SAMSON AGONISTES

Samson. A little onward lend thy guiding hand To these dark steps, a little further on; For yonder bank hath choice of sun or shade. There I am wont to sit, when any chance Relieves me from my task of servile toil, 5 Daily in the common prison else enjoined me, Where I, a prisoner chained, scarce freely draw The air, imprisoned also, close and damp, Unwholesome draught. But here I feel amends— The breath of heaven fresh blowing, pure and sweet, 10 With day-spring born; here leave me to respire. This day a solemn feast the people hold To Dagon, their sea-idol, and forbid Laborious works. Unwillingly this rest Their superstition yields me; hence with leave 15 Retiring from the popular noise, I seek This unfrequented place to find some ease— Ease to the body some, none to the mind From restless thoughts, that, like a deadly swarm Of hornets armed, no sooner found alone 20 But rush upon me thronging, and present Times past, what once I was, and what am now. Oh, wherefore was my birth from Heaven foretold Twice by an Angel, who at last, in sight Of both my parents, all in flames ascended 25 From off the altar where an offering burned, As in a fiery column charioting His godlike presence, and from some great act Or benefit revealed to Abraham's race? Why was my breeding ordered and prescribed 30 As of a person separate to God, Designed for great exploits, if I must die Betrayed, captived, and both my eyes put out, Made of my enemies the scorn and gaze, To grind in brazen fetters under task 35 With this heaven-gifted strength? O glorious strength, Put to the labour of a beast, debased Lower than bond-slave! Promise was that I Should Israel from Philistian yoke deliver! Ask for this great deliverer now, and find him 40 Eyeless, in Gaza, at the mill, with slaves, Himself in bonds under Philistian yoke. Yet stay; let me not rashly call in doubt Divine prediction. What if all foretold Had been fulfilled but through mine own default? 45 Whom have I to complain of but myself, Who this high gift of strength committed to me, In what part lodged, how easily bereft me, Under the seal of silence could not keep, But weakly to a woman must reveal it, 50 O'ercome with importunity and tears? O impotence of mind, in body strong! But what is strength without a double share Of wisdom? vast, unwieldy, burdensome, Proudly secure, yet liable to fall 55 By weakest subtleties; not made to rule, But to subserve where wisdom bears command. God, when he gave me strength, to show withal How slight the gift was, hung it in my hair. But peace! I must not quarrel with the will 60 Of highest dispensation, which herein Haply had ends above my reach to know. Suffices that to me strength is my bane, And proves the source of all my miseries— So many, and so huge, that each apart 65 Would ask a life to wail. But chief of all, O loss of sight, of thee I most complain! Blind among enemies! Oh worse than chains, Dungeon, or beggary, or decrepit age! Light, the prime work of God, to me is extinct, 70 And all her various objects of delight Annulled, which might in part my grief have eased. Inferior to the vilest now become Of man or worm, the vilest here excel me: They creep, yet see; I, dark in light, exposed 75 To daily fraud, contempt, abuse, and wrong, Within doors, or without, still as a fool, In power of others, never in my own— Scarce half I seem to live, dead more than half. Oh dark, dark, dark, amid the blaze of noon, 80 Irrecoverably dark, total eclipse Without all hope of day! O first created beam, and thou great Word, 'Let there be light, and light was over all,' Why am I thus bereaved thy prime decree? 85 The sun to me is dark And silent as the moon, When she deserts the night, Hid in her vacant interlunar cave. Since light so necessary is to life, 90 And almost life itself, if it be true That light is in the soul, She all in every part, why was the sight To such a tender ball as the eye confined, So obvious and so easy to be quenched, 95 And not, as feeling, through all parts diffused, That she might look at will through every pore? Then had I not been thus exiled from light, As in the land of darkness, yet in light, To live a life half dead, a living death, 100 And buried; but, oh yet more miserable! Myself, my sepulchre, a moving grave; Buried, yet not exempt, By privilege of death and burial, From worst of other evils, pains and wrongs; 105 But made hereby obnoxious more To all the miseries of life, Life in captivity Among inhuman foes. But who are these? for with joint pace I hear 110 The tread of many feet steering this way; Perhaps my enemies, who come to stare At my affliction, and perhaps to insult— Their daily practice to afflict me more. Chorus. This, this is he; softly a while; 115 Let us not break in upon him. Oh change beyond report, thought, or belief! See how he lies at random, carelessly diffused, With languished head unpropt, As one past hope, abandoned, 120 And by himself given over, In slavish habit, ill-fitted weeds O'er-worn and soiled. Or do my eyes misrepresent? Can this be he, That heroic, that renowned, 125 Irresistible Samson? whom unarmed, No strength of man, or fiercest wild beast, could withstand; Who tore the lion, as the lion tears the kid; Ran on embattled armies clad in iron, And, weaponless himself, 130 Made arms ridiculous, useless the forgery Of brazen shield and spear, the hammered cuirass, Chalybean-tempered steel, and frock of mail Adamantean proof; But safest he who stood aloof, 135 When insupportably his foot advanced, In scorn of their proud arms and warlike tools, Spurned them to death by troops. The bold Ascalonite Fled from his lion ramp; old warriors turned Their plated backs under his heel, 140 Or grovelling soiled their crested helmets in the dust. Then with what trivial weapon came to hand, The jaw of a dead ass, his sword of bone, A thousand foreskins fell, the flower of Palestine, In Ramath-lechi, famous to this day. 145 Then by main force pulled up, and on his shoulders bore, The gates of Azza, post and massy bar, Up to the hill by Hebron, seat of giants old, No journey of a sabbath-day, and loaded so; Like whom the Gentiles feign to bear up Heaven. 150 Which shall I first bewail, Thy bondage or lost sight? Prison within prison Inseparably dark. Thou art become (Oh worst imprisonment!) 155 The dungeon of thyself; thy soul (Which men enjoying sight oft without cause complain) Imprisoned now indeed, In real darkness of the body dwells, Shut up from outward light 160 To incorporate with gloomy night; For inward light, alas! Puts forth no visual beam. O mirror of our fickle state, Since man on earth unparalleled, 165 The rarer thy example stands, By how much from the top of wondrous glory, Strongest of mortal men, To lowest pitch of abject fortune thou art fallen. For him I reckon not in high estate 170 Whom long descent of birth Or the sphere of fortune raises; But thee, whose strength, while virtue was her mate, Might have subdued the earth, Universally crowned with highest praises. 175 Samson. I hear the sound of words; their sense the air Dissolves unjointed ere it reach my ear. Chorus. He speaks, let us draw nigh. Matchless in might, The glory late of Israel, now the grief! We come, thy friends and neighbours not unknown, 180 From Eshtaol and Zora's fruitful vale, To visit or bewail thee; or, if better, Counsel or consolation we may bring, Salve to thy sores; apt words have power to swage The tumours of a troubled mind, 185 And are as balm to festered wounds. Samson. Your coming, friends, revives me; for I learn Now of my own experience, not by talk, How counterfeit a coin they are who 'friends' Bear in their superscription (of the most 190 I would be understood). In prosperous days They swarm, but in adverse withdraw their head, Not to be found, though sought. Ye see, O friends, How many evils have enclosed me round; Yet that which was the worst now least afflicts me, 195 Blindness; for had I sight, confused with shame, How could I once look up, or heave the head, Who, like a foolish pilot, have shipwracked My vessel trusted to me from above, Gloriously rigged; and for a word, a tear, 200 Fool! have divulged the secret gift of God To a deceitful woman? tell me, friends, Am I not sung and proverbed for a fool In every street? do they not say, 'how well Are come upon him his deserts?' yet why? 205 Immeasurable strength they might behold In me, of wisdom nothing more than mean. This with the other should, at least, have paired; These two, proportioned ill, drove me transverse. Chorus. Tax not divine disposal. Wisest men 210 Have erred, and by bad women been deceived; And shall again, pretend they ne'er so wise. Deject not, then, so overmuch thyself, Who hast of sorrow thy full load besides. Yet, truth to say, I oft have heard men wonder 215 Why thou shouldst wed Philistian women rather Than of thine own tribe fairer, or as fair, At least of thy own nation, and as noble. Samson. The first I saw at Timna, and she pleased Me, not my parents, that I sought to wed 220 The daughter of an infidel. They knew not That what I motioned was of God; I knew From intimate impulse, and therefore urged The marriage on, that, by occasion hence, I might begin Israel's deliverance— 225 The work to which I was divinely called. She proving false, the next I took to wife (Oh that I never had! fond wish too late!) Was in the vale of Sorec, Dalila, That specious monster, my accomplished snare. 