(332 B. C.)
THE FLIGHT OF THE TYRIAN FAMILIES
AT
THE FALL OF TYRUS.
&c.
THE FIVE ADDITIONAL AND NEWLY-APPLIED
TYRIAN PROPHECIES OF ISAIAH
INVESTIGATED AND ESTABLISHED:
(Making, with the Two generally acknowledged,—Seven in all:)
THE LAST, APPLICABLE ONLY TO ANCIENT AMERICA.
That we may be distinctly understood in the numbering of the Sacred Prophecies by Isaiah, having reference to Tyrus, we will briefly review them: and at the same time we repeat, that they are not required to sustain the present History,—they are, however, the seals to the Document.
1st Prophecy.
This we understand to be the same as foretold by Ezekiel and Jeremiah,—viz., the destruction of the old metropolis on the mainland by Nebuchadnezzar. This event was accomplished at the end of the thirteen years' siege, 485-472 B. C.
2d Prophecy.
This was that the "Daughter of Sidon," as a Nation, should be forgotten seventy years, and then be restored to memory and power. This was fulfilled,—reckoning from the commencement of the Babylonian investment (for she then ceased to be free) to the Dedication of the Second Temple at Jerusalem, in the rebuilding of which the Tyrians again assisted, as in the days of Hiram and Solomon.
3d Prophecy.
The third (and with those that follow now originally applied) had reference to a second destruction,—the prediction stated that "the land should be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled." This fearful prediction was consummated by Alexander, in taking the Island-Capital, and by his massacre of the population.
4th Prophecy.
This enumerates the several classes of the inhabitants at Tyrus during the last siege, and that all (save the exception in the next Prophecy) should be slain or made captive, found within the walls, but the King,—he is the solitary exception, and that this was fulfilled is proved from classic history, and which we have endeavoured to illustrate in the previous chapter.
5th Prophecy.
This distinctly states that a "remnant" of the nation should be rescued from the Alexandrian destruction. The prediction is comprehended in the following words of Isaiah:
"In the city is left desolation [i. e. massacre], and the gate is smitten with destruction [i. e. with the storming]. When THUS it shall be in the midst of the land among the people, there shall be as the shaking of an olive-tree, and as the gleaning grapes when the vintage is done."
These figures of speech from many proofs in Scripture (as previously given, Vol. i., Book ii., ch. v.), mean that a Remnant shall be saved. This was fulfilled,—through the instrumentality of the friendly Sidonians, as already shewn. This is, also, on the authority of acknowledged history,—though Arrian in merely alluding to the fact, has, of course, no reference to any fulfilment of Prophecy, of which it may be presumed that he was entirely ignorant as to its existence,—or if not, he had no belief in its sacred character; but neither of these points destroy the record of the fact of the Sidonians having rescued the "remnant" during the Siege.
6th Prophecy.
This foretels the means of escape to be employed by the last of the Tyrians,—that it should be by navigation, not by land;—this is gathered conclusively from the lines immediately following the preceding quotation, wherein the natural thanksgiving upon such an escape is also expressed:—
"They [the remnant] shall lift up their voices, they shall sing aloud from the Sea!" (i. e. Mediterranean.)
The proof of the fulfilment of this Prophecy is the same as that employed to establish the previous one,—viz., the Sidonian Galleys.
The four predictions (3d, 4th, 5th, 6th) having reference to the Alexandrian Siege of Tyrus, distinctly foretels as follows: viz.—The storming of the capital—the massacre,—the safety of the King,—and of the King only within the walls. While these points were in action,—a remnant,—a nation's gleaning,—should be safely gathered,—that they should be rescued by the means of navigation,—that they should lift their voices in thanksgiving "from the sea,"—which as a mother, upon her bosom was to cherish them in safety! Now all these Prophecies, and their several parts, are proved by authenticated history to have been accomplished;—no sceptic, therefore, in regard to the startling character (perhaps boldness) of this History, can deny to the Author the right to claim and employ a seventh and a last Prophecy by Isaiah, to support conclusions of Tyrian identity in the Western Hemisphere. This last prediction refers even to the character of the Voyage to be finally taken by the fugitive "remnant,"—the great distance of their flight,—and that when they had reached their destination they should sojourn there.
