§30.15.1Masinissae haec audienti non rubor solum suffusus, sed lacrimae etiam obortae; et cum se quidem in potestate futurum imperatoris dixisset orassetque eum, ut, quantum res sineret, fidei suae temere obstrictae consuleret — §30.15.2promisisse enim se in nullius potestatem eam traditurum —, ex praetorio in tabernaculum suum confusus concessit.
As Masinissa listened to these words, not only was he covered with blushes, but tears also welled up; and when he had said indeed that he would be in the power of the general, and had implored him that, as far as circumstances permitted, he would look to his pledge, rashly contracted— for he had promised that he would deliver her into the power of no one—, he withdrew in confusion from the headquarters to his own tent.
§30.15.3ibi arbitris remotis cum crebro suspiritu et gemitu, quod facile ab circumstantibus tabernaculum exaudiri posset, §30.15.4aliquantum temporis consumpsisset, ingenti ad postremum edito gemitu fidum e servis vocat, sub cuius custodia regio more ad incerta fortunae venenum erat, §30.15.5et mixtum in poculo ferre ad Sophonibam iubet ac simul nuntiare Masinissam libenter primam ei fidem praestaturum fuisse, quam vir uxori debuerit; quoniam eius arbitrium, qui possint, adimant, secundam fidem praestare, ne viva in potestatem Romanorum veniat.
There, having removed all witnesses, after he had spent some time with frequent sighs and groans, which could easily be heard by those standing around the tent, having at last uttered a huge groan, he called one of his slaves whom he trusted, under whose custody, in accordance with royal custom, there was poison against the uncertainties of fortune, and ordered him to carry it mixed in a cup to Sophoniba, and at the same time to announce that Masinissa would gladly have performed the first pledge to her, which a husband owed to his wife; but since those who had the power took away his decision, he was performing the second pledge, that she should not come alive into the power of the Romans.
memor patris imperatoris patriaeque et duorum regum, §30.15.6quibus nupta fuisset, sibi ipsa consuleret.
Mindful of her father, the general, and of her country, and of the two kings to whom she had been married, she should consult for herself.
hunc nuntium ac simul venenum ferens minister cum ad Sophonibam venisset, §30.15.7“accipio” inquit “nuptiale munus, nec ingratum, si nihil maius vir uxori praestare potuit.
When the servant carrying this message and at the same time the poison had come to Sophoniba, she said, “I accept this nuptial gift, nor is it unwelcome, if a husband could perform nothing greater for his wife.
hoc tamen nuntia, melius me morituram fuisse, si non in funere meo nupsissem. ” §30.15.8non locuta est ferocius quam acceptum poculum nullo trepidationis signo dato inpavide hausit.
Yet report this, that I would have died better if I had not married at my funeral.” She spoke no more fiercely than she fearlessly drained the cup she received, showing no sign of trepidation.
§30.15.9quod ubi nuntiatum est Scipioni, ne quid aeger animi ferox iuvenis gravius consuleret, accitum eum extemplo nunc solatur nunc, §30.15.10quod temeritatem temeritate alia luerit tristioremque rem, quam necesse fuerit, fecerit, leniter castigat.
When this was reported to Scipio, lest the fierce young man, sick at heart, should take some more serious resolve, he immediately summoned him and now consoled him, now, because he had expiated one rashness with another rashness and had made the matter more tragic than was necessary, gently chastised him.
§30.15.11postero die ut a praesenti motu averteret animum eius, in tribunal escendit et contionem advocari iussit.
On the following day, in order to turn his mind away from his present agitation, he ascended the tribunal and ordered an assembly to be called.
ibi Masinissam, primum regem appellatum eximiisque ornatum laudibus, aurea corona, aurea patera, sella curuli et scipione eburneo, toga picta et palmata tunica donat.
There he presented Masinissa, having first hailed him as king and adorned him with extraordinary praises, with a golden crown, a golden bowl, a curule chair, an ivory scepter, an embroidered toga, and a tunic patterned with palms.
§30.15.12addit verbis honorem: neque magnificentius quicquam triumpho apud Romanos neque triumphantibus ampliorem eo ornatum esse, quo unum omnium externorum dignum Masinissam populus Romanus ducat.
He added honor to these with his words: that there was nothing more magnificent among the Romans than a triumph, nor was there any more ample adornment for those triumphing than that with which the Roman people deemed Masinissa alone of all foreigners worthy.
§30.15.13Laelium deinde et ipsum conlaudatum aurea corona donat; et alii militares viri, prout a quoque navata opera erat, donati.
Then he presented Laelius also, having praised him, with a golden crown; and other military men were rewarded, according as active service had been performed by each.
§30.15.14his honoribus mollitus regis animus erectusque in spem propinquam sublato Syphace omnis Numidiae potiundae.
By these honors the king's mind was softened and raised to the near hope of possessing all Numidia, now that Syphax had been removed.