The Northern star, and constitutionalist. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1834-1837, 1835-05-23
From Stories Of the Middle .ages.
THE QUEEN SEMIRANIS.

None have charms and graces like you,
and for you would willingly resign
them all"
"Lst the king consider we'll what he
says.n replied Semiramis. "What 1t l
were 10 take him at his word Z"
"Do so," replied the monarch, "whlst
beloved by you. l am indifferent to all
xahers."
$50 then if I asked IT," said Scmira-
mis-, ssyou would Danish all your other
wives ald love me alone ! l should be
alone your consor, the partaker Of your.
power, and Queen Of Assyria "
"Queen of Assyna9 Are you not SO
already" said Minus "since you reign
by your beauty over its king 2"
"No--no," answered hrs lovely mis-
tress "l am at present only your slave
whom you love. reign not / merely
charm. When give an order, you are
consulted before l am obeyed."
"And to reign, then, you think so great
a pleasure I"
ayes, to one who has never experience
ed it,"
"And do you wish to experience it p
Would you like 10 reign few days in my
place 2"
"Take care, o, king do not offer too
much"
"No, I repeat it," said the captivated
monarch. "Would you like, for one
whole day, to be sovereign mistress of
Assyria ! If you would, consent to it,"
"And all which command then, shall
be executed Z"
eyes, will resign to you. for one.en-
tire day, my power aud my golden scep-
ire"
"And when shall this be !"
ITO morrow, il you like"
81 do" said Semiramis and she let
her head fall upon the shoulder of the
king, like a beautiful woman asking par
don for some caprice which has been
yielded to.
The next morning, Semiramis called
her women, and commanded them TO
dress her magnifficently. On her head
she wore a crown OF precious stones and
appeared thus before Minus. Minus,
enchanted with her beauty, ordered all
the officers of the palace to assemble in
the state chamber, and his golden sceptre
to be brought from the treasury. He then
eatered the chamber, leading Ssmiramis
by the hand. All prostrated themselves
before the aspect OF the king, who con-
Quoted Semiramis to the king, who
conducted Seraivamls to the throne, and
seated her upon it. Then ordering the
whole assembly to rise, he announced to
the court that they were to obey, during
the whole day, Semiramis as himself
So saying he took up the golden sceptre,
and placing it in the hands of Semiramis
"Queen," said he "I commit to you the
emblem of sovereign authority. All here
are your slaves, and ! myself am nothing
more than your servant for the whole of
this day. Who ever shall be reiniss in
execating your orders let him be punish
ed as if he had disobeyed the commands
ofthe king"
Having thus spoken, the king knelt
down before Semiramis, who gave him,
with smile, her hand to kiss. The cour-
tiers then passed in succession, each
making oath to execute blindly the orders
Of Semiranis. When the ceremony was
finished, the king made her his compl-
ments, and ask her how she had managed
to go through with it with SO grave and
majestical an air.
"Whilst they were promising to obey
me-" said Semiramis, 81 was thinking
what should command each Of them to
do. have but one day Of power, and /
will employ it we'll"
The king laughed at this reply. Semi
ramis appeared more piquants and amia-
ble than ever. "Let US see," said he,
show you will continue your part. BY
what orders will you begin ?"
"Let the secretary Of the king ap-
proach my throne," said Semu amls,
with loud voice.
The secretary approached-two slaves
placed a little table before him.
"Write," SAID Semiranlis 'Under Pc
nalty Of death, the governor OF the citadel
OF Babylon is ordered to yield up the COM
mand Of the citadel to him who shall bear
him this order.' Fold this order, seal it
with the kings seal, and give 1t to me-
Write now under penalty Of death the
governor Of the slaves Of the palace is
ordered to resign the command Of the
slaves into the hands Of the person who
shall presen; 10 him this ORDER Fold il,
seal il with the kings seal, and deliver to
me this decree Write again 'Under
penalty Of death, the general Of the army
encarnped under the walls Of Babylon is
ordered to resign the command Of the ar
my to him who shall be the bearer Of this
der.'-Fold, seal, and deliver to me
this decree"
She took the three orders thus dictated,
aud put them in her bosom. The whole