This conclusive Prophecy will be brought forward in its proper place. The Sidonians and rescued Tyrians now claim attention.
At the moment when the Capital was being desolated by flame and falchion, and when the walls and gates were "smitten with destruction," the Sidonian Galleys received on board the fugitive Families; and from the direct National act of friendship, it must appear apparent that those saved, Men, Women, and Children, were Tyrians only;—yet in the confusion, a few Greeks and Egyptians may have found shelter. This is possible in reference to individuals (but not to families); for Tyrus being in commercial intercourse with the Nile and the Archipelago, may have contained some few inhabitants of Egypt or Greece at the sacking of the City. Amid the noise attendant upon the entrance of the Macedonian Soldiery, and the screams of the affrighted populace, the Sidonian vessels, with their fearful freights escaped unobserved by the invaders; or, if they had been seen by the enemy, they would not have been pursued; for they were Sidonians,—not Tyrians,—that is in outward appearance, as manifested by the colours, or ensigns of their Galleys; and to avoid suspicion, their ships must have been few,—five or six,—sufficient, however, for the conveyance of "a Colony from the East."[15]
Thus escaped, and upon the broad and friendly "Sea," it will readily be imagined that Tyrian prayers and thanksgivings were "lifted up" in purity and sincerity. Upon leaving Tyrus, they rowed towards the open waters of the Mediterranean; but keeping in-shore, and for the approaching nightfall, their prows would be turned toward the West. The first sunset of their flight may have been crimsoned with the tints of Nature,—but towards the East, on the horizon of their once-loved home, arose the red clouds from furious conflagration,—their fallen and flaming dwellings quenched only in the flowing and heated streams of human blood!
As Night struggled for supremacy with expiring Day, the sky and waters were illumined from the raging fire, rising from the funeral pile of an once mighty, but now prostrate nation. The Tyrian "Queen of the Sea," now dressed in her last crimson robe (which like that of Hercules festered her to madness), from her Island-throne cast her expiring looks upon the Mediterranean,—her faithful, yet conquered champion,—whose bright panoply reflected and increased the grandeur of the Monarch's fall—which, like a Star falling from the purple dome of Night, and its fiery train reflected on the Ocean, and both on the same instant, as in sympathy, expire: so the Sea-girt Queen's—and, like that Star, cast from the Pleiades of Nations—never to be found in her own, but in another Sphere!
The last of the Tyrian Sons and Daughters, who, from the Sidonian decks now gazed, like wildered maniacs, upon the smouldering ruins of their home and country, and heard in the gathering stillness of the night, the accumulated groans of the Crucified victims, and could perceive in the rising moonlight (now emitting its full-orbed splendour) their naked and writhing bodies, which, reflected like images of ivory in the placid waters of the shore, seemed to double the horrors of the scene;—while some of the Crucified upon the high ruins of the City, had wrenched the nails and cords of their hands from their dire scaffolds, and were plunging headlong, grasping in air, and calling upon their gods to end their torture: yet, even with this maddening scene before them, they felt that the fates of those that had perished by the flame, sword, or Cross, were enviable when compared with their living desolation! In their moments of misery, they experienced in its full force, the baneful curse cast upon the Children through the Parent's pride and policy! Like Ishmael, Abram's first-born, their hands had been uplifted against every Nation; and in return, every hand was raised against them. They were now wanderers—not like Hagar,—of a wilderness, where by a Well of Life an Angel of Mercy might appear; but upon an approaching dark and stormy Sea; the harbours and fountains of humanity closed against them, and surrounded on every hand by the demons of despair or death! As they in their "palmy state" had rejoiced upon the Destruction of Jerusalem, so their Nation's fall became the mirth and triumph to every country; and they, in their turn, reached their summit of grandeur, and from thence descended to desolation!
