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THe Ambassadours came with more speed into Africke, be∣cause at Rome, whilst they were preparing to goe, they heard of the battel fought, and the besieging of Cirtha. But that rumour was fauoura∣ble.
Iugurth hauing vnder∣stood the tenour of their message, answered: That
to himselfe not any thing was more esteemed, nor dearer then the authority of the Senate: that from his youth vpward he had so indeuoured himselfe, that he might get the ap∣probation of all good men: that for his vertue, not his ill deeds, he was gracious to P. Scipio, that man of men: for the same respects, he was adopted by Micipsa into the King∣dome, not for any want of Issue. Besides, by how much the more he had done things well and brauely, by so much the lesse could his spirit dis∣gest wrongs. That Adher∣bal had treacherously laid waite for his life, which
as soone as he discoue∣••ed, he had but preuen∣••ed his villany: that the people of Rome should not deale according to ••ustice nor honesty, if ••hey should debarre him from the Law of Nations. Finally, that for the set∣••ing of all his affaires, he would speedily send Am∣bassadours to Rome: Thus both of them seuer themselues. Licence of speaking with Adherbal was not graunted.
Iugurth, as soone as he thought they were de∣parted from Africke, for that in regard of its natu∣rall situation, he could not force Cirtha by Armes: hee enuirones
the walls with a Ditch and Rampier: he raised Towers, and assured them with strong guards; more ouer, day and night he•• makes triall of his fortune either by force or fraude he presents to those who defended the walls, some times rewards, some times terrour: by incou¦raging his owne men he doth raise their valour he is wholly bent vpon all needfull preparations.
When Adherbal vnder¦stood that all his fortunes were reduced vnto a des∣perate extremity, that the enemy was implacable, that there was no hope of Aide, that for want of necessary meanes the wars
could not be prolonged: of them, which with him fled to Cirtha, he selected two of a most actiue dis∣position; them by large promises, and commise∣ration of his estate, he in∣duceth, that through the enemies workes they should make an escape to the neerest sea, and from thence to Rome. The Nu∣midians in some few daies performe his commands: The letters of Adherbal were recited in the Se∣nate: whose tenour was this:
Not through my owne default (ye Fathers Con∣script) doe I send so of∣ten to petition you: the
violence of Iugurth, doth inforce it: whom so stronge a desire of mur∣thering me hath possessed, that he hath neither you, nor the immortall gods in his mind; he doth more thirst for my blood, then for all things else. Where∣fore now this fifth mo∣neth, I being a Confede∣rate and friend of the Ro∣mane people, am besie∣ged by force of Armes: neither the benefits of my father Micip••a, nor your Decrees are auailable: whether with sword or fa∣mine he doth most presse me, I am vncertaine. To write more of this Iugurth, my fortune doth disswade me: I haue already tryed,
that small credit is giuen to miserable men. But yet I doe sufficiently con∣ceiue, that he aymeth at some thing aboue that which I am, neither doth he hope at once for your friendship and my King∣dome: whether he pro∣••ects any thing more hai∣nous, there is no man but knowes.
For at first, he murthe∣red Hiempsal my brother: then he droue me out of my fathers Kingdome. What iniuries were sole∣ly ours, did nothing per∣taine to you. But now hee vsurpeth my Kingdome by Armes: me whom you haue appointed to rule ouer the Numidians, he
keepes shut vp, and besie∣ged. How much he va∣lued your Ambassadours speeches, my dangers de∣clare. What remedy is left, but your power, by which he may be remo∣ued? for verily I could wish, that those things, which I now write, and those of which I haue for∣merly complained in Se∣nate, were all false, rather then my misery should giue credit to my words.
But because I was borne for this purpose, that I should be the scoffe of Iu∣gurths vilanies, I doe not now deprecate death and miseries, but only my ene∣mies tyranny, and bodily to ments. For the King∣dome
of Numidia which is yours, prouide as you please: deliuer me out of his impious hands, by the Maiesty of your Empire, by the faith of your friend∣ship, if any remembrance abides with you of my grand-father Massinissa.