Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1856-08-06
have you no present to make to your

"None other" replied the third, AS
sar, " han the respect and admiration
which her presence inspires"
'Slaves," said Semiramis, sit is you
who have made the most valuable pres
ents of the whole court, and 1 will moi
be ungrateful. You who have offered
me your sword against my enemies, take
this order, carry it to the general of the
army encamped under the walls of Baby
lon, 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 governor of the citadel and see
what he will do for you. And you, who
offered me the respect and admiration
which my presence inspires, take this
order to the commandant of the palace,
and see what will be the result"
Never had Semiramis displayed SC
much gaiety, so much folly and so much
grace, and never was Minus SO much
captivated. Nor were her charms less
ened in his eyes, when slave, not hav-
ing executed an Insignificant order, she
commanded his head to be struck off,
which was Immediately done.
Without bestowing thought on this
| ef,ll 70
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
on which was the head of the decapitated
eunuch.
"'Tis well, said she, after having ex
amined it. "Place it on stake in the
court of the palace, that all may see it,
and be there on the spot to proclaim tc
every one, that the man TO whom this
head belonged lived three hours ago,
but having disobeyed my will, his head
was separated from his body"
The fete was magnificent sumptu-
Gus banquet was prepared in the gard.
ems, and Semiramis received the homage
of all with grace and majesty perfectly
regal she continually turned and con-
versed with Minus, rendering the most
distinguished honor. ' You are," said
she, "a foreign king come 10 visit me in
my palace, 1 must make your visit
agreeable to you.
Shortly after, the banquet was served.
Semiramis confounded 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 themselves to be
placed, without mumuring, according 10
the will of the queen. She seated her.
self near the three brothers of Cau-
casus.
care my orders executed % she de-
msnded of them.
eyes" they replied.
The fete was very gay. A slave hav-
ing, by force of habit, served the king
first, Semiramis had him beaten with
rods. His cries mingled with the laugh
Ter of the guests. All was inclined to
merriment. 1t was a comedy in which
each one played his part. Towards the
end Of the repast, when wine had added
to the general gaiety, Semiramis arose
from her elevated seat and said" Ny
lords, the treasurer of the empire has
read me a list of those who this morning
brought me their gifts of congratulations
on my joyful accession to the throne
One grandee alone of the court has failed
to bring me his gift"
"Who is it ?" cried Minus, che must
be punished severely"
1T is yourself, my lOrd-you who
speak. What have you given the queen
of this morning ?''
Minus rose, and came with a smiling
countenance to whisper something in the
ear of the queen.
The queen is insulled by her SER
vant," exclaimed Semiramis.
81 embrace your knees to obtain par
don. Pardon me beautiful queen" said
he, "pardon me-" And he added in a
lower tone. 81 would that this tete was
finished"
"You wish, then, that 1 should abdi-
cate ?" said Semiramis. "But know
l have still two hours 10 reign; and at
the same time she withdrew her hand,
which the king was covering with kiss
es. 81 pardon not" said she. in loud
voice, " "such an insult on the part of a
slave. Slave, prepare thyself to die !''
"S:lly child, that thou ant" said Nj
nus, still on his knees, yet I give way
to this folly; but patience, thy reign
will soon be over"
" You will not then be angry" said
she in a whisper, sat something am 60
ing to order at this moment 90
"No," said he.
"Slaves," said she aloud, "seize this
man-that Minus %
Minus smiled, and put himself in the
hands of The slaves.