 | LETTER VI. Letters of Lucius M. Piso, from Palmyra, to his friend Marcus Curtius at Rome |  |
6. LETTER VI.
Many days have passed, my Curtius, since I last wrote,
each bringing its own pleasures, and leaving its ineffaceable
impressions upon the soul. But though all have been in
many things delightful, none has equalled that day and
evening at the palace of the queen. I have now mingled
largely with the best society in Palmyra. The doors of
the noble and the rich have been opened to me with a
liberal hospitality. As the friend of Gracchus and Fausta
— and now I may add, I believe, without presumption — of
Zenobia also, of Julia, and Longinus, I have been received
with attentions of which Aurelian himself might with
reason have been proud. More and more do I love this
people, more and more fervently do I beg of the Being or
Beings who rule over the affairs of men, to interpose and
defend them from any threatening danger. I grieve that
the rumors still reaching us from Rome tend so much to
confirm the belief that our emperor is making preparations
for an eastern expedition. Yet I cannot bring myself to
think that he aims at Zenobia. If it were so, would there
be first no communication with the queen? Is it like
Aurelian to plan and move so secretly? And against a
woman too? — and that woman Zenobia? I'll not believe
it. Your letters would not be what they are, if there
Aurelian. But time will make its revelations. Meanwhile,
let me tell you where I now am, and what pleasures
I am enjoying. This will be written under various
dates.
I write to you from what is called the Queen's Mountain
Palace, being her summer's residence — occasionally
— either to avoid the greater heats of the city, or that she
may divert herself with athletic sports, or hunting, of
which she is excessively fond, and in which she has few
equals of her own or even of our sex. Roman women of
the present day would be amazed, perhaps shocked, to be
told what the sports and exercises are in which this great
eastern queen finds her pleasures. She is not more exalted
above the women of Rome by genius, and the severer
studies of the closet, than she is, in my judgment, by the
manner and fashion of her recreations. Let not the dear
Lucilia be offended. Were she here with me, her fair and
generous mind would rest, I am sure, after due comparisons,
in the very same conclusions. Fausta is in these
respects too, as in others, but her second self. There is
not a feat of horsemanship or archery, or an enterprise in
the chase, but she will dare all and do all that is dared or
done by Zenobia. Not in the spirit of imitation or even
rivalry, but from the native impulses of a soul that reaches
at all things great and difficult. And even Julia, that
being who seems too ethereal for earth, and as if by some
strange chance she were misplaced, being here, even
Julia has been trained in the same school; and, as I shall
show you, can join in the chase, and draw the bow, with
scarcely less of skill and vigor — with no less courage —
than either her mother or Fausta. Although I have now
seen it, I still can hardly associate such excess of beauty
— a beauty both of form and face so truly belonging to
every exercise that might put to shame many a Roman
who wears both a beard and the manly gown. But this, I
need not say, is not after Julia's heart. She loves more
the gentler encounters of social intercourse, where wit,
and sense, and the affections, have their full play, and the
god-like that is within us asserts its supremacy.
But my purpose now is, to tell you how and why it is I
am here, and describe to you, as well as I can, this new
Elysium: and how it is the happy spirits, whom the gods
have permitted to dwell here, pass their hours.
I am here by the invitation of the queen. A few days
after that which we had so highly enjoyed at the palace,
she expressed her desire that Gracchus, Fausta, and myself
would accompany her, with others of her select friends,
to her retreat among the hills, there to indulge in perfect
repose, or engage in the rural sports of the place, according
to our pleasure. I was not slow, neither were Gracchus
and Fausta, to accept so agreeable an invitation.
`I feared,' said Fausta, `lest the troubled state of affairs
would prevent the queen from taking her usual vacation,
where she loves best to be. But to say the truth, Lucius,
I do not think the prospect of a rupture with Rome does
give her very serious thought. The vision of a trial of
arms with so renowned a soldier as Aurelian, is, I doubt,
not wholly displeasing to her; there being especially so
good reason to believe that what befell Heraclianus might
befall Aurelian. Nay, do not look so grave. Rome is
not fallen — yet.'
`Your tongue, Fausta, is lighter than your heart. Yet
if Rome must fall, why, truly I know not at whose feet it
could fall so worthily as those of Zenobia and Fausta.
But I trust its destiny is never to fall. Other kingdoms
as great, or almost as great, I know you will say, have
I must say, to possess a principle of vitality which never
before belonged to any nation. Its very vastness, too,
seems to protect it. I can as soon believe that shoals of
sea-carp may overcome the whale, or an army of emmets
the elephant or rhinoceros, as that one nation, or many
banded together can break down the power of Rome.'
`How very, very naturally and easily is that said. Who
can doubt that you are a Roman, born upon the Cœlian
Hill! Pity but that we Palmyrenes could copy that
high way you Romans have. Do you not think that
strength and success lie much in confidence? Were
every Roman such as you, I can believe you were then
omnipotent. But then we have some like you. Here are
Zenobia and I, you cannot deny that we have something
of the Roman about us.'
`I confess it would be a drawn battle, at least, were
you a nation of Zenobias. How Fausta is at the lance, I
cannot yet tell.'
`That you shall see as soon as we are among the mountains.
