Act 7 Scene 4

Carthage, the Council Hall.Enter Gisco, Asdrubal Hoedus, Hannibal and other elder statesmen.

Gisco: Are the ambassadors returned? Have ye heard anything of the sort?

Asdrubal Hoedus: They are come and wouldst appear before the Council.

Alarum, and enter the ambassadors.

1^st Ambassador: This humble servant of Rome wishest to lay before this Council, the terms of peace which shallst conclude this war, as formed by Scipio and the high Council at Tunis.

Gisco: Prithee, go forth.

1^st Ambassador: The conditions so dictated go that Carthage shallst remain a sovereign state, free to rule by its laws, all their cities in Africa they are to keep. To Rome, they shallst the slaves and captives submit; all ships save ten triremes, all elephants nurtured to fight must go to the Roman stables, and no more shouldst they be so raised. Wars shallst be fought only with Roman consent even ‘gainst the powerful nations in Africa. Massinassa be bequeathed all the sum which from him that was taken. Money and corn must fill the Roman auxiliaries till more envoys hie to us returned. That being done, the Romans still, have to receive ten thousand euboic talents of silver, made by fifty annual instalments. A hundred hostages, nominated by Scipio he must have, and ships too as recompense for the wrecking of the Roman galley. That being done truce is at hand, but, even if one o’th’statuettes is violated then be prepared for neither truce nor peace, but war!

Gisco: Why didst neither the earth shake nor the oceans swell to swallow this city ere the Council was made to hear such shameful and intolerable tidings? ‘Tis disgraceful that we in all our grandeur must bear such humiliation. We are not cowards who wouldst submit to such demands and hence peace canst not be concluded.

Hannibal, angered and enraged by such outrageous and ill-timed patriotism, rises and takes Gisco by the arm and drags him out, much to the dismay of the Councillors who exchange looks and murmurs filled with reproach.

Elder Councillor: Hannibal, knowest thou not, that ‘tis ‘gainst the decorum of the house to do so?

Hannibal: [Letting go of Gisco]: I am deeply vexed and to all assembled hither, I place my sincerest apologies. As I left thy city, at a tender age of nine, and didst not return till after six-and-thirty years, I didst have full leisure to indoctrinate myself in the arts of war, aye,  and that I do flatter myself if I sayst that I made some strides in that regard. As to thy laws and customs I am ignorant, yet not arrogant, so that thee mayst instruct them to me. Turning to more immediate issues of discourse, methinks that the heavens must see our offerings and gods be delighted by them, for they have prompted the very word PEACE! To the Roman ears, this word could be lost if not for the hand of the divine. They dist forget that word, like the case of actors o’th’ramp. Even these conditions, hark good citizens of Carthage, hark, are a blessing for all and sundry to live in peace and harmony. I appeal to the collective wisdom and conscience of prominent members gathered hither, to debate and choose the best course of action which wouldst suite the needs of the good citizens of this city!

There are murmurs among the councillors and people debate, and many seem displeased at Gisco.

1^st Councillor: ‘Tis an honour on my part to announce that we have decided unanimously decided for peace. Ambassadors, thy terms are acceptable.

2^nd Ambassador: ‘Tis for thy own good that thou doth accept this most generous of terms proposed by the good and noble Scipio. Thus peace is concluded and the Second Punic war officially is brought to a close. Here are the names nominated by Scipio. [Hands the list to Gisco]

Gisco: So let it be known that though the terms are a trifle harsh, we are to abide by them for the general good of the people. [Aside] Thou lamentable that such a great shame is brought upon Carthage by a foolhardy general who waged war without the consent of this very council where he doth stands!

[Exeunt the Ambassadors

Asdrubal Hoedus: Well then peace is concluded, and yet we must remain wary that wisdom and prosperity shan’t together dwell. The Romans, invincible as they have become, never will they be blinded by the dazzle of good fortune, for ‘twouldst be to all’s intrigue should they act not so. Success, like the gloss of new clothes, is strange only to the eyes of the pauper, but to a prince, ay, they are but happenstance. Thus, we must remember, that, Roman sense of success lieth not only in conquest but also i’th’preservation of the conquered culture, and this shallst propel them for ages to come.

Gisco: So the purpose of the council is now fulfilled; let us now part and commence on the other important tasks.

Others: Let us!

[Exeunt