The daily gazette., 1879-06-30
FIRST EDITION.
SEMIRAMIS.
BY F. F. A.

"Ofall my wives" said King Minus to
Semiramis, sit is you | love best. None
have charms and graces like you, and tor
you would willingly resign them ALL"
"Let the king consider well what he
says" replied Semiramis. "What if
were to take him at his word?"
ado so,' returned the monarch
"while beloved by you am Indifferent to
Others
$50 then, if asked it, said Semira-
wives and love me alone. l 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?"
"Nc-no," answered his lovely mis-
tress 81 am at present only slave
whom you love. | reign not-I only
charm. When give an order you are
consulted before am obeyed."
Sand to reign then, you think so great
a pleasure"
"Yes, to one who has never experience
ed it,"
"And do you wish, then, to experience
it? W uld 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
Assylia If you would, consent to it,"
And shall all which command be exc
cuted?"
eyes, will resign to you, for one ell
tire day, my power and my golden scep-
ter"
"And when shall this be?"
"To-morrow, if you like"
81 do" said Semiramis, and she let
her head fall upon the shoulder of the
king, like beautiful woman asking par
don for some caprice which has been
yielded to.
The next morning Semiramis called
her women and commanded them to
dress her magniticently. On her head
,he wore crown of preciouss ones, and
appeared thus before Minus, who, ell
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 Semiramis
by the hand. All prostra ed themselves
before the feet of the king, who conduct
cd S-mlramis to the throne, and sea ed
her upon it. Then, ordering the whole
assembly t. rise, he announced to the
court tha they were to obey, dur .ng tie
who day, SemiramiS as himself.
SO saying, he took up the golden scep-
Ter, and placing it in the hands of Semi
rams, "Queen," said he, 81 commit to
| you the emble,n of sacred power take it
and commaEd with sovereign authority.
Al here are your slaves, ami l myself
am nothing more than your servant for
the who'll of his day. Whoever shall b.
remiss in executing your ord rs, let him
be punished as if he had disobeyed the
commands of the king"
Having thus spoken, the king knelt
down b foie Semirsmls, who gave him
with smile, her hand to kiss. The
ccurters t EN- passed In succe ssion, each
making oath to execute blindly the Or
| drrs of Semiramis. When the ceremony
was finished, the king made her his COM
plments, and asked her how she man
l2ed TO 90 Trough with 1t with so grave
and majestica all air.
"Whi 9 they were promising TO obey
me-" said Semiramis, "l WAS thinking
what | should command each of them to
do. | have but one day of power aud
" i'll employ it we'll"
The king lauIhed atths reply. Semi
rams appeared more amlable and p.quant
| than ever.
"Let us see," said Minus, show you
vii continue your part. BY what orders
VIII you begin"
"Let the secretary OF the king ap-
proach my throne," said Semiramis, in
| loud voice.
| The secretary approached and two
slaves placed little table before him.
| "Wrlte," said Semi amis !: under PEN
atty of death, the governor of the city OF
Babylon is ordered to yield up the com
mand OF the citadel to him who shall
bear this order. Fold this o. der, seal ii
with the kings seal, and deliver TO me
| this decree. Wri now, 'Under penalty
of death, the governor of the slaves ofthe
palace is ordered to resign the command
of the slaves into the hands ofthe person
who shall present to him this order.
Fold it, seal it with the kings seal, and
d liver to me this decree. Write again,
sUnder penalty Of death, the general OF
the army of Babylon is ordered to resign
the command of the army to him who
shall be the bearer of this command.
Fold, seal aud deliver this decree to me"
She took the three orders, thus dictated
and put them in her bosom. The whole
court was struck with CONSERVATION; the
king himself was surprised.
"Listeu," said Semiramis. SIN two
hours hence let all the officers of the State
come and offer me presents, as is the Gus
tom on the acc ssion Ofnew princess, land
let festival be prepared for this eve
ming. Now let all depart. Let my faith
ful servant Minus alone remain. l have
to consult him upon affairs of State"
When all the rest had gone out:
"You see," said Semiramis, "that l
know how to play the qleen."
Minus laughed.
"My beautiful queen" said he, "you
play your part wonderfully well but il
your servant ma dare to question you,
wi a. would you do W til the orders you
have dictated?"
81 shou be no longer queen were
OBJ ised to give account OF my actions.
Nevertheless, thus was my motive have
a venge ance to execute against the three
oEaIn