Is not this charming, now, in the queen, to bring
us all together again so soon, under her own roof? And
such a place too, Lucius! We shall live there, indeed;
each day will, at least, be doubled. For I suppose life is
to be measured, not by hours, but sensations. Are you
ready for the morning start? Oh, that Solon were here!
what exquisite mirth should we have! Milo is something;
but Solon were more,'
`Fausta, Fausta,' cried Gracchus, `when will you be a
woman?'
`Never, I trust,' replied Fausta; `if I may then neither
laugh nor cry, nor vex a Roman, nor fight for our
queen. These are my vocations, and if I must renounce
them, then I will be a man.'
`Either sex may be proud to gain you, my noble girl,'
said Gracchus.
Early in the morning of the following day, all at the
house of Gracchus gave note of preparation. We were to
meet the queen and her party a few miles from the walls
of the city, at an appointed place, whence we were to
make the rest of the journey in company. We were first
at the place of meeting, which was a rising ground, shadowed
by a few cedars, with their huge branching tops.
We reined up our horses, and stood with our faces toward
the road, over which we had just passed, looking to catch
the first view of the queen. The sun was just rising
above the horizon, and touching with its golden color the
higher objects of the scene — the tall cedars — the gray
crags, which here jutted out into the plain — the towers,
and columns, and obelisks of the still slumbering city.
`How beautiful!' exclaimed Fausta: `but look! that
is more beautiful still — that moving troop of horse! See!
— even at this distance you can distinguish the form and
bearing of the queen. How the slant beams of this ruddy
sun make her dress, and the harness of her gallant steed,
to sparkle! Is it not a fair sight, Lucius?'
It was beautiful, indeed. The queen was conspicuous
above all, not more for her form and bearing, than for the
more than imperial magnificence of her appointments. It
is thus she is always seen by her people, dazzling them
equally by her beauties and her state. As she drew nearer,
I felt that I had never before seen aught on earth so
glorious. The fiery Arabian that bore her knew, as well
as I, who it was that sat upon him; and the pride of his
carriage was visible in a thousand expressive movements.
Julia was at her side, differing from her only as one sun
differs from another. She, like Zenobia, seemed almost
was the art with which she rode.
`A fair morning to you all,' cried the queen, accompanying
the words with a glance that was reward enough
for a life of service. `The day smiles upon our enterprise.
Fausta, if you will join me, Piso will take care of
Julia; as for our Zabdas and Longinus, they are sad loiterers.'
Saying these things — scarcely checking her steed —
and before the rest of the party had quite come up — we
darted on, the queen leading the way, and, as is her wont,
almost at the top of her horse's speed.
`Zenobia,' said Julia, `is in fine spirits this morning,
as you may judge from her beaming countenance, and the
rate at which she travels. But we can hardly converse
while we are going so fast.'
`No bond has been signed,' said I, `that we should ride
like couriers. Suppose, princess, we slacken our pace.'
`That will we,' she replied, `and leave it to the queen
to announce our approach. Here now, alas! are Zabdas
and Longinus overtaking us. The queen wonders at
your delay,' said she, addressing them; `put spurs to
your horses, and you may easily overtake her.'
`Is it required?' asked the Egyptian, evidently willing
to linger.
`Not so, indeed,' answered Julia, `but it would be
gallant; the queen, save Fausta, is alone. How can we
answer it, if evil befall her? Her girth may break.'
At which alarming suggestion, taking it as merrily as
it was given, the two councillors quickened their pace,
and, bidding us good morning, soon, as we saw, at the
ascent of a little hill, overtook Zenobia.
For the rest of us, we were passing and repassing each
other, mingling and separating all the remainder of the
country, but here and there sprinkled with bright spots of
the richest beauty, and highest cultivation. The valleys,
whenever we descended into them, we found well watered
and tilled, and peopled by an apparently happy peasantry.
And as we saw them from first one eminence and then
another, stretching away and winding among the hills, we
agreed that they presented delicious retreats for those who,
weary of the world, wished to taste, toward the close of
life, the sweets of a repose which the world never knows.
As we drew toward the end of our ride — a ride of quite
twenty Roman miles — we found ourselves forsaken of
all the rest of the company, owing either to our horses not
being equal to the others, or — rather, perhaps — to the
frequent pauses which we made at all those points where
the scenery presented any thing beautiful or uncommon.
Every thing now at last indicated that we were not far
from the royal demesne. All around were marks of
the hand and eye of taste having been there, and of the
outlay of enormous wealth. It was not, however, till we
had, for a mile and more, ridden through lawns and fields
covered with grains and fruits, laid out in divisions of
tillage or of wood, that, emerging from a dark grove, we
came within sight of the palace. We could just discern,
by the glittering of the sun upon the jewelry of their
horses, that the last of the company were wheeling into
the grounds in front of what seemed the principal part of
the vast structure. That we might not be too much in the
rear of all, we put spurs to our horses, which then, with the
fleetness of wind, bore us to the outer gates of the palace.
