_Moenibus prohibere_. See Zumpt, S 468.
[148] It would be more in accordance with the ordinary usage to say,
_et se et illis_. See Zumpt, S 338.

22. Legati in Africam maturantes veniunt, eo magis, quod Romae, dum
proficisci parant, de proelio facto et oppugnatione Cirtae audiebatur;
sed is rumor clemens erat.[149] Quorum Jugurtha accepta oratione
respondit: 'Sibi neque majus quiequam neque carius auctoritate senatus
esse; ab adolescentia ita se enisum, ut ab optimo quoque probaretur;
virtute, non malitia P. Scipioni, summo viro, placuisse; ob easdem artes
ab Micipsa, non penuria liberorum, in regnum adoptatum esse. Ceterum quo
plura bene atque strenue fecisset, eo animum suum injuriam minus
tolerare: Adherbalem dolis vitae suae insidiatum; quod ubi comperisset,
sceleri ejus obviam isse; populum Romanum neque recte neque pro bono
facturum,[150] si ab jure gentium sese prohibuerit; postremo de omnibus
rebus legatos Romam brevi missurum.' Ita utrique[151] digrediuntur.
Adherbalis appellandi copia non fuit.

[149] Literally, 'but this report was mild;' that is, it spoke of the
battle and siege as if they had been mild or moderate; which was not
the case, as Jugurtha carried them on with all his energy.
[150] _Pro bono facere_; literally, 'to act in accordance with what is
good,' and hence 'to act well,' _bene agere_.
[151] _Utrique_ refers to both parties--the Roman ambassadors on the one
hand, and Jugurtha on the other. The ambassadors were not allowed to
speak with Adherbal.

23. Jugurtha ubi eos Africa decessisse ratus est, neque propter loci
naturam Cirtam armis expugnare potest, vallo atque fossa moenia
circumdat, turres extruit easque praesidiis firmat, praeterea dies