The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1879-03-20
QUEEN SEMIRAMTS.

QUEEN SEMIRAMIS.
"Of all my wives" said King Minus
to Semiramis. "it is you I love best.
None have charms and graces like you,
and for you 1 would willingly resign
them all"
" Let the king consider well what he
says" replied SemiTamis. 'What If 1
were to take him at his word %
"Do So" returned the monarch /;
"while beloved by you I am Indifferent
to others"
so, then, if asked it." said semira-
mis-, "you would Danish all your other
wives and love me alone alone should
be your consort, the partaker of your
power and Queen of Assyria."
"Queen of AssyIia! Are you not 80
already" said Minus, "since you reign
by your beauty over its kingF'
{" No-no," answered his lovely mis-
tress "I am at present only a slave
whom you love. l reign mott only
charm. When I give an order you are
consulted before l am obeyed."
''And to reign, then, you think so great
a pleasure ~
ayes, 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 place p
"Take care, o king do not offer too
much"
"No, I 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. y
| aboI oil vpbioh 7 OuoVaonI bo
executed?"
" Yes, I will resign to you, for one
entire day, my power and my golden
scepter."
" And when shall this be7"
"To o-morrow, if you like"
L" L do" said Semirsmis, and she let
her head fall upon the shoulder of the
king, like q 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, en-
chanted with her beauty, ordered all the
ofhcers in the palace to assemble in the
state chamber, and his golden scepter tC
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 SemiTamis to the throne, and
seated her upon it. Then, Orde ring the
whole assembly to rise, he announced tC
the court that they were to obey, during
the whole day, Semiramis as himself
So saying, he took up the golden scepter
snd, placing it in the hands of SemiTa
| 1n I &r
you the emblem of sacred power; take
it, and command with sovereign author
ity. All here are your slaves, and
myself am nothing more than your ser
want for the whole of this day. Who
ever shall be remiss in executing youl
orders, let him be punished as if he haC
disobeyeG the commands of the king
Having thus spoken, the king knelt
down before SemiTamis, who gave him
with g smile, her hand to kiss. The
courtiers then passed in succession, eaci
making oath to execute blindlY the or
ders of Semiramis. When the ceremony
war finished, the king made her his com
pliments, and asked her how she haC
managed to go through it with so grave
and majestical an air.
While they were promising to obey
me-" said Semiramis, was thinking
what I should command each of then
to do. I have but one day Of power
and 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, chow yol
will continue your part. By what Or
ders will you begin3"
Let the secretary of the king ap
preach my throne" said Semiramis in
loud voice.
, slaves placed little table before him.
, Write" said Semiramis "' Unde
l penalty of death, the governor of the cit,
l of Babylon is ordered to yield up tn
command of the citadel to him who shal
! bear this order Fold this order, seal j
with the kings seal, and deliver to m
this decree. Write now, Under Penalt
; OF death, the governor of the slaves G
i the palace is ordered to resign the com
t mand of the slaves into the hands of tn
: person who shall present to him thi
? ORDER Fold it, seal it with the king
e seal, and deliver to me this decree
I Write again, Under penalty of death
I the general of the army of Babylon
! | ordered to resign the command of th
+ army to him, who shall be the bearer {
n this command Fold, seal, and delive
It this decree to me-"
9 She took the three orders, thus die
!. tated, and put them in her bosom
y Tne whole court was struck with cor
= sternstion; the king himself was SUI
!, prised.
= Listen" said Semiramis "In tw
= hours hence let all the officers of tn
y state come and offer me presents, as
: the custom on the accession of ne
l. princes, and let festival be prepared fc
= this evening. Now let all depart. Ii
: , rny faithful servant Minus alone remain
T. have to consult him upon affairs {
= state"
e When all the rest had gone out:
: You see" said Semiramis, 4" that
3 know how to play the queen"
r Minus laughed.
n "My beautiful queen" said he, "yo
o play your part wonderfully we'll but
5, your servant may dare to question yoI
5 what would you do with the orders 20
= have dictated ?"
IS 81 should be no longer queen were
, obliged to give account of my action
n Nevertheless, this was my motive;
'e have q vengeance to execute against q
II three officers whom these orders menace
GO Varr.aonoa avI