The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-11-27
ZENOBIA.

ZENOBlA.
From Lady Morsau's 'Woman and her Master"
Dnrinn the anarchical reign and divided
sway Of the emperor GallicnuS, (Wh0se father
Valerian was held IN captivity by ''the great
king, '',yho had already BUNDLED Rome, and
was at the head of a force which recalled the
armies Of ArtaXerXes,) a new political power
suddenly sprung up amidst Inc sandy deserts OF
the East This power, Ga political phenome-
non. ike the produce of some sudden eruption
in the natural world) was created by the energy
and genius OF woman; and ii swept over the
Losts of the worshippers of the Sun, humbling
the pride, and checking the rapid course OF the
naughty representatives. of Cyrus and Mundane.
Amidst the most barren deserts of Arabia,
there blsomed an oasis, (like some island Eden
rising out Of the sandy ocean which, from the
beauty and shade OF its palms, bore the name
of PALMYRA, and which tradition assumed 10
to have been the site of the IadpOr OF King
Solomon. Its pure air, its numerous springs,
and fruitful soil, with its happy position (be-
tween the gulf Of Persia and the Meditefranean)
had made il a halt for the caravans, which bore
TO Rome and the remotest nations Of It's empire
the rich productions of1ndia. For the mutual
commercial benefits il conferred on the Roman
and Parthian empires, the little republic OF the
desert had been long suffered 10 maintain a
peaceable obscuriy; and it still preserved an
humble neutrality, until it was suddenly raised
TO be the capital Of an empire, and to stand
forth the rival of Rome herself.
Odenatus the brave chief OF that peculiar
tribe Of Arabs called Saracens. who rather
dwell than reigned over lie desert regions that
surround Palmyra, becoming alarmed at the
approach of Sapor, sent ambassadors to the
Persian monarch, with voluntary offer OF his
homage and with costly presents to bride his
friendship. Sapor received both with contempt,
thew the presents into the water, and ordered
the donor 10 come in person, and CHS hands uec
behind bis back) TO PROSTATE himself al the
feet OF his sovereign MASTER
The Arab chief Writhed under the insult.
But there was one forever near hin, in war or
peace-in the fight or in the cbase-Who urged
him 10 avenge it; and who, pouring her "spilit
into his ear,'i encouraged him 10 take arms
against 0the greatest king of the earth;'' TO OPP
nose his own wandering Arabs TO the Persian
pbaIanx. and fighting for his honor and indie
pendence, TO conquer or TO die.
The counsel, like the enterprise, seemed
more than human. Bat Odenllus listened to 1t
as though it were oracular; for II came from
Zenobia, his wife, companion and friend, the
supposed descendant from Semiramis ana the
Potiemies, woman in genius and patriotism
resembling her immediate ancestress Cleopatra.
sIf the doubtful achievements Of Semiramls be
excepted" says Gibbon, ''Zenobia, perhaps
was The onlv female whose superior geniu:
broke though the servile Incidence imposed or
her sex by the climate, the manners, and the
institutions of Asia
To mind, whose resources assisted TO rais'
her husband from private station to throne
she united person whose beauty the dryest AM
sternest historians have deigned TO celebrate
The philosophy of GibboD, am the scepticisn
ofBayle, have alike paused, while their fiattere'
Imagination fingered over pages OF the persona
gossipry of Polite, in which the charms o
Tenoba were enumerated from g the darl
flashes of her large black eyes" 10 the ''pearly
Iustre of her beautiful teeth Her voice, like
her mind. was strong and harmonious, and he
manly understanding, Strengthened and develo'
ned by study, enabled her, in the midst OF the
fatigues of war and Of the chase, to conquer the
difficulties oft the Greek, the Syriac and the
EGYPTIAN languages, all of which she spoke
with grace and purity, and though she did moi
venture TO converse in Latin, she was learned il
oyery branch ofits literature.
Such was Zenobia, when her counsels work
ed on Odenatus and encouraged him to un
dertake war which could only be justified b.
ifs success success TO which she manl
contributed. Her eloquence, her beauty, an
her gesius are allowed by all writers to hav
had miraculous effect on the ardent tenpera
ments and fervid spirits of the warm 5loode
the 0SSeEI, dilu Tue ARABS Oh dill uiOc
and denominations crowded to her standard
panting to resent the wrongs of the brave chic
whom She had chosen for her husband. Tn
forces OF Odenatus and Zenobia thus became S
considerable as to induce the Roman legion
to ioin them and to make common caus
against the common enemy. Zenobla (wh
had Injured her constitution TO fatgue) disdaine
10 take the field in a covered carriage QKe tn
aides of the Persian camp) appeared on h nor
back, in a military habit, and in all the brlllia
panoply of war; Sometimes she descendt
from her Arab charger, and marched on foot
many miles across the Syrian desert, at q
head of the troops. 1t was thus when at Il
side of her husband, she first encountered II
Persian army, in the plains OF Mesopotaml
The engagement that ensued was long an
doubtful; but the impetous courage of the llg
Arab cohorts prevailed over the ponderous, VI
wieldly armament of 'sthe great king" I'll
Persians gave way; Mesopotamia, Nisibius, an
Care were taken The troops of Sapor WEI
cut to pieces, his treasures plundered,his wome
made prisoners, and Sapor himself pursued
the very walls Of his gorgeous city of Ctesipho
(tbe rival of Babylon) above whose rampant
the Roman eagles and the palmy standards {
Zenobia soon futtered.
The Great Western Steamship Compan
have nearly completed their splendid iron steam
er. building in Bristol, England. It measure
5000 tons burden, and is built entirely of irol
The company have determined to ,prspcl he
with the hrchimedean screw, worked by engine
of 1000 horse power. Thus, the pewe Of wsrl
ing Of the paddle and tie screw viii be full