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Samson Agonistes · Samson Agonistes

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  Preface to Samson Agonistes. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are
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  in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox
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  dot org. Recording by Martin Geeson. Samson Agonistes by John Milton, the
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  preface of that sort of dramatic poem which is called Tragedy. Tragedy, as
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  it was anciently composed, hath been ever held the gravest moralist and most profitable
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  of all other poems. Therefore said by Aristotle to be of power by raising
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  pity and fear or terror, to purge the mind of those and such like
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  passions, that is, to temper and reduce them, to just measure with
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  a kind of delight stirred up by reading or seeing those passions well imitated.
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  Nor is nature wanting in her own effects to make good his assertion. For
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  so in physic things of melancholic hue and quality are used against melancholy sour,
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  against sour salt, to remove salt humors. Hence, philosophers and other gravest
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  writers, as Cicero, Plutarch, and others, frequently cite out of tragic
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  poets both to adorn and illustrate their discourse. The apostle Paul himself thought it
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  not unworthy to insert a verse of unipides into the text of Holy Scripture One
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  Corinthians, Chapter fifteen, verse thirty three, and Paaus, commenting on the
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  revelation, divides the whole book as a tragedy into acts, distinguished each by
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  a chorus of heavenly harpings and song. Between here two four men in highest
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  dignity have labored not a little to be thought able to compose a tragedy of
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  that honor. Dionysius the Elder was no less ambitious than before of his attaining
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  to the tyranny. Augustus Caesar also had begun his ajax, but unable to
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  please his own judgment with what he had begun, left it unfinished. Seneca
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  the philosopher is by some thought the author of those tragedies, at least the
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  best of them that go under that name. Gregory Natziansen, a father of
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  the church, thought it not unbeseeming the sanctity of his person to write a
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  tragedy, which he entitled Christ Suffering. This is mentioned to vindicate tragedy from
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  the small esteem, or rather infamy which in the account of many it undergoes
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  at this day with other common interludes happening through the poets error of intermixing comic
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  stuff with tragic sadness and gravity, or introducing trivial and vulgar persons, which
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  by all judicious hath been counted absurd and brought in without discretion corruptly to gratify
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  the people. And though ancient tragedy, use no prologue, yet using sometimes
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  in case of self defense or explanation, that which Marshal calls an epistle in
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  behalf of this tragedy coming forth after the ancient manner, much different from what
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  among us passes for best. Thus, much beforehand may be epistled that chorus
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  is here introduced after the Greek manner, not ancient only, but modern and
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  still in use among the Italians. In the modeling therefore of this poem,
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  with good reason, the Ancients and Italians are rather followed as of much more
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  authority and fame. The measure of verse used in the chorus is of all
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  sorts called by the Greeks monostrophic or rather apoleluminon without regard had to strophe and
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  dystrophe, or epart which were a kind of stanzas framed only for the music
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  then used with the chorus that sung not essential to the poem, and therefore
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  not material. Or being divided into stanzas or pauses, they may be called
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  aliostropha. Division into act and scene, referring chiefly to the stage to which
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  this work never was intended, is here omitted. It suffices if the whole
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  drama be found not produced beyond the fifth act of the style and uniformity,
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  and that commonly called the plot, whether intricate or explicit, which is nothing,
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  indeed, but such economy or disposition of the fable as may stand best
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  with very similitude and decorum. They only will best judge who are not unacquainted
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  with Esculus, Sophocles, and Euripides, the three tragic poets unequaled yet by
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  any and the best rule to all who endeavor to write tragedy. The circumscription
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  of time, wherein the whole drama begins and ends, is, according to
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  ancient rule and best example, within the space of twenty four hours. The
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  argument Sampson made captive, blind and now in the prison at Gaza, there
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  to labor as in a common workhouse on a festival day, in the general
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  cessation from labor, comes forth into the open air to a place nigh somewhat
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  retired, there to sit awhile and bemoan his condition, where he happens at
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  length to be visited by certain friends and equals of his tribe, which make
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  the chorus, who seek to comfort him what they can. Then by his
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  old father man Noah, who endeavors the like and withal tells him his purpose
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  to procure his liberty by ransom. Lastly that this feast was proclaimed by the
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  Philistines as a day of thanksgiving for their deliverance from the hands of Sampson,
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  which yet more troubles him. Manoah then departs to prosecute his endeavor with the
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  Philistian lords for Samson's redemption, who, in the meanwhile is visited by other
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  persons, and lastly by a public officer to require coming to the feast before
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  the lords and people to play or show his strength in their presence. He
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  at first refuses, dismissing the public off with absolute denial to come. At
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  length, persuaded inwardly that this was from God, he yields to go along
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  with him, who came now the second time, with great threatenings to fetch
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  him. The chorus, yet remaining on the place, Manah returns, full
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  of joyful hope, to procure ere long his son's deliverance. In the midst
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  of which discourse an ebrew comes in haste, confusedly at first, and afterward
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  more distinctly, relating the catastrophe what Samson had done to the Philistines, and
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  by accident to himself. Wherewith the tragedy ends the purse Samson, Manoah,
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  the father of Samson, Dalilah, his wife, Arafa of Gath, public
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  officer messenger, Chorus of Danit, end of the preface recording by Martin Geeson
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  in Hazelmere, Surrey, Section one, The scene before the prison in Gaza,
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  Samson the chorus, A little onward, lend thy guiding hand to these
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  dark steps. A little further on for yonder bank, hath choice of sun
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  or shade. There I am wont to sit when any chance relieves me from
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  my task of servile toil daily in the common prison. Else enjoin'd me,
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  where I a prisoner, chain'd scarce freely draw the air imprisoned also close and
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  damp unwholesome draft. But here I feel amends, the breath of heaven,
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  fresh, blowing, pure and sweet with day spring born. Here leave me
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  to respire this day a solemn feast. The people hold to dug on their
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  sea idol and forbid laborious works unwillingly. This rest, their superstition, yields
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  me. Hence, with leave, retiring from the popular noise, I seek
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  this unfrequented place to find some ease, ease to the body, some none
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  to the mind, from restless thoughts that, like a deadly swarm of hornets
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  armed no sooner found alone, but rush upon me thronging and present times past.
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  What once I was? And what am now? Oh? Wherefore was
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  my birth from heaven? Foretold twice by an angel who, at last,
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  in sight of both my parents, all in fla lames ascended from off the
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  altar, where an offering burn'd as in a fiery column, charioting his godlike
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  presence, and from some great act or benefit reveal'd to Abraham's race. Why
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  was my breeding ordered and prescrib'd as of a person separate to God design'd for
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  great exploits? If I must die betrayed captiv'd and both my eyes put out,
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  made of my enemies, the scorn and gaze to grind in brazen fetters
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  und a task with this heaven gifted strength, Oh, glorious strength, put
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  to the labor of a beast debased lower than slave. Promise was that I
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  should Israel from Filistian yoke, deliver. Ask for this great deliverer now and
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  find him eyeless in Gaza at the mill with slaves, himself in bonds under
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  Philistian yoke. Yet stay, Let me not rashly call in doubt divine prediction.
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  What if all foretold had been fulfill'd but through mine own default? Whom
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  have I to complain of but myself? Who this high gift of strength committed
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  to me in what part lodg'd, how easily bereft me under the seal of
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  silence, could not keep but weakly to a woman must reveal it or come
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  with importunity and tears, Oh impotence of mind in body strong? But what
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  is strength without a double share of wisdom? Vast, unwieldy, burdensome,
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  proudly secure, yet liable to fall by weakest subtleties, not made to rule
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  but to subserve, Where wisdom bears command God, when he gave me strength,
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  to show withal how slight the gift was hung it in my hair.
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  But peace, I must not quarrel with the will of highest dispensation, which
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  herein haply had ends above my reach. To know suffices that to me strength
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  is my bane, and proves the source of all my miseries, so many
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  and so huge, that each a part would ask a life to wail.
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  But chief of all, oh, loss of sight of thee I most complain.
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  Blind among enemies, Oh, worse than chains, dungeon, or beggary
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  or decrepit age. Light, the prime work of God to me is extinct,
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  and all her various objects of delight a gnault which might impart my grief.
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  Have EA's inferior to the vilest now become of man or worm the violest
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  here excel me, they creep, Yet see aye dark in light, exposed
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  to daily fraud, contempt, abuse, and wrong within doors or without,
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  still as a fool in power of others. Never in my own scarce.
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  Half I seem to live dead more than half. Oh dark dark, dark,
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  amid the blaze of noon, irrecoverably dark, total eclipse, without all
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  hope of day, Oh first created beam, and thou great word, let
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  there be light and light over all? Why am I thus bereav'd thy prime
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  decree? The sun to me is dark and silent, as the moon when
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  she deserts the night hid in her vacant interlunar cave. Since light so necessary
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  is to life, and almost life itself. If it be true that light
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  is in the soul, she all in every part, Why was the sight
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  to such a tender ball as the eye confin'd, so obvious and so easy
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  to be quench'd, and not as feeling through all parts diffus'd that she might
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  look at will, through every pore. Then had I not been thus exil'd
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  from light, as in the land of darkness, yet in light to live
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  a life half dead, a living death, and buried, But oh yet
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  more miserable myself, my sepulcher, a moving grave, buried, yet not
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  exempt by privilege of death and burial from worst of other evils, pains and
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  wrongs, but made hereby obnoxious more to all the miseries of life, life
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  in captivity among inhuman foes. But who are these? For with joint pace
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  I hear the tread of many feet steering this way, Perhaps my enemies who
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  come to stare at my affliction, and perhaps to insult their daily practice,
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  to afflict me more. This this is he, softly awhile let us not
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  break in upon him. Oh, change beyond report, thought or belief.
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  See how he lies at random, carelessly, diffus'd with languish'd head, unpropp'd
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  as one past hope, abandon'd, and by himself given over in slavish habit,
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  ill fitted weeds or worn and soil'd. What do my eyes misrepresent?
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  Can this be he that heroic that renown'd irresistible sampson, whom, unarm'd,
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  no strength of man, or the fiercest wild beast could withstand, who tore
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  the lion as the lion tears the kid ran on embattled armies clad in iron
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  and weaponless himself made arms ridiculous, useless, the forgery of brazen shield and
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  spear, the hammered cuirass, chalybean temper'd steel, and frock of mail Adamantean
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  proof. But safest he who stood aloof when insupportably his foot advanced in scorn
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  of their proud arms and warlike tools, spanned them to death, by troops.
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  The bold Ascalonite fled from his lion. Ramp old warriors turned their plated
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  backs under his heel, or groveling soil'd their crested helmets in the dust.
