§30.4.1cum legatis, quos mitteret ad Syphacem, calonum loco primos ordines spectatae virtutis atque prudentiae servili habitu mittebat, §30.4.2qui, dum in conloquio legati essent, vagi per castra, alius alia aditus exitusque omnes, situm formamque et universorum castrorum et partium, qua Poeni, qua Numidae haberent, quantum intervalli inter Hasdrubalis ac regia castra esset, §30.4.3specularentur moremque simul noscerent stationum vigiliarumque, nocte an interdiu opportuniores insidiantibus essent; et inter crebra conloquia alii atque alii de industria, quo pluribus omnia nota essent, mittebantur.
With the legates whom he sent to Syphax, he sent in the place of camp followers, in the garb of slaves, centurions of proven valor and prudence, so that, while the legates were in conference, they might wander through the camp, some by one way and others by another, and reconnoiter all the entrances and exits, the situation and shape of both the entire camp and of the parts which the Carthaginians and the Numidians occupied, and how much distance there was between the camp of Hasdrubal and the royal camp, and at the same time might get to know the custom of the outposts and watches, and whether they were more vulnerable to ambush by night or by day; and during the frequent conferences, different men were purposely sent from time to time, in order that everything might be known to more people.
§30.4.4cum saepius agitata res certiorem spem pacis in dies et Syphaci et Carthaginiensibus per eum faceret, legati Romani vetitos se reverti ad imperatorem aiunt, nisi certum responsum detur: §30.4.5proinde, seu ipsi staret iam sententia, promeret, seu consulendus Hasdrubal et Carthaginienses essent, consuleret; tempus esse aut pacem componi aut bellum naviter geri.
Since the matter, being discussed more frequently, was giving day by day a surer hope of peace both to Syphax and through him to the Carthaginians, the Roman legates said that they were forbidden to return to the general unless a definite answer were given: therefore, if his own mind was now made up, he should declare it, or if Hasdrubal and the Carthaginians had to be consulted, he should consult them; it was time either for peace to be concluded or for war to be vigorously waged.
§30.4.6dum consulitur Hasdrubal ab Syphace, ab Hasdrubale Carthaginienses, et speculatores omnia visendi et Scipio ad conparanda ea, quae in rem erant, tempus habuit.
While Hasdrubal was being consulted by Syphax, and the Carthaginians by Hasdrubal, both the scouts had time to inspect everything, and Scipio had time to prepare those things which were suitable to the situation.
§30.4.7et ex mentione ac spe pacis neglegentia, ut fit, apud Poenos Numidamque orta cavendi, ne quid hostile interim paterentur.
And from the mention and hope of peace, a negligence, as usually happens, arose among the Carthaginians and the Numidian in taking precautions lest they should suffer any hostile action in the meantime.
§30.4.8tandem relatum responsum quibusdam, quia nimis cupere Romanus pacem videbatur, iniquis per occasionem adiectis; quae peropportune cupienti tollere indutias Scipioni causam praebuere.
At length an answer was brought back, with certain unfair conditions added for the occasion because the Roman seemed to desire peace too much; these very opportunely provided a pretext for Scipio, who was eager to end the truce.
§30.4.9ac nuntio regis, cum relaturum se ad consilium dixisset, postero die respondit se uno frustra tendente nulli alii pacem placuisse; renuntiaret igitur nullam aliam spem pacis quam relictis Carthaginiensibus Syphaci cum Romanis esse.
And to the king's messenger, when he had said that he would refer the matter to his council, Scipio replied on the following day that, although he alone was striving in vain, peace pleased no one else; therefore he should report back that there was no other hope of peace for Syphax than with the Romans, having abandoned the Carthaginians.
§30.4.10ita tollit indutias, ut libera fide incepta exsequeretur; deductisque navibus — et iam veris principium erat — machinas tormentaque, velut a mari adgressurus Uticam, imponit, §30.4.11et duo milia militum ad capiendum quem antea tenuerat tumulum super Uticam mittit, simul ut ab eo, quod parabat, §30.4.12in alterius rei curam converteret hostium animos, simul ne qua, cum ipse ad Syphacem Hasdrubalemque profectus esset, eruptio ex urbe et impetus in castra sua relicta cum levi praesidio fieret.
Thus he ended the truce, so that he might execute his undertakings with a free conscience; and having launched his ships—and it was now the beginning of spring—he placed siege engines and artillery on board, as if about to attack Utica from the sea, and sent two thousand soldiers to seize the hill above Utica which he had previously held, at once so that from what he was preparing, he might turn the minds of the enemy to the care of another matter, and at the same time lest, when he himself had set out to Syphax and Hasdrubal, any sally from the city and attack might be made upon his own camp left with a light garrison.