The feast and noon grew high, and sacrifice
Had fill'd their hearts with mirth, high cheer, and
wine,

When to their sports they turn'd. Immediately
Was Samson as a public servant brought, 1615
In their state livery clad: before him pipes
And timbrels, on each side went armed guards,
Both horse and foot, before him and behind
Archers, and slingers, cataphracts and spears.
At sight of him the people with a shout 1620
Rifted the air, clamouring their god with praise,
Who' had made their dreadful enemy their thrall.
He patient but undaunted where they led him,
Came to the place, and what was set before him,
Which without help of eye might be assay'd 1625
To heave, pull, draw, or break, he still perform'd
All with incredible, stupendous force,
None daring to appear antagonist.

At length for intermission sake they led him Between the pillars; he his guide requested 1630 (For so from such as nearer stood we heard)

1605. Buildings are mentioned by Pliny the naturalist which were supported only by one pillar, and Dr. Shaw says in his Travels, that the eastern theatres are built in the form of an advanced cloister or penthouse, supported by one or two pillars in the front or centre. Supposing, therefore, that the house of Dagon was built, as is most probable, in this manner, the destruction which followed the exertion of Samson's strength was inevitable.

1619. Cataphracts, men or horses completely armed.

As over-tired to let him lean a while
With both his arms on those two massy pillars,
That to the arched roof gave main support.
He unsuspicious led him; which when Samson
Felt in his arms, with head a while inclined, 1636
And eyes fast fix'd, he stood, as one who pray'd,
Or some great matter in his mind revolted
At last with head erect cry'd aloud,
'Hitherto, Lords, what your commands imposed
I have perform'd, as reason was, obeying, 1641
Not without wonder or delight beheld:
Now of my own accord such other trial

I mean to show you of my strength, yet greater;
As with amaze shall strike all who behold.' 1645
This utter'd, straining all his nerves he bow'd,
As with the force of winds and waters pent
When mountains tremble, those two massy pillars
With horrible convulsion to and fro

1649

He tugg'd, he shook, till down they came and drew

1655

The whole roof after them, with burst of thunder
Upon the heads of all who sat beneath,
Lords, ladies, captains, counsellors, or priests,
Their choice nobility and flower, not only
Of this, but each Philistian city round,
Met from all parts to solemnize this feast.
Samson with these immix'd, inevitably
Pull'd down the same destruction on himself,
The vulgar only 'scaped who stood without.

Chor. O dearly-bought revenge, yet glorious! Living or dying thou hast fulfill'd

The work for which thou wast foretold
To Israel, and now ly'st victorious
Among thy slain self-kill'd,

1661

Not willingly, but tangled in the fold

1665

1710

Nor much more cause; Samson hath quit himself
Like Samson, and heroicly hath finish'd
A life heroic, on his enemies

Fully revenged, hath left them years of mourning,
And lamentation to the sons of Caphtor
Through all Philistian bounds, to Israel
Honour hath left, and freedom, let but them 1715
Find courage to lay hold on this occasion;
To himself and father's house eternal fame,
And, which is best and happiest yet, all this
With God not parted from him, as was fear'd,
But favouring and assisting to the end.
Nothing is here for tears, nothing to wail
Or knock the breast, no weakness, no contempt,
Dispraise, or blame, nothing but well and fair
And what may quiet us in a death so noble.

1720

1695. Villatic, domestic, from the Latin Villa. 1700. Imbost, embowered or concealed, from the Italian word imboscare, I conjecture.-Spenser uses it. Faery Queen, B. 1. Can. 3. St. 24.

1713. Sons of Caphtor, Philistines from the island of Caohtor, who settled in Palestine.

1725

Let us go find the body where it lies
Soak'd in his enemies' blood, and from the stream
With lavers pure and cleansing herbs wash off
The clotted gore. I with what speed the while
(Gaza is not in plight to say us nay)

Will send for all my kindred, all my friends, 1730
To fetch him hence, and solemniy attend
With silent obsequy and funeral train

Home to his father's house; there will I build him
A monument, and plant it round with shade
Of laurel ever green, and branching palm, 1735
With all his trophies hung, and acts inroll'd
In copious legend, or sweet lyric song.
Thither shall all the valiant youth resort,
And from his memory inflame their breasts

To matchless valour, and adventures high: 1740
The virgins also shall on feastful days
Visit his tomb with flow'rs, only bewailing
His lot unfortunate in nuptial choice,
From whence captivity and loss of eyes.

Chor. All is best, though we oft doubt
What th' unsearchable dispose

1745

1730. This circumstance is founded on Judg. xvi. 31. To the lovers of classical drama, Samson Agonistes is full of beauty; its regularity, the clearness and solemnity of its diction, the pathos of Manoah's character, and the well-sustained severity of Samson's, are all

calculated to secure their admiration. But it is not the generality of readers who can see beauty in propriety, or feel sympathy with a passion which is more strong than vehement; and to these this poem will always fail of interest.