the gods
themselves, in a manner, took part with Hannibal, should now sink in
spirits when every thing is going on happily and prosperously? Even
with regard to the events which have recently occurred, I could wish
that they had passed with as little grief to me as to you. At the
present time the immortal gods who preside over the destinies of the
Roman empire, who inspired all the centuries to order the command to
be given to me, those same gods, I say, by auguries and auspices, and
even by nightly visions, portend entire success and joy. My own mind
also, which has hitherto been to me the truest prophet, presages that
Spain will be ours; that the whole Carthaginian name will in a short
time be banished from this land, and will fill both sea and land with
ignominious flight. What my mind presages spontaneously, is also
supported by sound reasoning. Their allies, annoyed by them, are by
ambassadors imploring our protection; their three generals, having
differed so far as almost to have abandoned each other, have divided
their army into three parts, which they have drawn off into regions as
remote as possible from each other. The same fortune now threatens
them which lately afflicted us; for they are both deserted by their
allies, as formerly we were by the Celtiberians, and they have divided
their forces, which occasioned the ruin of my father and uncle.
Neither will their intestine differences allow them to unite, nor will
they be able to cope with us singly. Only do you, my soldiers, favour
the name of the Scipios, favour the offspring of your generals, a
scion springing up from the trunks which have been cut down. Come
then, veterans, lead your new commander and your new army across the
Iberus, lead us across into a country which you have often traversed,
with many a deed of valour. I will soon bring it to pass that, as you
now trace in me a likeness to my father and uncle in my features,
countenance, and figure, I will so restore a copy of their genius,
honour, and courage, to you, that every man of you shall say that his
commander, Scipio, has either returned to life, or has been born
again."

42. Having animated his troops with this harangue, and leaving Marcus
Silanus with three thousand infantry and three hundred horse, for the
protection of that district, he crossed the Iberus with all the rest
of his troops, consisting of twenty-five thousand infantry and two
thousand five hundred horse. Though certain perso