With zeal, if ought religion feem concern'd; 1420 Our God, our Law, my Nation, or myself, 1425 The laft of me or no I cannot warrant. Chor. Go, and the Holy One Of Ifrael be thy guide (name To what may serve his glory best, and spread his Great among the Heathen round; 1430 Send thee the Angel of thy birth, to ftand Fast by thy fide, who from thy father's field Rode up in flames after his message told Of thy conception, and be now a shield 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 ftrength so great to mortal seed, 1440 Or of him bringing to us fome glad news? (hither Man. Peace with you, Brethren; my inducement 1446 Was not at present here to find my fon, By order of the lords new parted hence 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 unfeemly. 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 ftreet paffing, With fupplication prone and father's tears, T'accept of ransome for my son 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 set to fale: a third 1470 More generous far and civil, who confess'd K 2 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 fon art bent to lay out all; 1486 Sons wont to nurse their parents in old age, Thou in old age car'ft how to nurfe thy fon 1495 To use him further yet in fome great service, 1500 Ufelefs, and thence ridiculous about him. And fince his ftrength with eye-fight was not loft, Chor. Chor. Thy hopes are not ill founded nor seem vain Conceiv'd, agreeable to a father's love, Of his delivery, and thy joy thereon In both which we, as next, participate. 1505 (noise! Man. I know your friendly minds and---O what Mercy of Heav'n, what hideous noise was that! Horribly loud, unlike the former shout. Chor. Noife call you it or universal groan, As if the whole inhabitation perish'd! 1510 Blood, death, and deathful deeds are in that noise, Ruin, deftruction at the utmost point. Man. Ofruin indeed methought I heard the noise, Oh it continues, they have flain my fon. 1516 Chor. Thy fon is rather flaying them, that outcry From flaughter of one foe could not ascend. Man. Some dismal accident it needs must be; What shall we do, flay 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? The fufferers then will scarce moleft us here, 1525 Nothing is hard) by miracle restor'd, 1530 1 Chor. Yet God hath wrought things as incredible Man. He can I know, but doubt to think he will; Chor. Of good or bad so great, of bad the sooner; 1540 1545 An Hebrew, as I guess, and of our tribe. Man. The accident was loud, and here before thee Mefs. It would burst forth, but I recover breath Man. |