Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-07-04
QUEEN SEMIRAMIS.

y one nave clldrulS ana graceS IKE YOU,
and for you l would willingly resign
them all"
'Let the King consider we'll what he
says" replied Semiramis. "What if
were to take him at his word ?"
"Do So" replied the monarch;
while beloved by you | am indifferent
to others
so then if | ask it," said Semiramis,
you would Danish all your other wives
and love me alonel | alone should be
your consort, the partaker of your
power, and Queen of Assyria."
Queen of Assyria! Are you not so
already. said Minus, "since you reign
by your beauty over its king p
mo, no." answered his lovely mis-.
tress; 81 am at present only slave
whom you love. | reign mott only
charm. When give an order you are
consulted before l am obeyed.
And TO reign, then, you think 50
great a pleasure?
"Ges, to one who has never expert.
enced it,"
And do you wish, then, to expert
ence it? Would you like to reign a
few days in my placer"
"Take care, . King! donot offer too
much"
"No, repeat it. said the captivated
monarch. "Would you like for one
whole day, to be sovereign mistress of
Assyria? If you would | consent to
it."
"And shall all which command be
executed %
Eyes, will resign to ysu, for one en-
tire day, my power and my golden
seeptre."
"And when shall this be-?
Tomorrow if you like"
Il do" said Semiramis, and she let
her head fall upon the shoulder of the
King like heautiful woman asking
pardon for some caprice which had
been yielded to.
The next morning Semiramis called
her women and commanded them to
dress her raagnihcently. On her head
she wore crown of precious stones,
and appeared thus before Minus, who,
enchanted with her beauty, ordered all
the officers in the palace to assemble III
the state chamber, and his golden scep-
ire to be brought from the treasury.
He then entered the chamber, leading
Semiramis by the hand.
All Frustrated themselves before the
aspect of the King, who conducted
Semiramis to the throne, and seated her
upon it. Then ordering the whole as
sembhge to rise, he announced to the
court that they were to obey, during
the whole day. Semiramis as himself.
SO saying, he took up the golden scep-
ter, and placing it III the hand of Sem
iramis, Queen" said he, Z" | commit
to you the emblem Of sacred power;
take it, and command with sovereign
authority. All here are your slaves,
and ! myself am nothing more than
your servant for the whole of this day.
Whoever shall be amiss in executing
your orders, let him be punished as if
he had disobeyed the commands Of the
King
Having thus spoken, the King knelt
down before Semlramis, who gave him,
with a smile, her hand to kiss. The
courtiers then passed iii succession.
each making oath to execute bllndly
the orders of Semiramis. When the
ceremony was finished, the King paid
her his compliments, and asked her
how she managed to go through it with
so grave and majestical an air.
"While they were promising to obey
me-" said Semiramis, II was thinking
what | should command each of them
to do. / have but one day of power
and l will employ it well.
The King laughed at this reply, Sem
iramis seemed more piquant and anna
bic than ever.
"Let us see," said Minus, "how you
will continue your part. BY what or
ders will you begin ?"
LET the secretary of the King APP
proach my throne" said Semiramis, in
a loud voice.
The secretary approached, and two
slaves placed little table before him.
"Write," said Semiramis; "Under
penalty Of death, the governor of the
city Of Babylon is ordered to yield up
the command Of the citadel to him
who shall bear this order. Fold this
order, seal it and deliver to ME this
decree. Write now, Under penalty
of death, the governor of the slaves OF
the palace is ordered to resign the COM
mand of the slaves into the hands Of
the person who shall present this.
Fold it, seal it with the Kings seal and
deliver to me this decree. Write
again, Under penalty Of death, the
general of the army Of Babylon Is or
dered to resign the command Of the
army to him who shall be the bearer Of
this command. Fold, seal and deliver
this decree to me-
She took the three orders thus die
tated and put them in ner bosom.
The whole court was struck with con-
sternation; the King himself was sur
prised.
Listen" said Semiramis, I'm two
hours hence let all the officers Of the
state come and offer me presents, as IS
the custom on the accession OF new
Prlnces, and let festival be prepared
for this evening Now let all depart.
Let my faithful servant Minus alone re-
main. have to consult him upon az
fairs of State.n
When all had gone out: