The sight of this so horrid spectacle
Which earst my eyes beheld and yet behold;
For dire imagination still persues me.
But providence or instinct of nature seems,
Or reason though disturb'd, and scarce consulted
To have guided me aright, I know not how,
To thee first reverend Manoa, and to these
My Countreymen, whom here I knew remaining,1550
As at some distance from the place of horrour,
So in the sad event too much concern'd.
Man.The accident was loud, & here[errata 1] before thee
With rueful cry, yet what it was we hear not,
No Preface needs, thou seest we long to know.
Mess.It would burst forth, but I recover breath
And sense distract, to know well what I utter.
Man.Tell us the sum, the circumstance defer.
Mess.Gaza yet stands, but all her Sons are fall'n,
All in a moment overwhelm'd and fall'n.1560
Man.Sad, but thou knowst to Israelites not saddest
Errata
