1This direct question and declaration of war seemed more in keeping with the dignity of the Roman people than to argue in words about the rights of treaties, both before and especially now that Saguntum had been destroyed. 2For if it were a matter for verbal argument, what comparison was there between Hasdrubal's treaty and the earlier treaty of Lutatius, which was altered, since in Lutatius' treaty it had been expressly added that it would be valid only if the people approved it, while in Hasdrubal's treaty no such reservation had been made, and the treaty had been so far confirmed by the silence of so many years during his lifetime that not even after its author's death was anything changed?
4And yet, even if the earlier treaty were upheld, the Saguntines were sufficiently protected by the exception of the allies of both sides. 4For neither had 'those who were allies at that time' been added, nor 'that none should be taken on later'; 5and since it was permitted to take on new allies, who would think it fair either that no one should be received into friendship for any services, or that those received under protection should not be defended? 5The only condition was that allies of the Carthaginians should not be incited to revolt or received if they broke away of their own accord. 6The Roman envoys, as they had been ordered at Rome, crossed from Carthage to Spain to approach the communities and either win them over to alliance or turn them away from the Carthaginians.
7They came first to the Bargusii, by whom they were kindly received, because they were weary of Carthaginian rule, and they roused many peoples across the Ebro to a desire for a new fortune. 8From there they came to the Volciani, whose reply, famous throughout Spain, turned the other peoples away from alliance with Rome. 9For thus the eldest of them answered in their council: 'What shame is this, Romans, that you demand that we put your friendship before that of the Carthaginians, when those who did so have been betrayed by you, their allies, more cruelly than the Carthaginian, their enemy, destroyed them? 10I think you should look for allies where the disaster of Saguntum is unknown; 10to the peoples of Spain the ruins of Saguntum will be a lesson as conspicuous as it is mournful, that no one should trust Roman good faith or a Roman alliance.' 11Then, ordered to leave the territory of the Volciani at once, they received no kinder words from any council of Spain thereafter.
11So, having travelled through Spain in vain, they cross into Gaul.