Passing these, we were in a moment in the midst of those
who had preceded us, the grooms and slaves of the palace
surrounding us, and taking charge of our horses. Zenobia
was still standing in the great central portico, where
of the ride, and engaged in free discourse with the
group around her. Soon as Julia reined up her horse,
and quicker than any other could approach, she sprang
to her daughter's side, and assisted her to dismount, holding
with a strong hand the while, the fiery and restless
animal she rode.
`Welcome in safety, Julia,' said the queen, `and thanks,
noble Piso, for your care of your charge. But perhaps we
owe your safety more to the strength of your Arab's girth,
than to any care of Piso.'
Julia's laugh rang merrily through the arches of the
portico.
`Truly,' said she, `I was glad to use any sudden conceit
by which to gain a more solitary ride than I was like
to have. It was my ambition to be Piso's companion, that
I might enjoy the pleasure of pointing out to new eyes the
beauties of the country. I trust I was rightly comprehended
by our grave councillors.'
`Assure yourself of it,' said Longinus; `and though we
could not but part from you with some unwillingness, yet
seeing whom we were to join, we bore the loss with such
philosophy as we were able to summon on the sudden.'
Zenobia now led the way to the banqueting hall, where
tables loaded with meats, fruits, and wines, offered
themselves most temptingly and seasonably, to those who
had ridden, post as it were, twenty Roman miles.
This villa of the queen's for its beauty and extent unrivalled
in all the East, I would that I could set before you,
so that you might form some conception of its greatness
and variety. The palace stands at the northern extremity
of a vast plain, just where the wild and mountainous
region ends, and the more level and cultivated begins.
To the North stretches a savage country, little inhabited,
of Asia so terrible. This is the queen's hunting-ground.
It was here that, with Odenatus, she pursued the wild
boar, the tiger, or the panther, with a daring and a skill that
astonished the boldest hunstsmen. It was in these forests,
that the wretch Mæonius, insolently throwing his
javelin at the game, just as he saw his uncle was about to
strike, incurred that just rebuke, which, however, his revengeful
nature never forgave, and was appeased only
with the blood of the noble Palmyrene. Zenobia is never
more herself than when she joins the chase mounted
upon her fleet Arabian, and roused to all her power by
the presence of a gallant company of the boldest spirits of
Palmyra,
The southern view, and which my apartments overlook,
presents a wide expanse of level ground, or gently undulating,
offering a various prospect of cultivated fields,
unbroken lawns, dense groves, of standing or flowing
waters, of light bridges spanning them, of pavilions,
arbors, statues, standing out in full view, or just visible
through the rich foliage or brilliant flowering plants of
these sunny regions. The scene is closed by the low,
waving outline of the country, through which we passed
on the morning of our ride from Palmyra, over which
there is spread a thin veil of purple haze, adding a new
charm to whatever objects are dimly discerned through
it. At one point only can we, when this vapor is by any
cause diminished, catch a glimpse of the loftier buildings
of the distant city. But the palace itself, though it be
the work of man, and not of gods, is not less beautiful than
all these aspects of nature. It is wholly built after the
light and almost fantastic forms of the Persian architecture,
which seem more suited to a residence of this kind
than the heavier fashions of the Greek or Roman taste.
and magnificence, and that, compared with this,
seems a huge prison, so gay and pleasing are the thoughts
and sensations which this dream-like combination of arch
upon arch — of pinnacle, dome, and tower — all enriched
with the most minute and costly work — inspires the
mind.
Nothing has pleased me more than at times, when the
sultry heats of the day forbid alike study and recreation,
to choose for myself some remote and shaded spot, and
lying along upon the flowery turf, soothed by the drowsy
hum of the summer insects, gaze upon this gorgeous pile
of oriental grandeur, and lazily drink in the draughts of
a beauty (as I believe) no where else to be enjoyed.
When at such hours Julia or Fausta is my companion,
I need not say in how great degree the pleasure is heightened,
nor what hues of a more rosy tint wrap all the
objects of the scene. Fountains here, as every where in
the Eastern world, are frequent, and of such size as to
exert a sensible influence upon the heated atmosphere.
Huge columns of the coldest water, drawn from the recesses
of the mountains, are thrown into the air, and then
falling and foaming over rocks rudely piled, to resemble
some natural cascade, disappear, and are led by subterranean
conduits to distant and lower parts of the ground.
These fountains take many and fantastic forms. In the
centre of the principal court of the palace, it is an enormous
elephant of stone, who disgorges from his uplifted
trunk a vast but graceful shower, sometimes charged with
the most exquisite perfumes, and which are diffused by
the air through every part of the palace. Around this
fountain, reclining upon seats constructed to allow the
most easy attitudes, or else in some of the apartments
immediately opening upon it, it is our custom to pass the
to some tale which he who thinks he can entertain
the company is at liberty to relate, or gathering at once
instruction and delight, as Longinus, either from his memory
or a volume, imparts to us the choicest parts of the
literature of Athens or of Rome. So have I heard the
Œdipus Tyrannus, and the Prometheus, as I never have
heard them before. At such times, it is beautiful to see
the group of listeners gathering nearer and nearer, as the
philosopher reads or recites, and catching every word and
accent of that divine tongue, as it falls from his lips.
Zenobia, alone, of all who are there, ever presumes to
interrupt the reader with either question or comment.