230 I thought it lawful from my former act, And the same end, still watching to oppress Israel's oppressors. Of what now I suffer She was not the prime cause, but I myself, Who, vanquished with a peal of words (oh weakness!) 235 Gave up my fort of silence to a woman. Chorus. In seeking just occasion to provoke The Philistine, thy country's enemy, Thou never wast remiss, I bear thee witness: Yet Israel still serves with all his sons. 240 Samson. That fault I take not on me, but transfer On Israel's governors and heads of tribes, Who, seeing those great acts which God had done Singly by me against their conquerors, Acknowledged not, or not at all considered, 245 Deliverance offered. I, on the other side, Used no ambition to commend my deeds; The deeds themselves, though mute, spoke loud the doer. But they persisted deaf, and would not seem To count them things worth notice, till at length 250 Their lords, the Philistines, with gathered powers, Entered Judea, seeking me, who then Safe to the rock of Etham was retired— Not flying, but forecasting in what place To set upon them, what advantaged best. 255 Meanwhile the men of Judah, to prevent The harass of their land, beset me round; I willingly on some conditions came Into their hands, and they as gladly yield me To the Uncircumcised a welcome prey, 260 Bound with two cords. But cords to me were threads Touched with the flame: on their whole host I flew Unarmed, and with a trivial weapon felled Their choicest youth; they only lived who fled. Had Judah that day joined, or one whole tribe, 265 They had by this possessed the towers of Gath, And lorded over them whom they now serve. But what more oft in nations grown corrupt, And by their vices brought to servitude, Than to love bondage more than liberty— 270 Bondage with ease than strenuous liberty— And to despise, or envy, or suspect, Whom God hath of his special favour raised As their deliverer? If he aught begin, How frequent to desert him, and at last 275 To heap ingratitude on worthiest deeds! Chorus. Thy words to my remembrance bring How Succoth and the fort of Penuel Their great deliverer contemned, The matchless Gideon, in pursuit 280 Of Madian, and her vanquished kings; And how ingrateful Ephraim Had dealt with Jephtha, who by argument, Not worse than by his shield and spear, Defended Israel from the Ammonite, 285 Had not his prowess quelled their pride In that sore battle when so many died Without reprieve, adjudged to death, For want of well pronouncing Shibboleth. Samson. Of such examples add me to the roll. 290 Me easily indeed mine may neglect, But God's proposed deliverance not so. Chorus. Just are the ways of God, And justifiable to men, Unless there be who think not God at all. 295 If any be, they walk obscure; For of such doctrine never was there school But the heart of the fool, And no man therein doctor but himself. Yet more there be who doubt his ways not just, 300 As to his own edicts found contradicting; Then give the reins to wandering thought, Regardless of his glory's diminution, Till, by their own perplexities involved, They ravel more, still less resolved, 305 But never find self-satisfying solution. As if they would confine the Interminable, And tie him to his own prescript, Who made our laws to bind us, not himself, And hath full right to exempt 310 Whomso it pleases him by choice From national obstriction, without taint Of sin, or legal debt; For with his own laws he can best dispense. He would not else, who never wanted means, 315 Nor in respect of the enemy just cause, To set his people free, Have prompted this heroic Nazarite, Against his vow of strictest purity, To seek in marriage that fallacious bride, 320 Unclean, unchaste. Down, Reason, then; at least, vain reasonings, down; Though Reason here aver That moral verdict quits her of unclean: Unchaste was subsequent, her stain not his. 325 But see! here comes thy reverend sire, With careful step, locks white as down, Old Manoa: advise Forthwith how thou ought'st to receive him. Samson. Ay me! another inward grief, awaked 330 With mention of that name, renews the assault. Manoa. Brethren and men of Dan (for such ye seem, Though in this uncouth place), if old respect, As I suppose, towards your once gloried friend, My son, now captive, hither hath informed 335 Your younger feet, while mine, cast back with age, Came lagging after, say if he be here. Chorus. As signal now in low dejected state, As erst in highest, behold him where he lies. Manoa. Oh miserable change! is this the man? 340 That invincible Samson, far renowned, The dread of Israel's foes, who with a strength Equivalent to Angels', walked their streets, None offering fight; who, single combatant, Duelled their armies ranked in proud array, 345 Himself an army, now unequal match To save himself against a coward armed At one spear's length. Oh ever-failing trust In mortal strength! and oh, what not in man Deceivable and vain? Nay, what thing good 350 Prayed for, but often proves our woe, our bane? I prayed for children, and thought barrenness In wedlock a reproach; I gained a son, And such a son as all men hailed me happy. Who would be now a father in my stead? 355 Oh, wherefore did God grant me my request, And as a blessing with such pomp adorned? Why are his gifts desirable, to tempt Our earnest prayers, then, given with solemn hand As graces, draw a scorpion's tail behind? 360 For this did the Angel twice descend? for this Ordained thy nurture holy, as of a plant Select and sacred? glorious for a while, The miracle of men; then in an hour Ensnared, assaulted, overcome, led bound, 365 Thy foes' derision, captive, poor and blind, Into a dungeon thrust, to work with slaves! Alas! methinks whom God hath chosen once To worthiest deeds, if he through frailty err, He should not so o'erwhelm, and as a thrall 370 Subject him to so foul indignities, Be it but for honour's sake of former deeds. Samson. Appoint not heavenly disposition, father. Nothing of all these evils hath befallen me But justly; I myself have brought them on; 375 Sole author I, sole cause. If aught seem vile, As vile hath been my folly, who have profaned The mystery of God, given me under pledge Of vow, and have betrayed it to a woman, A Canaanite, my faithless enemy. 380 This well I knew, nor was at all surprised, But warned by oft experience. Did not she Of Timna first betray me, and reveal The secret wrested from me in her highth Of nuptial love professed, carrying it straight 385 To them who had corrupted her, my spies And rivals? In this other was there found More faith, who, also in her prime of love, Spousal embraces, vitiated with gold, Though offered only, by the scent conceived 390 Her spurious first-born, Treason against me? Thrice she assayed, with flattering prayers and sighs And amorous reproaches, to win from me My capital secret, in what part my strength Lay stored, in what part summed, that she might know; 395 Thrice I deluded her, and turned to sport Her importunity, each time perceiving How openly and with what impudence She purposed to betray me, and (which was worse Than undissembled hate) with what contempt 400 She sought to make me traitor to myself. Yet, the fourth time, when, mustering all her wiles, With blandished parleys, feminine assaults, Tongue-batteries, she surceased not day nor night To storm me, over-watched, and wearied out, 405 At times when men seek most repose and rest, I yielded, and unlocked her all my heart, Who, with a grain of manhood well resolved, Might easily have shook off all her snares; But foul effeminacy held me yoked 410 Her bond-slave. Oh indignity, oh blot To honour and religion! servile mind Rewarded well with servile punishment! The base degree to which I now am fallen, These rags, this grinding, is not yet so base 415 As was my former servitude, ignoble, Unmanly, ignominious, infamous, True slavery; and that blindness worse than this, That saw not how degenerately I served. Manoa. I cannot praise thy marriage-choices, son, 420 Rather approved them not; but thou didst plead Divine impulsion prompting how thou might'st Find some occasion to infest our foes. I state not that; this I am sure—our foes Found soon occasion thereby to make thee 425 Their captive, and their triumph; thou the sooner Temptation found'st, or over-potent charms, To violate the sacred trust of silence Deposited within thee—which to have kept Tacit, was in thy power; true; and thou bear'st 430 Enough, and more, the burden of that fault; Bitterly hast thou paid, and still art paying, That rigid score. A worse thing yet remains: This day the Philistines a popular feast Here celebrate in Gaza, and proclaim 435 Great pomp, and sacrifice, and praises loud, To Dagon, as their god who hath delivered Thee, Samson, bound and blind, into their hands, Them out of thine, who slew'st them many a slain. So Dagon shall be magnified, and God 440 Besides whom is no god, compared with idols, Disglorified, blasphemed, and had in scorn By the idolatrous rout amidst their wine; Which to have come to pass by means of thee, Samson, of all thy sufferings think the