The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1879-04-03
QUEEN SElIIRAMIS.
A Startling Episode Of History.

70 cemlramls, IL is you L love best.
None have charms and graces like you,
and for you / would willingly resign
them all.
i" Let the king consider well what he
says" replied Semiramis. What if
were to take him at his word?'
Do So" returned the monarch;
while beloved by yop, I am Indifferent
to Others"
$50, then, if asked it,n said Senira,
mis-, "you would Danish all your wives,
and love me alone? I alone should be
your consort, the partaker of your power,
and Queen Of Assyfia ~
"Queen Of AssyriA Are you not so
already said Minus, since you reign
by your beauty over its kingF'
No-no," answered his lovely mis-
tress; am at present only a slave
whom you love. | reign not Il merely
charm. When / give an order, you are
consulted before am obeyed.'
And to reign, then, you thint< SO
great pleasure
Yes, to one who has never expert
enced it,
And do you wish, then, to experience
it? Would you like to reign few days
in my placef"
Take care, o, king do not offer too
much.n
"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?"
Yes; l will resign to you, for one
entire day, my power and my golden
scepter."
And when shall this be7"
Tomorrow, if you like"
do, said Semiramis; and she let
her head fall upon the shoulder of the
king, like a 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 crown of precious stones, and
appeared thus before Minus, who, en-
chanted 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 treasury. He then
entered the chamber, leading Semiramis
by the hand. ALI 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, dur
ing the whole day, Semiramis as himself.
So saying, he lookup the golden scepter,
and placing itin the hands of Semiramis,
Queen" said he, commit to YOU
the emblem of sacred power; take it,
and command with sovereign authority.
All here are your slaves, and 1 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
making oath to execute blindIy the
orders of Semiramis, When the cere.
mony was finished, the king made her
his compliments, and asked her how she
had managed to go through it with. SO
grave and majestic an air.
While they were promising to obey
me, said Semiramis, I was thinking
what should command each of them to
do: l have but one day of power, and
will employ it we'll"
The king laughed at this reply.
Semiramis appeared more piquante and
amiable than ever.
" Let us see," said Minus, chow you
will continue your part. Bywhat orderl
will you begin3"
Let The secretary of the king an
Prosch my throne, said Semiramis, in
loud voice.
The secretary approached. and twc
slaves placed little table before him.
" Write," said Semiramis; "undeI
penalty Of death, the governor of th,
citadel of Babylon is ordered to yield III
the command of the citadel to him whoo
shall bear this order. Fold this order
seal 1t with the kings seal, and delive
to me this decree. Write now, unde
penalty of death, the governor of tn,
slaves of the palace is ordered to resie,
the command of the slaves into tn
hands of the person who shall presen
to him this order. Fold it, seal it will
the kings seal, and deliver to me thi
decree. Write sgsiu, under penalty o
death, the general of the army encampe,
under the walls of Babylon is ordered t
resign the command of the army to hir
who shall be the bearer of this order
Fold, seal, and oliver this decree t
She took the three orders thus dictated
and put them in her bosom. Toe Who'll
court was struck with CONSERVATION
the king himself was surprised.
Lister" said Semiran1is. "In tw
hours hence let all the officers of tn
State come and offer me pre- -ents, as
the custom ON the accession of ne
princes, and let festival be prepare
for this evening. Now let ali depar
f.s&