideration of this fair person now drive him thence as it had before attracted and retain'd him there Yet before his going he made many civilities to Silia which was she of Emilia's attendants that was most favour'd with her friendship and privacy of her fair mistress After which as he was going away and passed into the hall he beheld Lucius to enter whom had been call'd by some of his servants because he had given them order notice should be brought him when Scipio came to his house My Illustrious friend presently made a reverence to the Father of Emilia and afterwards made him a complement in which he expressed both his grandure and generosity together with that profound respect which accompanied all his words and actions Upon which Lucius embrac't him and answer'd him with a thousand testimonies of esteem and dearness and then commanded him as a father to take care and to preserve himself in all occasions where the service of Rome was not concern'd But Madam not to detain you with any more circumstances of Scipio's actions before his departure you may please to know that the next morning we went out of Rome very early in a very brave company For Publius was so generally esteemed that the greatest part of the Officers that were yet at Rome would goe along with him as likewise all the volunteers did Fabius and Cato were also of our troop with Servilius Flamminius Marcellus Lentulus and many others of that rank but amongst all that number of gallant persons there was a most intimate friendship contracted between Scipio Emilius Regulus and me which society was so infinitely delectable that we injoy'd a thousand contentments during our journey Not but that Scipio was extreamly inclined to pensiveness and melancholy if we had not soon observ'd and endeavour'd to divert it whereby he moderated his anxiety and became by degrees capable of entertaining a certain aire of joy together with us For being infinitely amorous he had nevertheless an unquestionable assurance of possessing the fair person which he lov'd And that which rendred our pleasure greater was that Aemylius had as great hope of possessing Papyria whom he was passsionately enamor'd of as I had to marry Attilia So that we were all happy Lovers excepting Regulus who instead of being a Lover had his heart possessed with hatred yet he enjoy'd no less satisfaction since he was going to fight against a Nation whom he hated in perfection But Madam when we arrived at the Army we found our selves in danger of losing our former contentment and even ready to fight one against another upon occasion of a contest that happened at a Council of War which was held assoon as Publius was arrived For you must know Madam Sempronius who was a person of high courage but wanted something of the moderation requisite to a great Captain was absoutely desirous to give battail fearing lest the new Consuls that were shortly to be created should come and prevent him of that glory besides that he was puft up with the good success that a party of two thousand Roman Horse had had another of three thousand Numidians who were beaten and dispoil'd of a prodigious booty that they were carrying to the Camp of Hannibal Publius on the other side who was one of those Great men that are satisfied in themselves both of their own courage and the goodness of their intentions and who besides that advantage enjoy a solid glory acquir'd by a thousand brave actions would consider nothing in this occasion but the advantage of Rome so that he protested he could not consent to the resolution of his Collegue and maintain'd it was absolutely important to decline fighting for a time Then we must decline it for ever interrupted Sempronius roughly for since the two Consuls are joyned together I think it ought not be declared till a third be created by a Law and sent to our assistance Say therefore added he with the same air that you will wait till you are perfectly cured vvhich yet I account not very material for we ought never to consider our particular interest vvhen the Glory of Rome is in question For the same reason ansvvered Publius you ought not to consider yours as I see you only do But Sempronius proceeded he fiercely vve shall see in the fight vvhether the inconvenience I still am under by reason of my vvounds vvill retard me from performing the actions of a Scipio and whether afterwards you and I may not have a discourse concerning the law of a third Consul you tell me of In the mean time added he endeavouring to moderate himself in expectation of the end of the battel I would at present as Consul of Rome draw you from your error and convince you that it is by no means expedient to fight Hannibal For we have intelligence continued he that Mago Bardo is come from Sicily to joyn with him and that a considerable number of Gauls are added to his Army so that we ought to expect till that numerous Army disperse it self which in all appearance will shortly come to pass For Italy being still almost intirely ours Hannibal will be necessitated continually in order to getting Ammunitions of War and Provision to send out parties which our Allies will encounter with besides that the Gauls who make a great part of our enemies
