Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1838-11-15
NO 33.

now serves me. have net worshipped
Ahrimanes in vain, Vashti will refuse to
come, for her spirit is high--the king will
be enraged and will so work upon his an
ger, that she will be degraded from her ILL
deserved state''
Repair to the Vomens Court" said
the king to his chamberlain, who stood be-
fore him. IBID Queen Vasht appear in
her royal robes, with the crown upon her
head, that all may behold her beauty and
confess my taste unquestioned."
| The chamberlain bowed and departed,
Passing through the starlit garden, whose
fresh air and sweet odors were grateful af7
ter breathing the heat and fumes Of the
banquet hall, they were admitted through
large gate into a marble court, with its
usual adornment of, whispering fountain
and vases of rare flowers. Around this
were built the rooms apportioned to the
palace. A large saloon fronted the gate,
from which echoed the silyery laugh and
melodious tones Of female voices.
Here Queen Vashti held a feast to the
ladies' of the court, and the wives of
those princes who sat at the kings table.
The walls of this apartment were richly,
painted, or adorned with delicate flower
work. carved in cedar and brightly gilded
Gorgeous Babylonian carpets were spread
upon the marble floor. and the softer light
Of alabaster lamps, reflected from silver
mirrors, threw radiance over the room
and its fair young group. -,
| A circle of ladies surrounded a table up,
on which was placed all that could Tempt a
fastidious palate. Grapes and wine, and
pomegranites, Arabian dates and all that
was rare and delicious was before them.
Upon a raised seat, sat Queen Vashti.
Tall and commanding, she looked the
sovereign. Her dress was of golden tis7
sue, while from the royal tiara glttering
with jewels, fell rose-colored veil spotted
with gold.
When the chamberlains entered, she
started in angry SURPRISE, ''What means
this intrusion upon our privacyf' she said,
haughtly.
The chamberlain, with lowly obeisance,
delivered the kings command for her to
appear before the princes in the banquet
hall. The queen gazed upon him a mo-
ment in silence, while her brilliant eyes
flashed FIRE, the color grew deep upon her
cheek, and her bosom was stirred with pow
erful emotion.
"Do hear You Alright my lords,'
"You do, most royal lady. The king
expects you"
SIS the king mad!" che cried with
burst Of wrath, for her spirit was on. in all
its power. "What! doth he bid me, the
queen! descend from her state,to appear
in the midst of drunken revell Doth he
bid delicate lady come forth from her pri-.
vacy TO submit to the wanton gaze of his
!. idle, half-inebriated conrtiers! Return my
ords--there is some mistake in this" And
the self-willed lady drew her veil around
her and resumed her seat, painting with all
the anger Of outraged dignity and woman
ly delicacy.
"Nay royal Vashti, hear me-" said
Harbona. ut is the kings command and
dare not return without the queen"
GLOW do you stand arguing with me
thus, as il We deemed would obey this in
solent command p and the diamonds in her
tiara flashed moi more wildly than tbs eyes
of the ireful queen, while gazing upon the
trembling eunuchs.
"You will not thus rebel against" be-.
gan Agabatha, but he was cut short by the
enraged queen-rising from her seat, her
elittering robes falling around her. IN
!, "Begoue, slavesl' she cried, stretching
her hand majestically towards them; and
tell your king sriu not come!''
i The chamberlains turned and immedi-
ately Quilted the saloon. A great commo-
ton succeeded their departure. Some
gentle spirits shrunk. aghast at the daring
of the queen; but there were, many there
who applauded her lofty resolutions
! "What. ladies'" exclaimed the Princess
7 Roxa. wife of Mamacan; .ahall We be abb
3 feet slaves 10 our husbands! Shall they
dare, when they choose il. to drag US from
! our retirement Shall we have no reserves,
) no rights uninvaded' !. Let us all imi-
, tate the strength of mind of our royal mis-
tress, aud resist all unlawful susurpation, if
we would have any freedom left J" -.
'.The noble Roxa is right, sid Prin-.
cess Zerush. GAS t is, we have not suffi-
cient liberty. In other lands. woman, is
free to walk oft, or attend assemblies OF
: both sexes, when she pleases., while
we are shut up in tiresone abodes,, and
: watched aud guarded like children. If our
y royal mistress had given way 10 this law
less encroachment of our rights, it would
!, have. become precedent, and our lords
= would be sending for US like slaves 70 a
muse their drunken companions !" !
The fair orators were applauded, and
onoo.,.ar.d Ia tba eyamDle of their oueen