University of Virginia Library

3. LETTER III.

With what pleasure do I again sit down, dear Curtius
and Lucilia, to tell you how I have passed my time, and
what I have been able to accomplish, since I last wrote;
thrice happy that I have to report of success rather than
of defeat in that matter which I have undertaken. But
first, let me thank you for all the city gossip, with which
you so greatly entertained me in your joint epistle. Although
I pass my hours and days in this beautiful capital
as happily as I could any where out of Rome, still my
letters from home are a great addition to my enjoyment.

After rising from the perusal of yours and my mother's,
I was a new man. Let me beg you — which indeed I
need hardly do — to send each letter of mine, as you receive
it, to Portia, and in return receive and read those
which I have written, and shall continue to write to her.
To you, I shall give a narrative of events; to her, I shall
pour out sentiment and philosophy, as in our conversation
we were wont to do. I shall hope soon to have somewhat
of interest to say of the state of letters here, and of my
interviews with distinguished men. So soon as the queen
shall return from her excursion through some of her distant
provinces, I shall call upon Gracchus to fulfil his
promise, and make me known to the great Longinus, now
with the Queen absent. From my intercourse with him,
I shall look to draw up long and full reports of much that
shall afford both entertainment and instruction to you all.

I have now passed several days in Palmyra, and have
a mass of things to say. But instead of giving you a confused
report, I shall separate one thing from another, and
set down each according to the time and manner in which
it happened. This is what I know you desire, and this
is what I shall do.

I cannot easily tell you how delicious was my slumber
after that last day of fatiguing travel, and that evening of
to me the most exciting converse. I dreamed that night
of Calpurnius rescued and returned; and ever as he was
present to my sleeping fancy, the music of Fausta's harp
and voice was floating near.

Hannibal was early at my door to warn me of the hour
of the morning meal, Milo being still under the influences
of the evening's potation. I was shown to a different
apartment from that in which we had supped, but opening
into it. It was a portico rather than a room, it being
on two sides open to the shrubbery, with slender Ionic

pillars of purest marble supporting the ceiling, all joined
together by the light interlacings of the most gorgeous
creeping plants. Their odors filled the air. A fountain
threw up in the most graceful forms its clear water, and
spread all around an agreeable coolness. Standing at
those points where flights of steps led down to the walks
and plats of grass and flowers, which wound about the
palace, the eye wandered over the rich scene of verdure
and blossom which they presented, and then rested where
it can never rest too often nor too long, upon the glittering
shafts of the Temple of the Sun. This morning prospect,
from this single point, I thought was reward enough
for my long voyage, and hot journey over the desert. It
inspired more cheerful thoughts than the same scene, as
I had seen it the evening before from the windows of my
chamber. I could not but draw omens of good from the
universal smile that beamed upon me from the earth and
the heavens. Fausta's little hand suddenly placed within
mine, and the cheerful greeting of her voice, awoke me
from my dreamy state.

`Your countenance shows that you have slept well,
Lucius,' said she. `it is bright as the morning itself.
Your dreams must have been favorable. Or else is it
the wonder-working power of a Palmyrene air that has
wrought so with you since the last evening? Tell me,
have you not slept as you never slept in Rome?'

`I have slept well, indeed,' I replied, `but I believe it
was owing rather to your harp and Jewish ode, than to any
mysterious qualities of the air. Your music haunted the
chambers of my brain all night, and peopled them with
the forms of those whom I love, and whose memory it last
evening recalled so vividly. Mostly I dreamed of Calpurnius,
and of his return to Rome, and with him came
ever your image dimly seen hovering around, and the

strains of your voice and harp. These are to me auguries
of good, even as if the voice of a god had spoken.
I shall once more embrace a brother — and what is even
more, a Roman.'

`The gods grant it may be so!' replied Fausta: `A
prayer which I repeat,' cried Gracchus, as he approached
us from the hall, through which I had just passed. `I
have thought much of your affair since I parted from you
last evening, and am more than ever persuaded that we
came to a true decision touching the steps best to be
taken. To-day I shall be much abroad, and shall not
forget to search in every direction for one who may be intrusted
with this nice, and difficult, and withal dangerous
business. I can now think of no messenger who bids so
fair to combine all the qualities we most desire, as the Jew.
I know but few of that tribe, and those are among the
rich. But then those rich are connected in various ways
with the poor — for to a marvellous extent they are one
people — it is the same you know in Rome — and through
them I think I may succeed.'

