The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1823-04-09
Gbe Tap .Jpunfi ....Mo. VII
FOR THE ALEXANDRIA HERALD.
SCIPIO'S DREAM:

Il
the 'sSomniun, Scihionis." As it has
believe, hitherto never appeared in ar
English dress, have for your amuse-
nent and that Of your readers, made the
following endcavour TO translate it. You
"ill oblige we by communicating any
errors that you may perceive in version
| which, as it has sren necessarily hasty
IS. fear, sometimes inaccurate.
Your friend and correspondent a.
When arrived in Africa, tribune, as
vou know, for the fourth legion, to the
consul Marcus Manilius, could think OF
nothing more agreeable than an inter-
view with Maslnissa, prince, who, for
guod reasons, was devoted to our family.
No sooner had We met, than the old man
embracing, wept with me. Shortly after,
raising his eyes to heaven, he exclaimed,
81 thank you. Apollo, and We other
Gods, that before pass from this life,
behold in my kingdom, and in this house,
Publius Cornelius Scipio. by whose very
name feel renovated: for never can
forget that excellent and iRvincible man,
SCipio Africanus. We ,hensDent the
day in conversation respecting Numidia.
& our republick afterward, being royal.
ly enlerlained,we protracted our discourse
Till a late hour of the night; the old
man speaking of Africanus only, and re-
membering what he said as well as his
achievements. Being fatigued with my
journey, and having sat up very late,
fell, On retiring 10 rest, into sleep unu-
sually profound. Our reflections and
conversation, often produce something
in sleep, like what Eunuis records in
relation 10 Homer, of whom he was ac-
customed, when awake, to think and
speak very often. 1t was probably If
consequence Of the conversation between
Mssinissa and myself, that Africanus ap
pesred to me in my sleep. His form
was familiar 10 me rather from represen
tations of him which | had seen. thar
from himself. Perceiving me to be ter.
rihed, he said: "Scipio discard your
fears, and remember well what am a.
bout to say. See you that city which,
subjected by me to the Roman people,
renews the old war, impatient of tran
guilty, and which you, though scarcely
soldier, are now to assail - Then
from lofty, starry, and conspicuous
situation he pointed out Carthage "In
two years you, as consul, will destroy
this city, and the surname which you in
herit from me will then be yours by
acquisition. But when you shall have
ruined Carthage, triumphed, been cen.
sor, and gone ambassadour to Egyp,
Syria, Asia and Greece, you will again
and while absent, be chosen consul, anC
conclude the important war. You vii
save Namantia. After being carried il
triumph TO the capitol, you will becom,
iDvidious TO the republick, agitated b.
the schemes of my grandson, Tiberiu
Gracious. Here, Africanus, your coun
try will require all your courage, abili
ties and wisdom. But those days seen
to me doubtful and obscures like thu
Fates: for when your age shall be equa
to seven times eight solar revolutions
and these Two numbers, each Of which i
for cause appropriate to itself cohsid
cred complete, shall accomplish you
destiny (: towards you only, and you
name will the republick turn: on you vii
the senate, all good citizens, our allies
. and the Italians look: on you only vii
the publick safety depend; in short, ye,
must, as dictator, regulate the state,
you escape the impious hands of your re
5 lations." Here when Lalius cried GU
, aud the others more clamorously, Scipit
; gently smiling on them, said, "cease,
. pray you, and do not waken me liste
to the rest" "To increase your zeal,
. continued hfricanus, s'in defending I'll
: republic, know, that TO all who contr
i butte to the preservation or glory Of the
y II cCnnfru- a rprfa1, vNIarn -, "a -