heaviest, 445 Of all reproach the most with shame that ever Could have befallen thee and thy father's house. Samson. Father, I do acknowledge and confess That I this honour, I this pomp, have brought To Dagon, and advanced his praises high 450 Among the Heathen round; to God have brought Dishonour, obloquy, and oped the mouths Of idolists and atheists; have brought scandal To Israel, diffidence of God, and doubt In feeble hearts, propense enough before 455 To waver, or fall off and join with idols; Which is my chief affliction, shame and sorrow, The anguish of my soul, that suffers not Mine eye to harbour sleep, or thoughts to rest. This only hope relieves me, that the strife 460 With me hath end; all the contest is now 'Twixt God and Dagon. Dagon hath presumed, Me overthrown, to enter lists with God, His deity comparing and preferring Before the God of Abraham. He, be sure, 465 Will not connive, or linger, thus provoked, But will arise and his great name assert. Dagon must stoop, and shall ere long receive Such a discomfit, as shall quite despoil him Of all these boasted trophies won on me, 470 And with confusion blank his worshippers. Manoa. With cause this hope relieves thee, and these words I as a prophecy receive; for God (Nothing more certain) will not long defer To vindicate the glory of his name 475 Against all competition, nor will long Endure it doubtful whether God be Lord, Or Dagon. But for thee what shall be done? Thou must not in the mean while, here forgot, Lie in this miserable loathsome plight 480 Neglected. I already have made way To some Philistian lords, with whom to treat About thy ransom: well they may by this Have satisfied their utmost of revenge, By pains and slaveries, worse than death, inflicted 485 On thee, who now no more canst do them harm. Samson. Spare that proposal, father; spare the trouble Of that solicitation. Let me here, As I deserve, pay on my punishment, And expiate, if possible, my crime, 490 Shameful garrulity. To have revealed Secrets of men, the secrets of a friend, How heinous had the fact been, how deserving Contempt and scorn of all—to be excluded All friendship, and avoided as a blab, 495 The mark of fool set on his front! But I God's counsel have not kept, his holy secret Presumptuously have published, impiously, Weakly at least, and shamefully—a sin That Gentiles in their parables condemn 500 To their Abyss and horrid pains confined. Manoa. Be penitent, and for thy fault contrite; But act not in thy own affliction, son. Repent the sin; but, if the punishment Thou canst avoid, self-preservation bids; 505 Or the execution leave to high disposal, And let another hand, not thine, exact Thy penal forfeit from thyself. Perhaps God will relent, and quit thee all his debt; Who ever more approves and more accepts 510 (Best pleased with humble and filial submission) Him who, imploring mercy, sues for life, Than who, self-rigorous, chooses death as due; Which argues over-just, and self-displeased For self-offence, more than for God offended. 515 Reject not, then, what offered means. Who knows But God hath set before us to return thee Home to thy country and his sacred house, Where thou mayst bring thy offerings, to avert His further ire, with prayers and vows renewed? 520 Samson. His pardon I implore; but as for life, To what end should I seek it? when in strength All mortals I excelled, and great in hopes, With youthful courage, and magnanimous thoughts Of birth from Heaven foretold and high exploits, 525 Full of divine instinct, after some proof Of acts indeed heroic, far beyond The sons of Anak, famous now and blazed, Fearless of danger, like a petty god I walked about, admired of all, and dreaded 530 On hostile ground, none daring my affront— Then, swollen with pride, into the snare I fell Of fair fallacious looks, venereal trains, Softened with pleasure and voluptuous life, At length to lay my head and hallowed pledge 535 Of all my strength in the lascivious lap Of a deceitful concubine, who shore me Like a tame wether, all my precious fleece, Then turned me out ridiculous, despoiled, Shaven, and disarmed among mine enemies. 540 Chorus. Desire of wine and all delicious drinks, Which many a famous warrior overturns, Thou could'st repress; nor did the dancing ruby Sparkling, out-poured, the flavour, or the smell, Or taste that cheers the heart of gods and men, 545 Allure thee from the cool crystalline stream. Samson.> Wherever fountain or fresh current flowed Against the eastern ray, translucent, pure With touch ethereal of Heaven's fiery rod, I drank, from the clear milky juice allaying 550 Thirst, and refreshed; nor envied them the grape Whose heads that turbulent liquor fills with fumes. Chorus. Oh madness! to think use of strongest wines And strongest drinks our chief support of health, When God with these forbidden made choice to rear 555 His mighty champion, strong above compare, Whose drink was only from the liquid brook! Samson. But what availed this temperance, not complete Against another object more enticing? What boots it at one gate to make defence, 560 And at another to let in the foe, Effeminately vanquished? by which means, Now blind, disheartened, shamed, dishonoured, quelled, To what can I be useful? wherein serve My nation, and the work from Heaven imposed? 565 But to sit idle on the household hearth, A burdenous drone; to visitants a gaze, Or pitied object; these redundant locks, Robustious to no purpose, clustering down, Vain monument of strength; till length of years 570 And sedentary numbness craze my limbs To a contemptible old age obscure. Here rather let me drudge, and earn my bread, Till vermin, or the draff of servile food, Consume me, and oft-invocated death 575 Hasten the welcome end of all my pains. Manoa. Wilt thou then serve the Philistines with that gift Which was expressly given thee to annoy them? Better at home lie bed-rid, not only idle, Inglorious, unemployed, with age outworn. 580 But God, who caused a fountain at thy prayer From the dry ground to spring, thy thirst to allay After the brunt of battle, can as easy Cause light again within thy eyes to spring, Wherewith to serve him better than thou hast. 585 And I persuade me so. Why else this strength Miraculous yet remaining in those locks? His might continues in thee not for nought, Nor shall his wondrous gifts be frustrate thus. Samson. All otherwise to me my thoughts portend— 590 That these dark orbs no more shall treat with light, Nor the other light of life continue long, But yield to double darkness nigh at hand; So much I feel my genial spirits droop, My hopes all flat: Nature within me seems 595 In all her functions weary of herself; My race of glory run, and race of shame, And I shall shortly be with them that rest. Manoa. Believe not these suggestions, which proceed From anguish of the mind, and humours black 600 That mingle with thy fancy. I, however, Must not omit a father's timely care To prosecute the means of thy deliverance By ransom or how else. Mean while be calm, And healing words from these thy friends admit. 605 Samson. Oh, that torment should not be confined To the body's wounds and sores, With maladies innumerable In heart, head, breast, and reins, But must secret passage find 610 To the inmost mind, There exercise all his fierce accidents, And on her purest spirits prey, As on entrails, joints, and limbs, With answerable pains, but more intense, 615 Though void of corporal sense! My griefs not only pain me As a lingering disease, But, finding no redress, ferment and rage; Nor less than wounds immedicable 620 Rankle, and fester, and gangrene, To black mortification. Thoughts, my tormentors, armed with deadly stings, Mangle my apprehensive tenderest parts, Exasperate, exulcerate, and raise 625 Dire inflammation, which no cooling herb Or medicinal liquor can assuage, Nor breath of vernal air from snowy Alp. Sleep hath forsook and given me o'er To death's benumbing opium as my only cure; 630 Thence faintings, swoonings of despair, And sense of Heaven's desertion. I was his nursling once and choice delight, His, destined from the womb, Promised by heavenly message twice descending. 635 Under his special eye Abstemious I grew up and thrived amain; He led me on to mightiest deeds, Above the nerve of mortal arm, Against the Uncircumcised, our enemies: 640 But now hath cast me off as never known, And to those cruel enemies, Whom I by his appointment had provoked, Left me all helpless, with the irreparable loss Of sight, reserved alive to be repeated 645 The subject of their cruelty or scorn. Nor am I in the list of them that hope; Hopeless are all my evils, all remediless. This one prayer yet remains, might I be heard, No long petition, speedy death, 650 The close of all my miseries, and the balm. Chorus. Many are the sayings of the wise, In ancient and in modern books enrolled, Extolling patience as the truest fortitude, And to the bearing well of all calamities, 655 All chances incident to man's frail life, Consolatories writ With studied argument, and much persuasion sought, Lenient of grief and anxious thought. But with the afflicted in his pangs their sound 660 Little prevails, or rather seems a tune Harsh, and of dissonant mood from his complaint, Unless he feel within Some source of consolation from above, Secret refreshings that repair his strength 665 And fainting spirits uphold. God of our fathers! what is Man, That thou towards him with hand so various— Or might I say contrarious?