Iowa news. [volume] (Dubuque, Upper Mississippi Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1837-1841, 1837-06-24
From the North American Quarterly Magazin
ZAYDoR-AN ORIENTAL TALE.

ZAYDOR-AN ORIENTAL TALE,
In the city Of Bassora lived Zador, the son
OF Al Lored, the most eminent merchant among
the subjects of the Commander of the Faith
tul.--ln addition to riches, Allah had bestow-
ed On his slave, virtue, genius, and DISPOSE
ton, which, if tinged with melancholy, was
yet capable Of the most exalted benefcence.
though in the vigor Of youth, and in the midst
of almost irresistible temptation, the mighty
soul Of the son Of Al Zored despised the fasci-
mating smiles of pleasure, and detestcd the Sc
ductions of sensnality. Though surrounded
with ministers faithful to his COUNSEL ant obe-
dent to his will, and supplied with the mean.
of satlating every restless wish, Zaydor was
overwhelmed with clouds of discomfort, and
rendered insensble to the pride of wealth.
Nor yet was his mind the recess Of apathy. or
the seat of envy; neither had disappointment
in any search, or any desire, soured the milk
of his natural temper, or cooled the ardor of
his romantic generosity.
Continued prosperity, and perpetual reposc,
generally productive of inertness and safety,
had lulled to inactivity the intellectual powers
Of Zaydor, and induced in him Il relaxation,
which resembled fatal letharey. His mind,
as it never was involved with the anxiety of
any want, never tasted the luxury of long,
sought qualifications; as it never followed thro'
the paths of ntricacy distant view, never APP
preached with painting expectation, or reached
with heartfelt gladness the end Of long and
tedious journey. Each day resembled its pre-
decessor, and each night departed without the
contact or approximation of novelty in his COM
mercial af1airs, the merchant of Bassora felt
no losses which could animate his faculties,
and arouse them to an exertion worthy their
extent, and equal to their power.
His spirit was calmly melancholy, and (tho'
his disposition was attuned to the most acute
chords Of feeling almost stagnan,; nothing
occurred which disturbed their tranquility or
caused them by gentle fermentation OCCASION
ally to repine. Those acts Of charity, which
the liberal spirit of Zaydor prompted, or ralh-
er impeled him to complete, were the only
sources of lonely comfort; and yet these, 50
fond was he of their influence, had lost much
Of their usual effect, by an unremitted yet laud-
able repetition.
To participate and sympathize in his dis
tress, recreate his mind, and avert his misery,
was wanting the sincere advice, conversation,
and alleviating presence Of a real friend. The
piercing understanding Of the son Of AL Zored
could penetrate into, his soul could dcspise,
and his humanity could pity, the worldly mo.
tives OF his fiattering acquaintances. Their
Establishments. their pernicious counsels, and
their vicious habits could not shake his firm
adherence to the interest of virtue, much less
enforce thespecessity Of Dissipation, and the
happiness Df ha1 strained passion; for, like the
emaciatcds victim 1ebauchery they stood
themselvasss M6st, convincing exam
pies of sheir ows ds6cHi system.
In profusicn Of wsall aad. with an enthusi-
astic attachment to viftu lI1S Swas the aitua-
ton of Zaydor, ofthe h6ss6ft Of which he q,
peared deeply sensible; when claspsng sis
hands. with fervor inexpressible, with al asss'
Of mind he thus addressed the great Atithor 81
his existence. 81
% Thou, whose throne is established ave
the heavens, whose glory is eternal, whose
power is omnipresent, whose justice is inexo-
rable, whose mercy is infinite, give ear to my
voice. and let the utterance Of my complaint be
justified by its truth. Why, o Allah! am
doomed to negation Of every enjoyment, yet
supplied with the reputed means, and tantali.
zed with the appearance of perfect liberty? Gift.
ted by the provident hand, far above the lot Of
ordinary mortals, whence is it that I feel nc
internal comfort, and that safety overwhelms
the influence Of every innocent pleasursl VIVA
unknown, or rather, what unintcntional Grim,