source the Carthaginians had
left; all these things forced them at last to turn their thoughts to
peace. For this purpose they deputed thirty of their principal senators,
who were selected from that powerful body at Carthage, called the _council
of the hundred_. Being introduced into the Roman general's tent, they all
threw themselves prostrate on the earth, (such was the custom of their
country,) spoke to him in terms of great submission, accusing Hannibal as
the author of all their calamities, and promising, in the name of the
senate, an implicit obedience to whatever the Romans should please to
ordain. Scipio answered, that though he was come into Africa not for
peace, but conquest, he would however grant them a peace, upon condition
that they should deliver up all the prisoners and deserters to the Romans;
that they should recall their armies out of Italy and Gaul; should never
set foot again in Spain; should retire out of all the islands between
Italy and Africa; should deliver up all their ships, twenty excepted, to
the victor; should give to the Romans five hundred thousand bushels of
wheat, three hundred thousand of barley, and pay fifteen thousand talents:
that in case they were pleased with these conditions, they then, he said,
might send ambassadors to the senate. The Carthaginians feigned a
compliance, but this was only to gain time, till Hannibal should be
returned. A truce was then granted to the Carthaginians, who immediately
sent deputies to Rome, and at the same time an express to Hannibal, to
order his return into Africa.

(M131) He was then, as was observed before, in the extremity of Italy.
Here he received the orders from Carthage, which he could not listen to
without groans, and almost shedding tears; and was exasperated almost to
madness, to see himself thus forced to quit his prey. Never banished
man(801) showed so much regret at leaving his native country, as Hannibal
did in going out of that of an enemy. He often turned his eyes wishfully
to Italy, accusing gods and men of his misfortunes, and calling down a
thousand curses, says(802) Livy, upon himself, for not having marched his
soldiers directly to Rome, after the battle of Cannae, whilst they were
still reeking with the blood of its citizens.

At Rome, the senate, greatly dissatisfied with the excuses made by the
Carthaginian deputies, in justification of their republic, and the
ridiculous offer which they made, in its name, of adhering to