MAN. Of ruin indeed methought I heard the noise: Oh it continues, they have slain my fon. CHO. Thy fon is rather flaying them, that outcry From flaughter of one foe could not afcend. MAN. Some dismal accident it needs must be; What shall we do? stay here, or run and fee? 1520 CHO. 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? 1525 And over heaps of slaughter'd walk his way y? 1530 MAN. That were a joy prefumptuous to be thought. CHO. 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 fubfcribe, and tempts belief. 1535 A little stay will bring fome notice hither. CHO. Of good or bad so great, of bad the sooner; For evil news rides poft, while good news baits. And to our wish I fee one hither speeding, 1540 An Hebrew, as I guess, and of our tribe. Which erft my eyes beheld, and yet behold? But But providence or instinct of nature seems, 1545 1550 MAN. The accident was loud, and here before thee With rueful cry, yet what it was we hear not; No preface needs, thou feeft we long to know. MESS. It would burst forth, but I recover breath And fenfe diftract, to know well what I utter, MAN. Tell us the fum, the circumstance defer. MESS. Gaza yet stands, but all her fons are fall'n, All in a moment overwhelm'd and fall'n. MAN. Sad, but thou know'ft to Ifraelites not faddeft, The defolation of a hoftile city. [furfeit. MESS. Feed on that firft, there may in grief be MAN. Relate by whom. The forrow, and converts it nigh to joy. MESS. Ah Manoah, I refrain too fuddenly 1565 To utter what will come at last too soon; Left evil tidings with too rude irruption Hitting thy aged ear fhould pierce too deep. MAN. Sufpenfe in news is torture, speak them out. MESS. Take then the worst in brief, Samson is dead. MAN. The worst indeed, O all my hopes defeated To free him hence! but death who fets all free Hath Hath paid his ranfom now and full discharge. 1575 1580 What glorious hand gave Samfon his death's wound? MESS. Unwounded of his enemies he fell. MAN. Wearied with flaughter then, or how? explain. MESS. By his own hands. MAN. Self-violence? what caufe Brought him fo foon at variance with himself MESS. Inevitable cause, At once both to deftroy and be destroy'd; 1585 1590 MAN. O laftly over-ftrong against thy felf! Eye-witness of what firft or laft was done, Relation more particular and distinct. 1595 MESS. Occafions drew me early to this city, And as the gates I enter'd with fun-rife, 1600 Samfon Samfon fhould be brought forth, to show the people Half-round on two main pillars vaulted high, 1605 On banks and fcaffolds under fky might ftand; 1610 The feaft and noon grew high, and facrifice Had fill'd their hearts with mirth, high chear, and wine, When to their sports they turn'd. Immediately Was Samfon as a public fervant brought, In their state livery clad; before him pipes 1615 1620 And timbrels, on cach fide went armed guards, 1625 None daring to appear antagonist. At length for intermiffion fake they led him 1630 (For (For fo from fuch as nearer stood we heard) At laft with head erect thus cry'd aloud, 1635 Hitherto, Lords, what your commands impos'd 1640 Now of my own accord fuch other trial I mean to fhow you of my ftrength, yet greater; 1645 He tugg'd, he fhook, till down they came, and drew Lords, ladies, captains, counsellors, or priests, Of this but each Philiftian city round, 1655 Met from all parts to folemnize this feaft. Samfon with these immix'd, inevitably Pull'd down the fame destruction on himself; CHO. O dearly-bought revenge, yet glorious! 1660 |