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  Then with what trivial weapon came to hand the jaw of a dead ass,
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  his sword of bone. A thousand foreskins fell the flower of Palestine in ramath
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  Lechi, famous to this day. Then by main force pull'd up and on
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  his shoulders bore the gates of Aza Post and massy Bah up to the hill
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  by hebron seat of giants, oul'd no journey of a sabbath day, and
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  loaded so like whom the gentiles fagin to bear up heav'n which shall I first
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  bewail thy bondage or lost sight? Prison within prison inseparably dark thou art become
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  o worst imprisonment, the dungeon of thyself, thy soul, which men enjoying
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  sight oft without course complain imprison'd. Now indeed, in real darkness of the
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  body dwells shut up from outward light to incorporate with gloomy night, For inward
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  light alas puts forth no visual beam o mirror of our fickle state. Since
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  man on earth unparallel'd the rarer thy example stands by how much from the top
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  of wondrous glory, strong guest of mortal men, to lowest pitch of abject
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  fortune, thou art fallen for him? I reckon not in high estate whom
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  long descent of birth or the sphere of fortune raises. But thee whose strength,
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  while virtue was her mate, might have subdu'd thee Earth universally crown'd with
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  highest praises. I hear the sound of words their sense. The air dissolves
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  unjointed. Ere it reach my ear? He speaks. Let us draw nigh
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  much less in might the glory late of Israel. Now the grief we come
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  thy friends and neighbors not are known from Estal and Zora's fruitful veil to visit
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  or bewail thee, or if better counsel or consolation, we may bring salve
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  to thy sores. Apt words have power to suage the tumors of a troubled
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  mind, and are as balm to festered wounds. End of Section one,
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  Section two, Samson. The chorus your coming Friends revives me, for I
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  learn now of my own experience, not by talk, how counterfeit a coin.
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  They are, who friends bear in their superscription of the most I would
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  understood. In prosperous days they swarm, but in adverse withdraw their head,
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  not to be found those sought we see, o, friends, how many
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  evils having closed me round? Yet that which was the worst now least afflicts
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  me blindness? For had I sight confused with shame, how could I once
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  look up or heave the head, Who, like a foolish pilot, have
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  shipwreck'd my vessel trusted to me from above, gloriously rigg'd, and for a
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  word a tear fool have divulged the secret gift of God to a deceitful woman.
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  Tell me, friends, am I not sung and proverbed for a fool
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  in every street? Do they not say? How well are come upon him
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  his deserts? Yet why immeasurable strength they might behold in me of wisdom?
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  Nothing more than mean this with the other. Should at least have pair'd these
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  two proportioned ill drove me transverse tax not divine disposal. Wisest men have erred
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  and by bad women been deceived, and shall again pretend they ne'er so wise
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  deject not then so overmuch thyself, who hast of sorrow thy full load.
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  Besides, yet truth to say, I have oft heard men wonder why thou
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  shouldst wed Felstian women, rather than of thine own tribe, fairer or as
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  fair at least of thy own nation, and as noble. The first I
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  saw at Tymna, and she pleased me. Not my parents that I sought
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  to wed the daughter of an infidel. They knew, not that what I
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  motioned was of God. I knew from intimate impulse, and therefore urg'd the
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  marriage on that by occasion, hence I might begin Israel's deliverance, the work
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  to which I was divinely called. She proving false. The next I took
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  to wife, Oh that I never had fond wish too late, was in
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  the veil of Sorek Dullillah, that speecious monster my accomplish'd snare. I thought
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  it lawful from my former act, and the same end, still watching to
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  oppress Israel's oppressors. Of what now I suffer. She was not the prime
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  cause, but I myself, who vanquish'd with a peal of words, Oh,
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  weakness, gave up my thought of silence to a woman in seeking just
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  occasion to provoke the Philistine thy country's enemy. Thou never wast remiss, I
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  hear thee witness, Yet Israel still serves with all his sons at fault.
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  I take not on me, but transfer on Israel's governess and heads of tribes,
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  who, seeing those great acts which God had done singly by me against
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  their conquerors, acknowledg'd not or not at all consider'd deliverance offer'd. I,
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  on the other side, used no ambition to commend my deeds. The deeds
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  themselves, though mute, spoke loud the doer, but they persisted death and
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  would not seem to count them things worth notice, till at length their lords
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  the Philistines, with gather'd powers, entered Judea, seeking me, who,
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  then, safe to the rock of Etham, was returned, tired, not
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  flying, but forecasting in what place to set upon them, what advantag'd best.
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  Meanwhile, the men of Judah, to prevent the harass of their land,
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  beset me round I willingly. On some conditions came into their hands,
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  and they as gladly yield me to the uncircumcis'd a welcome prey bound with two
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  cords. P cords to me were threads touch'd with the flame on their whole
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  host. I flew unarm'd, and with a trivial weapon fell'd their choicest youth.
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  They only lived who fled, had Judah that day join'd or won the
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  whole tribe they had by this possess'd the towers of Gath, and lauded over
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  them, whom now they serve. But what more oft in nations grown corrupt
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  and by their vices brought to servitude than to love bondage more than liberty,
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  bondage with ease than strenuous liberty. And to despise, or envy or suspect
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  whom God Hath of his special favor rais'd as their deliverer, if he ought
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  to begin, how frequent, to desert him, and at last to heap
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  ingratitude on worthiest deeds. Thy words to my remembrance bring how succorth and the
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  thought of Penuel their great deliverer, contemnd the matchless Gideon in pursuit of Aladian
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  and her vanquish'd kings, And how ingrateful Ephraim not worse than, by his
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  shield and spear, had dealt with Jephtha, who by argument defended Israel from
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  the Ammonite, had not his prowess quell'd their pride in that sore battle,
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  when so many died without reprieve adjudg'd to death for want of well pronouncing shibboleth.
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  Of such examples add me to the role me easily. Indeed mine may
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  neglect, but God's proposed deliverance. Not so just are the ways of God
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  and justifiable to men, unless they be who think not God at all,
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  If any be, they walk obscure, for of such doctrine, never was
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  their school but the heart of the fool, And no man therein doctor but
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  himself. Yet more there be who doubt his ways, not just as to
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  his own edicts found contradicting, than give the reins to wandering thought, regardless
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  of his glory's diminution, Till by their own perplexities involv'd they ravel more,
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  still less resolv'd, but never find self satisfying solution, as if they would
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  confine the interminable and tie him to his own prescript. Who made our laws
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  to bind us, not himself, and hath full right to exempt whomso it
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  pleases him by choice, from national obstriction without taint of sin or legal debt.
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  For with his own laws he can best dispense. He would not else
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  who never wanted means, nor in respect of the enemy just cause to set
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  his people free, have prompted this heroic Nazarite, against his vow of strictest
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  purity, to seek in marriage that fallacious bride unclean unchaste down reason then at
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  least vain reasonings down The reason hereover that moral verded quits her of unclean unchaste
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  was subsequent her stain, not his is. But see here comes thy reverend
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  sire, with careful steps, locks white as down, Old Man Noah,
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  advise forthwith how thou oughtest to receive him? Ay me another inward grief awaked
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  with mention of that name, renews the assault end of Section two, Section
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  three, Man Noah, Chorus, Samson, Brethren and men of Dane,
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  For such she seem though in this uncouth place, if old respect, as
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  I suppose towards your once gloried friend, my son now captive, hither hath
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  inform'd your younger feet, while mine cast back with age came lagging after,
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  say if he be here as signal now in low dejected state, as asked
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  in highest, behold him where he lies? Oh, miserable change? Is
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  this the man that invincible samson far renown'd the dread of Israel's foes, who,
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  with a strength equivalent to angels, walk'd their streets, none offering fight,
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  whose single combatant duel'd their armies, rank'd in proud array himself an army
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  now unequal match to save himself against a coward arm'd at one spear's length.
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  Oh, ever, failing trust in mortal strength, and o what not in
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  man deceivable and vain? Nay what thing God pray'd for, but often proves
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  our woe? Our bane, I pray'd for children, and thought barrenness in
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  wedlock a reproach I gain'd a son, and such a son as all men
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  hail'd me happy? Who would be now a father in my stead? Oh?
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  Wherefore did God grant me my request? And as a blessing with such
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  pomp adorn'd? Why are his gifts desirable to tempt our earnest prayers? Then
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  given with solemn hand as graces draw a scorpion's tail behind? For this did
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  the angel twice dessent? For this ordain'd thy nature, holy as of a
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  plant, select and sacred, glorious for a while the miracle of men.
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  Then in an hour ensnar'd assalted, overcome, lead bound thy foe's derision,
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  captive, poor and blind into a dungeon, thrust to work with slaves.
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  Alas methinks, whom God hath chosen once to worthy a deed, if he
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  through frailty er, he should not so awe whealm, and as a thrall
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  subject him to so foul indignities. Be it but for honor's sake of former
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  deeds, a point not heavenly disposition. Father, Nothing of all these evils
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  hath befallen me, but justly I myself have brought them on sole author,
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  I sole cause, if aught seem vile, as vile hath been my folly,
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  who hath profan'd the mystery of God given me under pledge of vow,
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  and have betrayed it to a woman, a Canaanite, my faithless enemy.
