26.50
Soon
afterwards an adult maiden who had been captured was brought to him by
the soldiers, a girl of such exceptional beauty that she attracted the eyes of
all wherever she moved. On enquiring as to her country and parentage,
Scipio learnt, amongst other things, that she had been betrothed to a young
Celtiberian noble named Aluccius. He at once sent for her parents and also
for her betrothed, who, he learnt, was pining to death through love of her.
On the arrival of the latter Scipio addressed him in more studied terms than a
father would use. "A young man myself," he said, "I am addressing myself to
a young man, so we may lay aside all reserve. When your betrothed had been
taken by my soldiers and brought to me, I was informed that she was very
dear to you, and her beauty made me believe it. Were I allowed the pleasures
suitable to my age, especially those of chaste and lawful love, instead of
being preoccupied with affairs of state, I should wish that I might be
forgiven for loving too ardently. Now I have the power to indulge another's
love, namely yours. Your betrothed has received the same respectful
treatment since she has been in my power that she would have met with from
her own parents. She has been reserved for you, in order that she might be
given to you as a gift inviolate and worthy of us both. In return for that boon
I stipulate for this one reward -that you will be a friend to Rome. If you
believe me to be an upright and honourable man such as the nations here
found my father and uncle to be, you may rest assured that there are many in
Rome like us, and you may be perfectly certain that nowhere in the world
can any people be named whom you would less wish to have as a foe to you
and yours, or whom you would more desire as a friend."
The young man was overcome with bashfulness and joy. He
grasped Scipio's hand, and besought all the gods to recompense him, for it
was quite impossible for him to make any return adequate to his own
feelings, or the kindness Scipio had shown him. Then the girl's parents and
relatives were called. They had brought a large amount of gold for her
ransom, and when she was freely given back to them, they begged Scipio to
accept it as a gift from them; his doing so, they declared, would evoke as
much gratitude as the restoration of the maiden unhurt. As they urged their
request with great importunity, Scipio said that he would accept it, and
ordered it to be laid at his feet. Calling Aluccius, he said to him: "In addition
to the dowry which you are to receive from your future father-in-law you
will now receive this from me as a wedding present." He then told him to
take up the gold and keep it. Delighted with the present and the honourable
treatment he had received, the young man resumed home, and filled the ears
of his countrymen with justly-earned praises of Scipio. A young man had
come among them, he declared, in all ways like the gods, winning his way
everywhere by his generosity and goodness of heart as much as by the might
of his arms. He began to enlist a body of his retainers, and in a few days
returned to Scipio with a picked force of 1400 mounted men.
