but, when we can no longer lift our swords, they must overcome us.
Still, as long as I can fight I am ready to do so, in hopes that
God may yet have mercy upon us, and deliver his Temple."

Chapter 16: The Subterranean Passage.

For a few days after the capture of the lower city, the Jews had a
respite. Titus knew that famine was sapping the strength of the
defenders, and that every day weakened their power of resistance.
He saw that the assault upon their strong position would be
attended with immense difficulty, and loss, and he was desirous of
saving the city from destruction. He ordered, therefore, a grand
review of the troops to take place; and for four days the great
army at his command--the splendid cavalry, the solid masses of the
Roman infantry, and the light-armed troops and cavalry of the
allies, defiled before him. The Jews from the height of the city
watched, with a feeling of dull despair, the tremendous power
assembled against them; and felt the hopelessness of further
resistance.

An intense desire for peace reigned, throughout the multitude, but
John of Gischala and Simon had no thought of yielding. They
believed that, whatever mercy Titus might be ready to grant to the
inhabitants of the town, for them and their followers there was no
hope, whatever, of pardon; and they were firmly resolved to resist
until the last. Titus, finding that no offers of submission came
from the city, sent Josephus to parley with the defenders.

He could not have made a worse choice of an ambassador. Divided as
the Jews were, among themselves, they were united in a common
hatred for the man whom they regarded as a traitor to his country;
and the harangue of Josephus, to the effect that resistance was
unavailing, and that they should submit themselves to the mercy of
Titus, was drowned by the execrations from the walls. In fact, in
no case could his words have reached any large number of the
inhabitants; for he had cautiously placed himself out of bow shot
of the walls, and his words could scarcely have reached those for
whom they had been intended, even if silence had been observed. His
mission, therefore, was altogether unavailing.

Illustration: Misery in Jerusalem During the Siege by Titus.

John felt his own resolution terribly shaken, by the sights which
he beheld in the city. The inhabitants moved about like specters,
or fell and died in the streets. He felt, now, that resistance had
been a mistake; and