— Temper'st thy providence through his short course: 670 Not evenly, as thou rul'st The angelic orders, and inferior creatures mute, Irrational and brute? Nor do I name of men the common rout, That, wand'ring loose about, 675 Grow up and perish, as the summer fly, Heads without name, no more rememberèd; But such as thou hast solemnly elected, With gifts and graces eminently adorned, To some great work, thy glory, 680 And people's safety, which in part they effect. Yet toward these thus dignified, thou oft, Amidst their highth of noon, Changest thy countenance and thy hand, with no regard Of highest favours past 685 From thee on them, or them to thee of service. Nor only dost degrade them, or remit To life obscured, which were a fair dismission, But throw'st them lower than thou didst exalt them high —Unseemly falls in human eye, 690 Too grievous for the trespass or omission; Oft leav'st them to the hostile sword Of heathen and profane, their carcasses To dogs and fowls a prey, or else captived, Or to the unjust tribunals, under change of times, 695 And condemnation of the ingrateful multitude. If these they scape, perhaps in poverty With sickness and disease thou bow'st them down, Painful diseases and deformed, In crude old age; 700 Though not disordinate, yet causeless suffering The punishment of dissolute days. In fine, Just or unjust alike seem miserable, For oft alike both come to evil end. So deal not with this once thy glorious champion, 705 The image of thy strength, and mighty minister. What do I beg? how hast thou dealt already! Behold him in this state calamitous, and turn His labours, for thou canst, to peaceful end. But who is this? what thing of sea or land? 710 —Female of sex it seems— That so bedecked, ornate, and gay, Comes this way sailing, Like a stately ship Of Tarsus, bound for the isles 715 Of Javan or Gadire, With all her bravery on, and tackle trim, Sails filled, and streamers waving, Courted by all the winds that hold them play, An amber scent of odorous perfume 720 Her harbinger, a damsel train behind; Some rich Philistian matron she may seem, And now, at nearer view, no other certain Than Dalila thy wife. Samson. My wife? my traitress; let her not come near me. 725 Chorus. Yet on she moves; now stands and eyes thee fixed, About to have spoke; but now, with head declined, Like a fair flower surcharged with dew, she weeps, And words addressed seem into tears dissolved, Wetting the borders of her silken veil. 730 But now again she makes address to speak. Dalila. With doubtful feet and wavering resolution I came, still dreading thy displeasure, Samson, Which to have merited, without excuse, I cannot but acknowledge; yet if tears 735 May expiate (though the fact more evil drew In the perverse event than I foresaw), My penance hath not slackened, though my pardon No way assured. But conjugal affection, Prevailing over fear and timorous doubt, 740 Hath led me on, desirous to behold Once more thy face, and know of thy estate, If aught in my ability may serve To lighten what thou sufferest, and appease Thy mind with what amends is in my power, 745 Though late, yet in some part to recompense My rash but more unfortunate misdeed. Samson. Out, out, hyæna! these are thy wonted arts, And arts of every woman false like thee— To break all faith, all vows, deceive, betray; 750 Then, as repentant, to submit, beseech, And reconcilement move with feigned remorse, Confess, and promise wonders in her change— Not truly penitent, but chief to try Her husband, how far urged his patience bears, 755 His virtue or weakness which way to assail: Then, with more cautious and instructed skill, Again transgresses, and again submits; That wisest and best men, full oft beguiled, With goodness principled not to reject 760 The penitent, but ever to forgive, Are drawn to wear out miserable days, Entangled with a poisonous bosom-snake, If not by quick destruction soon cut off, As I by thee, to ages an example. 765 Dalila. Yet hear me, Samson; not that I endeavour To lessen or extenuate my offence, But that, on the other side, if it be weighed By itself, with aggravations not surcharged, Or else with just allowance counterpoised, 770 I may, if possible, thy pardon find The easier towards me, or thy hatred less. First granting, as I do, it was a weakness In me, but incident to all our sex, Curiosity, inquisitive, importune 775 Of secrets, then with like infirmity To publish them—both common female faults— Was it not weakness also to make known, For importunity, that is for nought, Wherein consisted all thy strength and safety? 780 To what I did thou showd'st me first the way. But I to enemies revealed, and should not; Nor should'st thou have trusted that to woman's frailty: Ere I to thee, thou to thyself wast cruel. Let weakness, then, with weakness come to parle, 785 So near related, or the same of kind; Thine forgive mine, that men may censure thine The gentler, if severely thou exact not More strength from me than in thyself was found. And what if love, which thou interpret'st hate, 790 The jealousy of love, powerful of sway In human hearts, nor less in mine towards thee, Caused what I did? I saw thee mutable Of fancy, feared lest one day thou would'st leave me As her at Timna; sought by all means, therefore, 795 How to endear, and hold thee to me firmest: No better way I saw than by importuning To learn thy secrets, get into my power Thy key of strength and safety. Thou wilt say, 'Why, then, revealed?' I was assured by those 800 Who tempted me, that nothing was designed Against thee but safe custody and hold. That made for me; I knew that liberty Would draw thee forth to perilous enterprises, While I at home sat full of cares and fears, 805 Wailing thy absence in my widowed bed; Here I should still enjoy thee, day and night, Mine and love's prisoner, not the Philistines', Whole to myself, unhazarded abroad, Fearless at home of partners in my love. 810 These reasons in love's law have passed for good, Though fond and reasonless to some perhaps; And love hath oft, well meaning, wrought much woe, Yet always pity or pardon hath obtained. Be not unlike all others, not austere 815 As thou art strong, inflexible as steel. If thou in strength all mortals dost exceed, In uncompassionate anger do not so. Samson. How cunningly the sorceress displays Her own transgressions, to upbraid me mine! 820 That malice, not repentance, brought thee hither, By this appears. I gave, thou say'st, the example, I led the way; bitter reproach, but true; I to myself was false ere thou to me. Such pardon, therefore, as I give my folly, 825 Take to thy wicked deed; which when thou seest Impartial, self-severe, inexorable, Thou wilt renounce thy seeking, and much rather Confess it feigned. Weakness is thy excuse, And I believe it—weakness to resist 830 Philistian gold. If weakness may excuse, What murtherer, what traitor, parricide, Incestuous, sacrilegious, but may plead it? All wickedness is weakness; that plea, therefore, With God or man will gain thee no remission. 835 But love constrained thee! call it furious rage To satisfy thy lust. Love seeks to have love; My love how could'st thou hope, who took'st the way To raise in me inexpiable hate, Knowing, as needs I must, by thee betrayed? 840 In vain thou striv'st to cover shame with shame, Or by evasions thy crime uncover'st more. Dalila. Since thou determin'st weakness for no plea In man or woman, though to thy own condemning, Hear what assaults I had, what snares besides, 845 What sieges girt me round, ere I consented; Which might have awed the best-resolved of men, The constantest, to have yielded without blame. It was not gold, as to my charge thou lay'st, That wrought with me. Thou know'st the magistrates 850 And princes of my country came in person, Solicited, commanded, threatened, urged, Adjured by all the bonds of civil duty And of religion; pressed how just it was, How honourable, how glorious, to entrap 855 A common enemy, who had destroyed Such numbers of our nation: and the priest Was not behind, but ever at my ear, Preaching how meritorious with the gods It would be to ensnare an irreligious 860 Dishonourer of Dagon. What had I To oppose against such powerful arguments? Only my love of thee held long debate, And combated in silence all these reasons With hard contest. At length, that grounded maxim, 865 So rife and celebrated in the mouths Of wisest men, that to the public good Private respects must yield, with grave authority Took full possession of me, and prevailed; Virtue, as I thought, truth, duty, so enjoining. 870 Samson. I thought where all thy circling wiles would end— In feigned religion, smooth hypocrisy! But, had thy love, still odiously pretended, Been, as it ought, sincere, it would have taught thee Far other reasonings, brought forth other deeds. 