Carthage blazed
with innumerable torches, the signal of the public joy; the
chain was removed that guarded the entrance of the port, the
gates were thrown open, and the people with acclamations of
gratitude hailed and invited their Roman deliverers. The
defeat of the Vandals and the freedom of Africa were
announced to the city on the eve of St. Cyprian, when the
churches were already adorned and illuminated for the
festival of the martyr whom three centuries of superstition
had almost raised to a local deity.... One awful hour
reversed the fortunes of the contending parties. The
suppliant Vandals, who had so lately indulged the vices of
conquerors, sought an humble refuge in the sanctuary of the
church; while the merchants of the east were delivered from
the deepest dungeon of the palace by their affrighted
keeper, who implored the protection of his captives, and
showed them through an aperture in the wall the sails of the
Roman fleet. After their separation from the army, the naval
commanders had proceeded with slow caution along the coast,
till they reached the Hermaean promontory, and obtained the
first intelligence of the victory of Belisarius.
Pages:
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231