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  This well I knew, nor was it all surprised, but warned by oft
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  experience, did not she of Timner first betray me and revealed the secret rested
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  from me in her heights of nuptial love, professed, carrying it straight to
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  them who had corrupted her my spies and rivals. In this other was there
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  found more faith, who, also, in her prime of love spousal embraces
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  viciated with gold, though offered only by the scent conceiv'd her spurious first born
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  treason against me. Thrice she essayed, with flattering prayers and sighs and amorous
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  reproaches to win from me my capital secret, in what part my strength lay
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  stored, in what parts summ'd that she might know? Thrice I deluded her
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  and turn'd to sport her importunity, each time perceiving how openly and with what
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  impudence she purpos'd to betray me, and which was worse than undissembl'd hate,
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  with what contempt she sought to make me traitor to myself. Yet the fourth
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  time, when mustering all her wiles with blandish'd parleys, feminine assaults tongue batteries,
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  she surceas'd not day nor night to storm me, over watch'd and wearied
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  out. At times when men seek most repose and rest, I yielded and
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  unlock'd all my heart, who, with a grain of manhood, well resolved
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  might easily have shook off all her snares, But foul effeminacy help me yoked
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  her bond slave oh indignity, a blot to honor and religion. Servile mind
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  rewarded well with servile punishment. The base degree to which I now am fallen
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  these rags. This grinding is not yet so base as was my former servitude,
• 43:44
  ignoble, unmanly, ignominious, infamous, true slavery, and that blindness
• 43:53
  worse than this, that saw not how degenerate I serv'd. I cannot praise
• 44:05
  thy marriage choices, son rather approv'd them not, But thou didst plead divine
• 44:14
  impulsion, prompting how thou mightst find some occasion to infest our foes. I
• 44:22
  state not that this I am sure our foes found soon occasion thereby to make
• 44:31
  THEE their captive and their triumph. Thou, the sooner temptation foundst or overpotent
• 44:42
  charms to violate the sacred trust of silence deposited within THEE, which to have
• 44:50
  kept tacit was in thy power, true, and thou hearest enough and more
• 44:59
  the burden of that fault bitterly hast Thou paid, and still art paying that
• 45:07
  rigid score. A worse thing yet remains this day. The Philistines a popular
• 45:16
  feast here, celebrate in Gaza, and proclaim great pomp and sacrifice and praises
• 45:27
  loud to Dargon as their God, who hath deliver'd thee Samson bound and blind
• 45:36
  into their hands them out of Thine who slewest them many a slain, so
• 45:45
  Dagon shall be magnified and God, besides whom is no God compar'd with idols,
• 45:54
  disglorifi'd, blasphemed, and had in scorn by the idolatrous rout amidst their
• 46:02
  wine, which to have come to pass by means of THEE Samson. Of
• 46:10
  all thy sufferings, think the heaviest of all, reproach the most with shame
• 46:19
  that ever could have befallen thee and thy father's house Father. I do acknowledge
• 46:29
  and confess that I this honor, I this pomp, have brought to Dagon
• 46:36
  and advanced his praises high among the heathen round to God, have brought dishonor
• 46:45
  obloqui and OpEd the mouths of idolists and atheists, have brought scandal to Israel,
• 46:53
  diffidence of God and doubt in feeble hearts pence enough before to waver or
• 47:02
  fall off and join with idols. Which is my chief affliction, shame and
• 47:10
  sorrow, the anguish of my soul that suffers not mine eye to harbor,
• 47:16
  sleep, or thoughts to rest. This only hope relieves me that the strife
• 47:27
  with me hath end all. The contest is now TwixT God and Dagon.
• 47:36
  Dargon hath presumed me overthrown to enter lists with God his deity, comparing and
• 47:45
  preferring before the God of Abraham. He he sure will not connive or linger
• 47:53
  thus provoked, but will arise and his great name as sert Dagon must stoop,
• 48:04
  and shall e'er long receive such a discomfort as shall quite despoil him of
• 48:09
  all these boasted trophies, one on me and with confusion blank his worshipers.
• 48:21
  With cause, this hope relieves THEE, and these words I, as a
• 48:27
  prophecy, receive for God nothing more certain. Will not long defer to vindicate
• 48:36
  the glory of his name against all competition, nor will long endure it doubtful,
• 48:44
  whether God be Lord or dagone. But for THEE, what shall be
• 48:51
  done Thou must not in the Meanwhile, here for goot lie in this miserable
• 48:59
  loathsome pay delight neglected. I already have made way to some Pelistian lords,
• 49:07
  with whom to treat about thy ransom. Well, they may by this have
• 49:14
  satisfied their utmost of revenge by pains and slaveries worse than death inflicted on thee,
• 49:22
  who now no more canst do them harm. Spare that proposal, father,
• 49:31
  Spare the trouble of that solicitation. Let me hear as I deserve pay
• 49:38
  on my punishment, and expiate, if possible my crime. Shameful garrulity to
• 49:49
  have revealed secrets of men, the secrets of a friend, how heinous had
• 49:54
  the fact been, how deserving contempt and scorn of all, to be excluded
• 50:01
  all friendship and avoided as a blab the mark of fool set on his front.
• 50:09
  But I God's counsel have not kept his holy secret presumptuously, have published
• 50:20
  impiously, weakly, at least and shamefully, a sin that gentiles in their
• 50:30
  parables condemned to their abyss and horrid pains confined. End of Section three,
• 50:43
  Section four Manoah Samson chorus, be penitent and for thy fault, contrite,
• 50:58
  but act not in thy own affliction. Son, repent the sin. But
• 51:04
  if the punishment thou canst avoid self preservation bids or the execution, leave to
• 51:13
  high disposal, and let another hand not thine exact thy penal forfeit from thyself.
• 51:22
  Perhaps God will relent and quit thee all his debt. Who ever more
• 51:30
  approves and more accepts best pleas'd with humble and filial submission, Him who,
• 51:38
  imploring mercy, soues for life, than who self rigorous chooses death as due,
• 51:49
  which argues over just and self displeas'd for self offense more than for God
• 51:58
  offended reject not then what offer'd means? Who knows? But God hath set
• 52:06
  before us to return THEE home to thy country and his sacred house, where
• 52:13
  thou mayst bring thy offerings to avert his further ire. With prayers and vows
• 52:21
  renew'd his pardon, I implore. But as for life, to what end
• 52:29
  should I seek it? When in strength all mortals I excell'd and great in
• 52:37
  hopes, with youthful courage and magnanimous thoughts of birth from heav'n foretold and high
• 52:45
  exploits full of divine instinct after some proof of acts, indeed heroic far beyond
• 52:57
  the sons of anak famous now and blazed, fearless of danger like a petty
• 53:05
  god, I walked about, admired of all, and dreaded on hostile ground,
• 53:13
  none daring my affront. Then swollen with pride into the snare, I
• 53:20
  fell of fair, fallacious looks, venereal trains, soften'd with pleasure and voluptuous
• 53:30
  life, at length to lay my head and hallow'd pledge of all my strength
• 53:38
  in the lascivious lap of a deceitful concubine, who shure me like a tame
• 53:46
  weather all my precious fleece. Then turn'd me out ridiculous, despoil'd, shaven
• 53:57
  and disarm'd among my end amiss desire of wine and all delicious drinks, which
• 54:07
  many a famous warrior overturns. Thou couldst repress. Nor did the dancing ruby
• 54:15
  sparkling out power'd The flavor or the smell or taste that cheers the hearts of
• 54:24
  gods and men, allure thee from the cool crystalline stream, wherever fountain or
• 54:35
  fresh current flow'd against the eastern ray, translucent, pure with touch ethereal of
• 54:44
  Heaven's fiery rod eye drank from the clear milky juice, a laying thirst and
• 54:52
  refresh'd. Nor envied them the grape whose heads that turbulent liquor he fills with
• 55:00
  fumes. O madness to think use of strongest wines and strongest drinks our chief
• 55:12
  support of health, When God, with these forbidden, made choice to rear
• 55:19
  his mighty champion strong above compare whose drink was only from the liquid brook.
• 55:29
  But what avail'd distemperance not complete against another object? More enticing? What boots
• 55:39
  it at one gait to make defense, and at another to let in the
• 55:45
  foe effeminateely vanquish'd, by which means now blind, dishearten'd, sham'd, dishonored,
• 55:55
  quell'd. To what can I be useful? Wherein serve my nation and
• 56:02
  the work from heav'n impos'd But to sit idle on the household hearth a burdeness
• 56:10
  drone to visitants a gaze or piti'd object. These redundant locks, robustious to
• 56:22
  no purpose, clustering down vain monument of strength till length of years, and
• 56:30
  sedentary numbness craze my limbs to a contemptible old age obscure here, Rather let
• 56:42
  me drudge and earn my bread till vermin or the draft of servile food consume
• 56:51
  me, and oft invocated death, hasten the welcome end of all my pains.
• 57:00
  Wilt Thou then serve the Philistines with that gift which was expressly given THEE
• 57:07
  to annoy them better at home, thy bed rid not only idle, inglorious,
• 57:15
  unemploy'd, with age outworn. But God, who caus'd a fountain at
• 57:22
  thy prayer from the dry ground to spring by thirst, to allay after the
• 57:30
  brunt of battle, can as easy cause lighter again within thy eyes to spring,
• 57:37
  wherewith to serve him better than thou hast And I persuade me, so
• 57:44
  why else this strength miraculous yet remaining in those locks, His might continues in
• 57:53
  THEE, not for naught, nor shall his wondrous gifts be frost. Thus
• 58:01
  all otherwise to me my thoughts portend that these dark orbs no more shall treat
• 58:10
  with light, nor the other light of life, continue long, but yield
• 58:17
  to double darkness nigh at hand. So much I feel my genial spirits droop,
• 58:28
  my hopes all flat nature within me seems in all her functions weary of
• 58:36
  herself. My race of glory run and race of shame, And I shall
• 58:45
  shortly be with them that rest believe not these suggestions which proceed from anguish of
• 58:54
  the mind and humor's black that mingle with thy fancy. I, however,
• 59:02
  must not omit a father's timely care to prosecute the means of thy deliverance by
• 59:10
  ransom, or how else. Meanwhile, be calm and healing words from these
• 59:19
  thy friends. Admit, oh, that torment should not be confined to the
• 59:27
  bodies wounds and sores, with maladies innumerable in heart, head, breast and
• 59:36
  reins. But must secret passage find to the inmost mind there exercise all his
• 59:46
  fierce accidents, and on her purest spirits prey as on entrails, joints,
• 59:54
  and limbs, with answerable pains, but more intense, though void of corporal
• 1:00:04
  sense. My griefs not only pain me as a lingering disease, but finding
• 1:00:14
  no redress, ferment and rage, nor less than wounds immedicable, rankle and
• 1:00:23
  fester and gangreen to black mortification thoughts, my tormentous armed with deadly stings,
• 1:00:37
  mangle, my apprehensive tenderest parts exasperate, exulcerate, and raise dire inflammation which
• 1:00:50
  no cooling herb or medicinal liquor can assuage, nor breath of vernal air from
• 1:00:59
  snowy alp sleep. Hath forsook and given me awe to death's benumbing opium as
• 1:01:09
  my only cure. Thence faintings, swoonings of despair, and sense of Heav'n's
• 1:01:20
  desertion. I was his nursling once and choice delight, his destin'd from the
• 1:01:29
  womb, promis'd by heav'nly message twice, descending under his special eye, abstemious,
• 1:01:38
  I grew up and thriv'd amain. He led me on to mightiest deeds
• 1:01:45
  above the nerve of mortal arm, against the uncircumcis'd our enemies. But now
• 1:01:54
  Hath cast me off as never known, and to those cruel enemies whom I,
• 1:02:02
  by his appointment had provoked, left me all helpless with the irreparable loss
• 1:02:10
  of sight, reserv'd alive to be repeated the subject of their cruelty or scorn.
• 1:02:22
  Nor am I in the list of them that hope hopeless? Are all
• 1:02:29
  my evils, all remediless this one prayer yet remains, might I be heard
• 1:02:39
  no long petition, speedy death, the clothes of all my miseries and the
• 1:02:49
  balm. Many are the sayings of the wise, in ancient and in modern
• 1:02:59
  books, in old extolling patience as the truest fortitude, and to the bearing
• 1:03:07
  well of all calamities, all chances incident to man's frail life. Consolatories writ
• 1:03:15
  with studied argument and much Persuasian sort, lenient of grief and anxious thought.