`Now have you,' I quickly added, `again poured light
into my mind. Half our labor is over. I know a Jew
whose capacities could not be more fitting for this enterprise.
I saw much of him on board the vessel which took
us first to the African coast, where, at Utica, it set him on
shore, bringing me farther on to Berytus. He is a true
citizen of the world — knows all languages, and all people,
and all places. He has all the shrewdness of his
race — their intelligence, their enthusiasm, and, I may
add, their courage. He is a traveller by profession, and
a vender of such things as any will buy, and will go
wherever he may hope to make large gains wherewith to
do his share toward “building again the walls of Jerusalem,”
as he calls it. He has a home in every city of

the East. It was toward Palmyra that he was bending
his way: and, as I now remember, promised that he
would see me here not many days after I should arrive,
and have the pleasure, as he trusted, to sell me more of
his goods. For you must be told that I did indeed traffic
with him, however little it became a patrician of Rome.
And here I have about me, in a little casket, some rings
which I purchased of him having upon them heads of
Zenobia and Odenatus, resembling the originals to the
life, as he assured me, with much asseveration. See,
Fausta, here they are. Look now, and tell me if he has
spoken in this instance the truth; if so, it will be a ground
for trusting him farther.'

`Beautiful!' exclaimed both Gracchus and Fausta.
`He has indeed dealt honestly with you. Nothing can
be more exact than these resemblances, and the workmanship
is worthy the hand of Demetrius the Greek.'

`Provincials,' said I, `ever know the capital and its
fashions better than citizens. Now never till Isaac, my
Jew friend, rehearsed to me the praises of Demetrius, the
jeweller, had I ever heard his name, or aught concerning
his skill, and here in the heart of Asia he seems a household
word.'

`It is so, indeed,' said Gracchus; `I do not doubt that
the fashionable artists of every kind in Rome are better
known to the followers of fashion in Palmyra than they
are to the patricians themselves. Wanting the real greatness
of Rome, we try to surpass her in the trappings of
greatness. We are well represented by the frog of æsop;
happy, if our swelling pride do not destroy us. But these
rings — they are indeed of exquisite art. The head of
Odenatus is truer to life, methinks, than that of the
queen.'

`And how can poor stone and gold set out the divine

beauty and grace of Zenobia!' cried Fausta. `This is
beautiful to you now, Lucius, but it will be so no longer
when you shall have seen her. Would that she were
here! It seems as if the sun were gone from the heavens,
when she is absent from us on these long excursions
among her distant subjects.'

`Till then, dear Fausta,' said I, `deign to wear on that
only finger which I see ungraced by a ring, this head of
your so much vaunted queen; afterward wear it, if you
will, not for her sake, but mine.'

So saying, upon her finger which she held out to me —
and which how beautiful it was I shall not say — I
attempted to pass the ring, but alas! it was too small
and would not, with all the gentle force I dared to use,
go on.

`Here is an omen, Fausta,' said I; `the queen cannot
be forced upon your hand. I fear your friendship is
threatened.'

`Oh! never entertain any such apprehension,' interrupted
Fausta. It is quite needless. Here is plenty of
room on this neighbor finger. It is quite right that Aurelian,
you know, should give way to Zenobia: so, away
with the Emperor!' and she snapped the ring across the
pavement of the Portico — `and now, Lucius, invest me
with that burning beauty.'

`And now do you think you deserve it? I marvel,
Gracchus, at the boldness of these little girls. Verily,
they bid fair to mount up over our heads. But come,
your finger: there — one cannot but say it becomes you
better than the fierce Aurelian. As for the deposed Emperor,
he is henceforward mine. Thus I re-instate him.'
In saying which, I picked up the discarded ring, and
gave to it the most honored place upon my right hand.

Fausta now, first laughingly bidding me welcome to the

ring, called us to the table, where the breakfast, consisting
of fruits in greater proportion than with us, awaited
us. Much talk now ensued concerning the city, its growth
and numbers, power and probable destiny. I was satisfied
from what fell from each, that the most ambitious
designs are entertained by both the court and people,
and that their wonderful successes have bred in them a
real belief that they should have nothing to fear from the
valor or power of Rome, under any circumstances of collision.
When this was through, Gracchus, rising from
his seat, and pacing slowly up and down the portico, spoke
of my private affairs, and with great kindness went over
again the whole ground. The result was the same.

`Our way, then,' he said, `is clear. Wait a few days
for your fellow-traveller, Isaac. If he appears, well — if
not, we must then search the quarter of the Jews for one
who may do as good service, perhaps. I now leave you,
with a suggestion to Fausta that she should take it upon
her to drive you round the city, and into the suburbs.
No one can perform the office of a guide better than she.

`If Fausta will take that trouble upon her,' I replied,
`it will give me —'

`A great deal of pleasure,' you were going to say; so
it will me. I am sure we shall enjoy it. If I love any
thing, it is to reveal to a proud Roman the glories of Palmyra.
Take away from a Roman that ineffable air which
says “Behold embodied in me the majesty of Rome!”
and there remains a very agreeable person. But for those
qualities of mind and manners which fit men and women
for society, the Roman men and women must yield to the
Palmyrenes. So I think, who have seen somewhat of
both — and so think — gainsay my authorities if you have
the courage — Longinus and the Bishop of Antioch. I
see that you are disturbed. No wonder. Longinus,

though a philosopher, is a man of the world, who sees
through its ways as clearly as he does through the mysticism
of Plato, and that asks for good eyes; and for the bishop —
there is not so finished a gentleman in all the East. His
appointments are not less exquisite than those of the
highest nob either of Antioch or Palmyra. If an umpire
in any question of manners were to be chosen, it
would be he.'