To her voice, Longinus instantly becomes a willing listener;
and well may he: for never does she speak, at such
moments, without adding a new charm to whatever theme
she touches. Her mind, surprisingly clear, and deeply
imbued with the best spirit of ancient learning, and poetically
cast, becomes of right our teacher, and commands
always the profound respect, if not always the assent, of
the accomplished Greek. Not unfrequently, on such
casual remark of the queen, the reading is thereupon suspended,
and discussion between her and the philosopher,
or conversation upon topics suggested, in which we all
take part, ensues. But, however this may be, all moves
on in a spirit the most liberal, frank, and free. No
restraint is upon us but that which reverence for superior
learning, or goodness, or beauty, imposes. I must add,
that on these occasions the great Zabdas is always seen
to compose himself to his slumbers, from which he often
starts, uttering loud shouts, as if at the head of his troops.
Our bursts of laughter wake him not, but by the strange
power of sleep seem to be heard by him as if they were
responsive cries of the enemy, and only cause him to send
dogs!' `Let the Nile choak with their carcasses!' —
The queen for —' and then his voice dies away in inarticular
sounds.
But I should weary you, indeed, were I to go on to tell
you of half the beauties and delights of this chosen spot,
and cause you, perhaps, to be discontented with that quiet,
modest house, upon the banks of the Tiber. I leave you,
therefore to fill up with your own colors the outline which
I have now set before you, as I best could, and pass to
other things.
Every day has seen its peculiar games and entertainments.
Sometimes the queen's slaves, trained to their respective
feats, have wrestled, or fought, or run, for our amusement.
At other times, we ourselves have been the performers.
Upon the race-course, fleet Arabians have contended for
the prize, or those who have esteemed themselves skilful,
have tried for the mastery in two or four horse chariots.
Elephants have been put to their strength, and dromedaries
to their speed. But our chief pleasure has been derived
from trials of skill and of strength with the lance
and the arrow, and from the chase.
It was in using the lance, that Antiochus — a kinsman
of the queen, whom I believe I have not before mentioned,
although I have many times met him — chiefly
signalized himself. This person, half Syrian and half
Roman, possessing the bad qualities of both, and the good
ones of neither, was made one of this party, rather, I suppose,
because he could not be left out, than because he
was wanted. He has few friends in Palmyra, but among
wild and dissolute spirits like himself. He is famed for
no quality either great or good. Violent passions and
intemperate lusts are what he is chiefly noted for. But,
except that pride and arrogance are writ upon the lines
and beardless cheeks, and soft blue eyes, belonged
to one of so dark and foul a soul. His frame and his
strength are those of a giant; yet is he wholly destitute of
grace. His limbs seem sometimes as if they were scarcely
a part of him, such difficulty does he discover in marshalling
them aright. Consciousness of this embarrasses
him, and sends him for refuge to his pride, which darts
looks of anger and bitter revenge upon all who offend or
make light of him. His ambition is, and his hope, to succeed
Zenobia. You may think this strange, considering
the family of the queen. But as for the sons of Zenobia,
he calculates much, so it is reported, upon their weakness
both of mind and body, as rendering them distasteful
to the Palmyrenes, even if they should live; and as
for Julia and her sisters, he has so high conceptions of
his own superior merit, that he doubts not in case of the
queen's demise, that the people would by acclamation
select him, in preference to them, as her successor; or in
the last emergency, that it would be but to marry Julia,
in order to secure the throne beyond any peradventure.
These are the schemes which many do not scruple to impute
to him. Whether credited or not, by Zenobia, I
cannot tell, But were they, I believe she would but
smile at the poor lack-brain who entertains them. Intrenched
as she is in the impregnable fortress of her
people's heart, she might well despise the intrigues of a
bolder and worthier spirit than Antiochus. For him she
can spare neither words nor thoughts.
It was Fausta, who, a few days ago, as we rose from
the tables, proposed that we should try our strength and
skill in throwing the lance. `I promised you, Lucius,'
said she, `that when here, you should be permitted to
sport?'
All sprang from their seats, like persons weary of one
occupation, and grateful for the proffer of another.
Zenobia led the way to the grounds, not far from the
palace, appropriated to games of this kind, and to the
various athletic sports. Not all the company entered the
lists, but many seated themselves, or stood around, spectators
of the strife. Slaves now appeared, bearing the
lances, and preparing the ground for our exercise. The
feat to be performed seemed to me not difficult so much
as impossible. It was to throw the lance with such unerring
aim and force, as to pass through an aperture in a
shield of four-fold ox-hide, of a size but slightly larger
than the beam of the lance, so as not so much as to graze
the sides of the perforated place. The distance, too, of
the point from which the lance was to be thrown, from
the shield, was such as to require great strength of arm
to overcome it.
The young Cæsars advanced first to the trial. `Now,'
whispered Fausta, `behold the vigor of the royal arm.
Were such alone our defence, well might Palmyra
tremble.'
Herennianus, daintily handling and brandishing his
lance, in the manner prescribed at the schools, where
skill in all warlike arts is taught, and having drawn all
eyes upon him, at length let it fly, when, notwithstanding
so much preparatory flourish, it fell short of the staff upon
which the shield was reared.