The Fugitives were now upon the Sea,—but no harbour could receive them: the pilots dare not return and land at Sidon, for the agents and officers of Alexander, and his own King were there, to protect the Treaty, and his interest: to land the Tyrians, therefore, at their parental home, would have involved that nation in a ruin similar, if not equal, to that of Tyrus, the horrors of which had struck a terror to the World! Some Historians of the ancient days have supposed that the Fugitives were taken to Sidon, because, they were nowhere to be found!—but those writers,—and Raleigh within the walls of the Tower,—may be well excused, for they knew not of Temple-ruins, and walls of equal magnitude, being in existence in another Hemisphere.
The next, and only apparent City of refuge was self-protecting Carthage: but the Senate of that Republic had refused to aid the Tyrians even in their day of strength; and Alexander's march upon Jerusalem to resent a supposed offence of the Jews, in rendering assistance to Tyrus, would be another reason, conjoined with the sending of Rhodanus, why Carthage would not receive them. The Tyrians, however, may have been furnished, indirectly, with supplies for a voyage at Carthage,—bought by the Sidonians, the owners of the Galleys; and in this instance no offence could be entertained by the agents of the Macedonian, who were watching his interests in the Republic.
In this terrible dilemma, there was but one Oasis in the watery Desert, and that was the Tyrian's by right of original discovery; this was the group of Islands first landed upon by their Ancestors, in their circumnavigation of the Continent of Africa; and which are designated by Jeremiah, as "the Isles which are beyond the Sea." To these truly "Fortunate Islands" it was but natural that the Last of the Tyrians would turn their thoughts. Since the Alexandrian Deluge which had overwhelmed their country, in the Sidonian Arks they had floated above the dangers of the flood; but, like the ravens of the Deluge, they had wandered to and fro, hopeless of return: yet their dove of peace, which at first could find "no rest for the sole of her foot," now brought to their "mental sight" an olive-leaf from their Island-Ararat "beyond the Sea!"
With heavy hearts, it may be supposed, that they bade farewell for ever to the Mediterranean. Passing through the Straits of Gibraltar, and coasting along the western shores of Africa, the snow-crowned Peak of the chief Island would rise from the Ocean, like a Pharos to illumine and proclaim their path of present safety. The peculiar circumstances causing these lands to be revisited by the Tyrians, would (as before hinted) seem to point directly to the reason of their original and ancient appellation,—viz., The Fortunate Isles (Fortunatæ Insulæ). The name, from its very definition, indicates a place of refuge from foe or wreck, and is, therefore, directly applicable to the Fugitives. Upon the chief of the Islands, known in modern times as Teneriffe, the Tyrians and Sidonians first landed. We establish this apparent fact, upon the ground that the principal burying-place was here, as proved by the Mummies discovered in the caverns of the Peak, as stated in the Analogies, and the same species being found in Peru. They form a distinct and absolute chain across the Atlantic, uniting the Fortunate Isles with the Western Hemisphere! [Vol. i., Book i., ch. vii., § 4.] The other Islands of the group were inhabited at a later day, and without doubt by the Sido-Tyrian descendants, who became a People known as the Guanches, i. e. Freemen; the name itself (as before stated) points to an escape from Slavery.