875 I, before all the daughters of my tribe And of my nation, chose thee from among My enemies, loved thee, as too well thou knew'st, Too well; unbosomed all my secrets to thee, Not out of levity, but overpowered 880 By thy request, who could deny thee nothing; Yet now am judged an enemy. Why, then, Didst thou at first receive me for thy husband, Then, as since then, thy country's foe professed? Being once a wife, for me thou wast to leave 885 Parents and country; nor was I their subject, Nor under their protection, but my own; Thou mine, not theirs. If aught against my life Thy country sought of thee, it sought unjustly, Against the law of nature, law of nations; 890 No more thy country, but an impious crew Of men conspiring to uphold their state By worse than hostile deeds, violating the ends For which our country is a name so dear; Not therefore to be obeyed. But zeal moved thee; 895 To please thy gods thou didst it! gods unable To acquit themselves and prosecute their foes But by ungodly deeds, the contradiction Of their own deity, gods cannot be; Less therefore to be pleased, obeyed, or feared. 900 These false pretexts and varnished colours failing, Bare in thy guilt, how foul must thou appear! Dalila. In argument with men a woman ever Goes by the worse, whatever be her cause. Samson. For want of words, no doubt, or lack of breath! 905 Witness when I was worried with thy peals. Dalila. I was a fool, too rash, and quite mistaken In what I thought would have succeeded best. Let me obtain forgiveness of thee, Samson; Afford me place to show what recompense 910 Towards thee I intend for what I have misdone, Misguided. Only what remains past cure Bear not too sensibly, nor still insist To afflict thyself in vain. Though sight be lost, Life yet hath many solaces, enjoyed 915 Where other senses want not their delights— At home, in leisure and domestic ease, Exempt from many a care and chance to which Eye-sight exposes, daily, men abroad. I to the lords will intercede, not doubting 920 Their favourable ear, that I may fetch thee From forth this loathsome prison-house, to abide With me, where my redoubled love and care, With nursing diligence, to me glad office, May ever tend about thee to old age, 925 With all things grateful cheered, and so supplied That what by me thou hast lost thou least shalt miss. Samson. No, no; of my condition take no care; It fits not; thou and I long since are twain; Nor think me so unwary or accursed, 930 To bring my feet again into the snare Where once I have been caught. I know thy trains, Though dearly to my cost, thy gins, and toils. Thy fair enchanted cup, and warbling charms, No more on me have power; their force is nulled; 935 So much of adder's wisdom I have learned, To fence my ear against thy sorceries. If in my flower of youth and strength, when all men Loved, honoured, feared me, thou alone could'st hate me, Thy husband, slight me, sell me, and forgo me, 940 How would'st thou use me now, blind, and thereby Deceivable, in most things as a child Helpless, thence easily contemned and scorned, And last neglected! How would'st thou insult, When I must live uxorious to thy will 945 In perfect thraldom! how again betray me, Bearing my words and doings to the lords To gloss upon, and, censuring, frown or smile! This jail I count the house of liberty To thine, whose doors my feet shall never enter. 950 Dalila. Let me approach at least, and touch thy hand. Samson. Not for thy life, lest fierce remembrance wake My sudden rage to tear thee joint by joint. At distance I forgive thee; go with that; Bewail thy falsehood, and the pious works 955 It hath brought forth to make thee memorable Among illustrious women, faithful wives; Cherish thy hastened widowhood with the gold Of matrimonial treason: so farewell. Dalila. I see thou art implacable, more deaf 960 To prayers than winds and seas; yet winds to seas Are reconciled at length, and sea to shore: Thy anger, unappeasable, still rages, Eternal tempest never to be calmed. Why do I humble thus myself, and, suing 965 For peace, reap nothing but repulse and hate? Bid go with evil omen, and the brand Of infamy upon my name denounced. To mix with thy concernments I desist Henceforth, nor too much disapprove my own. 970 Fame, if not double-faced, is double-mouthed, And with contráry blast proclaims most deeds; On both his wings, one black, the other white, Bears greatest names in his wild aery flight. My name, perhaps, among the Circumcised 975 In Dan, in Judah, and the bordering tribes, To all posterity may stand defamed, With malediction mentioned, and the blot Of falsehood most unconjugal traduced. But in my country, where I most desire, 980 In Ecron, Gaza, Asdod, and in Gath, I shall be named among the famousest Of women, sung at solemn festivals, Living and dead recorded, who, to save Her country from a fierce destroyer, chose 985 Above the faith of wedlock-bands; my tomb With odours visited and annual flowers; Not less renowned than in mount Ephraim Jael, who, with inhospitable guile, Smote Sisera sleeping, through the temples nailed. 990 Nor shall I count it heinous to enjoy The public marks of honour and reward Conferred upon me for the piety Which to my country I was judged to have shown. At this whoever envies or repines, 995 I leave him to his lot, and like my own. Chorus. She's gone—a manifest serpent by her sting Discovered in the end, till now concealed. Samson. So let her go. God sent her to debase me, And aggravate my folly, who committed 1000 To such a viper his most sacred trust Of secrecy, my safety, and my life. Chorus. Yet beauty, though injurious, hath strange power, After offence returning, to regain Love once possessed, nor can be easily 1005 Repulsed, without much inward passion felt, And secret sting of amorous remorse. Samson. Love-quarrels oft in pleasing concord end, Not wedlock-treachery endangering life. Chorus. It is not virtue, wisdom, valour, wit, 1010 Strength, comeliness of shape, or amplest merit, That woman's love can win or long inherit; But what it is, hard is to say, Harder to hit, Which way soever men refer it 1015 (Much like thy riddle, Samson), in one day Or seven, though one should musing sit. If any of these, or all, the Timnian bride Had not so soon preferred Thy paranymph, worthless to thee compared, 1020 Successor in thy bed, Nor both so loosely disallied Their nuptials, nor this last so treacherously Had shorn the fatal harvest of thy head. Is it for that such outward ornament 1025 Was lavished on their sex, that inward gifts Were left for haste unfinished, judgment scant, Capacity not raised to apprehend Or value what is best In choice, but oftest to affect the wrong? 1030 Or was too much of self-love mixed, Of constancy no root infixed, That either they love nothing, or not long? Whate'er it be, to wisest men and best, Seeming at first all heavenly under virgin veil, 1035 Soft, modest, meek, demure, Once joined, the contrary she proves—a thorn Intestine, far within defensive arms A cleaving mischief, in his way to virtue Adverse and turbulent; or by her charms 1040 Draws him awry, enslaved With dotage, and his sense depraved To folly and shameful deeds which ruin ends. What pilot so expert but needs must wreck, Embarked with such a steers-mate at the helm? 1045 Favoured of heaven who finds One virtuous, rarely found, That in domestic good combines! Happy that house! his way to peace is smooth: But virtue which breaks through all opposition, 1050 And all temptation can remove, Most shines and most is acceptable above. Therefore God's universal law Gave to the man despotic power Over his female in due awe, 1055 Nor from that right to part an hour, Smile she or lour: So shall he least confusion draw On his whole life, not swayed By female usurpation, nor dismayed. 1060 But had we best retire? I see a storm. Samson. Fair days have oft contracted wind and rain. Chorus. But this another kind of tempest brings. Samson. Be less abstruse; my riddling days are past. Chorus. Look now for no enchanting voice, nor fear 1065 The bait of honied words; a rougher tongue Draws hitherward; I know him by his stride, The giant Harapha of Gath, his look Haughty, as is his pile high-built and proud. Comes he in peace? what wind hath blown him hither 1070 I less conjecture than when first I saw The sumptuous Dalila floating this way: His habit carries peace, his brow defiance. Samson. Or peace or not, alike to me he comes. Chorus. His fraught we soon shall know: he now arrives. 1075 Harapha. I come not, Samson, to condole thy chance, As these perhaps, yet wish it had not been, Though for no friendly intent. I am of Gath; Men call me Harapha, of stock renowned As Og, or Anak, and the Emims old 1080 That Kiriathaim held. Thou know'st me now, If thou at all art known. Much I have heard Of thy prodigious might and feats performed, Incredible to me,—in this displeased, That I was never present on the place 1085 Of those encounters, where we might have tried Each other's force in camp or listed field; And now am come to see of whom such noise Hath walked about, and each limb to survey, If thy appearance answer loud report. 