`Just from the tables,' said the prince, as he withdrew,
angry at his so conspicuous failure; `and how can one
reach what he can scarcely see?'
`Our arm has not yet recovered from its late injury,'
said Timolaus, as he selected his weapon; `yet will we
feebly at his foot. Vabalathus, saying nothing, and
putting all his strength in requisition, drove his weapon
into the staff, where it stood quivering a moment, and fell
to the ground.
Carias, Seleucus, Otho, Gabrayas, noblemen of Palmyra,
now successively tried their fortune, and all showed
themselves well trained to the use of the weapon, by each
fixing his lance in the body of the shield, and in the near
neighborhood of the central hole.
Zabdas now suddenly springing from his seat, which
he had taken among those who apparently declined to
join in the sport, seized a lance from the hands of the
slave who bore them, and hurling it with the force of a
tempest, the weapon, hissing along the air, struck the
butt near the centre; but the wood of which it was made,
unused to such violence, shivered and crumbled under
the blow. Without a word, and without an emotion, so
far as the face was its index, the Egyptian returned to his
seat. It seemed as if he had done the whole in his sleep.
It is actual war alone that can rouse the energies of
Zabdas.
Zenobia, who had stood leaning upon her lance, next
advanced to the trial. Knowing her admirable skill at all
manly exercises, I looked with certainty to see her surpass
those who had already essayed their powers. Nor
was I disappointed. With a wonderful grace she quickly
threw herself into the appointed position, and with but a
moment's preparation, and as if it cost her but a slight
effort, sent her lance, with unerring aim and incredible
swiftness, through the hole. Yet was not the feat a
perfect one. For, in passing through the aperture, the
weapon not having been driven with quite sufficient force,
did not preserve its level, so that the end grazed the
direction, plunged downward, and buried its head in the
turf.
`Now, Fausta, said the queen, `must you finish what
I have but begun. Let us now see your weapon sweep
on till its force shall be evenly spent.'
`When Zenobia fails,' said Fausta, `there must be
some evil influence abroad that shall cripple the powers
of others yet more. However, let me try; for I have
promised to prove to our Roman friend that the women
of Palmyra know the use of arms not less than the men.'
So saying, she chose her lance, and with little ceremony,
and almost before our eyes could trace her movements,
the weapon had flown, and passing through, as it
seemed, the very centre of the perforated space, swept on
till its force died away in the distance, and it fell gracefully
to the ground.
A burst of applause rose from the surrounding groups.
`I knew,' said Zenobia, `that I could trust the fame
of the women of Palmyra to you. At the harp, the needle,
or the lance, our Fausta has no equal; unless,' turning
herself round, `in my own Julia. Now we will see what
your arm can do.'
Standing near the lances, I selected one eminent for
its smoothness and polish, and placed it in her hand.
With a form of so much less apparent vigor than either
Zenobia or Fausta, so truly Syrian in a certain soft languor
that spreads itself over her, whether at rest or in
motion, it was amazing to see with what easy strength
she held and balanced the heavy weapon. Every movement
showed that there lay concealed within her ample
power for this and every manly exercise, should she please
to put it forth.
`At the schools,' said the princess, `Fausta and I went
all times mistress of her power. My arm is often treacherous,
through failure of the heart.'
It was not difficult to see the truth of what she said, in
her varying color, and the slightly agitated lance.
But addressing herself to the sport, and with but one
instant's pause, the lance flew toward the shield, and entering
the opening, but not with a perfect direction, it
passed not through, but hung there by the head.
`Princess,' said Zabdas springing from his repose with
more than wonted energy, `that lance was chosen, as I
saw, by a Roman. Try once more with one that I shall
choose, and see what the issue will be.'
`Truly,' said Julia, `I am ready to seize any plea
under which to redeem my fame. But first give me yourself
a lesson, will you not?'
The Egyptian was not deaf to the invitation, and once
more essaying the feat, and with his whole soul bent to
the work, the lance, quicker than sight, darted from his
hand, and following in the wake of Fausta's, lighted farther
than her's — being driven with more force — upon
the lawn.
The princess now, with more of confidence in her air,
again balanced and threw the lance which Zabdas had
chosen — this time with success; for, passing through the
shield, it fell side by side with Fausta's.
`Fortune still unites us,' said Julia; `if for a time she
leaves me a little in the rear, yet she soon repents of the
wrong, and brings me up.' Saying which, she placed
herself at Fausta's side.
`But come, our worthy cousin,' said the queen, now
turning and addressing Antiochus, who stood with folded
arms, dully surveying the scene, `will you not try a
lance?'
`'Tis hardly worth our while,' said he, `for the gods
seem to have delivered all the honor and power of the
East into the hands of women.'
`Yet it may not be past redemption,' said Julia, `and
who more likely than Hercules to achieve so great a
work? Pray begin.'
That mass of a man, hardly knowing whether the
princess were jesting or in earnest — for to the usual
cloud that rested upon his intellect, there was now added
the stupidity arising from free indulgence at the tables —
slowly moved toward the lances, and selecting the longest
and heaviest, took his station at the proper place. Raising
then his arm, which was like a weaver's beam, and
throwing his enormous body into attitudes which showed
that no child's play was going on, he let drive the lance,
which, shooting with more force than exactness of aim,
struck upon the outer rim of the shield, and then glancing
sideways was near spearing a poor slave, whose
pleasure it was, with others, to stand in the nighborhood
of the butt, to pick up and return the weapons thrown, or
withdraw them from the shield, where they might have
fastened themselves.