After the Tyrians had landed on the Fortunate Isle, the events of the past would soon compel them to give full consideration to the probabilities, and even possibilities of the future. These causes of the hopes and fears of the human family, may have produced the effects of assurance and conviction in their distracted minds, that their escape was known,—the pathway of their retreat had been tracked,—and that the remorseless bloodhound of Macedonia would still pursue them, not only for their lives, but for the lands that had received them. Again:—their new home might be discovered by some of the citizens of Sidon, following in search of their absent countrymen: or if the Sidonians on the Fortunate Isle should return to the Mediterranean, discovery might be conveyed in that manner; and that they would return was apparent, for they had left their families at Sidon. Every point of conclusion would force upon them the necessity of further retreat from still surrounding dangers: and that their next home as a Nation must be founded upon the "gleanings" of their own country, unconnected with the noble Sidonians, except by a companionship. The only means for further retreat were in possession of their present friends,—viz., The Galleys. The Island which they now inhabited, and those surrounding them, belonged to the Tyrians,—a free gift of which by the owners, in exchange for the Galleys of the Sidonians (save one for their own return to Sidon), would naturally occur to the parties, under the peculiar circumstances in which they were now relatively placed. It will readily be admitted that the Sidonians, having hazarded their lives, and even the destruction of their country, in "gleaning" from the carnage at Tyrus, the "remnant" of the People, that they would not hesitate to grant them the means of perfect safety. The Galleys, therefore, may have become the Tyrian property by gift, purchase, or in exchange for the Islands,—and perhaps, the National secret of the Tyrian Dye: either of the propositions, without the employment of "force," must appear probable, and especially the two latter. We gather the suggestion of the Secret of the "Dye" being one of the "objects" in the "negotiation" from the fact that the Shell is in the hands of the Negotiators, represented upon the Altar at Copan,—the City we have placed as having been the first built in Ancient America,—the Sculpture of which identically illustrates this act of Amity!
The Tyrian possession of the vessels being accomplished, it would be natural that the Sidonians would return to their homes, before the departure of the rescued, 1st, From the natural desire to return to their own families; 2dly, To prevent the enemy's suspicion from delay; and 3dly, They would be enabled, thereby, to again serve the Tyrians, by throwing any pursuers off the true track; and to these points may be added, the National Secretiveness of the "Daughter of Sidon," who might wish to conceal her retreat even from her protecting Parent. Whether the Sidonians left first or not, or whether the parties left simultaneously, is of no materiality towards the firm establishing of the truth of this History: but, the apparent facts of the case would force the conclusion, that if they did not lower oars simultaneously, they would leave the Tyrians in possession of the Isles, which they (the Sidonians) would return to at an early period to occupy; and that they did, the ancient sepulchres, and their contents, bear ample testimony, for the Religious customs of Sidonians and Tyrians were identical.
The Sidonians had now placed the last seal upon their bond of friendship. It was deeply impressed upon the mind of the receiver, and could never be forgotten, or razed from the tablet of Tyrian memory! It was truly a subject for the Sculptor's art to perpetuate, not only upon their Temples, but upon the "Chief Altar" in whatever land or country their future fate should cast them. And such we believe to be the subject of the Sculpture upon the Chief Altar of Copan in Ancient America, erected by Gratitude as a Religious Tribute to Friendship; that whenever they should bow in reverence to their visible God, they should remember the parental act, which alone had enabled them to offer praises to their Deity! The Sidonians in their departure for their home upon the Mediterranean, must have received the united blessings of a People, who through their means only, had been rescued from desolation or death, and in the terrible forms of Conflagration or Crucifixion.
The Last of the Tyrian Nation, the remnant of an once powerful People, were about to trust themselves again upon that element which had ever befriended them,—and upon which they had ever moved as the Lords of the domain: but, they had now no merry metropolis to receive them,—no walled citadel whose antiquity would speak to them of "ancient days:" recollections of the past were terrible,—the anticipations of the future were dark and uncertain,—and in the present time only could they view security. To return to any known part of Asia, Africa, or Europe, was impossible,—their only path from the Fortunate Isle was forth upon an untracked Ocean. Their final landing-place might be afar off,—their sojourn for ever;—but Apollo and Astartē, their imaged orbs of Day and Night, were to be the "lanterns to their feet,"—and their skilful knowledge, would shelter them beneath the gorgeous, and star-gemmed mantle of Astronomy!
The reader now may naturally inquire, How does this position and resolution of the Tyrians agree with "a seventh and last Prophecy," alluded to in the commencement of this Chapter as being now newly applied?—and what is that Prophecy by Isaiah?
