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Updated: May 29, 2025
If the Persians yield see, Zabdas has mounted the Roman intrenchments. 'Yes they fly, screamed Fausta, and would madly have sprung over the battlements, but that I seized and held her. At the same moment a cry arose that Zabdas was slain her eye caught his noble form as it fell backwards from his horse, and with a faint exclamation, 'Palmyra is lost! fell lifeless into my arms.
'Is Aurelian to possess the, whole earth? cried one. 'Who are Romans? cried another; 'the story of Valerian shows that they are not invincible. 'We will put Zabdas and Zenobia against the world! shouted others. 'The conqueror of Egypt forever! long live the great Zabdas! rose from every quarter.
And no sooner did the object of this universal expectation reveal herself to their sight, led to her seat by the dark Zabdas, followed by the Princess Julia and Longinus, and accompanied by a crowd of the rank and beauty of Palmyra, than one enthusiastic cry of loyalty and affection rent the air, drowning all other sounds, and causing the silken canopy of the amphitheatre to sway to and fro as if shaken by a tempest.
Notwithstanding the presence of Aurelian, and the prodigies of valor by which he distinguished himself anew, and animated his soldiers, our cavalry, led by the incomparable Zabdas, bore him and his legions backwards, till apparently discomfited by the violence of the onset, the Roman horse gave way and fled in all directions.
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.
'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 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.
'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.
Meeting near Antioch, a great battle was fought. Zabdas, who had conquered Egypt for Zenobia, led her army, but the valiant queen animated her soldiers by her presence, and exhorted them to the utmost exertions. Her troops, great in number, were mainly composed of light-armed archers and of cavalry clothed in complete steel.
At a signal given by Zenobia from the high tower which she occupied, the gates below us flew open, and Zabdas, at the head of all the flower of the Palmyra cavalry, poured forth, followed closely from this and the other gates by the infantry. The battle now raged between the walls and the Roman intrenchments as well as beyond. The whole plain was one field of battle and slaughter.
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