Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-04-20
QUEEN SEMIRAMIS.
A Startling Episode of History.

"Of all my wives," said King Minus to Semi
ramis, lit is you love best. None have charms
and grace like you, and for you would will
lingly resign them ALL"
dLet the king consider well what he says"
replied Semiramis. "What if were to take
him at his word?''
''Do So" returned the monarch; while be-
loved by you, I am Indifferent to Others"
$50, then if I ask it," said Semiramis, "you
would Danish all your other wives, and love
partaker of your power, and Queen of Assy-
ria~
"Queen of Assyria! Are you not so already"
said Minus, 'since you reign by your beauty
over it's king?''
"No-no" answered his lovely mistress; II
am at present only slave whom you love.
reign not-I merely charm. When I give an
order, you are consulted before am obeyed"
"And to reign, then, you think SO great a
pleasure?"
eyes, to one who has never experienced it.
"And do you wish, then, to exrerience it?
Would you like to reign a few days in my
placer"
"Take care, O, king do not offer too much"
mo, repeat it," said the captivated mon
arch. "Would you like, for one whole day, to
be sovereign mistress of Assyria If you would,
l consent to it."
ed?"
'Yes: will resign to you, for one entire
day, my power and my golden sceptre."
"And when shall this be?"
"To.morrow, if you like"
"I do" said Semiramis; and she let her
head fall upon the shoulders 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
magnificently. On her head she wore crown
of precious stones, and appeared thus before
Minus, who, enchanted with her beauty, or
| dereu all the officers OF the palace to assemble
in the state chamber, and his golden sceptre
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 Semi
ramis to the throne, and seated her upon it
Then ordering the whole assembly to rise
obey, during the whole day, Semiramis as
himself. So saying, he took up the golden
| sceptre, and placing it in the hands OF Semi.
rams, Queen" said he, II commit to you the
emblem OF sacred power; take it, and com.
mand with sovereign authority. All here are
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 DISC
beyed the commands of the king.'
Having thus spoken, the king knelt down
before nss 6aa1 is who gay him. with
|
passed in succession, each making oath tc
execute blindly the orders of Semiramis
| When the ceremony was finished, the king
made her his compliments, aud asked hel
how she had managed to go through it with
so grave and majestic aR air.
"While they were promising to obey me-
said Semiramis, II was thinking what
should command each of them to do. haye
but one day of power, and will employ il
we'll"
The king laughed at this reply. semira-
mis- appeared more piquante and amiable
| than ever.
"Let us see," said Minus, show you will
begin"
'Let the secretary of the king approach
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 Baby
lon is ordered to yield up the command Of
the citadel to him who shall bear this order
Fold this order, seal it with tie kings seal,
an6 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 order.
Fold it. seal it with the kings seal, and de.
liver to me this decree. Write again, under
penalty of death, the general of the army en-
campe6 under the walls of Babylon is ordered
to resign the command of the army to him
who shall be the bearer of this order. Fold
seal, and deliver this decree to me-"
She took the the three orders thus dictated
and put them in her bosom. The whole
COURT was struck with CONSERVATION; the
king himself was surprised.
"Listen," said Semiramis. SIN two hours
hence let all the officers of the State come
and offer me presents, as is the custom on the
Let my faithful servant Minus alone remain.
have to consult him upon affairs of State"
When all the resthad gone out:
"You see," yaid Semiramis, that know
how to play the queen"
Minus laughed.