^1^ s^p^ Delilah l^:- .if^'^y^ ^•v.;=^>r/ h^'\- G-Constsjit Lounsbery RonV ,0 77.D4- COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. *.^ DELILAH A Drama in Three Acts DELILAH a Drama in Three Acts hy G. Constant Lounsbery Author of *'An Iseult Idyl," etc. New York Scott -Thaw Company MCMIV LIBRARY Cf CONGRESS Tv/o Copies Received NOV 7 19U4 CopyriHfU tntfj CLASS jO XXc. Nui COPY 8. T6 3^2-3 .017 2^ COPYRIGHT 1904 BY SCOTT-THAW COMPANY THEEDDYPRESS N E-W YO R.K To 7. A. F, In affection and admiratk DELILAH A Drama in Three Acts Time : The 20th year that Samson judged Israel ACT I Scene I Gaza, a fountain by the gates Early morning Scene II The same. Late evening Between Acts I and II two moons have elapsed ACT II Scene I A market place in Gaza Noon Scene II Interior of Delilah's house in Sorek Between Acts II and III a few days elapse ACT III Scene I Interior of a Temple of Dagon Harvest Festival — Afternoon Samson . . Manassah . First Priest Second Priest Amindah Abidah . . Rebekah . . CHARACTERS Israelites . . Judge of Israel . . High Priest of Jehovah V Friends of Samson Betrothed of Samson Old Men, Young Men, Maidens Philistines Delilah .... Of Sorek High Priest of Dagon Priest of Dagon Captain of the Philistines AijAH .... Brother to DeHlah Meres Apame Zophar Adina . First Page Second Page Third Page A Soldier Priests, Soldiers, Maidens, People Friends of DeHlah ID ACT I ACT I Scene I A well within the gates of Gaza. In the background, the walls of the town, beyond a valley of olive trees, in the distance Mt. Ho- reb, streets to the right and left. Enter right, Hebrew Men. They stand gazing tozvard the fountain. Enter left Philistine Women, bear- ing zvater jugs upon their shoul- ders; they stand looking into the zvell. Manassah I heard a rush, a sound of many wings Cleaving the air. See ye not anything? Mine eyes are dim. Why do the birds take flight? 1ST Priest The wind is in the tree-tops, nothing more! 13 Manassah I saw c. wondrous brightness by the well, A sudden flame that vanished heavenward. 2D Priest It is the dawn that stealeth o'er the plain To girdle Horeb, that high hill, with light. Manassah (prophetically) Ears have ye, but ye hear not, eyes have ye — Behold ye see not ! Unto you I say The hidden things be fairer than things seen. Why do the women lean above the well ? 1ST Priest They laugh to see their faces in its wave. Manassah Women, what see ye by the well? Meres A pack Of fools returning to their folly ! (laughter) Manassah Lo! They mock me in mine age. Let us go hence. (exit, left, Hebrews) 14 Meres Why doth the water tremble in the well ? Apame It danceth like a brook, but not for joy. Adina It is afraid. Some god hath troubled it. ZOPHAR Give me to drink of it. (Meres draws water) How sweet it is ! Meres (drinking) The spring hath breathed upon it ; it is sweet ! Apame We must be gone before the Hebrews come To beat their breasts, and poison this fair stream With tears that turn its very sweetness salt. Adina A race of slaves ! Yet there is one of them, I would not have them hear me name his name. For it is like a wind that fans their hate. 15 Meres He rageth like a fire upon our land. ZOPHAR He looseth and none bindeth. A FAME If he smite, A thousand, as a man, fall by his arm. Apame (treuibiing) If one should meet him, wandering alone ! Meres The sun is strong and yet I feel afraid ! Apame He hath not turned his face away from us. ZOPHAR He took to wife a Philistine! Apame He slew His thirty at the feast. Meres Yea, more than this ; He bound three hundred foxes tail to tail, i6 And set a firebrand between every two, And all the vineyards and the standing corn Were utterly consumed. (enter through the gates Delilah) Apame Speak not of him, He is a god that no man's hate can slay. ZOPHAR Nor can a woman bind him with her love. Adina He is betrothed to one who liveth here. Omnes A Philistine? Adina A woman of his tribe. Meres He cometh unto Gaza. Apame Shall no man, No Philistine, prevent him ? Zophar Woe is me, 17 I shall not sleep for fear. Delilah His loved one's name ? Adina (turning) Rebekah ! Delilah Ah ! I do not like her name. (the maidens turn to Delilah) Meres It is not sweet upon the lips, like thine DeHlah, daughter of Philistia. Adina Why art thou come from Sorek with the dawn? Delilah Lo ! I am come to help ye with the wreaths. Against