University of Virginia Library

SCENE THE FIFTH.

AZEMA.
May every guardian pow'r shield and protect him,
And guide his steps in yon dark cave of death!
Ye horrid caverns, ye whose dreadful wombs
Brought forth dead Ninus! once again yawn wide,
And be the victim murderous Assures.
And thou, great Ninus, his too cruel sire,

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Thou who would'st not permit his weeping mother
T'attend him in thy tomb—war on his side.
But soft! methought I heard his well-known voice
Mingled with dying groans.
[It thunders.
Hark! the loud thunder rolls, vindictive lightnings
Inflame the heav'ns, and shake the guilty earth,
Yet I'm not lost to hope—See where he comes!
The conqueror—the avenger!