this
very holy house, on whose account only they could justly hope to be
preserved, was destroyed; and that it was agreeable to their office that
priests should perish with the house itself to which they belonged. So
he ordered them to be put to death.

2. But as for the tyrants themselves, and those that were with them,
when they found that they were encompassed on every side, and, as it
were, walled round, without any method of escaping, they desired to
treat with Titus by word of mouth. Accordingly, such was the kindness
of his nature, and his desire of preserving the city from destruction,
joined to the advice of his friends, who now thought the robbers were
come to a temper, that he placed himself on the western side of the
outer [court of the] temple; for there were gates on that side above the
Xystus, and a bridge that connected the upper city to the temple. This
bridge it was that lay between the tyrants and Caesar, and parted them;
while the multitude stood on each side; those of the Jewish nation
about Sinran and John, with great hopes of pardon; and the Romans about
Caesar, in great expectation how Titus would receive their supplication.
So Titus charged his soldiers to restrain their rage, and to let their
darts alone, and appointed an interpreter between them, which was a sign
that he was the conqueror, and first began the discourse, and said, "I
hope you, sirs, are now satiated with the miseries of your country, who
have not bad any just notions, either of our great power, or of your own
great weakness, but have, like madmen, after a violent and inconsiderate
manner, made such attempts, as have brought your people, your city, and
your holy house to destruction. You have been the men that have never
left off rebelling since Pompey first conquered you, and have, since
that time, made open war with the Romans. Have you depended on your
multitude, while a very small part of the Roman soldiery have been
strong enough for you? Have you relied on the fidelity of your
confederates? And what nations are there, out of the limits of our
dominion, that would choose to assist the Jews before the Romans? Are
your bodies stronger than ours? nay, you know that the [strong] Germans
themselves are our servants. Have you stronger walls than we have? Pray,
what greater obstacle is there than the wall of the ocean, with which
the Britons are encompassed, and yet do adore the arms of the Romans.
Do you exceed us in courage of s