A moment ago I heard threats, I saw menacing gestures
when you recognized me. I understand your indignation at seeing me
before you. Perhaps I am an ingrate; but remember that I was born in
other lands, and that my father's death placed me at the head of a
people whom I have to obey and to lead in their alliances. Never have I
forgotten that I was the guest of Saguntum; I cherish the memory of your
hospitality, and I am as interested in the fate of this city as if it
were my native land. Ponder well your situation, Saguntines! Valor has
its limits, and no matter how much you exert yourselves the gods have
decreed the ruin of heroic Saguntum. They show it by having forsaken
you, and your courage is all in vain before their immutable will."

The vague words of Alorcus augmented the dread of the people. They
feared the conditions set by Hannibal, and they read their harshness in
the Celtiberian's hesitation in pronouncing them.

"The conditions! Tell us the conditions!" they shouted from all sides of
the Forum.

"The proof that I have come in your sole interests," continued Alorcus,
as if he did not hear their cries, "lies in the fact that as long as you
were able to resist with your own strength, and while you expected
assistance from the Romans, never did I come to counsel your submission.
But your walls can no longer defend you; every day hundreds of
Saguntines perish from hunger; the Romans will not come; they are far
away, and occupied with other wars; in place of sending you legions they
send you legates, and thus I, seeing that Alcon hesitated to return,
face your indignation to bring you a peace rather necessary than
advantageous."

"The conditions! The conditions!" demanded the multitude, with a
formidable howl which shook the Forum.

"Remember," said Alorcus, "that what the conqueror offers you is a gift,
for to-day he is master of everything you possess--your lives and your
estates."

This terrible truth, falling upon the multitude, produced silence.
"Saguntum, which, for the greater part is already in ruins, and whose
extremes his troops already occupy, he takes from you as a punishment;
but Hannibal will permit you to build a new city in the place which he
will designate. All your riches, those in the public treasury as well as
those in your houses, shall be turned over to the conqueror. Hannibal
will respect your lives and those of your wives and children, but you
must depart from Saguntum to a place