Involuntary laughter broke forth upon this unwonted
performance of the lance; upon which it was easy to see,
by the mounting color of Antiochus, that his passions
were inflamed. Especially — did we afterward suppose
— was he enraged at the exclamation of one of the
slaves near the shield, who was heard to say to his fellow:
`Now is the reign of women at an end.' Seizing,
however, on the instant, another lance, he was known to
exclaim, by a few who stood near him, but who did not
take the meaning of his words: `With a better mark,
there may be a better aim.' Then resuming his position,
he made at first, by a long and steady aim, as if he were
suddenly the direction of his lance, he launched it
with fatal aim, and a giant's force, at the slave who had
uttered those words. It went through him, as he had
been but a sheet of papyrus, and then sung along the
plain. The poor wretch gave one convulsive leap into
the air, and dropped dead.
`Zenobia!' exclaimed Julia.
`Great queen!' said Fausta.
`Shameful!' — dastardly!' — `cowardly!' — broke
from one and another of the company.
`That 's the mark I never miss,' observed Antiochus;
and at the same time regaled his nose from a box of perfume.
`'Tis his own chattel,' said the queen; `he may do
with it as he lists. He has trenched upon no law of the
realm, but only upon those of breeding and humanity.
Our presence, and that of this company, might, we
think, have claimed a more gentle observance.'
`Dogs!' fiercely shouted Antiochus — who, as the
queen said these words, her eyes fastened indignantly
upon him, had slunk sulkily to his seat — `dogs, said he,
aiming suddenly to brave the matter, `off with yonder
carrion! — it offends the queen.'
`Would our cousin,' said Zenobia, `win the hearts of
Palmyra, this surely is a mistaken way. Come, let us to
the palace. This spot is tainted. But that it may be
sweetened, as far as may be, slaves!' she cried, `bring
to the gates the chariot, and other remaining chattels of
Antiochus!'
Antiochus, at these words, pale with the apprehensions
of a cowardly spirit, rose and strode toward the palace,
from which, in a few moments, he was seen on his way
to the city.
`You may judge me needlessly harsh, Piso,' said the
queen, as we now sauntered toward the palace, `but
truly the condition of the slave is such, that seeing the
laws protect him not, we must do something to enlist in
his behalf the spirit of humanity. The breach of courtesy,
however, was itself not to be forgiven.'
`It was a merciful fate of the slave,' said I, `compared
with what our Roman slaves suffer. To be lashed to
death, or crucified, or burned, or flayed alive, or torn by
dogs, or thrown as food for fishes, is something worse
than this quick exit of the thrall of Antiochus. You of
these softer climes are in your natures milder than we,
and are more moved by scenes like this. What would
you think, queen, to see not one, but scores or hundreds
of these miserable beings, upon bare suspicion of attempts
against their master's life, condemned, by their absolute
irresponsible possessors, to death in all its most revolting
forms? Nay, even our Roman women, of highest rank,
and gentlest nurture, stand by while their slaves are
scourged, or themselves apply the lash. If under this
torture they die, it is thought of but as of the death of
vermin. War has made with us this sort of property of
so cheap possession, that to destroy it is often a necessary
measure of economy. By a Roman, nothing is less regarded
than life. And in truth, I see not how it can be
otherwise.'
`But surely,' said Julia, `you do not mean to defend
this condition of life. It is not like the sentiments I
have heard you express.'
`I defend it only thus,' I replied: `so long as we have
wars — and when will they cease? — there must be
captives; and what can these be but slaves? To return
them to their own country, were to war to no purpose.
To colonize them were to strip war of its horrors. To
with foes and traitors. Then if there must be slaves,
there must be masters and owners. And the absolute
master of other human beings, responsible to no one, can
be no other than a tyrant. If he has, as he must have,
the power to punish at will, he will exercise it, and that
cruelly. If he has the power to kill, as he must have,
then will he kill and kill cruelly, when his nature
prompts. And this his nature will prompt, or if not his
nature absolutely, yet his educated nature. Our children
grow up within the sight and sound of all the horrors
and sufferings of this state of things. They use their
slaves — with which, almost in infancy, they are provided
— according to their pleasure — as dogs, as horses;
they lash, they scourge them, long before they have the
strength to kill. What wonder if the boy, who, when a
boy, used a slave as his beast of burden, or his footstool,
when he grows to be a man, should use him as a mark to
be shot at? The youth of Antiochus was reared in
Rome. I presume to say that his earliest play-things
were slaves, and the children of slaves. I am not surprised
at his act. And such acts are too common in
Rome, for this to disturb me much. The education of
Antiochus was continued and completed, I may venture
also to say, at the circus. I think the result very natural.
It cannot be very different, where slavery and the sports
of the amphitheatre exist.'
`I perceive your meaning,' said Julia: `Antiochus
you affirm to be the natural product of the customs and
institutions which now prevail. It is certainly so, and
must continue so, until some new element shall be introduced
into society, that shall ultimately reform its practices,
by first exalting the sentiments and the character
of the individual. Such an element do I detect —'
`In christianity,' said Fausta: `this is your panacea.
