The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1873-04-16
Queen Semirnnis.

The city ana temple OF baDylon Wer'
first begun by Nimrod, "the mighty
hunter before the Lord" of whom the
Bible speaks. But various other person:
contributed to its grandeur, the most eel
ebrated of whom was Semiramis, the wife
of Minus, King of Assyria, who, wher
her husband died, became the sole ruler
of the empire. She was very ambitious
and did not care who suffered so long as
she could make herself great, and so she
determined 10 conquer as much of the then
known world as she could. She was also
a very courageous woman, and one night,
word being brought to her of a tumult
having taken place in the city, she imme-
diately mounted on horseback, and did
not return to her palace until she had re-
stored all the refractory to obedience.
Soon afterwards she set out with power
full army and conquered a great part of
Ethiopia. Here she visited the Temple
of Jupiter Ammon, and inquired of the
oracle how long she had to live. Although
she wished to subdue SO much, she knew
death would subdue her, and so she could
not have been very happy unless, indeed,
she had the hope of future life, a good
conscience, which few great conquerors
have.
Her greatest and last expedition was
against India, and for the conquest of this
country she raised an immense army from
every part of her empire, and appointed
Bactria as the rendezvous. When the
King of India had notice of her approach,
he Immediately dispatched some ambas-
sailors to inquire what right she had to
modest one who was living peaceably in
his own dominions, and who had never
troubled himself about her. She replied
that when she came to him he would
know what right she had-meaning that
she would make her might her right.
The principal reliance of Semiramis was
upon the great numbers of her army, and
the chief thing she feared were the ele-
phants of the Indian King, which, of
course, were very formidable in battle.
To make herself equal on this point, and
to inspire the Indians with terror, she
ordered large number of camels to be
disguised as elephants, in hopes of deceiv-
ng her enemy; and, at a distance, the
was sufficiently close to serve
he desired purpose.
She had now to pass the River Indus.
A number of boats were prepared, and a
,art of the army entered them. On the
'ther side of the river the Indians pre-
jared to oppose her, and entered their
'oats. Thus a fierce conflict began be-
ween the two parties. Semiramis had,
owever, the advantage, and after sinking
thousand of their boats, put them to
light. She also took above 100000 pris-
ners. Encouraged by this success, she
larched her army into the heart of the
ountry, leaving $4,000 men behind to
uard a bridge of boats she had built
yer the river, that she might get back
gain should she be forced to retreat.
The Indian King, however, was as cum
ing as Semiramis. He wished to draw
er into the heart of his kingdom, and no
oubt suffered himself to be beaten. He
ed, and she followed with her elephants
her train. When the King thought he
ad got far enough for his purpose, he
lrned his army around and faced her,
nd second engagement ensued.
Then it was that the Queen had to dis
'ver the difference between a real ele-
lant and a counterfeit one, for the sham
ephants could not withstand the true
les. These routed her army, tossing the
ldiers about with their huge trunks,
,ring them with their tusks, and tramp
lg them to death beneath their feet by
The Queen finding the day against her,
as nearly. mad with rage, and rushed
to the fight as if she did not care
neither she lived or died. The King adj
need towards her, and wounded her in
o places, and would have either slain
taken her prisoner, but the swiftness
her horse saved her. She, with all her
my that had not been taken prisoners |
slain, Immediately rushed towards the
idge to repass the river, but through
e disorder and confusion many of her |
diers persisted. When she and the
eater part of her army got safely over,
e destroyed the bridge, and left large i
mber behind to be slain by the enemy. i
The Indian King would not pursue her n
y further; he thought, perhaps, he t
ght not get back again to his domInions. t
would, however, have been quite right Z
he followed her up to the very gates d
Babylon, which she reached in very k
condition, crestfallen, and covered Ia
III confusion. 81
Babylon was no longer place of en- a
ment for her. During her absence, ii
own son was plotting against her, and re
or her return she was obIiCed tn ahdi ia