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Article SEMIRAMIS. A VISION. ← Page 2 of 2
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Semiramis. A Vision.
forwards embalmed , then wrapped round with bandages and hieroglyphics , and sold by those dextrous rogues who laugh at profoundlylearned men . I was not the dupe of those impostors ; I almost knew , by the form of the head , those ancient Egyptians , embalmed in a particular manner , who were anxious to transmit their dried forms to posterity . They were d in order in cabinetand I was delighted with
range my , the thought , that about three thousand years ago they all could speak ; at a time when they little imagined they should be taken out of their catacombs near Grand Cairo , to make a voyage to Europe , aud coma to London to satisfy my curiosity . " Here , " said I , " am I surrounded with the unburied dead , who never suspected I should one day have the sole property of their bodies . "—I enjoyed this idea , and
walked to and fro amidst those embalmed bodies , who had no longer any names but such as my fancy gave them . One day reviewing my antique black treasury , I took up the head of a mummy , and viewing it attentively , —" Who art thou , " said I , softly , " Who art thou ? '' The head moved in my hands on a sudden , and said , — " I am Semiramis . "— " What thou ? wast thou ever handsome ?"—¦ " Yes , I once appeased a sedition by exposing my naked breasts and dishevelled hair . " — " Didst thou raise those magnificent gardens so much extolled ?"— " I erected Babylon , and .
raised superb structures on the hanks of the Tygris and Euphrates . " — " Thou hast done things truly extraordinary !"— " My reign was equal to any great prince ' s ; I blended their talents with their courage . "— " But as to your military expeditions ?"— "I made several conquests in Ethiopia ; I penetrated to the Indies . "—" You were passionately fond of glory , Madam ?"— " I was born for it . "" And those little weaknesses which history takes notice of ?"—
" No matter , the duty I owed the empire did not suffer for it ; I made Assyria happy ; I deserved the honours of an apotheosis . "" Madam , all your ideas were elevated ; I respect you much ; but yet one thing gives me uneasiness ; you were despotic . " — "A woman is very properly placed on a despotic throne . "— " Why so , madam ? " —" Because tlie harshness of such a government is always
softened by the mildness natural to the sex , and by that ascendancy which heaven has granted to women . Pride does not blush to humble itself before them . —Then again , I was fond of the arts , and those who cultivated them ; they were not on a level with the rest of my subjects . "— " But did you refuse , madam , to give up the crown , of which were onlthe trusteeto your son Ninias ? " - —" The
you y , sceptre I field was no deposit . "—" Yet may I take the liberty to ask you , did yo \\ really put your husband Ninias to death ?"— " No . "" History says you did . "—" Plistory lies . "—" But Voltaire has written a tragedy upon the subject , and attributes remorse to you on
the . occasion . "— " Tragedies romance . "— "And the public voice also accuses you . "— '" The public will be undeceived . '— " When ?" " When the appointed day for the discovery arrives . " At these words the head became heavier ; it slipt through my hands , and fell into the chest again .. . , M .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Semiramis. A Vision.
forwards embalmed , then wrapped round with bandages and hieroglyphics , and sold by those dextrous rogues who laugh at profoundlylearned men . I was not the dupe of those impostors ; I almost knew , by the form of the head , those ancient Egyptians , embalmed in a particular manner , who were anxious to transmit their dried forms to posterity . They were d in order in cabinetand I was delighted with
range my , the thought , that about three thousand years ago they all could speak ; at a time when they little imagined they should be taken out of their catacombs near Grand Cairo , to make a voyage to Europe , aud coma to London to satisfy my curiosity . " Here , " said I , " am I surrounded with the unburied dead , who never suspected I should one day have the sole property of their bodies . "—I enjoyed this idea , and
walked to and fro amidst those embalmed bodies , who had no longer any names but such as my fancy gave them . One day reviewing my antique black treasury , I took up the head of a mummy , and viewing it attentively , —" Who art thou , " said I , softly , " Who art thou ? '' The head moved in my hands on a sudden , and said , — " I am Semiramis . "— " What thou ? wast thou ever handsome ?"—¦ " Yes , I once appeased a sedition by exposing my naked breasts and dishevelled hair . " — " Didst thou raise those magnificent gardens so much extolled ?"— " I erected Babylon , and .
raised superb structures on the hanks of the Tygris and Euphrates . " — " Thou hast done things truly extraordinary !"— " My reign was equal to any great prince ' s ; I blended their talents with their courage . "— " But as to your military expeditions ?"— "I made several conquests in Ethiopia ; I penetrated to the Indies . "—" You were passionately fond of glory , Madam ?"— " I was born for it . "" And those little weaknesses which history takes notice of ?"—
" No matter , the duty I owed the empire did not suffer for it ; I made Assyria happy ; I deserved the honours of an apotheosis . "" Madam , all your ideas were elevated ; I respect you much ; but yet one thing gives me uneasiness ; you were despotic . " — "A woman is very properly placed on a despotic throne . "— " Why so , madam ? " —" Because tlie harshness of such a government is always
softened by the mildness natural to the sex , and by that ascendancy which heaven has granted to women . Pride does not blush to humble itself before them . —Then again , I was fond of the arts , and those who cultivated them ; they were not on a level with the rest of my subjects . "— " But did you refuse , madam , to give up the crown , of which were onlthe trusteeto your son Ninias ? " - —" The
you y , sceptre I field was no deposit . "—" Yet may I take the liberty to ask you , did yo \\ really put your husband Ninias to death ?"— " No . "" History says you did . "—" Plistory lies . "—" But Voltaire has written a tragedy upon the subject , and attributes remorse to you on
the . occasion . "— " Tragedies romance . "— "And the public voice also accuses you . "— '" The public will be undeceived . '— " When ?" " When the appointed day for the discovery arrives . " At these words the head became heavier ; it slipt through my hands , and fell into the chest again .. . , M .