in order that they may appear formidable, for the purpose of detaining me here.  He says that there is no possibility of entering Africa; that there are no ports open.  He mentions that Marcus Atilius was taken prisoner in Africa, as if Marcus Atilius had miscarried on his first access to Africa.  Nor does he recollect that the ports of Africa were open to that very commander, unfortunate as he was; that he performed some brilliant services during the first year, and continued undefeated to the last, so far as related to the Carthaginian generals.  You will not, therefore, in the least deter me by that example of yours.  If that disaster had been sustained in the present, and not in the former war, if lately, and not forty years ago, yet why would it be less advisable for me to cross over into Africa after Regulus had been made prisoner there, than into Spain after the Scipios had been slain there?  I should be reluctant to admit that the birth of Xanthippus the Lacedaemonian was more fortunate for Carthage than mine for my country.  My confidence would be increased by the very circumstance, that such important consequences depended upon the valour of one man.  But further, we must take warning by the Athenians, who inconsiderately crossed over into Sicily, leaving a war in their own country.  Why, therefore, since you have leisure to relate Grecian tales, do you not rather set before us the instance of Agathocles, king of Syracuse, who, when Sicily was for a long time wasted by a Punic war, by passing over into this same Africa, removed the war to the country from whence it came.

44.  “But what need is there of ancient and foreign examples to remind us what sort of thing it is boldly to carry terror against an enemy, and, removing the danger from oneself, to bring another into peril?  Can there be a stronger instance than Hannibal himself, or one more to the point?  It makes a great difference whether you devastate the territories of another, or see your own destroyed by fire and sword.  He who brings danger upon another has more spirit than he who repels it.  Add to this, that the terror excited by unknown circumstances is increased on that account.  When you have entered the territory of an enemy, you may have a near view of his advantages and disadvantages.  Hannibal did not expect that it would come to pass that so many of the states in Italy would come over to him as did so after the defeat at Cannae.  How much less would any firmness or constancy be experienced in Africa by the Carthaginians, who are themselves faithless allies, oppressive and haughty masters!  Besides, we, even when deserted by our allies, stood firm in our own strength, the Roman soldiery.  The Carthaginians possess no native strength.  The soldiers they have are obtained by hire;—­Africans and Numidians—­people remarkable above all others for the inconstancy of their attachments.  Provided no impediment arises here, you will hear at once that I have landed, and that Africa is blazing with war;