• 1:03:25
  But with the afflicted in his pangs, their sound little prevails, or rather
• 1:03:32
  seems a tune harsh and of dissonant mood from his complaint, unless he feel
• 1:03:40
  within some source of consolation from above, secret refreshings that repair his strength and
• 1:03:51
  fainting spirits are pold, God of our Father's. What is man that thou
• 1:04:00
  towards him with hands so various, or might I say contrarious? Temperest thy
• 1:04:10
  providence through his short course? Not evenly as thou rulest the angelic orders and
• 1:04:17
  inferior creatures mute, irrational and brute. Nor do I name of men the
• 1:04:26
  common rout that wandering loose about grow up and perish as the summer fly,
• 1:04:34
  hence without name no more remember'd, but such as thou hast solemnly elected with
• 1:04:44
  gifts and graces, eminently adorn'd to some great work, thy glory and people
• 1:04:53
  safety, which in part they effect Yet toward these thus dignified Thou oft,
• 1:05:00
  amidst their height of noon, changest thy countenance and thy hand, with no
• 1:05:09
  regard of highest favors past from thee on them, or them to thee of
• 1:05:16
  service. Nor only dost degrade them or remit to life obscur'd, which were
• 1:05:24
  a fair dismission. But throwst them lower than thou didst exhort them high unseemly
• 1:05:32
  falls in human eye to grievous for the trespass or omission oft leavest them to
• 1:05:41
  the hostile sword of heathen and profane their carcasses to dogs and fowls a prey
• 1:05:50
  or else captiv'd, or to the unjust tribunals, and a change of times
• 1:05:58
  and condemnation, and of the ingrateful multitude. If these they escape, perhaps
• 1:06:06
  in poverty, with sickness and disease, Thou bowst them down painful diseases and
• 1:06:15
  deform'd in crude old age, though not disordinate, yet causeless suffering. The
• 1:06:25
  punishment of dissolute days in fine, just or unjust alike seem miserable, for
• 1:06:33
  oft alike, both come to evil end. So deal not with this,
• 1:06:42
  wants thy glorious champion, the image of thy strength and mighty minister. What
• 1:06:51
  do I beg How hast thou dealt already behold him in this state, colors
• 1:07:00
  Amitus, and turn his labors, for thou canst to peaceful end. But
• 1:07:09
  who is this? What thing of sea or land? Female of sex?
• 1:07:15
  It seems that so bedeck'd ornate and gay comes this way, sailing like a
• 1:07:21
  stately ship of Tarsus, bound for the isles of Javan or Gadeir, with
• 1:07:29
  all her bravery on and tackle trim, sails fill'd and streamers waving, courted
• 1:07:39
  by all the winds that hold them. Play an amber scent of odorous perfume,
• 1:07:45
  her harbinger a damsel train behind some rich Pelictian matron, ye may seem,
• 1:07:57
  and now at ne'er view no other certain than dullillah, thy wife,
• 1:08:06
  my wife, my traitress. Let her not come near me? Yet on
• 1:08:15
  she move now stands and eyes thee fix'd about to have spoke, but now
• 1:08:24
  with head declin'd like a fair flower surcharg'd with dew, she weeps, and
• 1:08:31
  words address'd seem into tears, dissolv'd, wetting the borders of her silken veil.
• 1:08:42
  But now again she makes a dress to speak. End of Section four,
• 1:08:53
  Section five. Dulli Lah Samson, with doubtful feet and wavering resolution.
• 1:09:05
  I came still dreading thy displeasure, Samson, which do have merited without excuse,
• 1:09:15
  I cannot but acknowledge. Yet if tears may expiate, though the fact
• 1:09:24
  more evil drew in the perverse event than I foresaw my penance, hath not
• 1:09:31
  slacken'd, though my pardon no way assur'd, But conjugal affection, prevailing over
• 1:09:42
  fear and timorous doubt, hath led me on, desirous to behold once more
• 1:09:49
  thy face and know of thy estate, if aught in my ability, may
• 1:09:57
  serve to lighten what thou suffer't and appease thy mind with what immense is in
• 1:10:04
  my power, Though late, yet in some part to recompense my rash,
• 1:10:13
  but more unfortunate misdeed out out Hyena. These are thy wonted arts and arts
• 1:10:24
  of every woman false like thee to break all faith, all vows, deceive,
• 1:10:31
  betray Then, as repentant to submit, beseech and reconcilement, move with
• 1:10:42
  feigned remorse, confess and promise. Wonders in her change, not truly penitent,
• 1:10:51
  but chief to try her husband, how far urg'd his patience bears is
• 1:11:00
  virtue or weakness? Which way to assail? Then, with more cautious and
• 1:11:06
  instructed skill, again transgresses, and again submits that wisest and best men full
• 1:11:17
  oft beguiled with goodness principles not to reject the penitent, but ever to forgive,
• 1:11:27
  are drawn to wear out miserable days entangled with a poisonous bosom snake,
• 1:11:35
  if not by quick destruction, cut off as I by THEE to ages an
• 1:11:43
  example. Yet hear me, Sampson, not that I endeavor to lessen or
• 1:11:50
  extenuate my offense, but that on the other side, if it be weigh'd
• 1:11:57
  by itself with a cravations, not surcharg'd, or else with just allowance counterpoised,
• 1:12:06
  I may, if possible, thy pardon find the easier towards me,
• 1:12:13
  or thy hatred less First granting as I do, it was a weakness in
• 1:12:20
  me, but incident to all our sex curiosity, inquisitive importune of secrets,
• 1:12:30
  then with like infirmity to publish them both common female faults. Was it not
• 1:12:40
  weakness? Also to make known for importunity, that is for naught wherein consisted
• 1:12:47
  all thy strength and safety. To what I did, Thou show'st me first
• 1:12:55
  the way, But I to enemies reveal'd and should not, nor shouldst thou
• 1:13:04
  have trusted that to woman's frailty. E're I to THEE, Thou to thy
• 1:13:12
  self wast cruel let weakness. Then with weakness come to parl so near related
• 1:13:21
  or the same of kind, thine forgive mine that men may censure thine the
• 1:13:30
  gentler, if severely thou exact not more strength from me than in thyself was
• 1:13:38
  found. And what if love, which thou interpret'st hate, the jealousy of
• 1:13:46
  love powerful of sway in human hearts, nor less in mine towards THEE caus'd
• 1:13:55
  what I did? I saw THEE mutable, a fancy feared lest one day
• 1:14:01
  thou wouldst leave me as her at tymner sought by all means. Therefore,
• 1:14:09
  how to endear and hold THEE to me firmest? No better way I saw
• 1:14:16
  than by importuning to learn thy secrets, get into my power the key of
• 1:14:24
  strength and safety. Thou wilt say, why, then reveal'd. I was
• 1:14:30
  assured by those who tempted me that nothing was design'd against THEE, but safe
• 1:14:39
  custody and hold that made for me. I knew that liberty would draw THEE
• 1:14:45
  forth to perilous enterprises, while I at home sate full of cares and fears,
• 1:14:54
  wailing thy absence in my widow'd bed. Here, I should still enjoy
• 1:15:00
  THEE day and night, mine and Love's prisoner, not the Philistines whole to
• 1:15:09
  myself, unhazarded abroad, fearless at home, of partners in my love.
• 1:15:17
  These reasons in Love's law have passed for good, though fond and reasonless to
• 1:15:26
  some perhaps, And love hath oft well meaning, wrought much woe, yet
• 1:15:33
  always pity or pardon, hath obtain'd be not unlike all others, Not austere
• 1:15:43
  as thou art, strong, inflexible as steel. If thou in strength all
• 1:15:50
  mortals dost exceed in uncompassionate anger, do not so? End of Section five,
• 1:16:04
  Section six, Samson Dali lah. How cunningly the sorceress displays her own
• 1:16:15
  transgressions to upbraid me. Mine that malice, not repentance brought THEE hither by
• 1:16:25
  this appears I gave thou, sayest the example I led the way bitter reproach,
• 1:16:34
  but true I to myself was false. Ere thou to me such pardon.
• 1:16:43
  Therefore, as I give my folly, take to thy wicked deed,
• 1:16:48
  which, when thou seest impartial, self severe, inexorable, thou wilt renounce
• 1:16:58
  thy seeking and much rather confessed. Feigned weakness is thy excuse, and I
• 1:17:06
  believe it weakness to resist Felistian gold. If weakness may excuse, what murder,
• 1:17:16
  what traitor, pallicide, incestuous, sacrilegious, but may plead it all
• 1:17:27
  wickedness is weakness that plead Therefore with God or man will gain THEE no remission.
• 1:17:36
  But love constrained THEE call it furious rage to satisfy thy lust. Love
• 1:17:45
  seeks to have love my love. How couldst thou hope, who took'st the
• 1:17:53
  way to raise in me inexpiable hate, knowing as needs I must by THEE
• 1:18:00
  betray'd in vain, Thou strivest to cover shame with shame, or by evasions
• 1:18:10
  thy crime uncoverest more, since thou determinest weakness for no plea in man or
• 1:18:19
  woman. Though to thy own condemning hear what assaults I had, what snares,
• 1:18:27
  besides what sieges girt me round ere I consented, which might have awed
• 1:18:34
  the best resolv'd of men, the constantest to have yielded without blame. It
• 1:18:43
  was not gold, as to my charge, thou lest that wrought with me.
• 1:18:49
  Thou know'st the magistrates and princes of my country came in person, solicited,
• 1:18:57
  commanded, threaten'd, urg'd, endured by all the bonds of civil duty
• 1:19:04
  and of religion press'd How just it was, how honorable, how glorious to
• 1:19:13
  entrap a common enemy who had destroy'd such numbers of our nation. And the
• 1:19:19
  priest was not behind, but ever at my ear preaching, How meritorious with
• 1:19:27
  the gods it would be to ensnare an irreligious dishonorer of dark on. What
• 1:19:35
  had I to oppose against such powerful arguments? Only my love of thee held
• 1:19:44
  long debate, and combated in silence all these reasons with hard contest, at
• 1:19:53
  length that grounded maxim so rife and celebrated in the mouth of wisest men that
• 1:20:02
  to the public good, private respects must yield with grave authority, took full
• 1:20:12
  possession of me and prevail'd virtue, as I thought truth duty so enjoining,
• 1:20:23
  I thought where all thy circling wiles would end in feigned religion, smooth hypocrisy.
• 1:20:33
  But had thy love still odiously pretended, been as it ought sincere,
• 1:20:41
  it would have taught THEE far Other reasonings brought forth other deeds. I before
• 1:20:48
  all the daughters of my tribe and of my nation, chose THEE from among
• 1:20:56
  my enemies. Lov'd THEE as too well. Thou knewest too well, unbosom'd
• 1:21:03
  all thy secrets to THEE, not out of levity, but overpower'd by thy
• 1:21:11
  request. Who could deny THEE nothing? Yet now am judg'd an enemy?
