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.