`As for the Greek,' I rejoined, `I am predisposed to
admit his superior claims. I will surrender to him with
alacrity my doubts both in manners and philosophy. For
I hold there is a philosophy in manners, nay, even in
clothes, and that the highest bred intellect will on that very
account best perceive the nice distinctions and relations,
in the exact perception and observance of which the highest
manners consist. Such an one may offend against the
last device in costume — and the last refinement in the
recondite art of a bow — but he will eternally excel in all
that we mean by breeding. Your bishop I know nothing
of, but your account of him strikes me not very agreeably.
These Christian bishops, methinks, are taking upon
themselves too much. And, besides, if what I gathered
of the theory of their religion from a passenger on board
the Mediterranean trader, be correct, they depart greatly
from the severity of their principles, when they so addict
themselves to the practices of courts, and of the rich. I
received from this Christian a beautiful idea of his faith,
and only lamented that our companionship was broken off
before I had had time fully to comprehend all he had to
say. The character of this man, and his very countenance,
seemed as arguments to support the strict opinions
which he advanced. This bishop, I think, can scarcely
do his faith the same service.'

`I know him not much,' said Fausta, `and of his faith,

nothing. He has great power over the Princess Julia,
and it would not much amaze me if, by and by, she declared
herself a Christian. It is incredible how that
superstition spreads. But here is our carriage. Come,
let us forth.'

So, breakig off our talk, we betook ourselves to the
carriage. How shall I find language, my Curtius, to set
before you with the vividness of the reality, or with any
approach to it, the pictures which this drive through and
around Palmyra caused to pass successively before me?
You know indeed, generally, what the city is, from the
reports of former travellers, especially from the late book
of Spurius, about which and its speculations much was
said a little while since. But let me tell you, a more onesided,
one eyed, malignant observer never thrust himself
upon the hospitalities of a free, open-hearted people, than
that same Spurius, poet and bibliopole. His very name
is an offence to the Palmyrenes, who, whatever national
faults they may have, do not deserve the deep disgrace
of being brought before the world in the pages of
so poor a thing as the said Ventidius Spurius. Though it
will not be my province to treat as an author of the condition,
policy, and prospects of Palmyra, yet to you and
my friends I shall lay myself open with the utmost freedom,
and shall refrain from no statement or opinion that
shall possess, or seem to do so, truth or importance.

The horses springing from under the whip of the charioteer,
soon bore us from the great entrance of the palace
into the midst of the throng that crowded the streets.
The streets seen now under the advantages of a warm
morning sun, adding a beauty of its own to whatever it
glanced upon, showed much more brilliantly than ours of
Rome. There is, in the first place, a more general sumptuousness
in equipage and dress, very striking to the eye

of a Roman. Not perhaps that more wealth is displayed,
but the forms and the colors, through which it displays
itself, are more various, more tasteful, more gorgeous.
Nothing can exceed, nothing equals, it is said, any where
in the world, the state of the queen and her court; and
this infects, if I may use so hard a word, the whole city.
So that though with far less real substantial riches than
we have, their extravagance and luxury are equal, and
their taste far before us. Then every thing wears a newer,
fresher look than in Rome. The buildings of the
republic, which many are so desirous to preserve, and
whole streets even, of ante-Augustan architecture, tend
to spread around here and there in Rome a gloom — to
me full of beauty and poetry —but still gloom. Here all
is bright and gay. The buildings of marble — the streets
paved and clean — frequent fountains of water throwing
up their foaming jets, and shedding around a delicious
coolness, temples, and palaces of the nobles, or of wealthy
Palmyrene merchants — altogether present a more brilliant
assemblage of objects than I suppose any other city
can boast. Then conceive, poured through these long
lines of beautiful edifices, among these temples and fountains,
a population drawn from every country of the far
East, arrayed in every variety of the most showy and fanciful
costume, with the singular animals, rarely seen in
our streets, but here met at every turn — elephants, camels,
and dromedaries, to say nothing of the Arabian horses,
with their jewelled housings, with every now and then a
troop of the queen's cavalry, moving along, to the sound
of their clanging trumpets — conceive, I say, this ceaseless
tide of various animal life poured along among the
proud piles, and choking the ways, and you will have
some faint glimpses of the strange and imposing reality.

Fausta was in raptures at my transports, and in her
pleasant but deep-meaning way, boasted much over the
great capital of the world. So we rode along, slowly, because
of the crowded state of the streets, and on account
of my desire to observe the manners and ways of the people
— their shops, which glittered with every rare work
of art — and the devices, so similar in all places of trade,
by which the seller attracts the buyer. I was engrossed
by objects of this sort, when Fausta's voice drew my attention
another way.

