And number'd down: much rather I shall choose To live the poorest in my tribe, than richest, No, I am fix'd not to part hence without him, If need be, I am ready to forego And quit: not wanting him, I shall want nothing. Sons wont to nurse their parents in old age, Useless, and thence ridiculous about him. And since his strength with eye-sight was not lost, God will restore him eye-sight to his strength. Chorus. Thy hopes are not ill founded, nor seem vain. Of his delivery, and thy joy thereon' Manoah. I know your friendly minds and-O what noise! Mercy of Heaven! what hideous noise was that? Chorus. Noise call you it, or universal groan, Blood, death, and deathful deeds, are in that noise, Ruin, destruction at the utmost point. • Manoah. Of ruin indeed methought I heard the noise: Oh! it continues, they have slain my son. Chorus. Thy son is rather slaying them; that outcry From slaughter of one foe could not ascend. Manoah. Some dismal accident it needs must be, What shall we do, stay here or run and see? Chorus. Best keep together here, lest, running thither, We unawares run into danger's mouth. This evil on the Philistines is fallen; From whom could else a general cry be heard; He now be dealing dole among his foes, Chorus. Yet God hath wrought things as in For his people of old: what hinders now? Manoah. He can, I know, but doubt to think he will; Yet hope would fain subscribe, and tempts belief. A little stay will bring some notice hither. Chorus. Of good or bad so great, of bad the sooner; For evil news rides post, while good news bates. Enter MESSENGER. Messenger. O whither shall I run, or which way fly The sight of this so horrid spectacle, Which erst my eyes beheld, and yet behold? But providence or instinct of nature seems, thee first, reverend Manoah, and to these My countrymen, whom here I knew remaining, As at some distance from the place of horrour, Manoah. The accident was loud, and here before thee With rueful cry, yet what it was we hear not; And sense distract, to know well what I utter. defer. Messenger. Gaza yet stands, but all her sons are fallen, All in a moment overwhelm'd and fallen. Manoah. Sad, but thou know'st to Israelites not saddest The desolation of a hostile city. Messenger. Feed on that first; there may in grief The sorrow, and converts it nigh to joy. Messenger. Ah! Manoah, I refrain too sud denly To utter what will come at last too soon; Manoah. Suspense in news is torture, speak them out. Messenger. Take then the worst in brief, Samson is dead. Manoah. The worst indeed! O all my hopes defeated To free him hence! but death, who sets all free, At once both to destroy, and be destroy'd; |