23.9
The old
man, beside himself with terror at what he saw and heard, as though he were
actually witnessing the act his son had spoken of, exclaimed: "I pray and
beseech you, my son, by all the sacred bonds which unite parents and
children, not to insist upon doing and suffering everything that is horrible
before your father's eyes. It is only a few hours ago that we pledged our
faith, swearing by all the gods and joining hand to hand, and do you want us,
when we have just separated after friendly talk, to arm those hands,
consecrated by such a pledge, against him? Have you risen from the
hospitable board to which you were invited by Hannibal with only two others
out of all Capua that you may stain that board with your host's blood? I,
your father, was able to make Hannibal friendly towards my son, am I
powerless to make my son friendly towards Hannibal? But let nothing sacred
hold you back, neither the plighted word, nor religious obligation, nor filial
affection; dare infamous deeds, if they do not bring ruin as well as guilt upon
us. But what then? Are you going to attack Hannibal single-handed? What of
that throng of free men and slaves with all their eyes intent on him alone?
What of all those right hands? Will they hang down listlessly during that act
of madness? Armed hosts cannot bear even to gaze on the face of Hannibal,
the Roman people dread it, and will yon endure it? Though other help be
lacking, will you have the courage to strike me, me your father, when I
interpose myself to protect Hannibal? And yet it is through my breast that
you must pierce his. Suffer yourself to be deterred here rather than
vanquished there. Let my prayers prevail with you as they have already
to-day prevailed for you." By this time the youth was in tears, and seeing
this, the father flung his arms round him, clung to him with kisses, and
persisted in his entreaties until he made his son lay aside his sword and give
his word that he would do nothing of the kind. Then the son spoke: "I must
pay to my father the dutiful obedience which I owe to my country. I am
indeed grieved on your account for you have to bear the guilt of a threefold
betrayal of your country; first when you instigated the revolt from Rome,
secondly when you urged peace with Hannibal, and now once more when
you are the one let and hindrance in the way of restoring Capua to the
Romans. Do you, my country, receive this sword with which I armed myself
in your defence when I entered the stronghold of the enemy." With these
words he flung the sword over the garden wall into the public road, and to
allay all suspicions returned to the banqueting room.
