With zeal, if ought religion seem concern'd; 1420 Our God, our Law, my Nation, or myself, 1425 The laft of me or no I cannot warrant. Of Ifrael be thy guide Chor. Go, and the Holy One To what may serve his glory best, and spread his (name Send thee the Angel of thy birth, to stand Fast by thy fide, who from thy father's field 1430 Rode up in flames after his message told Of thy conception, and be now a fhield Of fire; that Spirit that first rush'd on thee 1435 In the camp of Dan Be efficacious in thee now at need. For never was from Heav'n imparted Measure of strength so great to mortal feed, 1440 But wherefore comes old Manoah in such haste With youthful steps? much livelier than ere while He seems: fuppofing here to find his son, Or of him bringing to us some glad news? (hither Man. Peace with you, Brethren; my inducement Was not at present here to find my fon, By order of the lords new parted hence 1446 To To come and play before them at their feast. I heard all as I came, the city rings, And numbers thither flock, I had no will, 1450 Left I should see him forc'd to things unseemly. But that which mov'd my coming now, was chiefly 1455 Chor. That hope would much rejoice us to partake With thee; fay, reverend Sire, we thirst to hear. Man. I have attempted one by one the lords Either at home, or through the high street passing, With fupplication prone and father's tears, T' accept of ransome for my fon their pris'ner. 1460 Some much averse I found and wondrous harsh, Contemptuous, proud, set on revenge and spite; That part most reverenc'd Dagon and his priests: Others more moderate seeming, but their aim Private reward, for which both God and State 1465 They easily would fet to fale: a third 1470 More generous far and civil, who confefs'd Man. His ransome, if my whole inheritance And number'd down: much rather I fhall choose No, I am fix'd not to part hence without him. If need be, I am ready to forgo 1480 And quit: not wanting him, I shall want nothing. Chor. Fathers are wont to lay up for their fons, Thou for thy son art bent to lay out all; 1486 Sons wont to nurse their parents in old age, Thou in old age car'ft how to nurse thy fon 1495 To use him further yet in some great service, 1500 Useless, and thence ridiculous about him. And since his strength with eye-fight was not loft, God will restore him eye-fight to his strength. Chor. Chor. Thy hopes are not ill founded nor seem vain Of his delivery, and thy joy thereon In both which we, as next, participate. Conceiv'd, agreeable to a father's love, 1505 (noise! Man. I know your friendly minds and---O what Mercy of Heav'n, what hideous noife was that! Horribly loud, unlike the former shout. Chor. Noife call you it or univerfal groan, As if the whole inhabitation perish'd! 1510 Blood, death, and deathful deeds are in that noise, Ruin, destruction at the utmost point. Man. Ofruin indeed methought I heard the noise, Oh it continues, they have flain my fon. 1516 outcry Chor. Thy fon is rather flaying them, that From flaughter of one foe could not ascend. Man. Some dismal accident it needs must be; What shall we do, stay here or run and see? 1520 Chor. Best keep together here, left running thither We unawares run into danger's mouth. This evil on the Philiftines is fall'n; From whom could elfe a general cry be heard? K 3 1530 Chor. Chor. Yet God hath wrought things as incredible For his people of old; what hinders now? Man. He can I know, but doubt to think he will; Yet hope would fain subscribe, and tempts belief. A little stay will bring fome notice hither. 1536 1540 Chor. Of good or bad so great, of bad the sooner; For evil news rides post, while good news baits. And to our wish I fee one hither speeding, An Hebrew, as I guess, and of our tribe. Mess. O whither shall I run, or which way fly The fight of this so horrid spectacle, Which erft my eyes beheld and yet behold? For dire imagination still pursues me. But providence or instinct of nature seems, Or reason though disturb'd, and scarce confulted, To' have guided me aright, I know not how, To thee first reverend Manoah, and to these My countrymen, whom here I knew remaining, As at fome distance from the place of horror, 1550 So in the fad event too much concern'd. 1545 Man. The accident was loud, and here before thee With rueful cry, yet what it was we hear not; No preface needs, thou seest we long to know. Mess. It would burst forth, but I recover breath And sense distract, to know well what I utter. 1556 Man. Tell us the fum, the circumstance defer. Mefs. Gaza yet ftands, but all her fons are fall'n, All in a moment overwhelm'd and fall'n. Man. |