the feast of Dagon. Meres 'Tis to-night. Apame And didst thou hear our talk? Delilah I liked it not. i8 Samson the strong! Ah, how I hate the name! Meres I would thou wert a man ! Adina Yea, and our chief. Delilah If once this man should come between my hands, I would make sport of all his boasted strength. Meres (soothingly) Tell us of Sorek, that green vale of peace. What sawest thou upon thy early way ? Delilah The little flowers shook ofif a wealth of dew Upon my thirsty feet, the wild grapes shed Their fragrance over me. I wear them here (touching her temples) To cool my temples in the glowing sun ! Their blood has stained my lips, my heart is glad. And laugheth like the vine beneath the sun. The early lizard started from his sleep, 19 The early breeze was sweet upon the palms; My arms I filled with roses for the god, Great globed roses, golden, red and white, And heavy-headed with their wealth of scent. Adina The spirit of the morning is abroad. Meres She is the spring! Omnes Lead us, we follow thee. ZOPHAR Our leaders shall behold her like a dream. A FAME Our young men shall see visions. Nay, not one Can match her beauty with his strength. Meres Yea, one, An Israelite and worthy of her love. Delilah Speak not of him, the man ye dare not name ! My hate alone would dare him face to face. Him I could bind with love. 20 Apame Who f eareth him ? (enter Samson through the gates) ZOPHAR We would defy his name ! Omnes Samson, the strong ! Samson Yea, here am I. Give me to drink, I thirst. (the maidens flee in great confusion) Delilah (disdainfully) I am no slave to flee, nor, staying, serve. Samson Turn thine eyes from me. I have seen the spring In all her sudden glory. I grow faint To be so near thee. Delilah Yea, though all men be As water in thy hands, woe unto thee For thou shalt set thy face unwillingly, 21 And turn thy steps at midnight toward this place, Seeking whom thou shalt find. Henceforth look thou Within thy heart, if thou wouldst see my face! Take thou these grapes to slake thy thirst. Beware ! Not dew alone but fire Is In their flesh. (she takes the grapes from her hair, and gives them to him) And they are sweet with fragrance not their own. (exit, left, Delilah) (Samson raises the grapes to his lips) Samson Though a man set his feet In the straight path, How shall he keep his eyes from wandering. (Rebekah enters, left) Rebekah Samson, what dost thou here? Thine en- emies Will fall upon thee ; as an ox Is led 22 Unto the slaughter they will deal with thee. (Samson looks after Delilah) Samson What woman passed thee coming from the well? Rebekah Delilah, daughter of Philistia, Surnamed the delicate. Men find her fair. Samson Fair as a heathen goddess, Ashteroth ! Rebekah God keep thee from strange women and vain gods! Samson My well-beloved, fear thou not at all, God is my strength, in Him I put my strength. He shall do wondrously and show His light To them that sit in darkness. Know ye this ; The city is delivered unto me. Rebekah And thou wilt take me hence this very night To dwell with thee within the land of Dan? 23 Samson" Thou hast my troth, fear not, I will not fail, Nor rest, nor weary, till the land be free. It were a shame for me to dwell in peace, When Israel is stricken sore with wounds ; To turn my face toward love, when deadly hate Devours the people and the wasted land ; To rear me children that should be but slaves. Be not afraid, no harm shall come to thee. Who cometh? Rebekah Lo ! the priests and people near. Samson (retiring) Do thou draw water from the well. I wait That I may know their hearts before I speak. (enter Manassah zvith the Priests and He- hrezvs) Manassah Let us lift up our voices unto God ! 1ST Priest Yea, let us cry aloud in our distress. 2D Priest Will ye revolt forever, more and more? 24 The head is sick and the whole heart is faint, Bruises and wounds and putrefying sores ; No ointment mohifies them nor allays. There is no soundness in us. Manassah But the Lord Shall send deliverance to us this day. 1ST Priest Lo ! thou art full of sorrow and of years. 2D Priest Our portion is dishonor in our age. 1ST Priest The Tabernacle is profaned, defiled, And desolate. Manassah Behold this day shall we Lay violent hands upon the Philistines. Abidah Is there a shield, behold is there a spear Seen among forty thousand? 