The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1845-10-10

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Never had Semiramis displayed so
much gaiety, so much folly and so
much grace, and never was Minus so
captivated. Nor were her charms
lessened in his eyes, when a slave
not having executed promptly an in
significant order, she commanded
his head to be struck off, which was
Immediately done.
Without bcstowing a thought on
this trivial matter, Minus continued
to converse with Semiramis till the
evening and the fete arrived. When
she entered the saloon which had
been prepared for the occasion, a
slave brought her plate in which
was the head of the decapitatcd GU
much. cts woll,' said she, after
having examined it. place it on a
stake in the court of the palace that
all may see it, and be you there on
the spot to proclaim TO every one
that the man to whom this head be-
longed lived three hours ago, but
that having disobeycd my will, his
head was separated from his body
The fete was magnificent; sump-
tuous banquet was prepared in the
gardens; and Semiramis received
the homage of all with a grace and
majesty perfectly regal she contin-
ually turned to, and conversed with
Minus, rendering him the most dis
tinguished honor. 'You are said
she, "a foreign king, come to visit
me in my palace. must make your
visit agreeable to YOU
Shortly after the banquet was
served, Semiramis COMPOUNDED re-
versed all ranks. Minus was placed
at the bottom of the table.-Ife was
the first to laugh at this caprice; and
the court, following his example, al
lowed themselves to be placed with
out murmuring, according to the
will of the queen. She seated near
herself the three brothers from the
Caucasus.
'Are my orders cxecutcd,' she de-
manded of them.
yes replied they.
The Jete was very gay. A slave
having, by force ofhabits, served the
king first, Semiramis had him beat
en- with rods. His cries mingled
with the laughter of the guests
Every one was inclined to merri-
ment. 1t was a comedy in which
each played his part. Towards the
end of the repast, when wine had
added to the general gaicty, Semi
ramis rose from her elevated seat,
and said: MY lords, the treasurer
OF the empire has read me list of
those who this morning have brought
me their gifts of congratulation on
my joyful accession to the throne.
One grandee alone of the court has
failed to bring his gift
who is hep cried Minus. 'He
must be punished severely
ut is yourself, my lord-you who
speak, what have you given to the
queen this morning?'
Minus rose, and came with smi-
ling countonance to whisper some
thing into the ear of the queen.
'The queen is insulted by her SER
want exclaimed Semiramis.
81 embrace your knees to obtain
your pardon, beautiful queen said
he; pardon me- and he added in
lower tone, Il wish this .fcte were
finished
you wish, then, that should alb
dicate?' said Semiramis. But no
i have still two hours to reign ,
and at the same time she withdrew
her hand, which the king was COW
cring with kisses. q pardon not
said she in loud voice, such an
insult on the part of slave. Slave,
prepare thyself to die
SILLY child that thou art said
Minus, still on his knees. yet will
| give way to thy folly; but pa.
ticncc, thy reign will soon be over
you will not then, be angry said
she in a whisper, sat something |
am going to order at this moment
'No' said he.
'Slaves!' said she aloud, ssiczc
this man-siezc this Ninusn
Minus, smiling, put himself into
the hands of the slaves.
take him out of the saloon, lead
him into the court of the seraglio,
prepare everything for his death,
and wait my orders
The slaves obeyed, and Minus fol-
lowed them, laughing, into the court
of the seraglio. They passed by the
head of the disobeying eunuch.
Then Semiramis placed herself on
the balcony. Minus had suffered his
hands to be tied.
Hasten said the queen, 'hasten
Zopire to the fortress; you to the
camp Artobon; Assar, do you Sc
cure all the gates of the palace.
These orders were given in a
whisper, and executed Immediately.