The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1879-06-04
QUEEN SRNIRlNIS.

LET the king consider well what he
saws" replied Semiramis. . What if |
were to take him at his word ?"
- Do So" said the monarch; while
beloved by you, | ain Indifferent to 9th
ers
So, then, if | ask it." said Semira-
mis-, you would Danish all your other
wives, and love me alone? Ialone 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? ~
No-no," answered his lovely mis-
tress; 4 am at present only slave
whom you love. | reign mott merely
charm. When | give an order, you are
consulted before | am obeyed."
''And to reign, then, you think so
great pleasure|
Yes, to one who has never expert
enced it,"
And do you wish, then, to expert
ence it? Would you like to reign a few
days in my place."
''Take care, o king do not offer too
much"
''No, repeat it, said the captivated
monarch. g Would you like, for one
whole day, to be sovereign mistress of
Assyria? If you would, L 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 be?"
"To-morrow, if you like"
q 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 magnifcently. On her head
she wore crown of precious stones, and
appeared thus before Minus, who, en-
chanted with her beauty, ordered allthe
officers of the palace to assemble in the
state chamber, and his gsldcn sccpter 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 con-
Quoted Semiramis to the throne, and seat
ed her upon it, Then ordering the whole
assembly to rise he announced to the court
that they were to obey, during the entire
dav. Semiramis as himself. So saying, he
took up the golden scepter, and placed
| it in the hands of Semiramis. Queen,
said he, 50 I 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 dav. Whoever shall be remiss in
executing your orders, let him be pun
ished as if he had disobeyed the COM
mands of the king"
Having thus spoken, the king knelt
down before Semiramis, who gave him,
with a smile her hand to kiss. The cour-
tiers then passed in succession, each max
ing oath to execute blindly the orders of
Semiramis. When the ceremony was
finished, the king made her his compli-
ments and asked her how she had man
aged to 90 through it with so grave and
majestic an air.
While they were promising to obey
me" said Semiramis, s. was thinking
what | should command each of them to
do. have but one day of power, and
| will employ it well"
The king laughed at this reply. Semi
ramis appeared more piquant and adj
mirable than ever.
Let us see" said Minus, how you
will continue your part. By what or
ders will you begin ?"
q Let the secretary of the king APP
proach my throne" said Semiramis in a
loud voice.
The secretary approached, and two
slaves placed little table before him.
Write" said Semiramis g under
penalty of death, the governor of Baby
lon is ordered to yield up the command
of the citadel to him who shall bear this
order Fold. this order, seal 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 order. Fold
it, seal with the kings seal and deliver
to me this decree. Write again, under
penalty of death, the general of the ar
my encamped under the walls of Baby
lon 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 three orders thus dicta-
ted, and put them In her bosom. The
whole court was struck with consterna-
ton the king himself was surprised.
g Listen said Semiramis. g In two
hours hence let all the officers of the
state come and offer me presents, as is
the custom on the accession of new prin-
ces and let festival be prepared for
this evening. Now let all depart. Let
my faithful servant Minus alone remain.
l have to consult him upon matters OF
state"
When ali the rest had gone out,
You see" said Semiramis, g that
know how TO play the queen"
Minus laughed.
g My beautiful queen" said he, g you
play your part wonderfully well but
your servant may dare to question you
What would you do with the orders you
have dictated ?"
g | should be no longer queen were
obliged to give account of my actions.
Nevertheless, this was my motive
have a vengeance TO execute against the
three officers whom these orders men
ace.
Vengeance and wherefore I"