• 1:21:19
  Why then didst thou at first receive me for thy husband? Then, as
• 1:21:26
  since then thy country's foe profess'd being once a wife for me, Thou wast
• 1:21:33
  to leave parents and country. Nor was I their subject, nor under their
• 1:21:42
  protection, but my own, thou mine, not theirs. If aught against
• 1:21:48
  my life, thy country sought of THEE, it sought unjustly against the law
• 1:21:57
  of nature, law of Natias, no more thy country, but an impious
• 1:22:03
  crew of men conspiring to uphold their state by worse than hostile deeds, violating
• 1:22:13
  the ends for which our country is a name. So dear not therefore to
• 1:22:19
  be obeyed, but zeal mov'd thee to please thy gods, Thou didst it
• 1:22:30
  gods unable to acquit themselves and prosecute their foes, but by ungodly deeds the
• 1:22:38
  contradiction of their own deity. Gods cannot be less therefore to be pleas'd,
• 1:22:46
  obey'd or fear'd These false pretexts and varnish'd colors failing bear in thy guilt,
• 1:22:58
  how foul must thou peer in argument with men? A woman ever goes by
• 1:23:06
  the worst, whatever be her cause, for want of words, no doubt,
• 1:23:14
  or lack of breath. Witness, when I was worried with thy peals,
• 1:23:20
  I was a fool to rash, and quite mistaken in what I thought
• 1:23:26
  would have succeeded. Best. Let me obtain forgiveness of THEE. Sampson afford
• 1:23:34
  me place to show what recompense towards THEE I intend for what I have misdone
• 1:23:43
  misguided, Only what remains past cure bear not too sensibly, nor still insist
• 1:23:54
  to afflict thyself in vain, though sight be lost. Life, yet hath
• 1:24:01
  many solaces enjoy'd where other senses want not, their delights at home in leisure
• 1:24:12
  and domestic ease, exempt from many a care and chance to which eye sight
• 1:24:19
  exposes daily men abroad, I, to the Lord's will, intercede, not
• 1:24:28
  doubting their favorable ear, that I may fetch thee from forth this loathsome prison
• 1:24:34
  house to abide with me, where my redoubled love and care, with nursing
• 1:24:43
  diligence to meet glad office may ever tend about thee to old age, with
• 1:24:51
  all things grateful, cheered, and so supplied, that what by me thou
• 1:24:59
  hast lost, Thou least shalt miss no no of my condition, take no
• 1:25:09
  care. It fits not thou and I long since are twain, Nor think
• 1:25:16
  me so unwary or accurst to bring my feet again into the snare where once
• 1:25:24
  I have been caught. I know thy trains, though dearly to my cost,
• 1:25:32
  thy gins and toils, thy fair enchanted cup and warbling charms, no
• 1:25:42
  more on me have power their forces null'd. So much of Adder's wisdom I
• 1:25:49
  have learnt to fence my ear against thy sorceries. If in my flood of
• 1:25:58
  youth and strength, when all men lov'd, honor'd fear'd me, thou alone
• 1:26:05
  could hate me, thy husband, slight me, sell me, and forego
• 1:26:13
  me. How wouldst thou use me, now blind and thereby deceivable in most
• 1:26:20
  things, as a child, helpless, dense, easily contempt and scorn'd,
• 1:26:28
  and last neglected. How wouldst thou insult when I must live oxorious to thy
• 1:26:35
  will in perfect thraldom? How again betray me, bearing my words and doings
• 1:26:45
  to the lords to gloss upon and censuring, frown or smile this jail.
• 1:26:55
  I count the house of liberty to thine, whose door my feet shall never
• 1:27:02
  enter. Let me approach at least and touch thy hand, not for thy
• 1:27:12
  life, lest fierce remembrance wake my sudden rage to tear THEE joint by joint
• 1:27:21
  at distance. I forgive THEE. Go with that bewail thy falsehood and the
• 1:27:30
  pious works it hath brought forth to make THEE memorable among illustrious women, faithful
• 1:27:40
  wives. Cherish thy hastened widowhood with the gold of matrimonial treason. So farewell,
• 1:27:51
  I see thou art implacable, more deaf to prayers than winds and seas,
• 1:28:00
  yet WinCE to seize are reconcil'd at length, and see to shore thy
• 1:28:08
  anger unappeasable, still rages eternal tempest, never to be calm'd. Why do
• 1:28:17
  I humble thus myself and suing for peace, reap nothing but repulse and hate.
• 1:28:26
  Bid go with evil omen and the brand of infamy upon my name denounc'd
• 1:28:33
  to mix with thy concernments. I desist henceforth, nor too much disapprove my
• 1:28:43
  own fame, if not double faced, is double mouth'd, and with contrarie
• 1:28:50
  blast proclaims most deeds on both his wings, one black, the other white,
• 1:28:59
  bears greatest names in his wild eerie flight. My name, perhaps among
• 1:29:06
  the circumcis'd in Dan, in Tudor, and the bordering tribes. To all
• 1:29:14
  posterity may stand defamed with malediction, mention'd, and the blot of falsehood most
• 1:29:23
  unconjugal traduced. But in my country where I most desire, in Ekron,
• 1:29:30
  Gaza Ashdod, and in Gath, I shall be nam'd Among the famousest of
• 1:29:38
  women sung at solemn festivals, living and dead, recorded who to save her
• 1:29:45
  country from a fierce destroyer, chose above the faith of wedlock, bands my
• 1:29:54
  tomb with odors visited and annual flowers, not less renown'd than in Mount Ephraim
• 1:30:04
  Jael, who with inhospitable guile smote Sissira sleeping through the temples nail'd. Nor
• 1:30:14
  shall I count it heinous to enjoy the public marks of honor and reward conferred
• 1:30:21
  upon me for the piety which to my country I was judg'd to have shown.
• 1:30:30
  At this whoever envies or repines, I'd leave him to his lot,
• 1:30:36
  and like my own. End of section six, Section seven chorus, Samson
• 1:30:53
  Hallafa, she's gone a manifest sir, and by her sting discover'd in the
• 1:31:02
  end till now conceal'd. So let her go. God sent her to debase
• 1:31:12
  me and aggravate my folly. Who committeth to such a viper his most sacred
• 1:31:19
  trust of secresy my safety and my life. Yet, beauty, though injurious,
• 1:31:30
  hath strange power after offense, returning to regain love once possess'd, nor
• 1:31:39
  can be easily repuls'd without much inward passion felt and secret sting of amorous remorse
• 1:31:50
  love, quarrels oft in pleasing concord end, not wedlock, treachery in dangering
• 1:32:00
  life. It is not virtue, wisdom, valor, wit, strength,
• 1:32:09
  comeliness of shape, or amplest merit that woman's love can win or long inherit.
• 1:32:17
  But what it is heart ist to say harder to hit? Which waysoever
• 1:32:26
  men refer it much like thy riddle samson in one day or seven, though
• 1:32:33
  one should musing sit if any of these, or all the chimneyan bride had
• 1:32:43
  not so soon preferred thy paronymph worthless to thee compar'd successor in thy bed,
• 1:32:53
  nor both so loosely disallied their nuptials, nor this last so treacherously had shorn
• 1:33:02
  the fatal harvest of thy head. Is it for that such outward ornament was
• 1:33:11
  lavish'd on their sex, that inward gifts were left for haste, unfinish'd judgment,
• 1:33:19
  scant capacity, not rais'd to apprehend or value what is best in choice,
• 1:33:28
  but oftest to affect the wrong, Or was too much of self love
• 1:33:34
  mix'd of constancy, no root infix'd that either they loved nothing or not long
• 1:33:45
  whate'er it be to wisest men, and best, seeming at first all heavenly
• 1:33:54
  under virgin veil, soft, modest, meek demure. Once join'd the contrary,
• 1:34:03
  she proves a thorn intestine far within defensive arms, a cleaving mischief in
• 1:34:13
  his way to virtue, adverse and turbulent, or by her charms draws him
• 1:34:20
  awry, enslaved with dotage, and his sense deprav'd to folly and shameful deeds,
• 1:34:30
  which ruin ends what pilot so expert but needs, must wreck. Embark'd
• 1:34:41
  with such a steer's mate at the helm favored of heaven, who finds one
• 1:34:48
  virtuous rarely found that in domestic good combines happy that house. His way to
• 1:34:59
  peep is smooth. But virtue, which breaks through all opposition and all temptation,
• 1:35:09
  can remove most shines, and most is acceptable above. Therefore God's universal
• 1:35:18
  law gave to the man despotic power over his female due all, nor from
• 1:35:28
  that right to part an hour smile she or lower. So shall he least
• 1:35:35
  confusion draw on his whole life, not sway'd by female usurpation nor dismay'd.
• 1:35:47
  But had we best retire, I see a storm, fair days have oft
• 1:35:56
  contracted wind and rain. But this another kind of tempest brings be less abstruse.
• 1:36:06
  My riddling days are past. Look now for no enchanting voice, nor
• 1:36:15
  fear the bait of honey'd words, a ruffa tongue draws hitherward. I know
• 1:36:24
  him by his stride, the giant Rafa of Gath, his look haughty,
• 1:36:31
  as is his pile, high built and proud. Comes he in peace?
• 1:36:39
  What wind hath blown him hither? I less conjecture than when first I saw
• 1:36:45
  the sumptuous Dalila floating this way. His habit carries peace, his brow defiance
• 1:36:58
  or peace or not alike. To me, he comes his fraught. We
• 1:37:04
  soon shall know he now arrives. I come not Samson to condole thy chance
• 1:37:16
  as these perhaps yet wish it had not been, though for no friendly intent.
• 1:37:26
  I am of Gath. Men call me Haratha of stock renown'd as odg
• 1:37:33
  or anak, and the emens old that kerriat him held. Thou knowest me
• 1:37:41
  now, if thou at all art known much I have heard of Thy prodigious
• 1:37:48
  might and beats perform'd incredible to me in this displeas'd that I was never present
• 1:37:59
  on the place of these encounters, where we might have tried each other's force
• 1:38:05
  in camp or listed field. And now am come to see of whom such
• 1:38:13
  noise hath walk'd about, and each limb to survey if thy appearents answer loud
• 1:38:23
  report the way to know when not to see but taste a dost thou already
• 1:38:32
  single me? I thought jives, and the mill had tam'd thee O.
• 1:38:40
  That fortune had brought me to the field where thou art fam'd to have wrought
• 1:38:45
  such wonders with an ass's jaw. I should have forc'd thee soon with other
• 1:38:54
  arms, for left thy carcass where the ass lay own. So had the
• 1:39:01
  glory of prowess been recover'd to Palestine one by a philistine from the unforcekin's race,
• 1:39:12
  of whom thou best the highest name for valiant acts, that honor certain
• 1:39:19
  to have won by mortal duel from thee I lose prevent'd by thy eyes.
