[ B] CHAP. X.
How the Romans did twice take the second Wall.
TItus having entred the City, suffered none of them that were taken, to be slain, nor the Houses to be burned, but permitted the Seditious (if they were so mind∣ed) to fight, and that without prejudice to the People: he also promised the People to restore unto them all their Goods. For many besought him to spare the City for them; and the Temple for the City. The People were glad hereof: and many of the warlike Jews thought the humanity of Titus to proceed from cowardize; and judged that Titus, for that he despaired to win the rest of the City, did now Coward-like propound these [ C] conditions. They likewise threatned the People, that whosoever should speak one word concerning Peace, and yielding unto the Romans, should presently die: and some of them did resist the Romans from out of their houses, others in the narrow ways: and others going out at the higher Gates renewed the fight, wherewith the Watchmen be∣ing troubled, fled from the Wall, and forsaking the Towers, retired themselves into the Camp. The Roman Souldiers within the City cryed out, because they were inclosed with Enemies, the Gates being shut, and assaulted without, by those who apprehended their Companions to be in great danger. The number of the Jews encreasing, and prevailing, for that they knew the ways and turnings of the Streets, many of the Ro∣mans were slain and violently born down, when they offered to resist in that necessity; [ D] for a multitude together could not flie, by reason of the narrowness of the Streets that went unto the Wall: and all that entred into the City had been slain, had not Titus succoured them. For placing at the end of every Street Archers, and himself being where most need was, he repulsed the Jews with Darts and Arrows, with the help of Domitius Sabinus, who in that fight proved himself a stout Warriour, and continued fighting with the Jews till all his fellow-Souldiers were got off.
Thus the Romans having got the second Wall, were beaten from it again; and the Citizens so encouraged, they were as it were drunk with their good fortune, thinking the Romans durst no more attempt upon the City, and that they themselves were in∣vincible, when they were prepared to fight. God, because of their Iniquity, had dark∣ned [ E] their understanding, so that they never considered the Roman Forces were far great∣er than those they had encountred, and the Famine that hung over their heads; for as yet they lived upon the destruction of the People, and drank the blood of a City: but the good People did even suffer Famine already, and many of them perished for want of food; yet the Seditious did rejoyce at the death of the Citizens, as though thereby they were eased of a great burthen, only desiring they might live that bear rebellious minds, and would joyn with them against the Romans, rejoycing at the death of the rest; and this was the affection they bare unto their Citizens. In this manner they armed themselves and resisted the Romans, who now again did attempt to enter the Breach: whilst the Jews threw down Stones and part of the Wall upon them as they came up, [ F] drave them back again, and valiantly sustained them for three dayes. But the fourth day being unable to withstand Titus his assault, they were forced to retire as before: and he having gotten the Wall, destroyed all the North part thereof, and placed a Gar∣rison in the Towers and Fortresses of the South part.