The measure of verfe used in the chorus is of all forts, called by the Greeks Monoftrophic for rather Apolelymenon, without regard had to Strophe, Antiftrophe, or Epod, which were a kind of ftanzas framed only for the mufic, then ufed with the chorus that fung; not effential to the poem, and therefore not material; or being divided into ftanzas paules, they may be called Allæoftropha. Divifion into act and fcene, referring chiefly to the flage (to which this work never was intended) is bere omitted. It fuffices if the whole drama be found not produced beyond the fifth act. Of the style and uniformity, and that commonly called the plot, whether intricate or explicit, which is nothing indeed but such economy or difpofition of the fable as may ftand beft with verfimilitude and detorum; they only will beft judge, who are not unacquainted with fchylus, Sophocles, and Euripides, the three tragic poets unequalled vet by any, and the best rule to all who endeavour to write tragedy. The circumfcription of time, wherein the whole drama begins and ends, according to ancient rule and best example, within the space of twenty-four hours. The Persons. SAMSON. MANOAH, the Father of Samfon. DALILA, his Wife. HARAPHA of Gath. Public Officer. Meffenger. Chorus of Danites. The Scene before the Prison in Gaza. SAMSON AGONISTES. The Argument. SAMSON made captive, blind, and now in the prifon at Gaza, there to labour as in a common workhoufe, on a feftival day, in the general ceffation from labour, comes forth into the open air, to a place nigh, fomewhat re. tir'd, there to fit awhile and bemoan his condition. Where he happens at length to be visited by certain friends and equals of his 'Tribe, which make the Chorus, who feek to comfort him what they can; then by his old father Manoah, who endeavours the like, and withal tells him his purpofe to procure his liberty by ranfom: laftly, that this feaft was proclaim'd by the Philistines as a day of thankfgiving for their deliverance from the hands of Saifon, which yet more troubles him. Manoah then departs to profecute his endeavour with the Philiftine lords of Samfon's redemption; who in the mean while is vifited by other perfons; and laftly by a public officer, to require his coming to the feaft before the lords and people, to play, or fhow Liftrength in their prefence: he at firft refufes, difmiffing the public officer with abfolute denial to come; at length perfuaded inwardly that this was from God, he yields to go along with him, who came now the fecond time with great threatnings to fetch him: the Chorus yet remaing on the place, Manoah returns full of joyful hope, to procure ere long his fon's deliverance, in the midst of which difcourfe an Hebrew comes in hafte, confafedly at firft, and afterwards more diftinctly, relating the catastrophe, what Samfon had done to the Philiftines, and by accident to himself: wherewith the tragedy ends. SAMSON. A LITTLE onward lend thy guiding hand To thefe dark steps, a little further on; Twice by an angel, who at last in fight His god-like prefence, and from fome great act Why was my breeding order'd and prefcrib'd Defign'd for great exploits; if I must die Made of my enemies the fcorn and gaze; Betray'd, captiv'd, and both my eyes put out, To grind in brazen fetters under task 25 30 35 With this heav'n-gifted strength? O glorious ftrength, Put to the labour of a beaft, debas'd Lower than bond-flave! Promife was that I Should Ifrael from Philiftian yoke deliver: Afk for this great deliverer now, and find him 40 Had been fulfill'd but through mine own default, 45 Who this high' gift of ftrength committed to me, 50 In what part lodg'd, how easily bereft me, By weakeft fubtleties, not made to rule, But to fubferve where wifdom bears command! 55 60 And proves the fource of all my miferies; 65 Light, the prime work of God, to me is extinct, 70 Annull'd, which might in part my grief have eas'd, Of man or worm; the vileft here excell me; Scarce half I feem to live, dead more than half. O firft created beam, and thou great word, And filent as the moon, When the deferts the night, Hid in her vacant interlunar cave. Since light fo neceffary is to life, And almost life itself, if it be true That light is in the foul, She all in every part; why was the fight To fuch a tender ball as th' eye confin'd, So obvious and fo eafy to be quench'd? And not as feeling, through all parts diffus'd, That the might look at will through every pore? As in the land of darkness yet in light, 75 80 85 90 95 ICO By privilege of death and burial, Froin wort of other evils, pains and wrongs, Among inhuman foes. 105 peace I hear But who are these? for with joint O change beyond report, thought or belief! See how he lies at random, carelessly diffus'd. As one pait hope abandon'd, 115 120 And by himself given over; In flavish habit, ill fitted weeds; O'er-worn and foil'd: Or do my eyes mifreprefent? Can this be he, Irrefiftible Samfon? whom unarm'd 125 No ftrength of man or fierceft wild beafts could with itand; Who tore the lion, as the lion tears the kid; Ran on embattled armies clad in iron; And, weaponlefs himself, Made arms ridiculous,ufeless the forgery 130 Of brazen shield and fpear, the hammer'd cuirafs, Chalybean temper'd feel, and frock of mail Adamantean proof; But fafelt he who stood aloof, When infupportably his foot advanc'd, In feorn of their proud arms and warlike tools, 135 Sparn'd them to death by troops. The bold Alcalonite Fled from his lion ramp; old warriors turn'd Their plated backs under his heel, Or grov'ling foil'd their crefted helmets in the duft. 140 |