Zenobia; or, The fall of Palmyra. A historical romance. In letters of Lucius M. Piso from Palmyra, to his friend Marcus Curtius at Rome

Letter I

IT i« with difficulty that I persuade myself that it is I who am sitting and writing to you from this great city of the East. Whether I look upon the fate of nature or the works of man, I see everything different from what the West presents ; so widely different, that it seems to me, at times, as if I were subject to thfe power of a dream. But I rouse myself, and find that I am awake, and that it is really I, your old friend and neighbour, Piso, late a dweller upon the Ccelian hill, who am now basking in the warm skies of Palmyra, and notwithstanding all the splendour and luxury by which I am surrounded, longing to be once more in Rome, by the aide of my Curtius, and with him discoursing, as we have been wont to do, of the acts and policy of the magnificent Aurelian.

But to the purpose of this letter, which is, in agree* ment with my promise, to tell you of my fortunes since I parted frcm you, and of my good or ill success, as it may be, in the prosecution of that affair which has driven <r.e xo far from my beloved Rome. Oh, Humanity ! why art thou so afflicted ? Why have the immortal gods mnde the cup of life so bitter? And why am I singled out to partake of one that seems all fl ZENOBIA.

bitter? My feelings sometimes overmaster my phi losophy. You can forgive this, who know my sor. rows. Still I am delaying to inform you concerning my journey and my arrival. Now I will begin.

As soon as I had lost sight of you weeping on the quay, holding in your hand the little Callus, and the dear Lucilia leaning on your arm, and could no longer, even by mounting upon the highest part of the vessel, discern the waving of your hands, nor cause you to see the fervour with which I returned the sign of friendship, I at once left off thinking of you, as far as I could, and to divert my thoughts, began to examine, as if I had never seen them before, the banks of the yellow Tiber. At first the crowds of shipping, of every form, and from every part of the world, distracted the sight, and compelled me to observe what was immediately around me. The cries of the sailors, as they were engaged in managing different parts of their vessels, or as they called out in violent and abusive terms to those who passed them, or as their several galleys struck against each other, in their attempts to go up or down the river, together with the frequent roarings and bellowings of whole cargoes of wild beasts from the deserts of Asia and Africa, destined to the ampitheatre, intermingled with the jargon of an hundred different barbarian languages, from the thousands who thronged the decks of this fleet of all nations, — these sights and sounds at first wholly absorbed me, and for a moment shut all the world besides — even you out of my mind. It was a strange yet inspiring scene, and gave me greater thoughts than ever of the power and majesty of Rome. Here were men and ships that, had traversed oceans and continents to bring the offerings of their toili and lay them at the feet of the mistress of the world. And over all this bustle, created by the busy spirit of commerce, a splendour and gaiety were thrown by numerous triremes and boats of pleasure, which glittering under the light of a summer's morning sun, were just setting out upon some excursion of pleasure, with streamers floating from the slender masts, music swelling up from innumerable performers, and shouts of merry laughter from crowds of the rich and noble youths of the city, who reclined upon the decks, beneath canopies of the richest dyes. As these Cleopatra barges floated along with their soft burden, torrents of vituperative epiihet were poured upon them by the rough children of Neptune, which was received with an easy indifference, or returned with no lack of ability in that sort of warfare, according to the temper or breeding of the parties.

When the novelty of this scene was worn out, for though often seen it is ever new, and we had fallen a few miles below the city, to where the eye first meets the smiling face of the country, I looked eagerly around, first upon one, and then upon the other bank of the river, in search of the villas of our fortunate citizens, waiting impatiently till the well-known turn of the stream should bring me before yours, where, with our mutual friends, we have passed so many happy days. It was not long before I was gratified. Our vessel gracefully doubled the projecting point, blackened with that thick grove of pine, and your hospitable dwelling greeted my eyes ; now, alas ! again, by that loved and familiar object, made to overflow with tears. I was obliged, by one manly effort, to leap clear of the power of all-subduing love, for my sensibilities were drawing upon me the observation of

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my fellow-passengers. I therefore withdrew from the side of the vessel where I had been standing, and moving to that part of it which would best protect me from what, but now, I had so eagerly sought, sat down and occupied myself in watching the movements and the figures of the persons whom chance had thrown into my company, and with whom I was now, for so many days, to be shut up in the narrow compass cf our merchant-barque. I had eat but a little while, when the master of the ship, passing by me, stopped, and asked if it was I who was to land at Utica — for that one, or more than »ne, he believed, fcw1 •-okeii for a passage only to that port.

