Page:The History of Armenia - Avdall - Volume 1.djvu/84

 HISTORY OF ARMENIA. Page 39

nezzar; but the one who had brought him to destruction was the formidable Tigranes, by whom they augured the Medes would be conquered. Ahasuerus, alarmed at this prophecy, determined to make preparations for meeting the first two in the field; but he resolved to endeavour to take Tigranes off by assassination. For the latter purpose he sent ambassadors into Armenia, bearing magnificent presents to the king, and begging his sister Tigrana in marriage, whom, he said, he would exalt to the dignity of Queen of queens. Tigranes, not suspecting the faith of Ahasuerus, readily complied with his desire, and sent Tigrana into Media attended by a numerous suite, and such as befitted a princess of the royal house of Haicus. The marriage was celebrated immediately on her arrival, and Ahasuerus, in prosecution of his designs, paid her a respect almost bordering on adoration, in order to prepare her to second him in his attempt on the life of her brother. At length he disclosed to her his designs, endeavouring at the same time to stir up her jealousy against Zarina the wife of her brother, who, he told her, had instigated Tigranes to join Cyrus to extirpate the royal family of Media. "Thus," said he, "unless you assist me in procuring the death of Tigranes, we shall infallibly fall victims to the powerful co-