MANOA: The
accident
was loud, and here before thee
With rueful cry; yet what it was we know not.
With rueful cry; yet what it was we know not.
World's Greatest Books - Volume 17 - Poetry and Drama
What hideous noise was that
Horribly loud, unlike the former shout.
CHORUS: Noise call you it, or universal groan,
As if the whole inhabitation perished?
Blood, death, and deathful deeds, are in that noise,
Ruin, destruction at the utmost point.
MANOA: Of ruin indeed methought I heard the noise.
Oh! it continues; the have slain my son.
CHORUS: Thy son is rather slaying them; that outcry
From slaughter of one foe could not ascend.
MANOA: 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?
MANOA: A little stay will bring some notice hither.
CHORUS: I see one hither speeding--
An Hebrew, as I guess, and of our tribe.
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?
MANOA: The accident was loud, and here before thee
With rueful cry; yet what it was we know not.
Tell us the sum, the circumstance defer.
MESSENGER: Gaza yet stands; but all her sons are fallen,
All in a moment overwhelmed and fallen.
MANOA: Sad! but thou know'st to Israelites not saddest
The desolation of a hostile city.
MESSENGER: Feed on that first; there may in grief be surfeit.
MANOA: Relate by whom.
MESSENGER: By Samson.
MANOA: That still lessens
The sorrow and converts it nigh to joy.
MESSENGER: Ah! Manoa, I refrain too suddenly
To utter what will come at last too soon,
Lest evil tidings, with too rude eruption
Hitting thy aged ear, should pierce too deep.
MANOA: Suspense in news is torture; speak them out.
MESSENGER: Then take the worst in brief--Samson is dead.
MANOA: The worst indeed! O, all my hope's defeated
To free him hence! but Death, who sets all free,
Hath paid his ransom now and full discharge.
Horribly loud, unlike the former shout.
CHORUS: Noise call you it, or universal groan,
As if the whole inhabitation perished?
Blood, death, and deathful deeds, are in that noise,
Ruin, destruction at the utmost point.
MANOA: Of ruin indeed methought I heard the noise.
Oh! it continues; the have slain my son.
CHORUS: Thy son is rather slaying them; that outcry
From slaughter of one foe could not ascend.
MANOA: 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?
MANOA: A little stay will bring some notice hither.
CHORUS: I see one hither speeding--
An Hebrew, as I guess, and of our tribe.
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?
MANOA: The accident was loud, and here before thee
With rueful cry; yet what it was we know not.
Tell us the sum, the circumstance defer.
MESSENGER: Gaza yet stands; but all her sons are fallen,
All in a moment overwhelmed and fallen.
MANOA: Sad! but thou know'st to Israelites not saddest
The desolation of a hostile city.
MESSENGER: Feed on that first; there may in grief be surfeit.
MANOA: Relate by whom.
MESSENGER: By Samson.
MANOA: That still lessens
The sorrow and converts it nigh to joy.
MESSENGER: Ah! Manoa, I refrain too suddenly
To utter what will come at last too soon,
Lest evil tidings, with too rude eruption
Hitting thy aged ear, should pierce too deep.
MANOA: Suspense in news is torture; speak them out.
MESSENGER: Then take the worst in brief--Samson is dead.
MANOA: The worst indeed! O, all my hope's defeated
To free him hence! but Death, who sets all free,
Hath paid his ransom now and full discharge.