< No, truly,' I replied ; and added : ... -«u, then, cross over to Utica ? — that seems to me far from a direct course for those bound to Syria.'

' Better roundTabout,' rejoined he, in his rough way, 'than risk Scylla and Charybdis j and so would you judge, were the bowels of my good ship stored with your wealth, as they are, it may be, with that of some of your friends. The Roman merchant likes not that narrow strait, fatal to BO many, but prefers the open sea, though the voyage be longer. But with this wind • — once out of this foul Tiber — and we shall soon see the white shores of Africa. Truly, what a medley we seem to have on board ! Jews, Romans, Syrians, Greeks, soldiers, adventurers, merchants, pedlars, and, if I miss not, Christians too 5 arid you, if I miss not again, the only patrician. I marvel at your taking ship with so spotted a company, when there are these gay passenger-boats, sacred to the trim persons of the capital, admitting even not so much as a case of jewels besides.'

' Doubtless it would have been better on some aecounts/ I replied, ' but my business was urgent, and I could not wait for the sailing of the packet-boats 5 and besides, I am not unwilling to adventure where I shall mix with a greater variety of my own species, and gain a better knowledge of myself by the study of others. In this object I am not likely to be disappointed, for you furnish me with diverse samples, which I can contemplate at my leisure.'

If one studied so as to know well the properties of fishes or animals,' rejoined he, in a sneering tone, ' it would be profitable, for fishes can be eaten, and animals can be used : but man ! I know little that he is good for, but to bury, and so fatten the soil. Emperors, as being highest, should be best, and yet, what are they? Whether they have been fools or madmen, the Tiber has still run blood, and the air been poi» soned by the rotting carcases of their victims. Claudius was a good man, I grant ; but the gods, I believe, envied us our felicity, and so took him.'

4 1 trust,' said I, ' that the present auspices will not deceive us, and that the happiness begun under that almost divine ruler, will be completed under him whom he designated as most worthy of the sceptre of the world, and whose reign — certainly we may say it — has commenced so prosperously. I think better of man that) you do, and I cannot but believe that there will yet rise up among us those who shall feel what power, almost of a god, is lodged in the will of a Ho* man emperor, and will use it like a god to bless, not curse mankind. Why may not Natura repeat the virtuous Antonines ! Her power is not spent. For myself, I have faith that Aurelian will restore, not so much the greatness, as the peace and happiness of th« empire.

'So have not I,' cried the master of the ship : 'it he not sprung from the loins of a peasant? Has not the camp been his home ? Was not a shield his cradle ? Such power as his will craze him. Born to it, and the chance were better. Mark a sailor's word : he will sooner play the part of Maximin, than that of Antonine or Severus, or of our late good Claudius. "When he feels easy in the saddle, we shall see what he will do. So far, the blood of barbarians, slain in battle, has satisfied him : when once in Rome, that of citizens will be sweeter. But may the gods befriend us!'

At this point of our discourse, we were interrupted by loud vociferations from the forward part of the vessel, where I had long observed a crowd of the pa»- sengers, who seemed engaged in some earnest conversation. The tones now became sharp and angry, and the group suddenly dispersed, separating this way and that, as the hoarse and commanding voice of the master of the ship reached them, calling upon them to observe the rules of the vessel, which allowed of no riot or quarrelling. Toward me there moved one whom I hardly know how to describe, and yet feel that I must. You will here doubtless exclaim, ' Why obliged to describe ? Why say so much of accidental companions ?' But you will answer yourself, I feel persuaded, my Curtius, by supposing that I should not particularly notice a mere companion of the voyage, unless he had connected himself in some manner with my fortunes. Such has been the case with this person, and one other whom I will shortly introduce to you. As I was saying, then, when that group dispersed, one of its number moved toward me, and seated himself at my side. He was evidently a Ro-

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man and a citizen. His features were of no other nation. But with all the dignity that characterised him as a Roman, there were mixed a sweetness and a mildness, such as I do not remember to have seen in another. And in the eye there was a melancholy and a deepness, if I may say so, more remarkable still. It was the eye of one who was all sorrow, all love, and all purity; in whom the soul had undisputed sway over the passions and the senses. I have seen an expression which has approached it, in some of our priests, but far below it in power and beauty. My first impulse was to address him, but his pallid and thoughtful countenance, together with that eye, restrained me, and I know not how I should have overcome this strange diffidence, had not the difficulty been removed by the intervention of a third party. This was no other than one of those travelling Jews, who infest all cities, towns and regions, and dwell among all people, yet mix with none. He was bent almost double by the weight of large packages of goods, of all descriptions, which he carried, part before and part behind him, and which he had not laid aside, in the hope, I suppose, of effecting some sales among the passengers.

