Even if I were just Hasdrubal's daughter, I would not resign myself to it. Even if I were just the<hr>
unfortunate Syphax's wife, it would not daunt me. Even if I were just a slave of the<hr>
glorious Massinissa, I would follow no other victor. But being at once a Carthaginian,<hr>
daughter of Hasdrubal, wife of Syphax and Massinissa, and queen of two great kingdoms,<hr>
Scipio should not expect to conquer Sophonisbe.<hr>
No, Massinissa, even if the chains handed to me were inlaid with diamonds, if my shackles shone<hr>
with gold and precious stones, and if I was promised to be returned to the throne once unbound,<hr>
I would prefer death to shaming the honor of the royalty. If my hand were to be shackled, I do<hr>
not consider it worthy of holding a scepter. I have such a profound disinterest for servitude and<hr>
slavery, and my mind is so decisive and loyal on this matter, that if I thought Scipio was to carry my portrait<hr>
in triumph, I would ask you to rid Numidia of all its painters. But no, I regret this sentiment, for if the unfeeling<hr>
Scipio brings my image into Rome, he will highlight my glory more than his own. They will see that I knew how to<hr>
die when I could no longer live with honor, and that a woman's courage has surpassed Roman vanity. I have no<hr>
doubt, Massinissa, that if you cannot stand up to Scipio's sternness, you will be obliged to give me death to honor your promise. Scipio has personal interests in addition to the public interest, as he remembers that his father and uncle died in Africa. He considers me a martyr designated to appease their souls, and, justifying his revenge through the glory of Rome, it is hard to imagine that Hasdrubal's daughter will gain his clemency. But it seems to me, Massinissa, that it would be very unfair that the day you reclaim your crown of Numidia, your wife is bound and made a prisoner. In my view, that would amount to making you both king and a slave. If indeed my distress, tears, and beauty have touched your heart and prompted you to love me as much as yourself, then breaking your word would be betraying yourself as well as me. Think carefully, Massinissa, if you had an outsider's view of the situation, would you judge me worthy of the honor you did me by taking me for your wife, regardless of the shame I bring upon you because of the circumstances? But rest assured, I will not subject you to such humiliation. If Scipio proves inflexible and if you keep your word, my death will justify your choice and restore your reputation.<hr>
But before resorting to such a decision, do everything in your power to touch the heart of this selfish man. Tell him that I surrendered to you alone, that among all the spoils that your bravery has acquired for the Roman people, you only claim a single slave. And if his infallible justice forces you to hand her over to him, as if you were the most obedient soldier of his legions, then tell him that this slave is your wife, that imprisoning her would be imprisoning you, and that the blood you have shed in service to the Republic deserves to allow you to let her live freely. Make him understand that you found her in your territory, in your palace, and on your throne, it is legitimate that she 

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