THE PERSONS. Samson. Manoah, the Father of Samson. Dalila, his Wife. Harapha of Gath. Public Officer. Messenger. Chorus of Danites. The Scene before the Prison in Gaza. SAMSON AGONISTES. Samson, [Attendant leading him.] A LITTLE onward lend thy guiding hand To Dagon their sea-idol, and forbid 9 Their superstition yields me; hence with leave 15 Retiring from the popular noise, I seek This unfrequented place to find some ease, From restless thoughts, that, like a deadly swarm His God-like presence, and from some great act 20 25 30 As of a person separate to God, Design'd for great exploits; if I must die 35 With this heav'n-gifted strength? O glorious strength, Lower than bond-slave! Promise was that I Had been fulfill'd but through mine own default, By weakest subtleties, not made to rule, But to subserve where wisdom bears command! 49 45 50 55 60 65 Light, the prime work of God, to me' is extinct, 70 And all her various objects of delight Of man or worm; the vilest here excel me; Without all hope of day! first created Beam, and thou great Word, "Let there be light, and light was over all;" Why am I thus bereav'd thy prime decree? And silent as the moon, When she deserts the night, Hid in her vacant interlunar cave. Since light so necessary is to life, 75 180 85 90 And almost life itself, if it be true That light is in the soul, She all in every part; why was the sight To such a tender ball as th' eye confin'd, So obvious and so easy to be quench'd? 95 And not, as feeling, through all parts diffus'd, That she might look at will through every pore? Then had I not been thus exil'd from light, As in the land of darkness, yet in light, By privilege of death and burial, From worst of other evils, pains and wrongs; But made hereby obnoxious more To all the miseries of life, Life in captivity Among inhuman foes. But who are these? for with joint pace I hear The tread of many feet steering this way; [Enter] Chorus. Chor. This, this is he; softly a while, Let us not break in upon him: O change beyond report, thought, or belief! As one past hope, abandon'd, 115 120 O'er-worn and soil'd; Or do my eyes misrepresent? Can this be he, Irresistible Samson? whom unarm'd 125 No strength of man or fiercest wild beast could with stand; Who tore the lion, as the lion tears the kid; Ran on embattled armies clad in iron, And, weaponless himself, Made arms ridiculous, useless the forgery Of brazen shield and spear, the hammer'd cuirass, But safest he who stood aloof, When insupportably his foot advane'd, 130 135 In scorn of their proud arms and warlike tools, Spurn'd them to death by troops. The bold Ascalo nite Fled from his lion ramp; old warriors turn'd Their plated backs under his heel; 140 Or, grov'ling, soil'd their crested helmets in the dust. Then with what trivial weapon came to hand, A thousand fore-skins fell, the flow'r of Palestine, 145 |