§28.35.1incohata res iam ante de Masinissa aliis atque alis de causis dilata erat, quod Numida cum ipso utique congredi Scipione volebat atque eius dextra fidem sancire: ea tum itineris tam longi ac tam devii causa Scipioni fuit.
The negotiations concerning Masinissa, which had already been initiated earlier, had been deferred for various reasons; because the Numidian desired above all to meet with Scipio in person and to solemnize their pledge with Scipio's right hand; this was the reason for Scipio's making so long and so devious a journey at that time.
§28.35.2Masinissa cum Gadibus esset, certior adventare eum a Marcio factus, causando corrumpi equos inclusos in insula penuriamque omnium rerum et facere ceteris et ipsos sentire, ad hoc equitem marcescere desidia, §28.35.3Magonem perpulit, ut se traicere in continentem ad depopulandos proximos Hispaniae agros pateretur.
When Masinissa was at Gades, having been informed by Marcius of Scipio's approach, by alleging that the horses shut up in the island were deteriorating, and that they both caused a scarcity of all things to others and felt it themselves, and furthermore that the cavalry was languishing through inactivity, he prevailed upon Mago to suffer him to cross over to the continent to lay waste the neighboring lands of Spain.
§28.35.4transgressus tres principes Numidarum praemittit ad tempus locumque conloquio statuendum.
Having crossed over, he sent ahead three chiefs of the Numidians to fix the time and place for an interview.
duos pro obsidibus retineri ab Scipione iubet; remisso tertio, qui quo iussus erat adduceret Masinissam, cum paucis in conloquium venerunt.
He directed that two of them should be retained by Scipio as hostages; and when the third was sent back to bring Masinissa to the place appointed, they came to the conference with a few men.
§28.35.5ceperat iam ante Numidam ex fama rerum gestarum admiratio viri, substitueratque animo speciem quoque corporis amplam ac magnificam; §28.35.6ceterum maior praesentis veneratio cepit; et, praeterquam quod suapte natura multa maiestas inerat, adornabat promissa caesaries habitusque corporis non cultus munditiis, sed virilis vere ac militaris, §28.35.7et aetas erat in medio virium robore, quod plenius nitidiusque ex morbo velut renovatus flos iuventae faciebat.
Already beforehand, admiration for the man, arising from the fame of his exploits, had seized the Numidian, and he had pictured in his mind a tall and magnificent appearance of his body; but a greater veneration for him when present seized him; and besides the fact that by his own nature there was much majesty in him, his long flowing hair and the carriage of his body, not adorned with elegant refinements but truly masculine and military, set him off; and his age was in the flower of its strength, which the bloom of youth, as if renewed after illness, made fuller and more radiant.
§28.35.8prope attonitus ipso congressu Numida gratias de fratris filio remisso agit.
Almost thunderstruck by the meeting itself, the Numidian returned thanks for the restoration of his brother's son.
ex eo tempore adfirmat eam se quaesisse occasioned, quam tandem oblatam deum immortalium beneficio non omiserit; §28.35.9cupere se illi populoque Romano operam navare ita, ut nemo unus externus magis enixe adiuverit rem Romanam.
He affirmed that from that time he had sought this opportunity, which, at length offered by the favor of the immortal gods, he had not neglected; and that he desired to devote his services to him and to the Roman people in such a manner that no single foreigner should have assisted the Roman cause more zealously.
§28.35.10id se, etiamsi iam pridem vellet, minus praestare in Hispania, aliena atque ignota terra, potuisse; in qua autem genitus educatusque in spem paterni regni esset, facile praestaturum.
He said that, even though he had long wished to do so, he had been less able to perform this in Spain, a foreign and unknown land; but in that country in which he had been born and brought up in hope of his father's kingdom, he would easily perform it.
§28.35.11si quidem eundem Scipionem ducem in Africam Romani mittant, satis sperare perbrevis aevi Carthaginem esse.
Indeed, if the Romans should send the same Scipio as commander into Africa, he was confident that Carthage would have but a very short span of life.
§28.35.12laetus eum Scipio vidit audivitque, cum caput rerum in omni hostium equitatu Masinissam fuisse sciret, et ipse iuvenis specimen animi prae se ferret.
Scipio saw and heard him with pleasure, since he knew that Masinissa had been the mainstay of all the enemy's cavalry, and the young man himself displayed a noble spirit.
fide data acceptaque profectus retro Tarraconem est.
Having exchanged pledges of faith, Scipio set out on his return to Tarraco.
§28.35.13Masinissa permissu Romanorum, ne sine causa traiecisse in continentem videretur, populatus proximos agros Gades rediit.
Masinissa, by permission of the Romans, so that he might not seem to have crossed over to the continent without reason, returned to Gades after ravaging the neighboring lands.