`Now,' said she, `prepare yourself for the glory of Palmyra;
look when we shall suddenly turn round the next
corner, on the left, and see what you shall see.'

The chariot soon whirled round the indicated corner,
and we found ourselves in full view of the Temple of the
Sun, so famous throughout the world. Upon a vast platform
of marble, itself decorated with endless lines of columns
— elsewhere of beauty and size sufficient for the principal
building, but here a mere appendage — stood in solitary
magnificence this peerless work of art. All I could do
was, and the act was involuntary, to call upon the charioteer
to rein up his horses and let me quietly gaze. In
this Fausta, nothing unwilling, indulged me. Then, when
satisfied with this the first point of view, we wound slowly
around the spacious square upon which it stands, observing
it well in all directions, and taking my fill of that exalted
but nameless pleasure which flows in upon the soul
from the contemplation of perfect excellence.

`This, is, if I err not, Fausta, the work of a Greek
artist.'

`It is,' said she: `here both Romans and Palmyrenes
must acknowledge their inferiority, and indeed all other
people. In every city of the world, I believe, all the great
works of art are the offspring of Grecian genius and Grecian

taste. Truly, a wonderful people! In this very
city, our artists — our men of letters — even the first minister
of state — all are Greeks. But come, let us move
on to the Long Portico, an edifice which will astonish
you yet more, than even the Temple of the Sun, through
your having heard of it so much less. We shall reach it
in about half a Roman mile.'

`This space was soon passed, and the Portico stood
revealed with its interminable ranges of Corinthian columns,
and the busy multitudes winding among them, and
pursuing their various avocations, for which this building
offers a common and convenient ground. Here the merchants
assemble and meet each other. Here various
articles of more than common rarity are brought and
exhibited for sale. Here the mountebanks resort, and
entertain the idle and lovers of amusement with their fantastic
tricks. And here strangers from all parts of the
world may be seen walking to and fro, observing the customs
of the place, and regaling themselves at the brilliant
rooms, furnished with every luxury, which are opened for
their use, or else at the public baths which are found in
the immediate neighborhood. The Portico does not, like
the Temple, stand upon an elevated platform, but more
upon a level with the streets. Its greatness is derived
from its extreme length, and its exquisitely-perfect designs
and workmanship, as seen in the graceful fluted columns
and the rich entablature running round the whole. The
life and achievements of Alexander are sculptured upon
the frieze — the artist — a Greek also — having been
allowed to choose his own theme.

`Fausta,' said I, `my soul is steeped in beauty. It
will be to no purpose to show me more now. I am like
one who has eaten too much — forgive the figure — delicacies
are lost upon him.'

`I cannot release you yet,' cried Fausta: `a little farther
on, and you may see the palace of our great queen:
give me your patience to that point, and I will then relieve
you by a little excursion through the suburbs, where
your eye may repose upon a rural beauty as satisfying as
this of the city. You must see the palace. There! —
we are already in sight of it.'

It rose upon us, so vast is it, and of so many parts, like
a city within a city. A fit dwelling for so great, so
good, and so beautiful a woman. Of this you will find a
careful and true account, with drawings, which greatly
help the imagination, in the otherwise vile book of the
traducer Spurius. To that I refer you, and so refrain
from all description.

We now left the city, and wound at our leisure among
the shady avenues, the noble country retreats, the public
gardens, the groves and woods which encompass the
walls, and stretch away far beyond the sight, into the
interior. Returning, we passed through the arches of
the vast aqueduct which pours into the city a river of the
purest water. This is the most striking object, and
noblest work of art, without the walls.

When we had passed in this way nearly the whole day,
we at length reentered the city by the Persian Gate, on
the eastern side.

`Now, Fausta,' said I, `having given so much of the
day to pleasure, I must give the rest, not to pain, but to
duty. I will seek out and find, if I can, Demetrius,
brother to Demetrius of Rome. From him I can learn,
it seems probable, concerning the movements of Isaac.'

`You will find the shop of Demetrius in the very heart
of the city, midway between the Persian and Roman
gates. Farewell, for a time, and may the gods prosper
you!'

I was not long in making my way to the shop of the
Greek. I found the skilful Demetrius busily engaged in
putting the last polish upon a small silver statue of a
flying Mercury. He looked up as I entered, and saluting
me in Greek, invited me to look at his works. I could
not for a long time take off my eyes from the figure upon
which he was working, and expressed my admiration.

`Ah, it is very well, I think,' said he, `but it is nothing
compared with the work of my brother at Rome.
You know him?'

`Indeed I do not, I am obliged to say.'

