To such as owe them absolute subjection; 1405 And for a life who will not change his purpose? Yet this be sure, in nothing to comply OFF. I praise thy resolution: doff these links; SAMS. Brethren, farewell; your company along I will not wish, lest it perhaps offend them To see me girt with friends; and how the sight Of me as of a common enemy, So dreaded once, may now exasperate them I know not. Lords are lordliest in their wine; Impetuous, insolent, unquenchable : Of Israel be thy guide 1425 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 Fast by thy side, who from thy father's field 1430 Of thy conception, and be now a shield Of fire; that spirit that first rush'd on thee Be efficacious in thee now at need. 1435 1440 For never was from heaven imparted Or of him bringing to us some glad news? 1445 Was not at present here to find my son, CHOR. That hope would much rejoice us to 1450 1455 partake With thee; say, reverend Sire, we thirst to hear. MAN. 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 pris'ner. 1434 shield] See T. Warton's Note on Comus, ver. 658. 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 sale: a third 1470 More generous far and civil, who confess'd Or at some proof of strength before them shown. May compass it, shall willingly be paid And number'd down: much rather I shall choose No, I am fix'd not to part hence without him. If need be, I am ready to forego 1480 And quit not wanting him, I shall want nothing. MAN. It shall be my delight to tend his eyes, And view him sitting in the house, ennobled, With all those high exploits by him achiev'd, And on his shoulders waving down those locks, That of a nation arm'd the strength contain'd: And I persuade me God hath not permitted 1195 His strength again to grow up with his hair, Garrison'd round about him like a camp Of faithful soldiery, were not his purpose To use him further yet in some great service, Not to sit idle with so great a gift 1500 Useless, and thence ridiculous, about him. [vain 1506 MAN. I know your friendly minds, and—O what noise! Mercy of heav'n, what hideous noise was that? Horribly loud, unlike the former shout. CHOR. Noise call you it or universal groan, As if the whole inhabitation perish'd! 1494 contain'd] Ovid. Met. viii. 8. • Crinis inhærebat magni fiducia regni.' 1508 O what noise] Christ. Patiens, p. 16. ed. Rom. 1510 Todd. Blood, death, and deathful deeds are in that noise, Ruin, destruction at the utmost point. [noise: MAN. Of ruin indeed methought I heard the Oh it continues, they have slain my son. CHOR. Thy son is rather slaying them, that outcry From slaughter of one foe could not ascend. MAN. Some dismal accident it needs must be; What shall we do, stay here, or run and see? 1520 CHOR. Best keep together here, lest running We unawares run into danger's mouth. [thither This evil on the Philistines is fall'n; From whom could else a general cry be heard? thought. And over heaps of slaughter'd walk his way? 1530 MAN. That were a joy presumptuous to be [credible CHOR. Yet God hath wrought things as inFor his people of old; what hinders now? MAN. 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. CHOR. Of good or bad so great, of bad the sooner; For evil news rides post, while good news baits. And to our wish I see one hither speeding, |