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A DRAMATIC POEM.

THE ARGUMENT.

Sanson made captive, blind, and now in the prison of Gaza, nere to labour as in a common workhouse, on a festival day, in the general cessation from labour, comes forth into the open air, to a place nigh, somewhat retired, there to sit 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 seek to comfort hini what they can; then by his old father, Manoah, who endeavours the like, and withal tells him his purpose to procure his liberty by ransom; lastly, that this feast was proclainied by the Philistines as a day of thanksgiving for their deliverance from the hands of Samson, which yet more troubles him. Manoah then departs to prosecute his endeavour with the Philistine lords for Samson's redemption; who in the meanwhile is visited by other persons; and lastly by a public officer to require his coming to the feast before the lords and people, to play or shew his strength in their presence; he at first refuses, dismissing the public officer with absolute denial to come; at length, persuaded inwardly that this was from God, he yields to go along with him, who came now the second time with great threatenings to fetch him: the Chorus yet remaining on the place, Manoah returns full of joyful hope, to procure ere long his son's deliverance, in the midst of which discourse an Hebrew comes in haste, confusedly at first, and afterwards more distinctly relating the catastrophe what Samson had done to the Philistines, and by accident to himself; wherewith the tragedy ends.

Samson.

THE PERSONS.

Manoah, the father of
Samson.

Dalila, his wife.

Harapha of Gath
Public Officer.
Messenger.

Chorus of Daniter.

The Scene, before the Prison in Gaza.

SAMSON. Attendant leading him.

A LITTLE onward lend thy guiding hand
To these dark steps, a little further on;
For yonder bank hath choice of sun or shade:
There I am wont to sit, when any chance
Pelieves me from my task of servile toil,

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Samson Agonistes; Agonistes is a Greek word signifying Actor. The introduction is in imitation of the Edipus Coloneus of Sophocles. For the subject of the poem, and most of the scriptural allusions it contains, reference may be made in general to the Book of Judges.

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