The true Democrat., 1854-12-06

fold, seal, and deliver to me this decree"
 She took the three orders, thus dictated, and put them in her bosom. The whole court was struck with consternation; the king himself was surprised.
 Listen," said Semiramis. "In two hours hence let all the officers of the state come and offer me presents, as is the custom on the acces- slon of new princes, and let festival be pre- pared for this evening. Now let all depart.-- Let my faithful servant Minus alone remain I have to consult him upon affairs of state."
 When all the rest had gone out--"You see," said SemiramiS, that know how to play the queen."
 Minus laughed.
 My beautiful queen," said he, "you play your part to astonlshment. But if your ser want may dare to question you, what would you do with the orders you have dictated?"
 '' should be no longer queen, were obliged to give account6f my actions. Nevertheless, this was my motive. 1 have vengeance to execute against the three officers whom these orders menace"
 Vengeance, and wherefore?"
 "The first the governor of the citadel, is one eyed, and frightens me every time 1 meet him; the second, the chief of the slaves, I hate be- cause he threatens me with rivals third, the general of the army, deprives me too often of your company; you are constantly in the camp"
 This reply, in which caprice and flattery were mingled, enchanted Minus. "Good," said he laughing. Here are the three first officers of the empire dismiss ed 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 Semiramis, ssand had rescued the caravan ill which the women were, from an enormous tiger. When they passed before the throne
 "And you," said she to the three brothers, "have you no present to make to your queen?'
 "No other,' replied the first, Zopire, "than my life to defend her
 than my sabre against her enemies.''
 "None other," replied the third, Assar, " than the respect and admiration which her presence inspires
 "Slaves," said Semiramis, it is you who have made me the most valuable present of the whole court, and will not be ungrateful- You who have offered me your sword against my enemies, take this order, carry 1t to the ge- U Babylon, give 1t 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 go- vernon of the citadel, and see what he will do for you; and you who offer me the respect and admiration which my presence inspires, take this order, give it to the commandant of the slaves of the palace, and sec what will be the result"
 Never had Semramis displayed so much gaiety, so much folly, and so much grace, and never was Minus captivated. Nor were her charms lessened in his eyes, when a slave not having executed promptly an insignificant order, she commanded his head to be struck off which was Immediately done.
 Without bestOwing a thought on this trivial matter, Minus continued to converse with Se- mramls, till the evening and the .tete arrived. When she entered the saloon which had been prepared for the occasion, a slave brought her a plate, in which was the head of the decapitated eunuch. "'Tis well,' said she, after having examined it. "Place 1t on 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 belonged lived three hours ago, but that having disobeyed my will his head was separated from his body"
 The tete was magnificent; sumptuous ban quet was prepared in the gardens, and Semira- mis received the homage of all with a grace and majesty perfectly regal; she continually turned to and conversed with Minus, rendering him the most distinguished honor. 'You are" said she, "a foreign king, come to visit me in my palace. I must make your visit agreeable to you"
 Shortly after the banquet was served, Semi ramis contouIded and reversed 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 murmuring, accord ing to the will of the queen. She seated near herself the three brothers from the Caucasus.
 "Are my orders executed?" she demanded of them
 "Yes,' replied they.
 The fete was very gay. A slave having, by the force of habit, served the king first, Semi ramis had him beaten with rods His cries mingled with the laughter of the guests- Every one was inclined to merriment. It was comedy in which each played his part To- wards the end of the repast, when wine had added to the general gaiety, Semiramis 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 it?' cried Minus. "He must be punished severely"
 "It is you yourself, my lord-you who speak What have you given to the queen this morn ing?"
 Minus rose, and came with smiling counte nance to whisper something in the ear of the queen. "The queen is insulted by her ser vant," exclaimed Semramis.
 "l embrace your knees to obtain my pardon. Pardon me, beautiful queen,' said he, pardon me- And he added, in alower tone, " would that this .tete were finished"
 "You wish then, that I should abdicate?' said Semiramis "But no-l have still two hours to reign;" and at the same time she with drew her hand, which the king was covering with kisses "I pardon not" said she, in loud voice. "such an insult on the part of slave Slave prepare myself to die"
 "Silly child that thou art,' said Minus, still on his knees, "yet will give way to thy folly; but patience, thy reign will soon be over'
 "You will not then be angry," said she, in a
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