Of Israel be thy guide To what may serve his glory best, and spread his Name Great among the Heathen round; Send thee the Angel of thy birth, to stand Be efficacious in thee now at need. For never was from Heaven imparted Enter MANOAh. Manoah. Peace with you, Brethren ;. my inducement hither Was not at present here to find my son, By order of the lords now parted hence And numbers thither flock: I had no will, Lest I should see him forc'd to things unseemly. But that, which mov'd my coming now, was chiefly Chorus. That hope would much rejoice us to With thee; say, reverend Sire, we thirst to hear. Manoah. I have attempted one by one the lords Either at home, or through the high street passing, With supplication prone and father's tears, To accept of ransom for my son their prisoner. Chorus. Doubtless the people shouting to behold Their once great dread, captive, and blind before them, Or at some proof of strength before them shown. 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, And quit: not wanting him, I shall want nothing. Sons wont ta 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? |