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[491]
AND now did Titus consult with his commanders what was to be done.
Those that were of the warmest tempers thought he should bring the whole
army against the city and storm the wall; for that hitherto no more than
a part of their army had fought with the Jews; but that in case the entire
army was to come at once, they would not be able to sustain their attacks,
but would be overwhelmed by their darts. But of those that were for a more
cautious management, some were for raising their banks again; and others
advised to let the banks alone, but to lie still before the city, to guard
against the coming out of the Jews, and against their carrying provisions
into the city, and so to leave the enemy to the famine, and this without
direct fighting with them; for that despair was not to be conquered, especially
as to those who are desirous to die by the sword, while a more terrible
misery than that is reserved for them. However, Titus did not think it
fit for so great an army to lie entirely idle, and that yet it was in vain
to fight with those that would be destroyed one by another; he also showed
them how impracticable it was to cast up any more banks, for want of materials,
and to guard against the Jews coming out still more impracticable; as also,
that to encompass the whole city round with his army was not very easy,
by reason of its magnitude, and the difficulty of the situation, and on
other accounts dangerous, upon the sallies the Jews might make out of the
city. For although they might guard the known passages out of the place,
yet would they, when they found themselves under the greatest distress,
contrive secret passages out, as being well acquainted with all such places;
and if any provisions were carried in by stealth, the siege would thereby
be longer delayed. He also owned that he was afraid that the length of
time thus to be spent would diminish the glory of his success; for though
it be true that length of time will perfect every thing, yet that to do
what we do in a little time is still necessary to the gaining reputation.
That therefore his opinion was, that if they aimed at quickness joined
with security, they must build a wall round about the whole city; which
was, he thought, the only way to prevent the Jews from coming out any way,
and that then they would either entirely despair of saving the city, and
so would surrender it up to him, or be still the more easily conquered
when the famine had further weakened them; for that besides this wall,
he would not lie entirely at rest afterward, but would take care then to
have banks raised again, when those that would oppose them were become
weaker. But that if any one should think such a work to be too great, and
not to be finished without much difficulty, he ought to consider that it
is not fit for Romans to undertake any small work, and that none but God
himself could with ease accomplish any great thing whatsoever.
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