`What! — a Roman, as I perceive, and a patrician,
also, and not know Demetrius, the goldsmith? — he who
was the favorite of Valerian, and Gallienus, and Claudius,
and now of Aurelian? There is no hand like that of
Demetrius the elder. These, Sir, are mere scratches,
to his divine touch. These are dolls, compared with the
living and breathing gold as it leaves his chisel. Sir, it
is saying nothing beyond belief, when I say, that many
a statue like this, of his, is worth more than many a
living form that we see in and out of the shop. Forgive
me, but I must say I would rather possess one of his
images of Venus or Apollo, than a live Roman — though
he be a patrician, too.'

`You are complimentary,' I said: `but I can believe
you. When I return to Rome, I shall seek out your
brother, and make myself acquainted with his genius.
I have heretofore heard of him chiefly through a travelling
Jew, whom I fell in with on the way hither — Isaac,
as he is called.'

`Ah ha! — Isaac of Rome. I know him well,' he
replied. `He is a good man — that is, he is good for
one of that tribe. I look for him every day. A letter
from Rome informs me that he is on his way. It is a

pleasant thing to see Isaac. I wonder what curiosities
he brings from the hand of my brother. He will be
welcome. I trust he brings some heads of our late king
and present queen, from drawings which I made and
transmitted. I am impatient to see them. Saw you
anything of this sort about him?'

`Truly I did, and if by some ill chance I have not left
them behind me, in my preparations for a morning excursion,
I can show you what you will like to see. Ah!
here it is: in this small casket I have, I presume, unless
Isaac shall have deceived me — but of which you will
be perfect judge — some of your brother's art. Look,
here are rings, with heads of your king and queen, such
as you have just spoken of. Are they genuine?'

`No instrument but that which is guided by the hand
of the elder Demetrius ever did this work,' said he,
slowly drawing out his words, as he closely scrutinized
the ring. `The gold embossment might indeed have
been done by another, but not these heads, so true to the
life, and of an art so far beyond any ability of mine,
that I am tempted sometimes to think that he is in league
with Vulcan. Gods! how that mouth of the queen
speaks! Do we not hear it? Ah, Roman, give me the
skill of Demetrius the elder, and I would spit upon all
the power of Aurelian.'

`You Greeks are a singular people. I believe that
the idea of beauty is to you food, and clothing, and
shelter and drink, more than all riches and all power:
dying on a desert island, a fragment of Phidias would
be dearer to you than a cargo of food.'

`That's a pretty conceit enough,' said he, `and something
near the truth, as must be confessed.'

As we were thus idly discoursing, we became suddenly
conscious of an unusual commotion in the street. The

populace began to move quickly by in crowds, and
vehicles of all sorts came pouring along as if in expectation
of something they were eager to see.

`What's all this? — what's all this? said Demetrius,
leaving his work, which he had resumed, and running to
the door of his shop: `what's the matter, friend?' addressing
a citizen hurrying by: `is Aurelian at the
gates, that you are posting along in such confusion?'

`Not Aurelian,' replied the other, `but Aurelian's
mistress. The queen is coming. Clouds of dust on the
skirts of the plain show that she is advancing toward the
city.'

`Now, Roman, if thou wouldst see a sight, be advised,
and follow me. We will mount the roof of yonder
market, whence we shall win a prospect such as no eye
can have seen that has not gazed from the same point.
It is where I go to refresh my dulled senses, after the
day's hard toil.'

So saying, and pausing a moment only to give some
necessary directions to the pupils, who were stationed
at their tasks throughout the long apartment, telling
them to wait for the show till it should pass by the shop,
and not think to imitate their master in all his ways —
saying these things in a half earnest and half playful
manner — we crossed the street, and soon reached the
level roof, well protected by a marble breastwork, of the
building he had pointed out.

`We are here just at the right moment,' said he: `come
quickly to this corner and secure a seat, for you see the
people are already thronging after us. There! can
Elysium offer a more perfect scene? And look, how
inspiring is the view of these two multitudes moving
toward each other, in the spirit of friendship! How the
city opens her arms to embrace her queen!'

At the distance of about a mile from the walls, we now
saw the party of the queen, escorted by a large body of
horse; and, approaching them from the city, apparently
its whole population, some on foot, some on horse, some
in carriages of every description. The plain was filled
with life. The sun shooting his beams over the whole,
and reflected from the spears and corslets of the cavalry,
and the gilding and polished work of chariots and harness,
caused the scene to sparkle as if strewed with diamonds.
It was a fair sight. But fairer than all, was it to witness,
as I did, the hearty enthusiasm of the people, and even of
the children toward their lovely queen. Tears of joy,
even, I could see falling from many eyes, that she was
returning to them again. As soon as the near approach
of Zenobia to the walls, began to conceal her and her
escort, then we again changed our position, and returned
to the steps of the shop of Demetrius, as the queen would
pass directly by them, on her way to the palace.

