After this he handed over to the quaestors all the public funds of the Carthaginians which had been captured.
There were more than six thousand talents, so that when these were added to the four hundred he had brought from <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rome&groupId=935&placeId=1669">Rome</a>, the total sum at his disposal was more than a thousand talents.
It was at this time that some young Romans came across a girl of surpassing bloom and beauty, and being aware that Scipio was fond of women brought her to him and introduced her, saying that they wished to make a present of the damsel to him.
He was overcome and astonished by her beauty, but he told them that had he been in a private position, no present would have been more welcome to him, but as he was the General it would be the least welcome of any,
giving them to understand, I suppose, by this answer that sometimes, during seasons of repose and leisure in our life, such things afford young men most delightful enjoyment and entertainment, but that in times of activity they are most prejudicial to the body and the mind alike of those who indulge in them.
So he expressed his gratitude to the young men, but called the girl's father and delivering her over to him at once bade him give her in marriage to whomever of the citizens he preferred.
The self-restraint and moderation he displayed on this occasion secured him the warm approbation of his troops.
Having arranged these matters and handed over the rest of the prisoners to the tribunes, he dispatched Laelius on a quinquereme to <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rome&groupId=935&placeId=1669">Rome</a>, to convey the news, placing under his charge the Carthaginians and the most distinguished among the other prisoners.
For as the Romans had for the most part regarded the situation in <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Spain&groupId=983&placeId=1735">Spain</a> as desperate he knew that this intelligence would revive their spirits and that they would redouble their efforts to support him.
Walbank Commentary