Zenobia | Page 3

divine ruler, will be completed
under him whom he designated as most worthy of the sceptre of the
world, and whose reign--certainly we may say it--has commenced so
prosperously. I think better of man than you do, and I cannot but
believe that there will yet rise up among us those who shall feel what
power, almost of a god, is lodged in the will of a Roman emperor, and

will use it like a god to bless, not curse mankind. Why may not Nature
repeat the virtuous Antonines! Her power is not spent. For myself, I
have faith that Aurelian will restore not so much the greatness, as the
peace and happiness of the empire.'
'So have not I,' cried the master of the ship: 'is he not sprung from the
loins of a peasant? Has not the camp been his home? Was not a shield
his cradle? Such power as his will craze him. Born to it, and the chance
were better. Mark a sailor's word: he will sooner play the part of
Maximin, than that of Antonine or Severus, or of our late good
Claudius. When he feels easy in the saddle, we shall see what he will
do. So far, the blood of barbarians, slain in battle, has satisfied him:
when once in Rome, that of citizens will be sweeter. But may the gods
befriend us!'
At this point of our discourse, we were interrupted by loud
vociferations from the forward part of the vessel, where I had long
observed a crowd of the passengers, who seemed engaged in some
earnest conversation. The tones now became sharp and angry, and the
group suddenly dispersed, separating this way and that, as the hoarse
and commanding voice of the master of the ship reached them, calling
upon them to observe the rules of the vessel, which allowed of no riot
or quarrelling. Toward me there moved one whom I hardly know how
to describe, and yet feel that I must. You will here doubtless exclaim,
'Why obliged to describe? Why say so much of accidental
companions?' But you will answer yourself, I feel persuaded, my
Curtius, by supposing that I should not particularly notice a mere
companion of the voyage, unless he had connected himself in some
manner with my fortunes. Such has been the case with this person, and
one other whom I will shortly introduce to you. As I was saying, then,
when that group dispersed, one of its number moved toward me, and
seated himself at my side. He was evidently a Roman and a citizen. His
features were of no other nation. But with all the dignity that
characterized him as a Roman, there were mixed a sweetness and a
mildness, such as I do not remember to have seen in another. And in
the eye there was a melancholy and a deepness, if I may say so, more
remarkable still. It was the eye of one who was all sorrow, all love, and

all purity; in whom the soul had undisputed sway over the passions and
the senses. I have seen an expression which has approached it, in some
of our priests, but far below it in power and beauty. My first impulse
was to address him, but his pallid and thoughtful countenance, together
with that eye, restrained me, and I know not how I should have
overcome this strange diffidence, had not the difficulty been removed
by the intervention of a third party. This was no other than one of those
travelling Jews, who infest all cities, towns and regions, and dwell
among all people, yet mix with none. He was bent almost double by the
weight of large packages of goods, of all descriptions, which he carried,
part before and part behind him, and which he had not laid aside, in the
hope, I suppose, of effecting some sales among the passengers.
'Here's old Isaac the Jew,' cried he, as he approached toward where I sat,
and then stood before me resting his pannier of articles upon a pile of
merchandise, which lay there--'here's old Isaac the Jew, last from Rome,
but a citizen of the world, now on his way to Carthage and Syria, with
all sorts of jewelry and ornaments: nothing that a lady wants that's not
here--or gentleman either. Most noble Sir, let me press upon you this
steel mirror, of the most perfect polish: see the setting too; could the
fancy of it be better? No? You would prefer a ring: look then at this
assortment--iron and gold rings--marriage, seal, and fancy
rings--buckles too: have you seen finer? Here too are soaps, perfumes,
and salves for the toilet--hair-pins and essences. Perhaps you would
prefer somewhat a little more useful. I shall show you then these
sandals and slippers; see