We had been here not many minutes, before the shouts
of the people, and the braying of martial music, and
the confused sound of an approaching multitude, showed
that the queen was near. Troops of horse, variously
caparisoned, each more brilliantly, as it seemed, than
another, preceded a train of sumptuary elephants and camels,
these too, richly dressed, but heavily loaded. Then
came the body guard of the queen, in armor of complete
steel — and then the chariot of Zenobia, drawn
by milk-white Arabians. So soon as she appeared, the
air resounded with the acclamations of the countless multitudes.
Every cry of loyalty and affection was heard
from ten thousand mouths, making a music such as filled
the heart almost to breaking. `Long live the great
Zenobia!' went up to the heavens. `The blessing of all
the gods on our good queen!' — `Health and happiness to

the mother of her people!' — `Death and destruction to
her enemies!' — these, and cries of the same kind, came
from the people, not as a mere lip-service, but evidently,
from the tone in which they were uttered, prompted by
real sentiments of love, such as it seems to me never
before can have existed toward a supreme and absolute
prince.

It was to me a moment inexpressibly interesting. I
could not have asked for more, than for the first time to
see this great woman just as I now saw her. I cannot,
at this time, even speak of her beauty, and the imposing
yet sweet dignity of her manner; for it was with me, as
I suppose it was with all — the diviner beauty of the emotions
and sentiments which were working at her heart
and shone out in the expressive language of her countenance,
took away all power of narrowly scanning complexion,
feature and form. Her look was full of love for
her people. She regarded them as if they were her children.
She bent herself fondly toward them, as if nothing
but the restraints of form withheld her from throwing herself
into their arms. This was the beauty which filled
and agitated me. I was more than satisfied.

`And who,' said I to Demetrius, `is that beautiful
being, but of a sad and thoughtful countenance, who sits
at the side of the queen?'

`That,' he replied, `is the Princess Julia; a true descendant
of her great mother; and the gods grant that
she, rather than either of her brothers, may succeed to
the sovereign power.'

`She looks indeed,' said I, `worthy to reign—over hearts
at least, if not over nations. Those in the next chariot are,
I suppose the young Cæsars, as I hear they are called —
about as promising, to judge by the form and face, as
some of our Roman brood of the same name. I need not

ask whose head that is in the carriage next succeeding;
it can belong to no other in Palmyra than the great Longinus.
What a divine repose breathes over that noble
countenance! What a clear and far-sighted spirit looks
out of those eyes! But — gods of Rome and of the world!
— who sits beside him? Whose dark soul is lodged in
that fearful tenement? — fearful and yet beautiful, as
would be a statue of ebony!'

`Know you not him? Know you not the Egyptian
Zabdas? — the mirror of accomplished knighthood — the
pillar of the state — the Aurelian of the East? Ah! far
may you go to find two such men as those — of gifts so
diverse, and power so great — sitting together like brothers.
It all shows the greater power of Zenobia, who can
tame the roughest and most ambitious spirits to her uses.
Who is like Zenobia?'

`So ends, it seems to me,' I replied, `every sentence of
every Palmyrene — “Who is like Zenobia?”'

`Well, Roman,' said he, `it is a good ending; may
there never be a worse. Happy were it for mankind, if
kings and queens were all like her. She rules to make
others happy — not to rule. She conceives herself to be
an instrument of government, not its end. Many is the
time, that, standing in her private closet, with my cases
of rare jewels, or with some pretty fancy of mine in the
way of statue or vase, I have heard the wisdom of Aristotle
dropping in the honey of Plato's Greek from her
divine lips.'

`You are all going mad with love,' said I; `I begin to
tremble for myself as a Roman. I must depart while I
am yet safe. But see! the crowd and the show are vanished.
Let me hear of the earliest return of Isaac, and
the gods prosper you! I am at the house of Gracchus, opposite
the Temple of Justice.'

I found, on reaching the palace, Fausta and Gracchus,
overjoyed at the safe and happy return of the queen.
Fausta, too, as the queen was passing by, she standing
by one of the pillars of the great entrance, had obtained
a smile of recognition, and a wave of the hand from her
great friend, as I may justly term her, and nothing could
exceed the spirits she was in.

`How glad I am, Lucius,' said she, `that you have
seen her so soon, and more than all, that you saw her just
as you did, in the very heart of the people. I do not believe
you ever saw Aurelian so received in Rome —
Claudius, perhaps — but not again Gallienus, or his severe
but weak father. But what have you done — which is to
all of us a more immediately interesting subject — what
have you done for Calpurnius? Do you learn any thing of
Isaac?'

`I have the best news,' I replied, `possible in the case.
Isaac will be in Palmyra — perhaps this very night; but
certainly within a few days, if the gods spare his life.
Demetrius is to give me the earliest intelligence of his
arrival.'

`Now then let us,' said Fausta, `to the table, which
need not offer the delicacies of Vitellius, to insure a favorable
reception from appetites sharpened as ours have been
by the day's motion and excitement.'

Gracchus, throwing down a manuscript he had been attentively
perusing, now joined us.