' Here 's old Isaac the Jew,' cried he, as he approached toward where I sat, and then stood before me, resting his pannier of articles upon a pile of merchandise which lay there — * Here 's old Isaac the Jew, last from Rome, but a citizen of the world, now on his way to Carthage and Syria, with all sorts of jewelry and ornaments ; nothing that a lady wants that's not here — or gentleman either. Most noble sir, let me press upon you this steel mirror, of the most perfect polish: see the setting, too; could the

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fancy of it be better? No ? You would prefer a ring : look, then, at this assortment — iron and gold rings— marriasre, seal, and fancy rings — buckles too : have you seen finer ? Here too are soaps, perfumes, and salves for the toilet— hair-pins and essences. Perhaps you would prefer somewhat a little more useful. I shall show you then these sandals and slippers ; see what a charming variety — both in form and colour: pretty feet alone should press these — think you not »o ? But, alas ! I cannot tempt you.'

* How it it possible,' taid I, « for another to speak when thy tongue wags so fast ? Those rings I would gladly have examined, and now that thou hast dis* charged that volley of hoarse sounds, 1 pray thee open again that case. I thank thee for giving me an occupation.'

« Take care ! ' replied the voluble Jew, throwing a quick and mischievous glance toward the Roman whom I have already mentioned — ' take care how rny friend here of the new faith hears thee or sees thee, an' thou wouldst escape a rebuke. He holds my beauties here and my calling in high contempt ; and as for occupation, he thinks one never need be idle who has himself to converse with.'

1 What you hare last uttered is true/ replied the person whom he addressed : « he need never want for employment, who possesses the power of thought. But as to thy trade, I object not to that, nor to what thou selleet — only to being myself a buyer.'

' Ha ! thou wilt not buy ? Trust Isaac for that. I kerp that which shall suit all, and enslave all. I would have made thee buy of me before, but for the uproar of these soldiers.'

While uttering these words, he had placed th« cage of rings in my bands to examine them, and was engaged himself in exploring the depths of a large package, from which he at length triumphantly drew forth a parchment roll.

•Now open all thine eyes, Nazarene,' cried the Jew, ' and thou shalt see what thou shalt. Look P

And, so saying, he unfolded the first portion of the loll, upon which the eye of the Roman had BO seorrer fallen, than his face suddenly glowed as if a god shone through him, and reverently seizing the book, he exclaimed t

4 I thank thee, Jew ; Ibcxa haat conquered : I am a customer too* Here is ray purse — take what thoti wilt.'

4 Hold, hoW !' interrupted the Jew, kughing; « I have not done with thee yet ; what thou hast bought in Greek, I would now sell thee again in Latin. Thy half convert, the soldier Maeer, would greet this as a cordial to his famishing soul. Take both, and thou hast them cheaper.'

4 Your cunning hardly deserves such a reward,* said the Christian, as I now perceived him to be ; 4 but you have said well, and I not unwillingly obey jour suggestions. Pay yourself now for both, and give them to me carefully rolled up.'

' No better sale than this shall I make to-day, and that, too, to a Jew-hating Nazarene. But what matters it whom I tax for the upholding of Jerusalem? Surely it is sweeter, when the cruel Roman or the heretic Christian is made unconsciously to bniM at her walls.'

Thus multered the Jew to himself, as he skilfully bound into a parcel the Christian's books.

4 And now, most excellent sir,' said he, turning toward me, ' what do you find worthy your own or your lady's finger ? Here is another case — perhaps these may strike you as rarer for their devices or their workmanship. But they are rather better suited to the tastes of the rich Palmyrenes, to whom I am bearing them*'

« Ah ! ' I exclaimed, « these are what I want. Thii seal ring, with the head of Zenobia, for which I sought in vain in Rome, I will buy, nor care for its cost, if thou canst assure me of its resemblance to the great Queen. Who was the artist?

' As I stand here, a true son of Abraham,' he replied, « it was worked by a Greek jeweller, who lives hard by the Temple of Fortune, and who has engraved it after a drawing made by a brother, an inhabitant of Palmyra. Two such artists in their way are not to be found. I myself, moreover, bore the original drawing from Demetrius to his brother in Rome ; and that it is like the great Queen, I can well testify, for I have often seen her. Her marvellous beauty is here well expressed, or as well as that which partakes so much more of heaven than of earth can be. But look at these, too ! Here I have what I look to do well with. See ! heads of Odeni-tus ! Think you not they will take well ? These also are done with the same care as the others, and by the same workmen. Nothing of the kind has as yet been seen in Palmyra, nor indeed in Rome. Happy Isaac ! thy fortune is made ! Come, put them on thy finger, and observe their beauty. King and Queen — how lovingly they sit there together ! 'Twas just so when Odenatus- was alive. They were a noble and a loving pair. The Queen y«t weeps for him.'