• 1:39:29
  Put out boast not of what thou wouldst have done, but do what then
• 1:39:38
  thou wouldst thou seize it in thy hand to combat with a blind man.
• 1:39:45
  I disdain, and thou hast need much washing to be touch'd such usage as
• 1:39:54
  your honorable lords afford me assassinated and bet trade, who durst not with their
• 1:40:02
  whole united powers in fight withstand me single and unarm'd, nor in the house
• 1:40:11
  with chamber ambushes, close banded dust attack me, no, not sleeping till
• 1:40:19
  they had hired a woman with their gold, breaking her marriage faith to circumvent
• 1:40:28
  me. Therefore, without feign'd shifts, let be assign'd some narrow place,
• 1:40:34
  enclos'd, where sight may give THEE, or rather flight no great advantage on
• 1:40:44
  me. Then put on all thy gorgeous arms, thy helmet and brigandine of
• 1:40:51
  brass, thy broad habergeon, vaunt brass, and grieves and gaunt, add
• 1:41:00
  thy spear, a weaver's beam, and seven times folded shield. I only
• 1:41:10
  with an oaken staff will meet THEE and raise such outcries on thy clatter'd iron,
• 1:41:17
  which long shall not withhold me from thy head, that in a little
• 1:41:24
  time, while breath remains THEE, thou oft shalt wish thyself at Gath to
• 1:41:30
  boast again in safety what thou would'st have done to Samson, but shalt never
• 1:41:40
  see Gath more. Thou dost not thus disparage glorious arms which greatest heroes have
• 1:41:50
  in battle worn their ornament and safety, had not spells and black enchantments.
• 1:42:00
  Some magicians art armed thee or charm'd the strong, which thou from heaven faint'st
• 1:42:11
  at thy birth was given thee in thy hair, where strength can least abide,
• 1:42:18
  though all thy hairs were bristles ranged, like those that reach the back
• 1:42:26
  of chafed wild bores or ruffled porcupines. End of section seven, Section eight
• 1:42:42
  Sampson Harapha chorus. I know no spells, use no forbidden arts. My
• 1:42:56
  trust is in the Living God, who gave leave me at my nativity.
• 1:43:00
  This strength diffused no less through all my sinews, joints, and bones than
• 1:43:10
  thine. While I preserv'd these locks unshorn the pledge of my unviolated vow for
• 1:43:19
  proof hereof if Dargon be thy God, go to his temple, invocate his
• 1:43:28
  aid with solemness devotion spread before him. How highly it concerns his glory now
• 1:43:36
  to frustrate and dissolve these magic spells, which I to be the power of
• 1:43:45
  Israel's God a vow and challenge Dagon to the test, offering to combat thee
• 1:43:55
  his champion bold with the utmost of his Godhead. Seconded, then thou shalt
• 1:44:02
  see or rather to thy sorrow soon feel whose God is strongest, thine or
• 1:44:11
  mine. Presume not on thy God, whate'er he be THEE he regards,
• 1:44:19
  not owns not hath cut off quite from his people, and deliver'd up into
• 1:44:27
  thy enemy's hand, permitteth them to put out both thine eyes and fetter'd sent
• 1:44:34
  THEE into the common prison, there to grind among the slaves and asses thy
• 1:44:43
  comrades, as good for nothing else. No better service with those thy boisterous
• 1:44:50
  locks, no worthy match for valor to assail, nor by the sword of
• 1:44:58
  noble warrior so to stain his honor. But by the barber's raizer best subdu'd
• 1:45:09
  all these indignities, for such they are from Thine, These evils I deserve,
• 1:45:16
  and more acknowledge them from God inflicted on me justly, Yet despair not
• 1:45:26
  of his final pardon, whose ear is ever open and his eye gracious to
• 1:45:32
  readmit the suppliant in confidence, whereof I once again defy THEE to the trial
• 1:45:42
  of mortal fight by combat, to decide whose God is God, Thine or
• 1:45:50
  whom I with Israel's sons adore fair honor that thou dost thy God, entrusting
• 1:46:00
  he will accept THEE to defend his cause. A motherer, a revolter,
• 1:46:06
  and a robber tongue doughty giant. How dost thou prove me? These is
• 1:46:15
  not thy nation's subject to our lords? Their magistrates confess'd it when they took
• 1:46:24
  THEE as a league breaker and deliver'd bound into our hands. For hadst thou
• 1:46:31
  not committed notorious murder on those thirty men at Ascalon, who never did THEE
• 1:46:39
  harm, then, like a robber, stritch'd them of their robes. The
• 1:46:45
  Philistines, when thou hadst broke the league went up with arm'd powers. THEE,
• 1:46:53
  only seeking to others, did no violence nor spoil among the daughters of
• 1:47:00
  the Philistines. I chose a wife which argued me no foe, and in
• 1:47:08
  your city held my nuptial feast. But your ill meaning politician lords, under
• 1:47:17
  pretense of bridal friends and guests, appointed to await me thirty spies, who,
• 1:47:26
  threatening cruel death, constrain'd the bride to wring from me and tell to
• 1:47:32
  them my secret that solv'd the riddle which I had propos'd when I perceiv'd all
• 1:47:41
  set on enmity as on my enemies. Wherever chanced, I us'd hostility and
• 1:47:49
  took their spoil to pay my under miners in their coin. My nation was
• 1:47:58
  subjected to your lords. It was the force of conquest. Force with force
• 1:48:05
  is well ejected when the conquer'd can But I a private person whom my country,
• 1:48:15
  as a league breaker, gave up bound presum'd single rebellion, and did
• 1:48:21
  hostile acts. I was no private, but a person rais'd with strength sufficient
• 1:48:30
  and command from heaven to free my country. If their servile minds me,
• 1:48:39
  their deliver assent would not receive, but to their masters gave me up for
• 1:48:45
  naught. The unworthy are they, whence to this day they serve. I
• 1:48:53
  was to do my part from Heaven assign'd, and had perform'd it if my
• 1:48:59
  no offense had not disabl'd me, not all your force. These shifts refuted
• 1:49:09
  answer thy appellant, though by his blindness maim'd for high attempts, who now
• 1:49:16
  defies THEE thrice to single fight as a petty enterprise of small enforce with THEE
• 1:49:28
  a man condemn'd a slave enroll'd due by the law to capital punishment to fight
• 1:49:36
  with thee. No man of arms will deign camest thou for this vain boaster
• 1:49:45
  to survey me, to descant on my strength and give thy verdict. Come
• 1:49:54
  nearer, but not hence so slight inform'd, But take good heed my hand,
• 1:50:00
  survey not thee O bal say bab can my ears unus'd hear these dishonor
• 1:50:10
  us, and not render death. No man withholds thee nothing from thy hand.
• 1:50:18
  Fear aye incurable. Bring up thy van. My heels are fetter'd,
• 1:50:26
  but my fist is free this insolence. Other kind of answer fits go baffled,
• 1:50:36
  coward lest I run upon thee, though in these chains bulk without spirit
• 1:50:44
  vast, and with one buffet, lay thy structure low, or swing THEE
• 1:50:50
  in the air. Then dash THEE down to the hazard of thy brains and
• 1:50:57
  shatter'd sides by ashtarrath ere long thou shalt lament these braveries in irons loadin on
• 1:51:09
  thee. His giant ship is gone, somewhat crest fallen, stalking with less
• 1:51:18
  unconscionable strides and lower looks. But in a sultry chafe, I dread him
• 1:51:29
  not nor all his giant brood, though fame divulge him, father of five
• 1:51:36
  sons, all of gigantic size, Goliath chief. He will directly to the
• 1:51:45
  lords I fear, and with malicious counsel stir them up some way or other.
• 1:51:51
  Yet further to afflict thee, he must allege some cause and offer'd fire.
• 1:52:00
  Might will not dare mention lest a question rise whether he dust accept the
• 1:52:06
  offer or not, And that he durst not plain enough appear'd much more affliction
• 1:52:15
  than already felt. They cannot well impose nor I sustain if they intend advantage
• 1:52:25
  of my labors, the work of many hands, which earns my keeping with
• 1:52:30
  no small profit daily to my owners. But come what will My deadliest foe
• 1:52:40
  will prove my speediest friend by death to rid me, hence the worst that
• 1:52:47
  he can give to me the best. Yet so it may fall out,
• 1:52:55
  because their end is hate, not help to me. It may with mine
• 1:53:01
  draw their own ruin who attempt the deed end of Section eight, Section nine
• 1:53:15
  chorus, Samson public officer, Oh, how comely it is, and how
• 1:53:26
  reviving to the spirits of just men long opprest, when God into the hands
• 1:53:34
  of their deliverer puts invincible might to quell the mighty of the earth, the
• 1:53:43
  oppressor, the brute and boisterous force of violent men, hardy and industrious to
• 1:53:51
  support tyrannic power, but raging to pursue the righteous and all such honor truth.
• 1:54:01
  He all their ammunition and feats of war, defeats with plain, heroic
• 1:54:10
  magnitude of mind and celestial vigor, arm'd their armories and magazines, contemns renders
• 1:54:20
  them useless, while with winghead expedition swift as the lightning glance, he executes
• 1:54:29
  his errand on the wicked, who, surprised lose their defense, distracted and
• 1:54:36
  amazed. But patience is more oft the exercise of saints, the trial of
• 1:54:45
  their fortitude, making them each his own deliverer and victor. Over All that
• 1:54:54
  tyranny or fortune can inflict either of these is in thy lot. Samson,
• 1:55:01
  with might endued above the sons of men. But sight bereav'd may chance to
• 1:55:10
  number thee with those whom patience finally must crown. This idole's day hath been
• 1:55:18
  to THEE no day of rest, laboring thy mind more than the working day
• 1:55:26
  thy hands. And yet perhaps more trouble is behind. For I descry this
• 1:55:33
  way some other tending in his hand a scepter or quaint staff. He bears
• 1:55:41
  comes on a main speed. In his look by his habit, I discern
• 1:55:47
  him now a public officer, and now at hand his message will be short
• 1:55:56
  and voluble. Ebrew the prisoner Samson. Here I seek his manacles, remark
• 1:56:05
  him there he sits Samson to thee our lords. Thus bid me say,
• 1:56:14
  this day to darg On is a solemn feast with sacrifices, triumph, pomp,
• 1:56:20
  and games. Thy strength they know surpassing human rate, and now some
• 1:56:29
  public proof thereof require to honor this great feast and great assembly. Rise therefore
• 1:56:38
  with all speed and come along where I will see thee hearten'd and fresh clad,
• 1:56:45
  to appear as fits before the illustrious lords. Thou know'st I am an
• 1:56:53
  Hebrew. Therefore tell them our law forbids at their religious rights, my presents
• 1:57:00
  for that cause I cannot come. This answer be assured, will not content
• 1:57:09
  them? Have they not soared? Players and every sort of jimnick artists,
• 1:57:16
  restless riders, runners, jugglers and dancers, antics, mummers, mimics.