Leaving untold all the good things which were said,
especially by Gracchus, while I and Fausta, more terrestrially
given, applied ourselves to the agreeable task set
before us, I hasten to tell you of my interview with the
Jew, and of its issue. For no sooner had evening set in,
and Fausta, seated at her harp, was again soothing the soul
with her sweet and wild strains, than a messenger was

announced from the Greek Demetrius, desiring to have
communication with me. Divining at once his errand, I
sought him in the ante-room where, learning from him
that Isaac was arrived, and that if I would see him, I must
seek him on the moment, as he was but for one night in
the city, intending in the morning to start for Ctesiphon,
I bade him lead on, and I would follow, first calling Milo
to accompany me.

`To what part of the city do we go?' said I, addressing
the messenger of Demetrius.

`To the quarter of the Jews, near the Gate of the Desert,'
he replied. `Be not apprehensive of danger,' he
added; `the city is as safe by night as by day. This we
owe to the great queen.'

`Take me where thou wilt, I fear nothing,' said I.

`But methinks, master mine,' said Milo, `seeing that
we know not the ways of this outlandish capital, nor even
who this doubtless respectable person is who invites us to
this enterprise, it were more discreet to add Hannibal to
our numbers. Permit me, and I will invoke the presence
of the Ethiopian.'

`No, Milo, I replied, `in thy valor I am ready to put
my trust. Thy courage is tried courage, and if need
be, I doubt not thou wilt not hesitate to die sword in
hand.'

`Such sort of confidence I do by no means covet: I
would rather that thou shouldst place it somewhere else.
It is true that when I was in the service of the most noble
Gallienus —'

`Well, we will spare thee the trouble of that story. I
believe I do thy virtues no injustice. Moreover, the less
talk, the more speed.'

Saying this, in order that I might be left to my own
thoughts for a space, before I should meet the Jew, we

then pressed on, threading our way through a maze of
streets, where recollection of place and of compass was
soon and altogether lost. The streets now became narrow,
filthy, darker and darker, crooked and involved.
They were still noisy with the loud voices of the inhabitants
of the dwellings, calling to each other, quarrelling
or laughing, with the rattling of vehicles returning home
after the labors of the day, and with all that variety
of deafening sounds which fall upon the ear where great
numbers of a poor and degraded population are crowded
together into confined quarters. Suddenly leaving what
seemed to be a sort of principal street, our guide turned
down into an obscure lane, and which, though extremely
narrow and crooked, was better built than the streets we
had just left. Stopping now before what seemed a long
and low white wall, our guide, descending a few steps,
brought us to the principal entrance of the dwelling, for
such we found it to be. Applying a stone to the door, to
arouse those who might be within, we were immediately
answered in a voice, which I at once recognised as that of
Isaac:

`Break not in the door,' shouted he, `with your unmannerly
blows. Who are you, that one must live standing
with his hand on the latch of the door? Wait, I say,
till I can have time to walk the length of the room. What
can the Gentiles of Palmyra want of Isaac of Rome, at
this time of night?' So muttering, he unbarred and opened
the door.

`Come in, come in: the house of Isaac is but a poor
house of a poor Jew, but it has a welcome for all. Come
in — come —. But, father Abraham! whom have
we here? The most noble Piso! A patrician of Rome
in the hovel of a poverty-pinched Jew! That would sound
well upon the exchange. It may be of account. But

what am I saying? Welcome to Palmyra, most noble
Piso, for Palmyra is one of my homes; at Rome, and at
Antioch, and Alexandria, and Ctesiphon, and Carthage
— it is the same to Isaac. Pray seat yourselves; upon
this chair thou wilt find a secure seat, though it promises
not so much, and here upon my dromedary's furniture is
another. So, now we are well. Would that I had that
flask of soft Palmyrene, which but now I sent —'

`Take no trouble for our sakes,' I exclaimed, cordially
saluting him; `I am just now come from the table of
Gracchus. I have matters of more moment to discuss,
than either meats or wines.'

`But, noble master, hast thou ever brought to thy lips
this same soft Palmyrene? The name indicates some delicious
juice.'

`Peace, Milo, or thou goest home alone, as thou best
canst.'

`Roman,' began Isaac,' I can think only of two reasons
that can have brought thee to my poor abode so soon; the
one is to furnish thyself with more of that jewelry which
gave thee so much delight, and the other to discourse
with me concerning the faith of Moses. Much as I love
a bargain, I hope it is for the last that thou art come; for
I would fain see thee in a better way than thou art, or
than thou wouldst be if that smooth Probus should gain
thy ear. Heed not the wily Nazarene! I cannot deny
him a good heart, after what I saw of him in Carthage.
But who is he to take it upon him to sit in judgment upon
the faith of two thousand years! Would that I could once
see him in the grasp of Simon Ben Gorah! How would
his heresy wither and die before the learning of that son
of God. Roman, heed him not! Let me take thee to
Simon, that thou mayst once in thy life hear the words of
wisdom.'

