[7] When the slave bearing this message together with the poison had reached Sophoniba she said, “I receive the wedding gift, and it is not unwelcome if my husband has been able to bestow nothing better upon his wife. But tell him this, that it would have been easier for me to die if I had not married at my funeral.” [8] No less high-spirited than her words was her acceptance of the cup, fearlessly drained without a sign of wavering.
[9] As soon as this was reported to Scipio he at once summoned Masinissa, for fear the high-spirited young man in his distress of mind might do something desperate. [10] He offered now consolation, now gentle rebuke because he atoned for one reckless act by another and made the matter more deplorable than was necessary. [11] On the following day, in order to divert Masinissa's thoughts from the emotion of the moment, Scipio mounted the tribune and ordered that an assembly be called. There for the first time he addressed Masinissa as king, bestowing upon him the highest terms of praise, and presented him with a golden wreath, a golden patera, a curule chair and ivory sceptre, an embroidered toga and a tunic adorned with palms.3 [12] He added this tribute: that there was no higher distinction among the Romans than a triumph, and that those who triumphed had [p. 423]no more magnificent array than that of which4 Masinissa alone of all foreigners was accounted worthy by the Roman people. He then warmly. [13] praised Laelius also and presented him with a golden wreath. Other officers also and men were rewarded, each according to the service he had performed. [14] By these distinctions the king was appeased and roused to the hope, soon to be fulfilled, that with Syphax removed he would gain possession of all Numidia.