Assur: I cannot bear to hear the noisy crowd Still talk of Ninus: wherefore should remembrance Call back the thoughts of that inglorious reign? Can they believe, that, after fifteen years, His angry spirit still calls out for justice? Ere now he would have taken due vengeance on us, Had he the power: why from the peaceful realms Of dark oblivion wouldst thou call the dead, Or search for truth in lying oracles? I am astonished too, but ’tis at thee, And thy vain fears: to make the gods propitious, We must be resolute: this idle phantom, At once the child and parent of your fears, Why should it thus alarm you? Prodigies Never appear to those who dread them not: Baits to allure the unthinking multitude, By knaves invented, and by fools believed; The great despise them: but if nobler views Inspire thy soul to immortalize the blood Of Belus, if the beauteous Azema Claims her high rank.—