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[92]
Now Titus, as he rode ut to Gischala, found it would be easy for
him to take the city upon the first onset; but knew withal, that if he
took it by force, the multitude would be destroyed by the soldiers without
mercy. (Now he was already satiated with the shedding of blood, and pitied
the major part, who would then perish, without distinction, together with
the guilty.) So he was rather desirous the city might be surrendered up
to him on terms. Accordingly, when he saw the wall full of those men that
were of the corrupted party, he said to them, - That he could not but wonder
what it was they depended on, when they alone staid to fight the Romans,
after every other city was taken by them, especially when they have seen
cities much better fortified than theirs is overthrown by a single attack
upon them; while as many as have intrusted themselves to the security of
the Romans' right hands, which he now offers to them, without regarding
their former insolence, do enjoy their own possessions in safety; for that
while they had hopes of recovering their liberty, they might be pardoned;
but that their continuance still in their opposition, when they saw that
to be impossible, was inexcusable; for that if they will not comply with
such humane offers, and right hands for security, they should have experience
of such a war as would spare nobody, and should soon be made sensible that
their wall would be but a trifle, when battered by the Roman machines;
in depending on which they demonstrate themselves to be the only Galileans
that were no better than arrogant slaves and captives.
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