按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
the reason why we Romans alone are exercised for war in time of peace； that we may not think of number for number when we come to fight with our enemies： for what advantage should we reap by our continual sort of warfare； if we must still be equal in number to such as have not been used to war。 Consider further； that you are to have a conflict with men in effect unarmed； while you are well armed； with footmen； while you are horsemen； with those that have no good general； while you have one； and as these advantages make you in effect manifold more than you are； so do their disadvantages mightily diminish their number。 Now it is not the multitude of men； though they be soldiers； that manages wars with success； but it is their bravery that does it； though they be but a few； for a few are easily set in battle…array； and can easily assist one another； while over…numerous armies are more hurt by themselves than by their enemies。 It is boldness and rashness； the effects of madness； that conduct the Jews。 Those passions indeed make a great figure when they succeed； but are quite extinguished upon the least ill success； but we are led on by courage； and obedience； and fortitude； which shows itself indeed in our good fortune； but still does not for ever desert us in our ill fortune。 Nay； indeed； your fighting is to be on greater motives than those of the Jews； for although they run the hazard of war for liberty； and for their country； yet what can be a greater motive to us than glory？ and that。 it may never be said； that after we have got dominion of the habitable earth； the Jews are able to confront us。 We must also reflect upon this； that there is no fear of our suffering any incurable disaster in the present case； for those that are ready to assist us are many； and at hand also； yet it is in our power to seize upon this victory ourselves； and I think we ought to prevent the coming of those my father is sending to us for our assistance； that our success may be peculiar to ourselves； and of greater reputation to us。 And I cannot but think this an opportunity wherein my father； and I； and you shall be all put to the trial； whether he be worthy of his former glorious performances； whether I be his son in reality； and whether you be really my soldiers； for it is usual for my father to conquer； and for myself； I should not bear the thoughts of returning to him if I were once taken by the enemy。 And how will you be able to avoid being ashamed； if you do not show equal courage with your commander； when he goes before you into danger？ For you know very well that I shall go into the danger first； and make the first attack upon the enemy。 Do not you therefore desert me； but persuade yourselves that God will be assisting to my onset。 Know this also before we begin； that we shall now have better success than we should have； if we were to fight at a distance。〃
3。 As Titus was saying this； an extraordinary fury fell upon the men； and as Trajan was already come before the fight began； with four hundred horsemen； they were uneasy at it； because the reputation of the victory would be diminished by being common to so many。 Vespasian had also sent both Antonius and Silo； with two thousand archers； and had given it them in charge to seize upon the mountain that was over against the city； and repel those that were upon the wall； which archers did as they were commanded； and prevented those that attempted to assist them that way； And now Titus made his own horse march first against the enemy； as did the others with a great noise after him； and extended themselves upon the plain as wide as the enemy which confronted them； by which means they appeared much more numerous than they really were。 Now the Jews； although they were surprised at their onset； and at their good order； made resistance against their attacks for a little while； but when they were pricked with their long poles； and overborne by the violent noise of the horsemen； they came to be trampled under their feet； many also of them were slain on every side； which made them disperse themselves； and run to the city； as fast as every one of them were able。 So Titus pressed upon the hindmost； and slew them； and of the rest； some he fell upon as they stood on heaps； and some he prevented； and met them in the mouth； and run them through； many also he leaped upon as they fell one upon another； and trod them down； and cut off all the retreat they had to the wall； and turned them back into the plain； till at last they forced a passage by their multitude； and got away； and ran into the city。
4。 But now there fell out a terrible sedition among them within the city； for the inhabitants themselves； who had possessions there； and to whom the city belonged； were not disposed to fight from the very beginning； and now the less so； because they had been beaten； but the foreigners； which were very numerous； would force them to fight so much the more； insomuch that there was a clamor and a tumult among them； as all mutually angry one at another。 And when Titus heard this tumult； for he was not far from the wall； he cried out；〃 Fellow soldiers； now is the time； and why do we make any delay； when God is giving up the Jews to us？ Take the victory which is given you： do not you hear what a noise they make？ Those that have escaped our hands are ill an uproar against one another。 We have the city if we make haste； but besides haste； we must undergo some labor； and use some courage； for no great thing uses to be accomplished without danger： accordingly； we must not only prevent their uniting again； which necessity will soon compel them to do； but we must also prevent the coming of our own men to our assistance； that； as few as we are； we may conquer so great a multitude； and may ourselves alone take the city：〃
5。 As soon as ever Titus had said this； he leaped upon his horse； and rode apace down to the lake； by which lake he marched； and entered into the city the first of them all； as did the others soon after him。 Hereupon those that were upon the walls were seized with a terror at the boldness of the attempt； nor durst any one venture to fight with him； or to hinder him； so they left guarding the city； and some of those that were about Jesus fled over the country； while others of them ran down to the lake； and met the enemy in the teeth； and some were slain as they were getting up into the ships； but others of them as they attempted to overtake those that were already gone aboard。 There was also a great slaughter made in the city； while those foreigners that had not fled away already made opposition； but the natural inhabitants were killed without fighting： for in hopes of Titus's giving them his right hand for their security； and out of a consciousness that they had not given any consent to the war； they avoided fighting； till Titus had slain the authors of this revolt； and then put a stop to any further slaughters； out of commiseration of these inhabitants of the place。 But for those that had fled to the lake； upon seeing the city taken； they sailed as far as they possibly could from the enemy。
6。 Hereupon Titus sent one of his horsemen to his father； and let him know the good news of what he had done； at which；