The answers will be given with firmness, from the conscientious conviction of their truth. Those natural points of debate in the minds of the Tyrians, were the preliminaries to the fulfilment,—and their safe landing and sojourn in the Western Hemisphere, were the actual accomplishment of the Prophecy!
The prediction may have been unknown to this remnant of a Nation,—for it was uttered to the Jewish people, and by one of that great family,—Isaiah,—and nearly 400 years previous to the Alexandrian Siege. The Sacred Prophet distinctly says, [xxiii. 7]—
"Howl, ye inhabitants of the Isle! [Tyrus] Is this your joyous city, whose antiquity is of ancient days?"
This sentence by its question is spoken as to the Tyrians;—but the line immediately following, was uttered as of them, and from the wording, from the very spirit of a pre-knowledge of a future event!—viz.,
"Her own feet shall carry her [Tyrus] afar off to sojourn!"
This Prophetic line (brief as it is) contains four distinct and important parts, yet each as necessary to the whole, as quadruple angles to the perfection of a square: viz.—
"Her own feet | shall carry her | afar off | to sojourn."
1st. "Her own feet,"—is figurative that the means should be Tyrian; viz., Navigation.
2d. "Shall carry her," i. e. shall convey them,—and that it was to be by Navigation has already been proved,—"they shall cry aloud from the Sea"—that is also demonstrated by the Galleys of the Sidonians.
3d. "Afar off"—figurative that the migration should be to some unusual distance, or nameless land.
4th. "To sojourn," i. e. to reside or remain,—and as no time or duration is affixed to the words, they would seem to express in the language of the Bible—"to sojourn for evermore," or to a time wherein total annihilation should be accomplished,—as it has been by the Spaniards and their descendants.
We will meet at the threshold any objections to the strong and conclusive application to this History, of this remarkable, and hitherto unemployed line of Prophecy.
1st. It cannot belong to the first Siege of Tyrus,—viz., by Nebuchadnezzar,—for after that event, the remnant of the then Conquered People left the mainland Metropolis, and settled on the Island,—a distance of less than half a mile; therefore, "afar off to sojourn" could not apply to that invasion.
2dly. Being admitted that the line does not apply to the Babylonian destruction, then as a necessity, it must belong to that by the Macedonian Monarch. The Sidonians upon that occasion rescued the remnant of the Nation, and to have returned to Sidon would also not be "afar off," as the distance from Tyrus is but twenty-three miles. We apprehend, also, that the reader is convinced that the political reasons for not returning to Sidon are apparent and conclusive.
3dly. The Tyrians, simply by obtaining the Galleys from the friendly Sidonians, had as it were their "own feet," i. e. navigable means to carry them,—for Tyrus itself had stood, or walked firmly for centuries, only through and by means of Navigation.
And 4thly. They were not only to journey or migrate to "afar off" distance,—a land as yet not known by name, and therefore, could not be specified by Isaiah;—but another condition, or incident is affixed,—viz., that wherever they finally landed, there they were "to sojourn." Now let the most scrutinizing, Argus-eyed antiquary, search every quarter of Europe, Asia, or Africa,—their ancient or their modern histories, or traditions (and we know them well), and where will he find these "afar off" sojourners, contemplated by the Prophet Isaiah? The conclusive answer to such inquiry will be, as from the Tomb of Time, "Thou shalt not find them;"—but, in Ancient America, there they are traceable,—there they are found;—proved to be identical with the Tyrians of Phœnicia,—and the truth of the long-concealed Prophecy, established by Holy-Writ and new-discovered History.
"Her own feet shall carry her afar off to sojourn," is a sentence too positive in its construction to be viewed by any reader as an idle or a careless expression by Isaiah. The solemn occasion upon which it was uttered,—viz., the prediction of a Nation's downfall,—utterly repudiates even the supposition that it, as part of the great Prophecy, should not be strictly fulfilled with the residue; and every other part having been accomplished, it would be sophistry to assume that this particular line should not be:—but such an assumption would not hold, since its fulfilment is absolutely proved in the Southern portion of Ancient America.