nform that
city, that the Roman fleet had sailed. The deputies had therefore no time
for deliberation, but delivered up themselves, and all they possessed, to
the Romans. In consequence of this behaviour, they were answered, that
since they had at last taken a right step, the senate granted them their
liberty, the enjoyment of their laws, and all their territories and other
possessions, whether public or private, provided that, within the space of
thirty days, they should send, as hostages, to Lilybaeum, three hundred
young Carthaginians of the first distinction, and comply with the orders
of the consuls. This last condition filled them with inexpressible
anxiety: but the concern they were under would not allow them to make the
least reply, or to demand an explanation; nor, indeed, would it have been
to any purpose. They therefore set out for Carthage, and there gave an
account of their embassy.

All the articles of the treaty were extremely severe with regard to the
Carthaginians; but the silence of the Romans, with respect to the cities
of which no notice was taken in the concessions which that people was
willing to make, perplexed them exceedingly.(874) But all they had to do
was to obey. After the many former and recent losses which the
Carthaginians had sustained, they were by no means in a condition to
resist such an enemy, since they had not been able to oppose Masinissa.
Troops, provisions, ships, allies, in a word, every thing was wanting, and
hope and vigour more than all the rest.

They did not think it proper to wait till the thirty days, which had been
allowed them, were expired, but immediately sent their hostages, in hopes
of softening the enemy by the readiness of their obedience, though they
dared not flatter themselves with the expectation of meeting with favour
on this occasion. These hostages were the flower, and the only hopes, of
the noblest families of Carthage. Never was any spectacle more moving;
nothing was now heard but cries, nothing seen but tears, and all places
echoed with groans and lamentations. But above all, the disconsolate
mothers, bathed in tears, tore their dishevelled hair, beat their breasts,
and, as if grief and despair had distracted them, they yelled in such a
manner as might have moved the most savage breasts to compassion. But the
scene was much more mournful, when the fatal moment of their separation
was come; when, after having accompanied their dear children to the ship,