May it prove all you desire; yet methinks it gives small
promise, seeing it has already been at work more than
two hundred years, and has accomplished no more.'
`A close observer,' replied Julia, `sees much of the
effect of christianity beside that which appears upon the
surface. If I err not greatly, a few years more will reveal
what this religion has been doing these two centuries and
more. Revolutions which are acted out in a day have
often been years or centuries in preparation. An eye
that will see, may see the final issue, a long time foreshadowed
in the tendencies and character of a preceding age.'
The princess uttered this with earnestness. I have reflected
upon it. And if you, my Curtius, will look around
upon the state of the empire, you will find many things
to startle you. But of this another time.
Assembled in the evening in the court of the elephant,
we were made to forget whatever had proved disagreeable
during the day, while we listened to the `Frogs,' read by
Julia and Longinus.
The following day was appointed for the chase, and
early in the morning I was waked by the braying of trumpets,
and the baying of dogs. I found the queen already
mounted, and equipped for the sport, surrounded by Zabdas,
Longinus, and a few of the nobles of Palmyra. We
were soon joined by Julia and Fausta. In order to insure
our sport, a tiger, made fierce by being for some days deprived
of food, had the preceding evening been let loose
from the royal collection into the neighboring forests.
These forests, abounding in game, commence immediately,
as it were, in the rear of the palace. They present a
boundless continuity of crag, mountain, and wooded
plain, offering every variety of ground to those who seek the
pleasures of the chase. The sun had not been long above
and from the smooth and shaven fields of the royal
demesne, plunged at once into the * * *
It was a moment of inexpressible horror. At the same
instant, our eyes caught the form of the famished tiger,
just in the act to spring from the crag upon the unconscious
queen. But before we had time to alarm Zenobia
— which would indeed have been useless — a shaft from
an unerring arm arrested the monster mid-air, whose body
then tumbled heavily at the feet of Zenobia's Arab. The
horse, rearing with affright, had nearly dashed the queen
against the opposite rocks, but keeping her seat, she soon,
by her powerful arm and complete horsemanship, reduced
him to his obedience, though trembling like a terrified
child through every part of his body. A thrust from my
hunting spear quickly despatched the dying beast. We
now gathered around the queen, * * *
Hardly were we arrived at the lawn in front of the palace,
when a cloud of dust was observed to rise in the
direction of the road to Palmyra, as if caused by a body
of horse in rapid movement. `What may this mean?'
said Zenobia: `orders were strict, that our brief retirement
should not be disturbed. This indicates an errand
of some urgency.'
`Some embassy from abroad, perhaps,' said Julia, `that
cannot brook delay. It may be from your great brother
at Rome.'
While we, in a sportive humor, indulged in various
conjectures, an official of the palace announced the approach
of a Roman herald, `who craved permission to
address the Queen of Palmyra.' He was ordered to
advance.
In a few moments, upon a horse covered with dust and
foam, appeared the Roman herald. Without one moment's
hesitancy, he saw in Zenobia the queen, and taking off
his helmet, and bending to his saddle-bow, said, `that
Caius Petronius, and Cornelius Varro, ambassadors of
Aurelian, were in waiting at the outer gates of the palace,
and asked a brief audience of the Queen of Palmyra,
upon affairs of deepest interest, both to Zenobia and the
Emperor.'
`It is not our custom,' said Zenobia in reply, `when
seeking repose, as now, from the cares of state, to allow
aught to break it. But we will not be selfish nor churlish.
Bid the servants of your Emperor draw near, and we will
hear them.'
I was not unwilling that the messengers of Aurelian
should see Zenobia just as she was now. Sitting upon
her noble Arabian, and leaning upon her hunting spear,
her countenance glowing with a higher beauty than ever
before, as it seemed to me — her head surmounted with a
Parthian hunting-cap, from which drooped a single ostrich
feather, springing from a diamond worth a nation's rental,
her costume also Parthian, and revealing in the most perfect
manner the just proportions of her form — I thought
I had never seen even her, when she so filled and satisfied
the eye and the mind — and, for that moment, I was
almost a traitor to Aurelian. Had Julia filled her seat, I
should have been quite so. As it was, I could worship
her who sat her steed with no less grace, upon the left of
the queen, without being guilty of that crime. On Zenobia's
right were Longinus and Zabdas, Gracchus, and
the other noblemen of Palmyra. I and Fausta were near
Julia. In this manner, just as we had come in from the
chase, did we await the ambassadors of Aurelian.
Announced by trumpets, and followed by their train,
queen. `Caius Petronius and Cornelius Varro,' said Zenobia,
first addressing the ambassadors, and moving
toward them a few paces, `we bid you heartily welcome
to Palmyra. If we receive you thus without form, you
must take the blame partly to yourselves, who have sought
us with such haste. We put by the customary observances,
that we may cause you no delay. These whom
you see, are all friends or councillors. Speak your errand
without restraint.'
