hat rude tongue,
endeavoring to give to his words the emotion which he wished to inspire
in the representatives of Rome. He described the desperate resistance of
Saguntum, and her confidence in the support of the Republic, that blind
faith which had inspired her people to hurl themselves outside the walls
and repulse the enemy at the mere announcement that the Roman fleet had
appeared upon the horizon. When he left the city it still had supplies
for subsistence and courage to defend itself. But much time had elapsed
since then--nearly two whole months. The ambassador had been compelled
to make his way amidst adventures and perils, sometimes by sea, taking
advantage of the routes of the merchant ships, again on foot along the
coasts, and at this moment the situation of the city must be desperate.
Saguntum would fall if they did not go to her succor, and what a
responsibility for Rome if she abandoned her protege after the latter
had drawn Hannibal's enmity upon her for wishing to be Roman! How could
other nations rely on the friendship of Rome when they knew the sad end
of Saguntum!

The Greek ceased speaking, and the painful silence which fell over the
Senate revealed the profound impression his words had made.

Then Lentulus, an aged senator, arose to speak. The sharp voice of the
old man penetrated the silence as he told of the origin of Saguntum,
which if it were Grecian on account of the merchants of Zacynthus having
established their factories there, was also Italian on account of the
Rutulians from Ardea who had gone thither in remote times to found a
colony. Moreover Saguntum was the friend of Rome. To be more faithful to
her she had beheaded some of her citizens who had worked in the cause of
Carthage. What audacity for that young man, a son of Hamilcar, to ignore
the treaties of Rome with Hasdrubal, and to dare to raise his sword
against a city friendly to the Romans! If Rome looked with indifference
upon this offense Hamilcar's lion-cub would grow in temerity, for youth
knows no bridle when it sees its imprudence crowned by success.
Moreover, the great city could not tolerate such daring. Outside, at the
door of the Senaculum were the glorious trophies of war as a
demonstration that he who revolted against Rome should fall conquered at
her feet. They must be inexorable with the enemy and faithful to the
ally; they must carry the war into Iberia and destroy the reckless one
who defied Rome.

All the choler o