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Article SEMIRAMIS. ← Page 3 of 6 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Semiramis.
" In two hours , " she exclaimed , " the officers of state shall come and offer me presents , as is the custom at the commencement of a new reign ; and let the chief eunuch provide twenty of the most beautiful women , that they may be added to the seraglio . Depart—I would consult my faithful servant , Ninus , on affairs of state . " All the court withdrew ; Ninus alone remained . "You see , " said Semiramis , "I know how to conduct myself as
queen . You would not sacrifice to me yesterday your seraglio ; to-day I have augmented it . Is not this generous 1 " Ninus began to laugh . " My beautiful queen , " said he , " you play your part admirably ; but if your servant mi ght dare to ask a question , what are you going to do with those orders in your bosom ?" " I am no longer a queen , " replied the syren , " if I am to render an account of my actions ; but , " she continued , laughing , as if in delight at an intended jest , " I wish to avenge mvself on those three officers . "
" Avenge yourself ! for what ? demanded Ninus . " The first , the governor of the citadel , is ugly , and frightens me whenever I see him . The second , the chief of the slaves , has twice presented you with fresh beauties , to wean from me your love ; and the third , being general of the army , under the walls , deprives me too often of your presence ; you are always at the camp . I am jealous of the army , and not being able to disband the whole , I will disgrace them in their chief . "
This answer , mingled with folly and wit , enchanted Ninus . " Well , " he exclaimed , " behold three great officers disgraced for very weighty reasons . " " It is my pleasure , " said Semiramis , with a smile , " to put your kingdom in disorder , for one day , at least . " Ninus and his queen walked in the gardens of the palace ; the slaves of the palace prostrated themselves before the latter .
" These gardens are yours to-day , " exclaimed the infatuated monarch . " Are they not beautiful . ?" " Beautiful . " exclaimed the haughty Semiramis . " Yes , if you please to call them so . Ah ! my king , did you but know your power . " " But you have it this day to make use of , " answered Ninus . " Slave , " cried the queen , to the chief of the gardeners , " thou seest yon porticos on column of granite , one hundred feet in height , and the terrace which surmounts them ; take the garden , with its flowers , its trees and fountains , and place it on the top of the terrace . " " Queen ! " exclaimed the astonished slave .
" Thou diest if I am not obeyed , " continued the haughty woman" take a million of slaves if you have need of them , and do as I have commanded ; Semiramis will then have gardens worthy of her . " The chief of the gardens stood petrified ; Ninus laughed at her caprice . The chief of the eunuchs approached" Great queen , " said he , " the lords of the court beg that you will deign to accept their homage . " " Follow me , servant , " said the queen , smiling to Ninus , and she
entered the hall of state . The grandees of the court passed one by one before the throne , each bringing a present ; the majority had thought it wisest to bring jewels and precious stuffs . Semiramis , paying little attention to these useless
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Semiramis.
" In two hours , " she exclaimed , " the officers of state shall come and offer me presents , as is the custom at the commencement of a new reign ; and let the chief eunuch provide twenty of the most beautiful women , that they may be added to the seraglio . Depart—I would consult my faithful servant , Ninus , on affairs of state . " All the court withdrew ; Ninus alone remained . "You see , " said Semiramis , "I know how to conduct myself as
queen . You would not sacrifice to me yesterday your seraglio ; to-day I have augmented it . Is not this generous 1 " Ninus began to laugh . " My beautiful queen , " said he , " you play your part admirably ; but if your servant mi ght dare to ask a question , what are you going to do with those orders in your bosom ?" " I am no longer a queen , " replied the syren , " if I am to render an account of my actions ; but , " she continued , laughing , as if in delight at an intended jest , " I wish to avenge mvself on those three officers . "
" Avenge yourself ! for what ? demanded Ninus . " The first , the governor of the citadel , is ugly , and frightens me whenever I see him . The second , the chief of the slaves , has twice presented you with fresh beauties , to wean from me your love ; and the third , being general of the army , under the walls , deprives me too often of your presence ; you are always at the camp . I am jealous of the army , and not being able to disband the whole , I will disgrace them in their chief . "
This answer , mingled with folly and wit , enchanted Ninus . " Well , " he exclaimed , " behold three great officers disgraced for very weighty reasons . " " It is my pleasure , " said Semiramis , with a smile , " to put your kingdom in disorder , for one day , at least . " Ninus and his queen walked in the gardens of the palace ; the slaves of the palace prostrated themselves before the latter .
" These gardens are yours to-day , " exclaimed the infatuated monarch . " Are they not beautiful . ?" " Beautiful . " exclaimed the haughty Semiramis . " Yes , if you please to call them so . Ah ! my king , did you but know your power . " " But you have it this day to make use of , " answered Ninus . " Slave , " cried the queen , to the chief of the gardeners , " thou seest yon porticos on column of granite , one hundred feet in height , and the terrace which surmounts them ; take the garden , with its flowers , its trees and fountains , and place it on the top of the terrace . " " Queen ! " exclaimed the astonished slave .
" Thou diest if I am not obeyed , " continued the haughty woman" take a million of slaves if you have need of them , and do as I have commanded ; Semiramis will then have gardens worthy of her . " The chief of the gardens stood petrified ; Ninus laughed at her caprice . The chief of the eunuchs approached" Great queen , " said he , " the lords of the court beg that you will deign to accept their homage . " " Follow me , servant , " said the queen , smiling to Ninus , and she
entered the hall of state . The grandees of the court passed one by one before the throne , each bringing a present ; the majority had thought it wisest to bring jewels and precious stuffs . Semiramis , paying little attention to these useless