`We come,' replied Petronius, `as you may surmise,
great queen, upon no pleasing errand. Yet we cannot
but persuade ourselves, that the Queen of Palmyra will
listen to the proposals of Aurelian, and preserve the good
understanding which has lasted so long between the West
and the East. There have been brought already to your
ears, if I have been rightly informed, rumors of dissatisfaction
on the part of our Emperor, with the affairs of the
East, and of plans of an eastern expedition. It is my
business now to say, that these rumors have been well
founded. I am farther to say, that the object at which
Aurelian has aimed, in the preparations he has made, is
not Persia, but Palmyra.'
`He does us too much honor,' said Zenobia, her color
rising, and her eye kindling; `and what, may I ask, are
specifically his demands, and the price of peace?'
`For a long series of years,' replied the ambassador,
`the wealth of Egypt, and the East, as you are aware,
flowed into the Roman treasury. That stream has been
diverted to Palmyra. Egypt, and Syria, and Bithynia,
and Mesopotamia, were dependants upon Rome, and Roman
provinces. It is needless to say what they now are.
The Queen of Palmyra was once but the Queen of Palmyra;
she is now Queen of Egypt and of the East —
arrayed as Cæsars. By whatever consent of former emperors
these honors have been won or permitted, it is not,
we are required to say, with the consent of Aurelian. By
whatever service in behalf of Rome, they may, in the
judgment of some be thought to be deserved, in the judgment
of Aurelian, the reward exceeds greatly the value of
the service rendered. But while he would not be deemed
insensible to those services, and while he honors the greatness
and the genius of Zenobia, he would, he conceives,
be unfaithful to the interests of those who have raised him
to his high office, if he did not require that in the East,
as in the West, the Roman empire should again be restored
to the limits which bounded it in the reigns of the
virtuous Antonines. This he holds essential to his own
honor, and the glory of the Roman world.'
`You have delivered yourself, Caius Petronius,' replied
the queen, in a calm and firm voice, `as it became a Roman
to do, with plainness, and as I must believe, without
reserve. So far I honor you. Now hear me, and as you
hear, so report to him who sent you. Tell Aurelian that
what I am, I have made myself; that the empire which
hails me queen, has been moulded into what it is by Odenatus
and Zenobia; it is no gift, but an inheritance — a
conquest and a possession; it is held, not by favor, but by
right of power, and that when he will give away possessions
or provinces which he claims as his or Rome's, for
the asking, I will give away Egypt and the Mediterranean
coast. Tell him that as I have lived a queen, so, the
gods helping, I will die a queen, — that the last moment
of my reign and my life shall be the same. If he is ambitious,
let him be told that I am ambitious, too — ambitious
of wider and yet wider empire — of an unsullied fame,
and of my people's love. Tell him I do not speak of
that the Power which stood between Rome and Persia,
and saved the empire in the East, which avenged the
death of Valerian, and twice pursued the king of kings
as far as the gates of Ctesiphon, deserved some fairer
acknowledgment than the message you now bring, at the
hands of a Roman emperor.'
`Let the queen,' quickly rejoined Petronius, but evidently
moved by what he had heard, `let the queen fully
take me. Aurelian purposes not to invade the fair region
where I now am, and where my eyes are rejoiced by
this goodly show of city, plain and country. He hails you
Queen of Palmyra! He does but ask again those appendages
of your greatness, which have been torn from Rome,
and were once the members of her body.'
`Your emperor is gracious indeed!' replied the queen,
smiling; `if he may hew off my limbs, he will spare the
trunk! — and what were the trunk without the limbs?'
`And is this,' said Petronius, his voice significant of
inward grief, `that which I must carry back to Rome?
Is there no hope of a better adjustment?'
`Will not the queen of Palmyra delay for a few days
her final answer?' added Varro: `I see, happily, in her
train, a noble Roman, from whom, as well as from us,
she may obtain all needed knowledge of both the character
and purposes of Aurelian. We are at liberty to
wait her pleasure.'
`You have our thanks, Romans, for your courtesy, and
we accept your offer; although in what I have said, I
think I have spoken the sense of my people.'
`You have, indeed, great queen,' interrupted Zabdas,
with energy.
`Yet, I owe it to my trusty councillor, the great Longinus,
continued the queen, `and who now thinks not
they are his, must be strong ones — by which he
supports an opposite judgment.”
`Those reasons have now,' said the Greek, `lost much
or all of their force,' — Zabdas smiled triumphantly —
yet still I would advocate delay.'
`Let it be so, then,' said the queen; `and in the meanwhile,
let the ambassadors of Aurelian not refuse the hospitalities
of the eastern queen. Our palace is yours,
while it shall please you to remain.'
`For the night and the morning, queen, we accept
your offers; then, as strangers in this region, we would
return to the city, to see better than we have yet done the
objects which it presents. It seemed to us, on a hasty
glance, surrounded by its luxuriant plains, like the habitations
of gods. We would dwell there a space.'
`It shall be as you will. Let me now conduct you to
the palace.'
So saying, and putting spurs to her horse, Zenobia led
the way to the palace, followed by a long train of Romans
and Palmyrenes. The generous hospitality of the tables
closed the day and wore away the night.
| LETTER VI. Letters of Lucius M. Piso, from Palmyra, to his friend Marcus Curtius at Rome | |