DESPAIR. 149 



The Carthaginians cast themselves upon the ground, 

 and the whole assembly fell into confusion. The 

 Consul explained that he could exercise no choice : he 

 had received his orders, and they must be carried out. 

 He requested them to return and apprise their fellow- 

 townsmen. Some of the senators remained in the 

 Roman camp : others ventured to go back. When 

 they drew near the city the people came running out 

 to meet them, and asked them the news. They 

 answered only by weeping and beating their foreheads, 

 and stretching out their hands and calling on the gods. 

 They went on to the senate house : the members were 

 summoned : an enormous crowd gathered in the 

 market-place. Presently the doors opened ; the senators 

 came forth ; and the orders of the consuls were an- 

 nounced. 



And then there rose in the air a fierce despairing 

 shriek, a yell of agony and rage. The mob rushed 

 through the city, and tore limb from limb the Italians 

 who were living in the town. With one voice it was 

 resolved that the city should be defended to the last. 

 They would not so tamely give up their beautiful 

 Carthage, their dear and venerable home beside the 

 sea. If it was to be burnt to ashes, their ashes should 

 be mingled with it, and their enemies' as well. 



All the slaves were set free. Old and young, rich 

 and poor, worked together day and night forging arms. 

 The public buildings were pulled down to procure 

 timber and metal. The women cut off their hair to 

 make strings for the catapults. A humble message 

 was sent in the true Oriental style to the Consul, 

 praying for a little time. Days passed, and Carthage 

 gave no signs of life. Tired of waiting, the Consul 

 marched towards the city, which he expected to enter 



