The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1879-05-24
THE COMET.
QUEEN SEMIRAMIS.

''Do So replied the monarch; ''whi
beloved by you am indifferent to others
$50, then, if asked it," said Semiram
''you would Danish all your other wives al
love me alone? alone should be your col
sort, the partaker of your power, and Quee
of Assyria?"
''Queen of Assyria Are you not so a
ready" said Minus, "since you reign b
your beauty over its King?"
''No-no,' answered his lovely mistress
81 am at present only slave whom yo
love. reign not-I merely charm. Whe
give an order, you are consulted before
am obeyed.'
''And to reign, then, you think SO great
pleasure?"
"Yes, to one has never experienced it."
"And, do you wish, then, to experience
it? Would you like to reign few days Il
my placer
''Take care, Oh king, do not offer to,
much"
"No, I repeat it," said the captivatet
monarch 'Would you like for one whole
day, to be sovereign mistress of Assyria
If you would, [ consent to it,"
''And shall all which l command be ex
ecuted ?"
''Yes, will resign to you for one entil
day, my power and nv golden scepter,
'And when shall this be?'
Tomorrow, if you like
II do said Semiramis; and she let hel
head fall on the shoulder of the king, like
beautiful woman asking pardon for some
caprice which has been YIELDED to.
The next morning Semiramis called her
women and commanded them to dress her
magnifcently. On her head she wore a
crown OF precious stones, and appeared
thus before Minus, who, enchanted with her
beauty, ordered all the officers of the palace
to assemble in the state chamber, and his
golden scepter to be brought from the treas
ury. lie then entered the chamber leading
Semiramus 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 assembly to rise, he announced
to the court that they were to obey during
the day, Semiranlis as himself SO saving,
he took up the golden scepter, aud placing
1t IN the hands of Semiramis, Queen" he
said, 81 commit to you the emblem of sa>
cred power take it, and command with SOW
ereign authority. All here are your slaves.
and l myself am nothing more than your
servant for this whole day. Whoever Shall
be remlss III executing your orders. let him |
be punished as if he had disobeyed the com
mands of the king
Having thus spoken, the king knelt down
before Semiramis, who gave him. with
smile, her hand to kiss. The courtiers then |
passed in succession, each making oath to
execute blindly the orders of Semiramis.
When the ceremony was flushed, the king
made her his compliments, and asked her
how she had managed to 60 through it with
so grave and majestic an air.
while they were promising to obey me, "
sad Semiramis, ~ was thinning what I
should command each of them to do. I {
have but one day of power, and l will cm-
ploy it WELL
The king laughed at this reply. Semira-
mis- appeared more piquaute and amiable
than ever. b
LET us see, said Minus chow will YOU
continue your part? By what orders will Il
7ou begin?H e
Let the secretary of the king approach q
my throne, said Semiramis in a loud voice
The secretary approached, and two slaves Il
}laced little table before him. II
'Write, said Semiramis, under penalty d
If death, the governor of the citadel Of P
Babylon is ordered to yield up the command 81
+ the citadel to him who shall bear this
rider. Fold this order seal it with the tt
1ngs seal, and deliver to me this decree. u
write now, under penalty of death the gov L
fhor OF the slaves of the palace is ordered T.
. resign the command Of the slaves into T..
no hands OF the person who shall present
, MN tins order Fold it, seal it with the p
ing 3 seal, and deliver to me this decree
rite again, under penalty of death, the CO
'enerai OF the army encamped under the
'allS OF Babylon is ordered to resign the III
OF the army to him who shall be pr
le bearer OF this order. Fold, seal. and
oliver this decree to me-" eo
she took the three orders thus dictated IN
I'D put them in her bosom. The whole De
'urt was struck with CONSERVATION; the
ing himself was surprised.
listen, SAID Semlramis I'm two hours
once let all the officers of the state come
ID oner me presents, as is the custom on
8 accession of new princes and let a fes. ye
'al be prepared for this evening. Now a
all depart. Let my faithful servant pc
mus alone remain, I have to consult pr
m upon affairs of State.u thi
When all the rest had gone ont: ne
on see,' said Semiramis. that know We
w to play the queen" his
Minus laughed. tw
My beautiful queen said he. s.von six
ay your part wonderfully well; but ne
your servant may dare to question Won I'M
nat would you do with the orders Won fol
We dictated?n '0-' you the
II should be no longer queen were I me
lged to give account Of my actions vic
Vertheless, this was my motive: I have He
vengeance to execute against the three vii
leers whom these orders menace" Du
vengeance! and wherefore?p tim
Inc nrSt, the governor of the citadel dis
one eyed, and frightens NE every time nat
'et NM the second, the chief of the EiG
YES, nate because he threatens me with dri
ais; the third, the general of the army hin
Drives me too often of your COMPANY. mo
are constantly in the CAMP. ~ not
This reply in which caprice and Aatterv sar
&c mingled, enchanted Minus. sho
Good, said he laughing. Here are son
hrSt three officers Of the empire dis. win
ised for very sufficient reasons clot
he gentlemen Of the court now came 70 tina
sent their gifts to the queen. Some l
q precious stones; others, Of a lower ma
h flowers and fruits, and the slaves TIVE
ing nothing to give, gave nothing ing
onS 'IleSe i"St were three young brothers. you
had come from the Caucasus with Ful
Iaramls, aud had rescued the caravan mill
'hieh the women were from an enor. MOI
Is tiger. 0''Oi win
And you" said she, 10 the three broth othC
as they passed the throne. '.have Won on q
present to make your queon?H with
NO other,' replied the first, Zopire. and
an my lie to defend her. wall
None other, replied the second. Arta, car,
Than my sabre against her enemies . mile
None other, replied third. Assor cha, koul
respect and admiration which bcr nros each
) inspire Pie0- fife,
oIiaVes, said Semiramis, sit is voD haps
have made Inc the most valuable ~, - work
OF the whole court, and [ will not 10 fern
rateiul. You who have offered me zo,,- inteu
I'd against my enemies. take tbig OIL fatbe
= 1t to the general Of the army epcay,,, mind
nder the walls of Babylon. rive IL = a sir
and see what he viii do for Won ", Car,
have offered your life for NV defansa and ,
this order to the governor of the cito hom,
md see what he will do for Won fhe 4