The Northern star, and constitutionalist. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1834-1837, 1835-05-23

wnut Wouid you ~ viii VIC o'~c'o wv
have dictated Z"
81 should be no longer queen, were
Obliged TO give account Of my actions
Nevertheless, this was my motive. l have
a vengeance to execute against the three
officers whom these orders menace"
"Vengeancs and wherefore 2"
' "1he first, the governor Of the citadel,
is one eyed, and frightens me every time
meet him the second, the chief Of the
slaves, l hate because he threatens me
with rivals the third, the general of the
army, deprives me too often OF your COM
pany; you are constantly IN the camp"
This reply, in which caprice and fiat
terry were mingled, enchanted Minus,
'.Good," said he, laughing. "Here are
the three first officers OF the empire dis
missed for very sufficient reasons"
The gentlemen of the court now came
to present their gifts to the queen. Some
gave precious stones others, Of lower
rank, flowers and fruits, and the slaves
having nothing to give, gave nothing
but homage. Among these last were
three young brothers, who had come from
the Caucasus with Semlramis and had
rescued the caravan in which the women
were, from an enormous tiger. When
they passed the throne
"And YOU" said she, to the three
brothers, shave you no present to make
TO your queen
"No other," replied the first, Zopire,
than my life 10 defend her."
"None other," replied the second, Ar
taban, I" than my sabre against her ene-
mics"
"None other," replied the third, Assar,
"than the respect and admiration which
her presence inspires"
"Slaves," said Semramis, "t is you
who have made the most valuable present
of the whole court, and will not be un-
grateful. You who have offered me
your sword against my enemies, take this
order, carry it to the general Of the army
enc amped under the walls Of Babylon,
give it to him, and see what he will do
for you. You who have offered me
your life for my defence, take this order
to the governor of the citadel, and see
what he will do for you and you who
offered me the respect and admiration
which my prese nee inspires, take this or
der, give it to the commandant of the
slaves of the palace, and see what will be
the result"
Never had Semramis displayed so
much gayety, SO much folly, and so much
grace, and never was Minus SO much
captivaled. Nor were her charms les
sened in his eyes, when a slave not hav-
ing executed promptly an insignificant Or
der, she commanded his head to be
struck off, which was Immediately done.
Without bestowing thought on this
trivial matter, Minus continued
to converse with Semiramis, till
the evening and the jete arrived. When
the saloon which had been prepared for
the occasion, slave brought her a plate,
in which was the head Of the decapitated
eunuch. "Tis wel," said she, after
having examined it. place it on
stake in the court of the palace, that all
may see it, and he you there on the spot
to proclaim to every one, that the man to
whom this head belong ed lived three hours
ago, but that having disobeyed my will,
his head was separated from his body"
The tete was magnificent sump-
tuous banquet was prepared ia the gar
dens, and Semiramis received the homage
OF all with grace and majesty perfectly
regal she continually turned to and
conversed with Minus, rendering him the
most distinguished honour. "You are,"
said she, ga foreign king come to visit
me in my palace. l must make your
visit agreeable to you"
Shortly after the banquet was served,
Semiramis confounded and reversed all
ranks. Minus was placed at the bottom
of The table. He was first to laugh at
this caprice and the court following his
example, alo we'd themselves to be
placed, without murmuring, according to
the will of the queen. She seated near
herself the three brothers from the eau
casus.
care my orders executed she nquir-
ed of them.
eyes," replied they.
The fete was very gay. A slave hav-
Ing, by force of habit, served the king
first, Semiramis had him beaten with
rods. His cries mingled with The laugh
ter Of the guests. Every one was in
clined to merrment. 1t was a comedy
in which each played his part. Towards
the end of the repast. when wine hid ad-
ded to the general gayety, Semiran,is
rose from her elevated seat, and said
"My lords, the treasurer Of the empire
has read me list Of those who this morn
ing have brought me their gifts of con-
graduation on my joyful accession to the
throne. One grandee alone Of all the
court has failed to bring his gif."