1090 Samson. The way to know were not to see, but taste. Harapha. Dost thou already single me? I thought Gyves and the mill had tamed thee. Oh, that fortune Had brought me to the field, where thou art famed To have wrought such wonders with an ass's jaw! 1095 I should have forced thee soon with other arms, Or left thy carcass where the ass lay thrown; So had the glory of prowess been recovered To Palestine, won by a Philistine From the unforeskinned race, of whom thou bear'st 1100 The highest name for valiant acts; that honour, Certain to have won by mortal duel from thee, I lose, prevented by thy eyes put out. Samson. Boast not of what thou would'st have done, but do What then thou would'st; thou seest it in thy hand. 1105 Harapha. To combat with a blind man I disdain, And thou hast need much washing to be touched. Samson. Such usage as your honourable lords Afford me, assassinated and betrayed; Who durst not with their whole united powers 1110 In fight withstand me single and unarmed, Nor in the house with chamber-ambushes Close-banded durst attack me, no, not sleeping, Till they had hired a woman with their gold, Breaking her marriage-faith, to circumvent me. 1115 Therefore, without feigned shifts, let be assigned Some narrow place enclosed, where sight may give thee, Or rather flight, no great advantage on me; Then put on all thy gorgeous arms, thy helmet And brigandine of brass, thy broad habergeon, 1120 Vant-brace and greaves and gauntlet; add thy spear, A weaver's beam, and seven-times-folded shield: I only with an oaken staff will meet thee, And raise such outcries on thy clattered iron, Which long shall not withhold me from thy head, 1125 That in a little time while breath remains thee, Thou oft shalt wish thyself at Gath, to boast Again in safety what thou would'st have done To Samson, but shalt never see Gath more. Harapha. Thou durst not thus disparage glorious arms, 1130 Which greatest heroes have in battle worn, Their ornament and safety, had not spells And black enchantments, some magician's art, Armed thee or charmed thee strong, which thou from Heaven Feign'dst at thy birth was given thee in thy hair, 1135 Where strength can least abide, though all thy hairs Were bristles ranged like those that ridge the back Of chafed wild boars or ruffled porcupines. Samson. I know no spells, use no forbidden arts; My trust is in the Living God, who gave me, 1140 At my nativity, this strength, diffused No less through all my sinews, joints, and bones, Than thine, while I preserved these locks unshorn, The pledge of my unviolated vow. For proof hereof, if Dagon be thy god, 1145 Go to his temple, invocate his aid With solemnest devotion, spread before him How highly it concerns his glory now To frustrate and dissolve these magic spells, Which I to be the power of Israel's God 1150 Avow, and challenge Dagon to the test, Offering to combat thee, his champion bold, With the utmost of his godhead seconded: Then thou shalt see, or rather to thy sorrow Soon feel, whose God is strongest, thine or mine. 1155 Harapha. Presume not on thy God. Whate'er he be, Thee he regards not, owns not, hath cut off Quite from his people, and delivered up Into thy enemies' hand; permitted them To put out both thine eyes, and fettered send thee 1160 Into the common prison, there to grind Among the slaves and asses, thy comrades, As good for nothing else, no better service With those thy boisterous locks; no worthy match For valour to assail, nor by the sword 1165 Of noble warrior, so to stain his honour, But by the barber's razor best subdued. Samson. All these indignities, for such they are From thine, these evils I deserve and more, Acknowledge them from God inflicted on me 1170 Justly, yet despair not of his final pardon, Whose ear is ever open, and his eye Gracious to re-admit the suppliant; In confidence whereof I once again Defy thee to the trial of mortal fight, 1175 By combat to decide whose god is God, Thine, or whom I with Israel's sons adore. Harapha. Fair honour that thou doest thy God, in trusting He will accept thee to defend his cause, A murtherer, a revolter, and a robber! 1180 Samson. Tongue-doughty giant, how dost thou prove me these? Harapha. Is not thy nation subject to our lords? Their magistrates confessed it, when they took thee As a league-breaker, and delivered bound Into our hands: for hadst thou not committed 1185 Notorious murder on those thirty men At Ascalon, who never did thee harm, Then, like a robber, stripp'dst them of their robes? The Philistines, when thou hadst broke the league, Went up with armed powers thee only seeking, 1190 To others did no violence nor spoil. Samson. Among the daughters of the Philistines I chose a wife, which argued me no foe, And in your city held my nuptial feast; But your ill-meaning politician lords, 1195 Under pretence of bridal friends and guests, Appointed to await me thirty spies, Who, threatening cruel death, constrained the bride To wring from me, and tell to them, my secret, That solved the riddle which I had proposed. 1200 When I perceived all set on enmity, As on my enemies, wherever chanced, I used hostility, and took their spoil, To pay my underminers in their coin. My nation was subjected to your lords! 1205 It was the force of conquest; force with force Is well ejected when the conquered can. But I, a private person, whom my country As a league-breaker gave up bound, presumed Single rebellion, and did hostile acts! 1210 I was no private, but a person raised, With strength sufficient, and command from Heaven, To free my country. If their servile minds Me, their deliverer sent, would not receive, But to their masters gave me up for nought, 1215 The unworthier they; whence to this day they serve. I was to do my part from Heaven assigned, And had performed it, if my known offence Had not disabled me, not all your force. These shifts refuted, answer thy appellant, 1220 Though by his blindness maimed for high attempts, Who now defies thee thrice to single fight, As a petty enterprise of small enforce. Harapha. With thee, a man condemned, a slave enrolled, Due by the law to capital punishment? 1225 To fight with thee no man of arms will deign. Samson. Cam'st thou for this, vain boaster, to survey me, To descant on my strength, and give thy verdict? Come nearer; part not hence so slight informed; But take good heed my hand survey not thee. 1230 Harapha. O Baal-zebub! can my ears unused Hear these dishonours, and not render death? Samson. No man withholds thee; nothing from thy hand Fear I incurable; bring up thy van; My heels are fettered, but my fist is free. 1235 Harapha. This insolence other kind of answer fits. Samson. Go, baffled coward, lest I run upon thee, Though in these chains, bulk without spirit vast, And with one buffet lay thy structure low, Or swing thee in the air, then dash thee down, 1240 To the hazard of thy brains and shattered sides. Harapha. By Astaroth, ere long thou shalt lament These braveries in irons loaden on thee. Chorus. His giantship is gone somewhat crest-fallen, Stalking with less unconscionable strides, 1245 And lower looks, but in a sultry chafe. Samson. I dread him not, nor all his giant brood, Though fame divulge him father of five sons, All of gigantic size, Goliah chief. Chorus. He will directly to the lords, I fear, 1250 And with malicious counsel stir them up Some way or other yet further to afflict thee. Samson. He must allege some cause, and offered fight Will not dare mention, lest a question rise Whether he durst accept the offer or not; 1255 And that he durst not plain enough appeared. Much more affliction than already felt They cannot well impose, nor I sustain, If they intend advantage of my labours, The work of many hands, which earns my keeping, 1260 With no small profit daily to my owners. But come what will, my deadliest foe will prove My speediest friend, by death to rid me hence; The worst that he can give, to me the best. Yet so it may fall out, because their end 1265 Is hate, not help to me, it may with mine Draw their own ruin who attempt the deed. Chorus. Oh how comely it is, and how reviving To the spirits of just men long oppressed, When God into the hands of their deliverer 1270 Puts invincible might, To quell the mighty of the earth, the oppressor, The brute and boisterous force of violent men, Hardy and industrious to support. Tyrannic power, but raging to pursue 1275 The righteous, and all such as honour truth! He all their ammunition And feats of war defeats, With plain heroic magnitude of mind And celestial vigour armed; 1280 Their armories and magazines contemns, Renders them useless, while With wingèd expedition Swift as the lightning glance he executes His errand on the wicked, who, surprised, 1285 Lose their defence, distracted and amazed. But patience is more oft the exercise Of saints, the trial of their fortitude, Making them each his own deliverer, And victor over all 1290 That tyranny or fortune can inflict. Either of these is in thy lot, Samson, with might endued Above the sons of men; but sight bereaved May chance to number thee with those 1295 Whom patience finally must crown. This Idol's day hath been to thee no day of rest, Labouring thy mind More than the working day thy hands. And yet perhaps more trouble is behind; 1300 For I descry this way Some other tending; in his hand A sceptre or quaint staff he bears, Comes on amain, speed in his look. By his habit I discern him now 1305 A public officer, and now at hand. His message will be short and voluble. Officer. Ebrews, the prisoner Samson here I seek. Chorus. His manacles remark him; there he sits. Officer. Samson, to thee our lords thus bid me say: 1310 This day to Dagon is a solemn feast, With sacrifices, triumph, pomp, and games; Thy strength they know surpassing human rate, And now some public proof thereof require To honour this great feast, and great assembly. 