E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Gath (g hard),
in Dryden’s satire of Absalom and Achitophel, means Brussels, where Charles II. long resided while he was in exile.
1
“Had thus old David [Charles II.] …
Not dared, when fortune called him, to be king,
At Gath an exile he might still remain.”
Tell it not in Gath. Don’t let your enemies hear it. Gath was famous as being the birthplace of the giant Goliath.
2
“Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.”—2 Sam. i. 20.