forces will certainly in a short time retire into their own Country for there is a great measure of impatience peculiar to that Nation as well as a daring and generous ardor whereby they will become weary of bearing Arms and not using them and it being very easie for them to retreat in all probability they will not be slow to do it If these words of Publius did not absolutely convince his Collegue yet they perswaded the greatest part of the Convention and even hindered Sempronius himself who considered the weight of them for returning a sharp answer which would without question have desperately embroiled us But the unhappiness was that though Publius had more partakers as well as greater reason then his Collegue yet there were fewer that declared for his opinion because in that of Sempronius there was a certain splendor of generosity which is more powerfully attractive then solid wisdom that is not alwayes judg'd aright of in Armies and which we scarce ever dare follow Wherefore all that Publius could do was not to issue forth of his Intrenchments during the time he commanded but assoon as it came to Sempronius to give orders he could not longer continue in his Camp besides that there was an occasion offered which strangely seconded his intention For Maharbal and Mago came in the head of four thousand Horse to the Gate of the line of our Trenches Upon which Sempronius presently summoned four thousand Romans to horse the command of which he gave to Scipio and Regulus In which preferring of Scipio before all other Romans he did justice to his birth and valour and proceeded generously by making it appear that if he had contested against Publius it was out of no inducement of hatred or envie nor was it without reason that he preferred Regulus before many others for besides that he was a person of infinite courage he had already more experience in Arms then the greatest part of his equals in age and quality and moreover he was used to sue for these kind of emploments with as much earnestly as the most ambitious Roman could do for the office of Consul or Dictator Aemylius Marcellus Flaminius and I rang'd our selves with our friends and resolved to fight under them as likewise all the volunteers soon after did and amongst the rest the young Scipio Thus we marched out of our Trenches with such alacrity and promising fierceness that our party drew the eyes and hearts of our Generals and excited admiration in all the Army Though Scipio were yet indisposed by reason of his wounds yet I may say he felt then no inconvenience from them for besides that motion and activeness usually suspends those sorts of pain the Idea of Aemilia and the presence of glory as I may so speak had a greater effect then his agitation I shall forbear to describe to you Madam the prodigious valour we admired this day in Aemilius and omit also to tell you in what manner Regulus signalized himself and what my good fortune enabled me to perform but being to speak only in relation to Scipio I must inform you Madam that that Illustrious Roman no sooner perceived that the four thousand Horse under the conduct of Maharbal and Mago made a stand to expect us but he fell in upon them with an unparallel'd impetuosity he would use onely his sword because other weapons could not so well have bin manag'd by his ardour but he imployed that so couragiously that he performed miraculous action with it he dangerously wounded Maharbal killed three or four Officers and at length made our enemies give gronud after a resistance of an honr and half He drove them back as far as the main body of their Army which was ready drawn up in battalia without their Trenches to come to their relief and when we observed Sempronius had done the same for us that Hannibal had done for Maharbal we charged the right wing of our enemies which was commanded by Braveus King of the Allobroges because it consisted of Auxiliary forces and as it hapned Pyneus commanded our left wing and consequently backt his Rival though he was ignorant of it But that passionate King knowing that Aemilius was fighting in the same place presently came to the head of his squadron and without delay joyned with us At which time he performed a thousand brave actions so that it would not have bin difficult for us to have beaten those we were engaged with by this re-enforcement if on a suddain we had not bin called off to run to the succour of Sempronius and Publius But there hapned two or three strange accidents in a moment which soon lost us the advantage we had gained at first for Mago Barsa with six thousand horse issued forth of an ambush where Hannibal had placed them in moorish places covered with Willows and Poplars and charge our rear which Publius commanded so unexpectedly that that Illustrious Roman was soon abandoned by his own forces upon which he endeavoured to fall into the battel where Sempronius was but whilst these two Generalls were fighting vvith extraordinary valour it began of a sudden to snovv and a strong Wind arose vvhich blevv the snovv in the face and eyes of our Souldiers so that all these disadvantages together vvith the prodigious valour of Hannibal frustrated the couragious attempts of Sempronius and Publius and caused our Army to retire with a loss sufficiently considerable 'T is true this Victory cost our Enemies dear for if Hannibal lost abundance of men in his main battail his left wing was not much more happy where Fabius Servilius Cato and Lentulus fought vigorously and vve had vvithout doubt utterly defeated the right had not vve also had our particular misfortune For after Scipio had performed the gallantest actions that could be done by man saved the life of Pyneus vvounded Ducarion vvho vvas an Insubrian of quality and commanded the forces of his ovvn Nation in Hannibals Army and after he had also taken the King of the Allobroges prisoner he resolved to go vvhere Hannibal vvas said to be fighting presuming that vvas the place vvhere the Romans most needed succour In order to vvhich commanding Flavius to carry Braveus to our Camp and to take a thousand horse to guard him thither he endeavoured to charge the Enemies body but he vvas of a suddain surpris'd to see tvventy Elephants in the front like so many forts or hideous Bulwarks We endeavoured to make our Javelotiers on horseback advance against them because we had no infantry to goad those beasts and drive them by that means against our Enemies for it was not very easie for us to kill them but this was impossible to be done for their terrible bulks so affrighted our horse that they could not be made approach them Wherefore we were constrained to draw off and being forced to fight to open our selves a passage we could not reach where we intended till our Army was retreating in sufficient disorder 'T