The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1879-03-11
Se1ert Story.
QUEEN sEMIRAMls.
A Startling Episode OF History,

A Startling Episode OF History.
"Of all my wives," said King Minus
to Semiramis, sit is you love best
None have charms and graces like you.
and for you would willingly resign
tlem all I"
| "Let the King consider well what he
says" replied Semiramis. "What if
were to take him at his word p
.Do So" returned the monarch /;
"while beloved by you ! am indifferent
to others
$50, then, if I asked it, said Semira-
mis, ssyou would hanish all your other
wives, and love me alonel l alone should
| be your consort, the partaker of your
power and the Queen of Assyrial"
"Queen of Assyria ! Are you not so
4 already said Minus. "since you reign
! by your beauty over its King2"
"No.-no" answered his lovely mis-
tress; II am at present only slave
whom you love / reign not-I only
charm. When / give an order you are
consulted before am obeyed''
4 Sand to reign. then, you think so
| great pleasure
"Yes to one who has never expert
enced it."
"And do you wish, then, to experience
Iit2 Would you like to reign few days
in my place."
/ "Take care, o King! Do not offer
too much"
"No, repeat it, said the captivated
monarch. "Would you like for one
whole day to be sovereign mistress OF
Assyria2 If you would, / consent to
it,"
"And shall all which I command be
| executed p
"Yes; / will resign to you, for one en-.
tire day, my power and my golden scep-
4 ter" 4,
Sand when shall this be2'
.To-morrow, if you like"
81 do" said Semirauis, and she let
her head fall upon the shoulder of The
| King, like beautiful woman asking par
Idon for some caprice which has been
yielded to.
The next morning Semiramis called
her women and commanded them to
dress her magnificently. On her head
she wore crown of precious stones, and
appeared thus before Minus, who, en-
chanted with her beauty, ordered all the
officers in the palace to assemble in the
state chamber, and his golden scepter to
/ be brought from the treasury He then
entered the chamber leading Semramis
by the hand. All prostrated themselves
before the aspect of the King, who con-
!. Quoted 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 whole day, Semiramis as himself So
saving be took up the golden scepter
| and, placing i! in the hands of Semira-
mis-, "Queen," said he Il 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 remiss 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 Semiramis who gave him
with smile her hand to kiss The
courtiers then passed in succession, each
msking oath to execute blindly the or
ders OF Semiramis. When the ceremony
was fnished,the King made her his CON
pliments, and asked her how she had
managed to GO through it with so grave
and majestical an air.
"While they were promising to obey
me-" said Semiramis, 81 was thinking
what l should command each of them
10 do. have but one day Of power and
I will employ it we'll
| The King laughed at this reply. Sem
iramis appeared more piquant and amia
BILE than ever
"Let us see," said Minus, show you
will continue your part By what orders
will you begin?"
/ "Let the Secretary of the King ap.
|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
citadel Of Babylon 'is ordered to yield up
the command of the citadel to him who
shall bear this order Fold this order.
seal it with the Kings seal, 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 command Of the slaves into the hands
Of the person who shall present to him
| this os2ef.' Fold It, ses! it with the
(, ! alng's seal, and deliver to me this de-
cres Write again, under penalty of
death, the General of the army of Baby
4 Ion is ordered to resign the command Of
the army to him who shall be the hesrer
j OF .Eis command Fold, seal and deliv.
er this decree to me-"
| She took the :hree orders, ,Ius dicta
ted, and put them in her bosom. The
whole Court was struck with ronslerna-
| tion; the King himself was surprised.
"Listen," said Semiramis "In two
hours hence let all the officers of the
State come and offer me presents, rs is
the custom on the accession Of new
Princes. and let festival be prepared
| for this evening Now let all depart
Let my faithful servant Minus alone re.
main. I have to consult him upon af
fairs of State"
When all the rest had gone out:
"You see," said Semramis, "that
know how to play the Queen"
| Minus laughed.
"My beautiful Queen" said he, 'you
lplay your part wonderfully we'll but if
your servant msy dare to question you,
what would You do with the orders you
have dictated ?"
II should be no longer Queen we're l
obliged to give account OF my actions.
!, Nevertheless, this was my motive:
have vengeance to execute against the
three officers whom these orders me.