• 1:57:25
  But they must pick me out with shackles, tired and overlabor'd at their public
• 1:57:32
  mill, to make them sport with blind activity? Do they not seek occasion
• 1:57:41
  of new quarrels on my refusal to distress me more or make a game of
• 1:57:47
  my calamities? We turn the way thou camest, I will not come.
• 1:57:56
  Regard thyself. This will offend them highly, myself, my conscience and internal
• 1:58:05
  peace. Can they think me so broken, so debas'd with corporal servitude,
• 1:58:14
  that my mind ever will condescend to such absurd commands, although their drudge to
• 1:58:23
  be their fool or jester, and in my midst of sorrow and heart grief,
• 1:58:30
  to show them feats and play before their god, the worst of all
• 1:58:35
  indignities. Yet on me join'd with extreme contempt, I will not come.
• 1:58:45
  My message was impos'd on me with speed, Brooks, no delay. Is
• 1:58:51
  this thy resolution? So take it with what speed thy message needs. I
• 1:59:00
  am sorry what this stoutness will produce. Perhaps thou shalt have cause to sorrow.
• 1:59:10
  Indeed, consider Sampson, matters now are strain'd up to the height whether
• 1:59:18
  to hold or break. He's gone, and who knows how he may report
• 1:59:26
  thy words? By adding fuel to the flame, expect another message more imperious,
• 1:59:33
  more lordly thundering than thou well wilt bear. Shall I abuse this consecrated
• 1:59:43
  gift of strength again, returning with my hair after my great transgression, So
• 1:59:51
  requite favor renew'd, and add a greater sin by prostituting holy things to idols,
• 2:00:01
  a Nazarite in place abominable, wanting my strength in honor to their Dagon.
• 2:00:11
  Besides, how vile, contemptible, ridiculous, what act more execrably unclean,
• 2:00:19
  profane? Yet with this strength thou serv'st the Philistines idolatrous, uncircumcis'd unclean,
• 2:00:32
  not in their idol worship, but by labor, honest and lawful,
• 2:00:38
  to deserve my food of those who have me in their civil power, where
• 2:00:45
  the heart joins, not outward act defile, not where outward force constrains the
• 2:00:55
  sentence holds, But who constrains me to the temple of Dagon, not dragging.
• 2:01:02
  The Pelictian lord's command commands on no constraints. If I obey them,
• 2:01:10
  I do it freely, venturing to displease God. For the fear of man
• 2:01:16
  and man prefer set God behind which, in his jealousy shall never unrepented find
• 2:01:27
  forgiveness, yet that he may dispense with me or thee present in temples that
• 2:01:34
  idolatrous rites for some important cause. Thou need'st not doubt how thou wilt here
• 2:01:44
  come off surmounts my reach. Be of good courage. I begin to feel
• 2:01:53
  some rousing motions in me which dispose to something extraordinary my thoughts. I,
• 2:02:01
  with this messenger, will go along nothing to do. Be sure that may
• 2:02:08
  dishonor our law or stain my vow of Nazarite. If there be aught of
• 2:02:15
  presage in the mind, this day will be remarkable in my life by some
• 2:02:21
  great act or of my days. The last in time Thou hast resolv'd the
• 2:02:30
  man returns Samson this second message from our lords to thee. I am bid
• 2:02:39
  say, art thou our slave, our captive at the public mill, our
• 2:02:46
  drudge, and dst thou at our sending and command dispute thy coming Come without
• 2:02:55
  delay, or we shall find such engines to a sail and hamper thee as
• 2:03:01
  thou shalt come of force. Though thou wert family are fasten'd than a rock,
• 2:03:09
  I could be well content to try their art, which to no few
• 2:03:14
  of them would prove pernicious, Yet, knowing their advantage is too many,
• 2:03:21
  because they shall not trail me through their streets like a wild beast, I
• 2:03:27
  am content to go. Master's commands come with a power resistless to such as
• 2:03:35
  o them, absolute subjection, and for a life who will not change his
• 2:03:43
  purpose. So mutable are all the ways of men. Yet this be sure
• 2:03:49
  in nothing to comply scandalous or forbidden in our law. I praise thy resolution.
• 2:04:00
  Doth these lyns by this compliance, thou wilt win the lords to favor,
• 2:04:06
  and perhaps to set thee free brethren farewell your company along. I will
• 2:04:15
  not wish lest it perhaps offend them to see me girt with friends. And
• 2:04:23
  how the sight of me as of a common enemy, so dreaded once,
• 2:04:29
  may now exasperate them. I know not. Lords are lordliest in their wine,
• 2:04:36
  and the well feasted priest, then soonest, fired with zeal. If
• 2:04:44
  aught religion seem concern'd no less the people on their holy days, impetuous,
• 2:04:51
  insolent, unquenchable happen. What may of me expect to hear not thing dishonorable,
• 2:05:00
  impure, unworthy our God, our law, my nation, or myself,
• 2:05:10
  the last of me? Or no I cannot warrant. Go, And
• 2:05:17
  the Holy One of Israel be thy guide to what may serve his glory best,
• 2:05:25
  and spread his name great among the heathen round. Send thee the angel
• 2:05:31
  of thy birth, to stand fast by thy side, who from thy father's
• 2:05:38
  field rode up in flames after his message told of thy conception. And be
• 2:05:46
  now a shield of fire. That spirit that first rush'd on thee in the
• 2:05:54
  camp of Dan, be efficacious in thee now at need. For never was
• 2:06:00
  from heav'n imparted measure of strength so great to mortal seed, as in thy
• 2:06:10
  wond'rous actions hath been seen. But wherefore comes old Manoa in such haste,
• 2:06:18
  with youthful steps, much livelier than ere, while he seems supposing here to
• 2:06:27
  find his son, or of him bringing to us some glad news. End
• 2:06:35
  of section nine, Section ten man Noah chorus, Messenger, peace with you,
• 2:06:49
  brethren. My inducement hither was not at present here to find my son
• 2:06:58
  by order of the Lord's new parted, hence to come and play before them
• 2:07:03
  at their feast. I heard all as I came, the city rings and
• 2:07:11
  numbers thither flock. I had no will lest I should see him forced to
• 2:07:18
  things unseemly. But that which mov'd my coming now was chiefly to give ye
• 2:07:27
  part with me what hope I have, with good success, to work his
• 2:07:32
  liberty. That hope would much rejoice us to partake with thee, say Reverend
• 2:07:41
  Sire, we thirst to hear. I have attempt'd one by one the lord's,
• 2:07:49
  either at home or through the high street, passing with supplication, prone
• 2:07:57
  and father's tears, to accept of ransom for my son their prisoner. Some
• 2:08:05
  much averse I found, and wond'rous, harsh, contemptuous, proud, set
• 2:08:13
  on revenge and spite, that part most reverenced dug On and his priests.
• 2:08:20
  Others more moderate seeming, but their aim private reward, for which both God
• 2:08:28
  and State they easily would set to sail. A third, more generous,
• 2:08:35
  far and civil, who confess'd they had enough reveng'd, having reduc'd their foe
• 2:08:43
  to misery beneath their fears. The rest was magnanimity to remit if some convenient
• 2:08:52
  ransom were propos'd. What noise or shout was that it tore the sky,
• 2:09:03
  doubtless the people shouting to behold their once great dread, captive and blind before
• 2:09:11
  them, or at some proof of strength before them, shone his ransom.
• 2:09:20
  If my whole inheritance may compass, it shall willingly be paid, and number'd
• 2:09:26
  down much. Rather, I shall choose to live the poorest in my tribe
• 2:09:33
  than richest, and he in that calamitous prison left. No. I am
• 2:09:41
  fix'd not to part hence without him, for his redemption all my patrimony.
• 2:09:48
  If need be, I am ready to forego and quit. Not wanting him,
• 2:09:56
  I shall want nothing. Fathers are wont to lay up for their sons.
• 2:10:03
  Thou for thy son art bent to lay out All sons won't to nurse
• 2:10:11
  their parents in old age. Thou in old age carest how to nurse thy
• 2:10:20
  son made older than thy age through eyesight lost? It shall be my delight
• 2:10:28
  to tend his eyes and view him sitting in the house ennobl'd, with all
• 2:10:35
  those high exploits by him achiev'd, and on his shoulders waving down those locks
• 2:10:46
  that of a nation arm'd the strength contain'd. And I persuade me God had
• 2:10:54
  not permitted his strength again to grow up, with his hair garrison round about
• 2:11:01
  him like a camp of faithful soldiery. Were not his purpose to use him
• 2:11:09
  father, yet in some great service, not to sit idle with so great
• 2:11:16
  a gift useless and thence ridiculous about him. And since his strength with eyesight
• 2:11:26
  was not lost, God will restore him eyesight to his strength. Thy hopes
• 2:11:33
  are not ill founded, nor seem vain of his delivery, and thy joy
• 2:11:41
  thereon conceiv'd agreeable to a father's love in both which we as next participate.
• 2:11:52
  I know your friendly minds. And oh, what noise, mercy of heaven?
• 2:12:01
  What hideous noise? Was that? Horribly loud and like the former shout
• 2:12:09
  noise, call you it or universal groan, as if the whole inhabitation perish'd.
• 2:12:16
  Blood, death, and dreadful deeds are in that noise, ruin destruction
• 2:12:24
  at the utmost point of ruin. Indeed, methought I heard the noise.
• 2:12:31
  Oh it continues. They have slain my son. Thy son is rather slaying
• 2:12:39
  them. That outcry from slaughter of one foe could not ascend some dismal accident.
• 2:12:48
  It needs must be, what shall we do? Stay here or run?
