Wisconsin herald, and Grant County advertiser. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1844-1845, 1845-11-08

lower rank, MOVERS anu Iruit; anu
the slaves, having nothing to give, gave
nothing but homage. Among these
last there were three young brothers,
who had come from the Caucasus with
Semiramis, and rescued the caravan in
which the women were, from an enor-
nous tiger. When they passed be-
fore the throne
'And you,' said she to the three bro
theirs, shave you no present to make to
your queen?' uI
No other,' replied the first, Zopire,
'than my life to defend her.
None other replied the second, Ar
teban, 'than my sabre against her ene-
miles,
None other replied the third, As
sar. 'than the respect and admiration
which her presence inspires.
Slaves, said Semiramis, sit is you
who have made me the most valuable
presents of the whole court, and | vii!
not be ungrateful. You who have Of
fered me your sword against my enc
mics, take this order, carry it to the
general Of the army encamped 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 COVER
nor of the citadel and see what he will
do for you; and you who offer me the
respect and admiration which my pres
ence inspires, take this order, give it
to the commandant of the slaves Of the
palace, and see what will be the re-
suit
Never had Semiramis displayed so
much gaiety, SO mush folly and so much
grace, and never, was Minus so capti-
waited. Nor were her charms lessened
lin his eyes, when slave not having
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 con-
verse with Semiramis till the evening
and the .tete arrived. When she en-
tered the saloon which had been pre-
pared for the occasion, slave brought
her plate in which was the head of
the decapitated cunuch. IT'S well,
said she, after having examined it.
place it on stake in the court Of the
palace that all may see il, and be you
there on the spot to proclaim to every
one that the man to whom this head
belonged 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 in the gar
dens; and Semiramis received the no.
mage of all with grace and majesty
perfectly regal; she continually turned
to and convcrsed with Minus, render
ing him the most distinguished honor.
You are,' said she foreign king, come
to visit me in my palace. / must make
your visit agreeable to you
Shortly after the banquet was serv.
ed, Semirarnis COMPOUNDED and revers-
ed all ranks. Minus was placed at the
bottom of the table. He was the first
to laugh at this caprice; and the court,
following his example, allowed them
selves to be placed without murmur-
ing according to the will of the queen.
She seated near herself the three bro
theirs from the Caucasus.
care my orders executed she de-
handed Of them.
yes replied they.
The .fete was very gay. A slave
having, by the the force Of habit, serv-
ed the king first, Semiramis had him
beaten with rods. His cries mingled
with the laughter OF the guests Eve
Iry one was inclined to merriment. 1t
was a comedy in which each played his
part. Towards the end of the repast,
when wine had added 10 the general
gaiesy; Semiramis rose from her eleva-
ted seat, and said: My lords, the
treasurer of the empire has read me a
list of those who this morning have
brought me their gifts Of congratula-
ton 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 giyento the queen
this mornIng?'
Minus rose, and came with smil-
ling cognteDance to whisper something