A most excellent and famous Ditty of Samson judge of Israel, how he wedded ● Philistines Daughter, who at length forsook him: also how he slew a Lion, and propounded a Riddle, and after how he was falsely betrayed by Dalila, and of his death.  
To the tune of the Spanish Pavin.  

When Samson was a tell young man  
His power and strength increased than,  
And in the host and Tribe of Dan,  
the Lord did bless him still.  
It chancrd so upon a day,  
As he was walking on his way,  
He saw Maiden fresh and gay,  
in Timnah.   

With whom he fell so sore in love.  
That he his fancy could not move:  
His Parents therefore he did prove,  
and craved their good wills.  
I have found out a wise quoth he,  
I pray you Father give her me,  
Though she a stranger's daughter be,  
I pass not.   

Then did bespeak his Parents dear,  
Have we not many Maidens here,  
Of Country, and acquaintance near,  
for thee to love and like?  
O no, (quoth Samson presently)  
Not one so pleasant in mine eye,  
Whom I could find so faithfully  
to fancy,   

At length they granted their consent:  
And so with Samson forth they went,  
To see the Maid was their intent.  
which was so fair and bright:  
But as they were a going there,  
A Lion put them in great fear,  
Whom Samson presently did tear,  
in pieces.   

When they were come unto the place,  
They were agreed the case:  
The wedding day apppointed was:  
and when the time was come.  
As Samson went for beauty's fees,  
The Lion's carcase there he sees,  
Wherein a sort of honey Bees  
had swearmed.   

Then closely Samson went his way,  
And not a word thereof did say,  
Until the merry feasting day,  
unto the company.  
A Riddle I will show, quoth he,  
The meaning if you tell to me  
Within seven days, I will give ye  
great riches.   

But if the meaning you do miss,  
And cannot show me what it is,  
Then shall you give to me (I wisse)  
so much as I have said.  
Put forth thy Riddle (than quoth they)  
And we will tell it by our day,  
Or we will lose (as thou dost say)  
the wager.   

Then mark (quoth he) the total sum,  
Out of the eater meat did come,  
And from the strong did sweetness run,  
declare it if you can.  
And when they heard the Riddle told,  
Their hearts within them waxed cold:  
For none of them could then unfold  
the meaning.   

Then unto Sampsons' wife went they  
And threatened her without delay,  
If she would not the thing bewray,  
to burn her Father's house.  
Then Sampsons' wife with grief and woe,  
Desired him the same to show:  
And when she knew she strait did go  
to tell them.   

Then were they all full glad of this,  
To tell the thing they did not miss,  
What stronger beast than Lion is?  
What sweeter meat than Honey:  
Then Samson answered them full round:  
If my Hayfar had not ploughed the ground,  
So easily you had not found  
my Riddle.   

Then Samson did his losses pay,  
And to his father went his way▪  
But whilst with them he there did stay,  
his wife forsook him quite.  
And took another to her Love,  
Which Samsons anger much did move,  
To plague them therefore he did prove  
his cunning.   

A subtle sight he then had found,  
To burn their corn upon the ground,  
Their Vineyards he destroyed round  
which made them fret and fume.  
But when they knew that Samson he  
Had done them all this injury,  
Because his wife did him deny,  
they killed her:   

And afterward they had decreed,  
To murder Samson for that deed,  
Three thousand men they sent with speed,  
to bring him bound to them:  
But he did break his cords apace,  
And with the jawbone of an Ass,  
A thousand men ere he did pass,  
he killed.   

When all his foes were laid in dust,  
Then Samson was full sore athirst.  
In God therefore was all his trust,  
to help his fanting heart:  
For liquor thereabout was none?  
The Lord therefore from the jawbone,  
Did make fresh water spring alone,  
to help him.   

Then Samson had a joyful spirit,  
And in a City lay that night,  
Whereas his foes with deadly spite,  
did seek his life to spill:  
But he at midnight then awakes,  
And tearing down the City gates,  
With him away the same he takes,  
most stoutly.   

Then on Dalila fair and bright.  
Did Samson set his whole delight,  
Whom he did love both day and night,  
which wrought his overthrow:  
For she with sweet words did entreat,  
That for her sake he would repeat,  
Wherein his strength, that was to great,  
consisted.   

At length unto his utter fall,  
And through her suit, which was not smal●  
He did not let to show her all,  
the secrets of his heart:  
If that my hair be cut, (quoth he)  
Which now so fair and long you see,  
Licks other men than shall I be,  
in weakness.   

Then through deceit which was so deep,  
She lulled Samson fast asleep,  
A man she called which she did keep,  
to cut off all his hair.  
Then did she call his hateful foes,  
Ere Samson from her lap arose,  
Who could not then withstand their blow●  
for weakness,   

To bind him fast they did device,  
Then did they put out both his eyes.  
In Prison woefully he lies,  
and there he grinds the Mill.  
But God remembered all his pain,  
And did restore his strength again,  
Although that bond he did remain,  
in Prison   

The Philistines now were glad of this,  
For joy they made a feast (I wisse)  
And all their Princes did not miss  
to come unto the same:  
And being merry bent that day,  
For Samson they did send straightway  
That they might laugh to see him play  
among them   

Then to the house was Samson led  
And when he had their fancies fed,  
He plucked the house upon their head,  
and down they tumbled all:  
So that with grief and deadly pain,  
Three thousand persons there were slain  
Thus Samson then with all his train,  
was brained.