• 2:12:54
  And see best keep together here, lest running thither we unawares run into
• 2:13:03
  danger's mouth. This evil on the Philistines is fallen from whom could else a
• 2:13:11
  general cry be heard the sufferers? Then will Scarce molest us here from other
• 2:13:18
  hands? We need not much to fear, what if his eyesight? For
• 2:13:24
  to Israel's God nothing is hard by miracle restor'd he now be dealing dole among
• 2:13:33
  his foes, and over heaps of slaughtered walk his way. That where a
• 2:13:41
  joy presumptuous to be thought. Yet God hath wrought things as incredible for his
• 2:13:50
  people of old? What hinders now he can? I know, but doubt
• 2:13:58
  to think he will? Yet hope would fain subscribe, and tempts belief A
• 2:14:05
  little stay will bring some notice, hither of good or bad? So great
• 2:14:13
  of bad the sooner for evil news writes post, while good news bates,
• 2:14:22
  And to our wish, I see one hither speeding an ebrew, as I
• 2:14:28
  guess, and of our tribe. Oh, whither shall I run? Or
• 2:14:35
  which way fly? The sight of this so horrid spectacle which erst my eyes
• 2:14:41
  beheld, and yet behold for dire imagination still pursues me. But providence or
• 2:14:52
  instinct of nature seems, or reason, though Disturb'd and Scarce, consult to
• 2:15:00
  have guided me. Aright, I know not how to thee first, Reverend
• 2:15:07
  manner' and to these my countrymen, whom here I knew, remaining as at
• 2:15:13
  some distance from the place of horror. So in the sad event too much
• 2:15:22
  concern'd. The accident was loud, and here before THEE with rueful cry.
• 2:15:31
  Yet what it was we hear not no preface needs thou seest we long to
• 2:15:37
  know? It would burst forth. But I recover breath and sense, distract
• 2:15:46
  to know well what I utter tell us the sum the circumstance defer. Gaza
• 2:15:56
  yet stands, but all her sons are fallen, all in a moment,
• 2:16:03
  overwhelm'd and fallen sad. But thou knowst to Israelites, not saddest the desolation
• 2:16:15
  of a hostile city. Feed on that first there may in grief be surfeit
• 2:16:24
  relate by whom by Samson that still lessens the sorrow and converts it nigh to
• 2:16:35
  joy. Ah man o'. I refrain too suddenly to utter what will come
• 2:16:43
  at last, too soon, lest evil tidings with too rude eruption hitting thy
• 2:16:52
  aged ear should pierce too deep. Suspense in news is torture. Speak them
• 2:17:01
  out, then take the worst in brief Sampson is dead the worst. Indeed,
• 2:17:13
  Oh, all my hopes defeated to free him. Hence, but death,
• 2:17:20
  who sets all free, hath paid his ransom now and full discharge.
• 2:17:28
  What wind' he joy this day? Had I conceiv'd hopeful of his delivery,
• 2:17:37
  which now proves abortive as the first born bloom of spring, nick't with the
• 2:17:46
  lagging fear of winter's frost. Yet e'er I give the reins to grief?
• 2:17:54
  Say first, how did he death? To life? Is crown or shame?
• 2:18:03
  All by him fell? Thou, sayest, by whom fell he?
• 2:18:11
  What glorious band gave Samson his death's wound? Unwounded of his enemies he fell
• 2:18:22
  wearied with slaughter? Then, Oh, how explain by his own hands self
• 2:18:31
  violence? What cause brought him so soon at variance with himself among his foes?
• 2:18:41
  Inevitable cause at once both to destroy and be destroy'd the edifice where all
• 2:18:50
  were met to see him upon their heads and on his own, he pull'd,
• 2:18:58
  oh, vastly over strong against thyself, a dreadful way Thou took'st to
• 2:19:07
  thy revenge more than enough we know. But while things yet are in confusion,
• 2:19:16
  give us if thou canst I witness of what first or last was done
• 2:19:24
  relation more particular and distinct. End of Section ten, Section eleven Messenger chorus,
• 2:19:41
  chorus chorus Ma Noah. Occasions drew me early to this city, And
• 2:19:54
  as the gates I enter'd with sunrise the morning tra rumpids festival proclaim'd through each
• 2:20:03
  high street. Little I had dispatch'd, when all abroad was rumor'd that this
• 2:20:09
  day Sampson should be brought forth to show the people proof of his mighty strength
• 2:20:18
  in feats and games. I sorrow'd at his captive state, but minded not
• 2:20:26
  to be absent at that spectacle. The building was a spacious theater, half
• 2:20:35
  round on two main pillars, vaulted high, with seats where all the lords
• 2:20:41
  and each degree of sort might sit in order to behold. The other side
• 2:20:50
  was open, where the throng on banks and scaffolds under sky might stand.
• 2:20:58
  I among these aloof obscurely stood. The feast and noon grew high, and
• 2:21:05
  sacrifice had filled their hearts with mirth, high cheer, and wine went to
• 2:21:13
  their sports. They turn'd. Immediately was Samson, as a public servant,
• 2:21:20
  brought in their state, livery clad before him, pipes and timbrels on each
• 2:21:30
  side went armed guards, both horse and foot, before him, and behind
• 2:21:37
  archers and slingers, catafracts and spears. At sight of him, the people,
• 2:21:45
  with a shout, rifted the air, clamoring their God with praise,
• 2:21:52
  who had made their dreadful enemy their thrall. He patient, but undoored where
• 2:22:00
  they led him, came to the place, and what was set before him,
• 2:22:05
  which without help of I might be a sayd to heave, pull,
• 2:22:11
  draw, or break. He still perform'd all with incredible stupendous force, none
• 2:22:22
  daring to appear antagonist at length. For intermission's sake, they led him between
• 2:22:30
  the pillars he his guide requested for so from such as near a stood we
• 2:22:37
  heard as overtired, to let him lean awhile with both his arms on those
• 2:22:46
  two massy pillars that to the arched roof gave main support. He unsuspicious led
• 2:22:54
  him, which, when Samson felt in his arms, with head awhile inclin'd
• 2:23:03
  and eyes fast fix'd, he stood as one who pray'd or some great matter
• 2:23:09
  in his mind revolv'd at last, with head erect, thus cried aloud,
• 2:23:18
  hitherto lords, what your commands impos'd I have perform'd as reason was obeying,
• 2:23:28
  not without wonder or delight beheld now of my own accord such other trial.
• 2:23:37
  I mean to show you of my strength, yet greater, as with a
• 2:23:43
  maze, shall strike all who behold this utter'd. Straining all his nerves,
• 2:23:52
  he bow'd, as with the force of winds and waters pent when mountains tremble
• 2:24:01
  those two massy pillars, with horrible convulsion to and fro he tugg'd, he
• 2:24:11
  shook till down they came, and drew the whole roof after them, with
• 2:24:18
  bursts of thunder upon the heads of all who sate beneath lords, ladies,
• 2:24:26
  captains, counselors, or priests their choice, nobility and flower. Not only
• 2:24:33
  of this, but each Pelictian city round met from all parts to solemnize this
• 2:24:41
  feast. Samson, with these immix'd inevitably pull'd down the same destruction on himself,
• 2:24:54
  the vulgar only scap'd who stood without Oh dearly bought revenge. Yet glorious,
• 2:25:05
  living or dying, Thou hast fulfill'd the work for which thou wast foretold
• 2:25:11
  to Israel, and now liest victorious among thy slain self kill'd not willingly,
• 2:25:22
  but tangl'd in the fold of dire necessity, whose law in death conjoin'd thee
• 2:25:31
  with thy slaughter'd foes in number more than all thy life hath slain before while
• 2:25:41
  their hearts went jockun'd and sublime, drunk with idolatry, drunk with wine and
• 2:25:48
  fat re gorg'd of bulls and goats, chaunting their idol and preferring before our
• 2:25:58
  living dread who dwells in Shiloh, his bright sanctuary. Among them, he
• 2:26:05
  a spirit of frenzy scent, who hurt their minds and urg'd them on with
• 2:26:11
  mad desire to call in haste for their destroyer. They only set on sport
• 2:26:20
  and play unweaitingly, importun'd their own destruction to come speedy upon them. So
• 2:26:31
  fond are mortal men fallen into wrath divine as their own ruin on themselves to
• 2:26:39
  invite insensate left or to sense reprobate, and with blindness internal struck. But
• 2:26:52
  he, though blind of sight, despis'd and thought extinguish'd quiet with inward eyes,
• 2:27:01
  illuminated his fiery vitue rous'd from under ashes into sudden flame, and as
• 2:27:11
  an evening dragon came assailant on the perch'd roosts and nests in order rang'd of
• 2:27:20
  tame vilatic fowl, But as an eagle, his cloudless thunder bolted on their
• 2:27:30
  heads. So vitue given for lost, depress'd, and overthrown as seem'd like
• 2:27:39
  that self begotten bird in the Arabian woods, embossed that no second nose nor
• 2:27:46
  third, and lay e'er while a hollow courst from out her ashy womb,
• 2:27:54
  now teem'd revives, reflourishes, the vigorous most when most unactive deem'd, and
• 2:28:05
  though her body die, her fame survives a secular bird. Ages of lives
• 2:28:16
  come come. No time for lamentation now, nor much more, cause Samson
• 2:28:26
  hath quit himself. Like Samson and heroically hath finish'd a life heroic on his
• 2:28:35
  enemies, fully reveng'd, hath left them years of mourning and lamentation to the
• 2:28:45
  sons of Caftal, through all Phelistian bounds to Israel, honor hath left and
• 2:28:54
  freedom. Let but them find courage to lay hold on this occasion to himself
• 2:29:01
  and father's house eternal fame, and which is best and happiest Yet all this
• 2:29:11
  with God not parted from him as was fear'd, but favoring and assisting to
• 2:29:18
  the end. Nothing is here for tears, nothing to wail or knock the
• 2:29:26
  breast, no weakness, no contempt, dispraise or blame. Nothing but well
• 2:29:35
  and fair. And what may quiet us in a death? So noble,
• 2:29:43
  let us go find the body where it lies, soak'd in his enemy's blood,
• 2:29:50
  and from the stream, with lavers pure and cleansing herbs, wash off
• 2:29:56
  the clotted gore. Ay with what speed the while Gaza is not in plight
• 2:30:05
  to say us nay, will send for all my kindred, all my friends,
• 2:30:11
  to fetch him. Hence and solemnly attend with silent obsequi and funeral train
• 2:30:20
  home to his father's house. There will I build him a monument and plant
• 2:30:28
  it round with shade of laurel ever green and branching palm, with all his
• 2:30:35
  trophies hung and acts enroll'd in copious legend or sweet lyric song. Thither shall
• 2:30:46
  all the valiant youth resort, and from his memory inflame their breasts to matchless
• 2:30:56
  valor and adventures high. The virgins also shall, on feastful days visit his
• 2:31:05
  tomb with flowers, only bewailing his lot unfortunate innuptial choice. From whence captivity
• 2:31:18
  and loss of eyes all is best, though we oft doubt what the unsearchable
• 2:31:28
  dispose of highest wisdom brings about, and ever best found in the close oft
• 2:31:37
  he seems to hide his face, but unexpectedly returns and to his faithful champion,
• 2:31:46
  Hath in place bore witness gloriously whence gars are mourns, and all that
• 2:31:56
  band them to resist his uncon prollable intent. His servants he with knew a
• 2:32:05
  quist of true experience from this great event, with peace and consolation, Hath
• 2:32:15
  dismissed, and calm of mind, all passions spent. End of Section eleven.