1315 Rise, therefore, with all speed, and come along, Where I will see thee heartened and fresh clad, To appear as fits before the illustrious lords. Samson. Thou know'st I am an Ebrew; therefore tell them Our Law forbids at their religious rites 1320 My presence; for that cause I cannot come. Officer. This answer, be assured, will not content them. Samson. Have they not sword-players, and every sort Of gymnic artists, wrestlers, riders, runners, Jugglers and dancers, antics, mummers, mimics, 1325 But they must pick me out, with shackles tired, And over-laboured at their public mill, To make them sport with blind activity? Do they not seek occasion of new quarrels, On my refusal, to distress me more, 1330 Or make a game of my calamities? Return the way thou cam'st; I will not come. Officer. Regard thyself; this will offend them highly. Samson. Myself? my conscience and internal peace. Can they think me so broken, so debased 1335 With corporal servitude, that my mind ever Will condescend to such absurd commands? Although their drudge, to be their fool or jester, And, in my midst of sorrow and heart-grief, To show them feats, and play before their god— 1340 The worst of all indignities, yet on me Joined with extreme contempt! I will not come. Officer. My message was imposed on me with speed, Brooks no delay: is this thy resolution? Samson. So take it with what speed thy message needs. 1345 Officer. I am sorry what this stoutness will produce. Samson. Perhaps thou shalt have cause to sorrow indeed. Chorus. Consider, Samson; matters now are strained Up to the highth, whether to hold or break. He's gone, and who knows how he may report 1350 Thy words by adding fuel to the flame? Expect another message more imperious, More lordly thundering than thou well wilt bear. Samson. Shall I abuse this consecrated gift Of strength, again returning with my hair 1355 After my great transgression? so requite Favour renewed, and add a greater sin By prostituting holy things to idols, A Nazarite, in place abominable, Vaunting my strength in honour to their Dagon? 1360 Besides how vile, contemptible, ridiculous, What act more execrably unclean, profane? Chorus. Yet with this strength thou serv'st the Philistines, Idolatrous, uncircumcised, unclean. Samson. Not in their idol-worship, but by labour 1365 Honest and lawful to deserve my food Of those who have me in their civil power. Chorus. Where the heart joins not, outward acts defile not. Samson. Where outward force constrains, the sentence holds. But who constrains me to the temple of Dagon, 1370 Not dragging? the Philistian lords command: Commands are no constraints. If I obey them, I do it freely, venturing to displease God for the fear of man, and man prefer, Set God behind; which, in his jealousy, 1375 Shall never, unrepented, find forgiveness. Yet that he may dispense with me, or thee, Present in temples at idolatrous rites For some important cause, thou need'st not doubt. Chorus. How thou wilt here come off surmounts my reach. 1380 Samson. Be of good courage; I begin to feel Some rousing motions in me, which dispose To something extraordinary my thoughts. I with this messenger will go along, Nothing to do, be sure, that may dishonour 1385 Our Law, or stain my vow of Nazarite. If there be aught of presage in the mind, This day will be remarkable in my life By some great act, or of my days the last. Chorus. In time thou hast resolved: the man returns. 1390 Officer. Samson, this second message from our lords To thee I am bid say: Art thou our slave, Our captive, at the public mill our drudge, And dar'st thou, at our sending and command, Dispute thy coming? Come without delay; 1395 Or we shall find such engines to assail And hamper thee, as thou shalt come of force, Though thou wert firmlier fastened than a rock. Samson. I could be well content to try their art, Which to no few of them would prove pernicious; 1400 Yet, knowing their advantages too many, Because they shall not trail me through their streets Like a wild beast, I am content to go. —Masters' commands come with a power resistless To such as owe them absolute subjection; 1405 And for a life who will not change his purpose? So mutable are all the ways of men.— Yet this be sure, in nothing to comply Scandalous or forbidden in our Law. Officer. I praise thy resolution. Doff these links: 1410 By this compliance thou wilt win the lords To favour, and perhaps to set thee free. Samson. Brethren, farewell. Your company along I will not wish, lest it perhaps offend them To see me girt with friends; and how the sight 1415 Of me as of a common enemy, So dreaded once, may now exasperate them, I know not. Lords are lordliest in their wine; And the well-feasted priest then soonest fired With zeal, if aught religion seem concerned; 1420 No less the people, on their holy-days, Impetuous, insolent, unquenchable. Happen what may, of me expect to hear Nothing dishonourable, impure, unworthy Our God, our Law, my nation, or myself; 1425 The last of me or no I cannot warrant. Chorus. Go, and the Holy One Of Israel be thy guide To what may serve his glory best, and spread his name Great among the Heathen round; 1430 Send thee the Angel of thy birth, to stand Fast by thy side, who from thy father's field Rode up in flames after his message told Of thy conception, and be now a shield Of fire; that Spirit, that first rushed on thee 1435 In the camp of Dan, Be efficacious in thee now at need! For never was from Heaven imparted Measure of strength so great to mortal seed, As in thy wondrous actions hath been seen. 1440 But wherefore comes old Manoa in such haste With youthful steps? much livelier than ere while He seems: supposing here to find his son, Or of him bringing to us some glad news? Manoa. Peace with you, brethren! My inducement hither 1445 Was not at present here to find my son, By order of the lords new parted hence To come and play before them at their feast. I heard all as I came; the city rings, And numbers thither flock; I had no will, 1450 Lest I should see him forced to things unseemly. But that which moved my coming now, was chiefly To give ye part with me what hope I have With good success to work his liberty. Chorus. That hope would much rejoice us to partake 1455 With thee. Say, reverend sire; we thirst to hear. Manoa. 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 prisoner. 1460 Some much averse I found, and wondrous harsh, Contemptuous, proud, set on revenge and spite; That part most reverenced 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 More generous far and civil, who confessed They had enough revenged, having reduced Their foe to misery beneath their fears; The rest was magnanimity to remit, 1470 If some convenient ransom were proposed. What noise or shout was that? it tore the sky. Chorus. Doubtless the people shouting to behold Their once great dread, captive and blind before them, Or at some proof of strength before them shown. 1475 Manoa. His ransom, if my whole inheritance May compass it, shall willingly be paid And numbered down. Much rather I shall choose To live the poorest in my tribe, than richest, And he in that calamitous prison left. 1480 No, I am fixed not to part hence without him. For his redemption all my patrimony, If need be, I am ready to forgo And quit. Not wanting him, I shall want nothing. Chorus. Fathers are wont to lay up for their sons; 1485 Thou for thy son art bent to lay out all; Sons wont to nurse their parents in old age, Thou in old age car'st how to nurse thy son, Made older than thy age through eye-sight lost. Manoa. It shall be my delight to tend his eyes, 1490 And view him sitting in the house, ennobled With all those high exploits by him achieved, And on his shoulders waving down those locks That of a nation armed the strength contained. And I persuade me, God had not permitted 1495 His strength again to grow up with his hair Garrisoned 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. And since his strength with eye-sight was not lost, God will restore him eye-sight to his strength. Chorus. Thy hopes are not ill founded, nor seem vain, Of his delivery, and thy joy thereon 1505 Conceived, agreeable to a father's love, In both which we, as next, participate. Manoa. I know your friendly minds and . . . oh, what noise! Mercy of Heaven! what hideous noise was that? Horribly loud, unlike the former shout. 1510 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. 1515 Oh, it continues; they 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? 1520 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? The sufferers then will scarce molest us here; 1525 From other hands we need not much to fear. What if, his eye-sight (for to Israel's God Nothing is hard) by miracle restored, He now be dealing dole among his foes, And over heaps of slaughtered walk his way? 1530 Manoa. That were a joy presumptuous to be thought. Chorus. Yet God hath wrought things as incredible For his people of old; what hinders now? Manoa. He can, I know, but doubt to think he will; Yet hope would fain subscribe, and tempts belief. 