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' Jew,' said I, ' on thy word I purchase these. Although thy name is in no good repute, yet thy face ii honest, and I will trust thee so far.'

1 The name of the unfortunate and the weak is never in repute/ said Isaac, as he took my money and folded up the rings, his whole manner suddenly changing. « The Jew is now but a worm, writhing under the heel of the proud Roman. Many a time has he, however, as thou well knowest, turned upon his destroyer, and tasted the sweetness of a brief revenge. Why should I speak of the massacres of Egypt, Gyrene, and Syria in the days of Trajan ? Let Rome beware ! Small though we seem, the day will yet arrive when the glory of Zion shall fill the whole earth — and He shall come, before whom the mighty Emperor of Rome shall tremble in his palaces. — This is what I say. Thanks to the great Aurelian, that even a poor son of Abraham may speak his mind and not lose his head. — Here's old Isaac: who'll buy of old Isaac ? — rings, pins, and razors — who'll buy ?'

And so singing, he turned away, and mixed with t' e passengers in the other parts of the vessel. The wild glare of his eye, and deep, suppressed tone of his voice, as he spoke of the condition and hopes of his tribe, startled and moved me, and I would willingly have prolonged a conversation with one of that singular people, about whom I really know nothing, and with none of whom I had ever before come in contact. When I see you again, I shall have much to tell you of him ; for during the rest of the voyage we were often thrown together, and, as you will learn, lie has become of essential service to me in the prosecution of my objects.

No sooner had Isaac withdrawn from our company, than I embraced the opportunity to address my. self to the remarkable-looking person whom I have already in part described.

* It is a great testimony,' I said, turning toward him, 'which these Je\\9 bear to their national religion, I much doubt if Romans, under similar circumstances of oppression, would exhibit a constancy like theirs. Their attachment, too, is to an invisible religion, as one may say, which makes it the more remarkable. They have neither temples, altars, victims, nor statues, nor any form of god or goddess, to which th< ^ pay real or feigned adoration. Totvard us (hey bear deep and inextinguishable hate, for our religidn not less than for our oppressions. I never see a Jew threading our streets with busy steps, and his dark, piercing eye, but I seem to see an assassin who, with Caligula, wishes the Roman people had but one neck, that he might exterminate the whole race with a •ingfo blow. Toward you, howerer, who are so nearly of his own faith, I suppose his sentiments are more kindly. Tl»e Christian Roman, perhaps, he woxild spare.'

' Not so, I greatly fear,' replied the Christian. 'Nay, the Jew bears a deeper hatred toward us than toward you, and would sooner sacrifice us ; for the reason, doubtless, that we are n-earer him in faith than you ; just as OUT successful emperors have no sooner found themselves securely seated, than they have first turned upon the members of their own family, that from this, the most dangerous quarter, there should be no fear of rival or usurper. The Jew holds the Christian — though in some sort believing with him — as a rival — a usurper — a rebel ; as one who would substitute & n*r*lty for the ancient creed of his people, and, in a word, bring roin upon the very existence of his tribe1. His suspicions, truly, are not without foundation; but they do not excuse the temper with which he regards us. I cast no imputation upon the virtues of friend Isaac, in what I say. The very spirit of universal love, I believe, reigns in his soul. Would that all of His race were like him !'

« What you say is new and strange-,' I replied. ' I may possibly bring shame npoa myself by saying so, but it is true. I have been accustomed to regard Christians ami Jews as in effect one people ; one, I mean, in opinion and feeling. But in truth I know nothing. You are not ignorant of the prejudice which exists toward both these races, 0^1 the part of the Kom-.uis. I have yielded, with multitudes around me, to prevailing ideas, taking no steps to learn tneir truth or error. Our writers, from Tacitus to the base tools — for such, they must have been — who lent themselves to the purposes of the bigot Macrianus, and who filled the city with their accounts of the Chrisliaus, have all agreed in representing your faith as a dark and mischievous superstition. I have, indeed, been struck with the circumstance, that while the Jew* made no converts from us, great numbers are reported to have joined the Christians ; and of those i-iot a lew of th-e higher orders. The late Emperor Philip, I think it clear, was a Christian. This might have taught me that there is a wide difference between the Chr stian and the Jew. But the general hatred toward both the one and the other, together with the i>ei seen:. on* to which they have been exposed, have made me more than indili'erent to their merits.'