`Not now, not now, good Isaac; whenever I apostatize
from the faith of the founders of my nation, and
deny the gods who for more than a thousand years have
stood guardians over Rome, I will not refuse to weigh
whatever the Jew has to offer in behalf of his ancient creed.
But I come to thee now neither to buy of thee, nor to learn
truth of thee, but to seek aid in a matter that lies near my
heart.'

`Ha! thy heathen god Cupid has ensnared thee! Well,
well, the young must be humored, and men must marry.
It was the counsel of my father, whose beard came lower
than his girdle, and than whom the son of Sirach had not
more wisdom, “Meddle not nor make in the loves of
others. God only knoweth the heart. And how knowest
thou that in contriving happiness, thou shalt not engender
sorrow?” Howbeit, in many things have I departed from
the counsel of that venerable man. Alas for it! Had my
feet taken hold, in all their goings, of his steps, I had not
now had for my only companion my fleet-footed dromedary,
and for my only wealth this load of gilded toys.'

`Neither is it,' I rejoined, `for any love-sickness that
I am come, seeking some healing or inflaming drug, but
upon a matter of somewhat more moment. Listen to me,
while I unfold.'

So saying, I told all that you already so well know, in
as few words as I could, but leaving out no argument by
which I could hope to work upon either the cupidity, the
benevolence, or the patriotism of the Jew. He, with his
hands folded under his beard, listened without once interrupting
me, but with an expression of countenance so
stolid, that when I had ended, I could guess no better
than when I began as to the part he would act.

After a pause of some length, he slowly began, discoursing
rather with himself than with me: `A large enterprise

— and to be largely considered. The way is long
— seven hundred Roman miles at the least — and among
little other than savage tribes, save here and there a desert,
where the sands, as is reported, rise and fall like the sea.
How can an old man like me encounter such labor and
peril? These unbelieving heathen think not so much of
the life of a Jew as of a dog. Gentile, why goest thou not
thyself?'

`Thy skill, Isaac, and knowledge of men and countries,
are more than mine, and will stand thee in good stead.
Death were the certain issue, were I to venture upon this
expedition, and then my brother's fate were sealed forever.'

`I seem to thee, Roman Piso, to be a lone man in a
wide world, who may live or die, and there be none to
know or care how it is. It is verily much so. Yet I was
not always alone. Children once leaped at the sound of
my voice, and clung in sport to my garment. They are
in Abraham's bosom. Better than here. Yet, Roman,
I am not alone. The God of Israel is with me, and while
it is Him I serve, life is not without value. I trust in the
coming restoration of Jerusalem: for that I toil, and for
that I am ready to die. But why should my bones whiten
the desert, or my mangled carcass swing upon a Persian
gibbet? Will that be to die for my country?'

`I can enrich thee for thy services, Jew, and thou sayest
that it is for wealth, that it may be poured into the
general coffers of thy tribe, that thou traversest the globe.
Name thy sum, and so it be not beyond reason, I will be
bound to pay thee in good Roman coin.'

`This is to be thought of. Doubtless thou wouldst reward
me well. But consider how large this sum must be.
I fear me thou wilt shrink from the payment of it, for a
Roman noble loves not money less than a poor Jew. My

trade in Ctesiphon I lose. That must be made up. My
faithful dromedary will be worn out by the long journey:
that too must be made good. My plan will require an
attendant slave and camel: then there are the dangers of
the way — the risk of life in the City of the great King —
and, if it be not cut off, the expenses of it. These, to
Isaac, are not great, but I may be kept there long.'

`But thou wilt abate somewhat of the sum thou hast
determined upon, out of love to thy kind. Is the pleasure
of doing a good deed nothing to thee?'

`Not a jot will I abate from a just sum — not a jot.
And why should I? And thou art not in earnest to ask
the abatement of a feather's weight. What doth the Jew
owe the Roman? What hath the Roman done to the
Jew? He hath laid waste his country with fire and sword.
Her towns and villages he hath levelled with the ground.
The holy Jerusalem, he hath spoiled and defiled, and then
driven the plough over its ruins. My people are scattered
abroad among all nations — subject every where to persecution
and death. This thou knowest is what the
Roman hath done. And what then owe I, a Jew — a
Jew — to the Roman? I bear thee, Piso, no ill will; nay,
I love thee; but wert thou Rome, and this wheaten straw
a dagger, it should find thy heart! Nay, start not; I would
not hurt a hair of thy head. But tell me now if thou
agreest to my terms: one gold talent of Jerusalem if I return
alive with or without thy brother, and if I perish,
two, to be paid as I shall direct.'

`Most heartily, Isaac, do I agree to them, and bless
thee more than words can tell, besides. Bring back my
brother alive, and whatsoever thou shalt desire more, shall
be freely thine.'

`I am content. To-morrow, then, I turn my back upon
Ctesiphon and Palmyra, and make for Ecbatana. Of my

progress thou shalt learn. Of success I am sure — that
is, if thy brother hearken to the invitation.'

Then, giving such instructions as might be necessary
on my part, we separated.