1535 A little stay will bring some notice hither. Chorus. 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— An Ebrew, as I guess, and of our tribe. 1540 Messenger. Oh, whither shall I run, or which way fly The sight of this so horrid spectacle, Which erst my eyes beheld, and yet behold? For dire imagination still pursues me. But providence or instinct of nature seems, 1545 Or reason, though disturbed, and scarce consulted, To have guided me aright, I know not how, To thee first, reverend Manoa, and to these My countrymen, whom here I knew remaining, As at some distance from the place of horror, 1550 So in the sad event too much concerned. Manoa. The accident was loud, and here before thee With rueful cry; yet what it was we hear not. No preface needs, thou seest we long to know. Messenger. It would burst forth; but I recover breath, 1555 And sense distract, to know well what I utter. Manoa. 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 1560 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 1565 To utter what will come at last too soon, Lest evil tidings, with too rude irruption Hitting thy aged ear, should pierce too deep. Manoa. Suspense in news is torture; speak them out. Messenger. Take then the worst in brief: Samson is dead. 1570 Manoa. The worst indeed! oh, all my hope's defeated To free him hence! but Death who sets all free Hath paid his ransom now and full discharge. What windy joy this day had I conceived, Hopeful of his delivery, which now proves 1575 Abortive as the first-born bloom of spring Nipt with the lagging rear of winter's frost! Yet, ere I give the reins to grief, say first How died he; death to life is crown or shame. All by him fell, thou say'st; by whom fell he? 1580 What glorious hand gave Samson his death's wound? Messenger. Unwounded of his enemies he fell. Manoa. Wearied with slaughter, then, or how? explain. Messenger. By his own hands. Manoa. Self-violence? what cause Brought him so soon at variance with himself 1585 Among his foes? Messenger. Inevitable cause— At once both to destroy and be destroyed. The edifice, where all were met to see him, Upon their heads and on his own he pulled. Manoa. Oh, lastly over-strong against thyself! 1590 A dreadful way thou took'st to thy revenge. More than enough we know; but, while things yet Are in confusion, give us, if thou canst, Eye-witness of what first or last was done, Relation more particular and distinct. 1595 Messenger. Occasions drew me early to this city, And, as the gates I entered with sun-rise, The morning trumpets festival proclaimed Through each high street. Little I had dispatched, When all abroad was rumoured that this day 1600 Samson should be brought forth, to show the people Proof of his mighty strength in feats and games. I sorrowed at his captive state, but minded Not to be absent at that spectacle. The building was a spacious theatre, 1605 Half-round, on two main pillars vaulted high, With seats where all the lords, and each degree Of sort, might sit in order to behold; The other side was open, where the throng On banks and scaffolds under sky might stand; 1610 I among these aloof obscurely stood. The feast and noon grew high, and sacrifice Had filled their hearts with mirth, high cheer, and wine, When to their sports they turned. Immediately Was Samson as a public servant brought, 1615 In their state livery clad; before him pipes And timbrels; on each side went armèd guards, Both horse and foot; before him and behind Archers and slingers, cataphracts and spears. At sight of him the people with a shout 1620 Rifted the air, clamouring their god with praise, Who had made their dreadful enemy their thrall. He, patient but undaunted where they led him, Came to the place; and what was set before him, Which without help of eye might be assayed, 1625 To heave, pull, draw, or break, he still performed All with incredible, stupendious force, None daring to appear antagonist. At length, for intermission sake, they led him Between the pillars; he his guide requested 1630 (For so from such as nearer stood we heard), As over-tired, to let him lean a while With both his arms on those two massy pillars, That to the archèd roof gave main support. He unsuspicious led him; which when Samson 1635 Felt in his arms, with head a while inclined, And eyes fast fixed, he stood, as one who prayed, Or some great matter in his mind revolved. At last, with head erect, thus cried aloud: 'Hitherto, Lords, what your commands imposed 1640 I have performed, as reason was, obeying, Not without wonder or delight beheld; Now of my own accord such other trial I mean to show you of my strength, yet greater, As with amaze shall strike all who behold.' 1645 This uttered, straining all his nerves, he bowed; As with the force of winds and waters pent When mountains tremble, those two massy pillars With horrible convulsion to and fro He tugged, he shook, till down they came, and drew 1650 The whole roof after them, with burst of thunder, Upon the heads of all who sat beneath, Lords, ladies, captains, counsellors, or priests, Their choice nobility and flower, not only Of this, but each Philistian city round, 1655 Met from all parts to solemnize this feast. Samson, with these immixed, inevitably Pulled down the same destruction on himself; The vulgar only scaped, who stood without. Chorus. Oh, dearly-bought revenge, yet glorious! 1660 Living or dying thou hast fulfilled The work for which thou wast foretold To Israel, and now liest victorious Among thy slain self-killed; Not willingly, but tangled in the fold 1665 Of dire Necessity, whose law in death conjoined Thee with thy slaughtered foes, in number more Than all thy life had slain before. Semichorus. While their hearts were jocund and sublime, Drunk with idolatry, drunk with wine, 1670 And fat regorged of bulls and goats, Chaunting their idol, and preferring Before our living Dread, who dwells In Silo, his bright sanctuary, Among them he a spirit of phrenzy sent, 1675 Who hurt their minds, And urged them on with mad desire To call in haste for their destroyer. They, only set on sport and play, Unweetingly importuned 1680 Their own destruction to come speedy upon them. So fond are mortal men, Fallen into wrath divine, As their own ruin on themselves to invite, Insensate left, or to sense reprobate, 1685 And with blindness internal struck. Semichorus. But he, though blind of sight, Despised, and thought extinguished quite, With inward eyes illuminated, His fiery virtue roused 1690 From under ashes into sudden flame, And as an evening dragon came, Assailant on the perchèd roosts And nests in order ranged Of tame villatic fowl, but as an eagle 1695 His cloudless thunder bolted on their heads. So Virtue, given for lost, Depressed and overthrown, as seemed, Like that self-begotten bird, In the Arabian woods embost, 1700 That no second knows nor third, And lay erewhile a holocaust, From out her ashy womb now teemed, Revives, reflourishes, then vigorous most When most unactive deemed; 1705 And, though her body die, her fame survives, A secular bird, ages of lives. Manoa. Come, come; no time for lamentation now, Nor much more cause. Samson hath quit himself Like Samson, and heroicly hath finished 1710 A life heroic, on his enemies Fully revenged; hath left them years of mourning, And lamentation to the sons of Caphtor Through all Philistian bounds; to Israel Honour hath left and freedom, let but them 1715 Find courage to lay hold on this occasion; To himself and father's house eternal fame; And, which is best and happiest yet, all this With God not parted from him, as was feared, But favouring and assisting to the end. 1720 Nothing is here for tears, nothing to wail Or knock the breast; no weakness, no contempt, Dispraise, or blame; nothing but well and fair, And what may quiet us in a death so noble. Let us go find the body where it lies 1725 Soaked in his enemies' blood, and from the stream With lavers pure, and cleansing herbs, wash off The clotted gore. I, with what speed the while (Gaza is not in plight to say us nay), Will send for all my kindred, all my friends, 1730 To fetch him hence, and solemnly attend, With silent obsequy and funeral train, Home to his father's house. There will I build him A monument, and plant it round with shade Of laurel ever green, and branching palm, 1735 With all his trophies hung, and acts enrolled In copious legend, or sweet lyric song. Thither shall all the valiant youth resort, And from his memory inflame their breasts To matchless valour, and adventures high; 1740 The virgins also shall, on feastful days, Visit his tomb with flowers, only bewailing His lot unfortunate in nuptial choice, From whence captivity and loss of eyes. Chorus. All is best, though we oft doubt, 1745 What the unsearchable dispose Of Highest Wisdom brings about, And ever best found in the close. Oft He seems to hide his face, But unexpectedly returns, 1750 And to his faithful champion hath in place Bore witness gloriously; whence Gaza mourns, And all that band them to resist His uncontrollable intent. His servants He, with new acquist 1755 Of true experience from this great event, With peace and consolation hath dismissed, And calm of mind, all passion spent.