• I trust the time will come,' replied the Christian, 'when our cause, will be examined on the ground of

VOL. I. B its merits. Why may we not believe that it has now come ? The Roman world ig at peace. A strong and generous prince is upon the throne. Mild and just laws restrain the furious bigotry of an ignorant and sanguinary priesthood. Men of intelligence and virtue adorn our profession, from whom those who are anxious to fcnow the truth can hear it ; and copies of our sacred books both in Greek and Latin abound, whence may easily be learnt the true principles of our faith, and the light of whose holy pages would instantly dispel the darkness by which the minds of many, even of the virtuous and well-disposed, are oppressed. It is hardly likely that a fitter opportunity will soon offer for an examination of the claims of Christianity. We have nothing to dread but the deadness and indifference of the public mind. It is not credible that polytheism should stand a day upon any fair comparison of it with the religion of Christ. You yourself are not a believer (pardon my holiness) in the ineffable stupidities of the common religion. To suppose you were — I see by the expression of your countenance — would be the unpardonable offence. I sincerely believe that nothing more is wanting to change you, and every intelligent Roman, from professed supporters of the common religion, (but real infidels,) into warm believers and advocates of the doctrine of Christ — but simply this — to read his sayings, and the delineation of his character, as they have been written down by some of his followers. You are, I see, incredulous, but not more so than I was myself only a year ago ; yet you behold me a Christian. I had to contend against, perhaps, far more adverse influences than would oppose you. You •tart with surprise that I should give evidence that I know you ; but I have many a time seen you at the shop of Publius, and have heard you in your addresses to the people.

' I am the son of a priest of the Temple of Jupiter, — of a man who, to a mildness and gentleness of soul that would do honour to the Christian, added a faith in the religion of his fathers, deep-struck and firmrooted as the rocks of the ocean. I was his assistant in the duties of his office. My childish faith was all he could wish it ; I reverenced a religion which had nurtured virtues like his. In process of time, I became myself a father. Four children, more beautiful than ever visited the dreams of Phidias, made my dwelling a portion of Elysium, as I then thought. Their mother — but why should I speak of her ? It is enough to say, she was a Roman mother. At home it was my supreme happiness to sport with my little ones, or initiate them into the elements of useful knowledge. And often, when at the temple preparing for the days of ceremony, my children were with me ; and my labours were nothing, cheered by the music of their feet running upon the marble pavements, and of their merry voices echoing among the columns and arches of the vast interior. O days thrice happy ! They were too happy to last. Within the space of one year — one cruel year — these four living idols were ravished from my arms by a prevailing disease. My wife, broken-hearted, soon followed them, and I was left alone. I need not describe my grief: I will only say, that with bitter imprecations, I cursed the gods. • Who are ye,' I cried, ' who sit above in your secure seats, and make your sport ot human woe ? Ye are less than men. Man though I am, I would not inflict upon the meanest

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slave the misery ye have poured upon my defenceless head. Where are yon* mercies ?' I was frantic. How long this lasted I cannot tell, for I took no note of time. I was awakened, may I not say sa\ed? by a kind neighbour whom I had long known to be a Christian. He was a witness of my sufferings, and with deep compassion ministered to my necessities. ' Probus,' said he, ' I know your sorrows, and I know your wants. I bare perceived that neither your own thoughts nor all the philosophy of your Tenerable father have brought you peace. It ia not surprising: ye are but men, and ye hare but the power and the wisdom of men. It is aid from the Divinity that you want, I will not discourse with you ; but I leave with you this book, which I simply ask you to read.' I read it — and rend it — agaifl and again ; and I am a Christian. As the Christian grew up within me, my pains were soothed, and days, once days of tears and unavailing complaints, are now days of calm, and cheeiful dury: j am a new man.'

I cannot describe to you, my Curtius, the effect of is little narrative upon myself, or upon those who, as he spoke, had gathered round, especially those hard-featured soldiers. Tears flowed down their weather-beaten faces, and one of them — Macer, as I afterward learned — cried out, * Where now are the gods of Rome?' Probus started from his seat, apparently for the first time conscious of any other listener beside myself, and joined the master of the vessel at the helm. 1 resigned myself to meditation, and that night fell asleep, thinking of the Christian and his book.