authority and fame. The measure of vers in the chorus is of all sorts, called by the Monostrophic, or rather Apolelymenon, w regard had to Strophe, Antistrophe, or Epode were a kind of stanzas framed only for the then used with the chorus that sung; not es to the poem, and therefore not material; or divided into stanzas or pauses, they may be Alloostropha. Division into act and scene re chiefly to the stage, to which this work nev intended, is here omitted. It suffices if the whole drama be found no duced beyond the fifth act; of the style and formity, and that commonly called the whether intricate or explicit, which is no indeed but such economy, or disposition fable as may stand best with verisimilitud decorum, they only will best judge who ar unacquainted with Eschylus, Sophocles, and ripides, the three tragic poets, unequalled y any, and the best rule to all who endeavo write tragedy. The circumscription of time, wh the whole drama begins and ends is, accordi ancient rule and best example, within the of twenty-four hours. 5 THE ARGUMENT. SAMSON made captive, blind, and now in the prison at Gaza, there to labour as in a common workhouse, on a festivalday, in the general cessation from labour, comes forth into the open air, to a place nigh, somewhat retired, there to sit a while 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 him 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; and, lastly, that this feast was proclaimed 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 Philistian lords for Samson's redemption; who in the mean while 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 show 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 afterward more distinctly, relating the catastrophe, what Samson had done to the Philistines, and by accident to himself; wherewith the tragedy ends. 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. SAMS. A LITTLE onward lend thy guiding hand Unwholesome draught: but here I feel amends, 5 Their superstition yields me; hence with leave 15 2 dark steps] Euripidis Phoenissæ, 841. Ηγοῦ πάροιθε, θύγατερ, ὥς τυφλῶ πόδι. Richardson. swarm] Sydney's Arcadia, p. 164, ed. 13th. 'A new swarm of thoughts stinging her mind.' Todd. Or benefit reveal'd to Abraham's race? Why was my breeding order'd and pres As of a person separate to God, Design'd for great exploits, if I must di Betray'd, captiv'd, and both my eyes p Made of my enemies the scorn and gaze To grind in brazen fetters under task With this heav'n-gifted strength? O Put to the labour of a beast, debas'd Lower than bondslave! Promise was th Should Israel from Philistian yoke delive Ask for this great deliverer now, and find Eyeless in Gaza at the mill with slaves, Himself in bonds under Philistian yoke. Yet stay, let me not rashly call in doubt Divine prediction: what! if all foretold Had been fulfill'd but through mine own Whom have I to complain of but myself? Who this high gift of strength committed 33 captiv'd] And captìv'd kings.' Ross's Mel He p. 55. Israel captiv'd.' Cowley's Davideis, lib. |