2D Priest Waste ye not Your days in vain imaginings. 25 Amindah Had I A leader and a buckler — Abidah And a spear ! 1ST Priest No leader cometh. Abidah Samson draweth near. 1ST Priest He feareth Gaza. Abidah Nay, for never fear Has entered in his heart. Did he not slay The lion with his naked hands ? 1ST Priest Was he Not bound by Judah, bound with two new cords At Etam, given to the enemy — 2D Priest Will he deliver Gaza, Judah's land ? 26 Abidah His bands were loosed from off his hands, he found The jaw-bone of an ass, and slew therewith A thousand men — Samson (advancing) With mine own hand I slew. Though all the countless stars should rise in wrath Trusting their numbers, what shall it avail Against the sun rejoicing in his strength ? Omnes Samson the strong, whose name is like the sun! Manassah Behold, the day breaks and the shadows flee. (enter Rebekah and Hehrezv women, zvho draw water from the well) Samson Abase yourselves, ye people, bow ye down — Down even to the dust, and gird your loins. High Priest We lick the dust in bitterness and wrath! 27 2D Priest Our neck is bowed beneath the Gentile's yoke, And heavy is their hand upon our heads. 1ST Priest There is no help for us ! 2D Priest No help for us! We rend our hearts in vain, there is no help ! Manassah Our eyes are dim with weeping, and our hands Are strengthless to avenge our miseries. (Rehekah croons softly to herself as she draws water) Abidah Who doth insult our sorrow with her song? Amindah It was Rebekah singing by the well. High Priest When there is sorrow in all Israel, Why dost thou mock us, wherefore dost thou sing ? 28 Rebekah (comes tozvard them) I know not, Rabbi, but I saw a flower Dancing upon the breeze, and in the well I thought — I thought I saw my lover's face Leaning to kiss my lips. 1ST Priest She prates of love ! Rebekah And then — and then a bird began to sing, And I was glad to see the grass so green. It is the spring! Amindah — Rebuke her idle words. Man ASS AH How merciless is youth! Nay, go in peace. i\Iy weight of years is fallen to the earth, I feel along my veins the stir of spring ! Samson, why art thou silent ? Say ! And why Dost thou exhort us unto tears and pain ? Samson I would not have ye waste your strength in tears, 29 But I would have ye sorrow, till your pain Should be a living anguish in the flesh And unendurable. Amindah It goads us on. Samson I would it goaded ye, that ye might turn With one accord and rend the enemy ! 2D Priest Like grass is man consumed and burned away. Brief is his life ; but this were certain death ! Amindah There is no life without our liberty ! Abidah There is no death where there is victory! Omnes Lead us, for we are eager for the fight. Manassah Lo ! It is God who girdeth thee with strength, He teacheth thee to war, so that a bow Is broken like a reed between thy hands. 30 Omnes We have no arms ! Samson The Lord shall be thy sword ! Manassah Yea, with his arrows shall he scatter them Who be thine enemies. Omnes We have no shield ! Samson The Lord shall be thy buckler, and the strength Of thy right arm. Omnes We have no standard ! Manassah Yet The Lord shall be a banner over thee. Omnes We have no place of safety ! Manassah Yet the Lord 31 Shall be thy fortress and thy resting place, Thy safety in the time of thy great need. Samson (angrily) Ye men of Israel, give h^d to me ; Your heart within yon is as^shifting sand, Your bones are water, therefore go not up Against the foe, for with my naked palms — Manassah Thy strength is consecrate to God. Samson Yea, I With mine own hand shall drive the enemy Before me like a flock of silly sheep ! Manassah Boast not ; what God permits, that canst thou do. For though the Philistines be like the sands Upon the shore, the Lord shall scatter them As dust before the wind. Omnes Lead thou us on ! Samson Fight and the Lord fights with thee! Flee and He 32 Withdraws his succour from thee. If the God Within the heart of man be strong, behold, Who shall endure before his arm, or stay His purpose, for it speedeth like a dart Straight to the mark, and striketh not in vain. If ye be men indeed, if ye be men. Then is the battle won before the blow Has fallen ; but indeed if ye be slaves No pomp of armour nor of marshalled men Shall stay the fury of the enemy ; For not in numbers, nor in might of arms, But in the daring heart lies victory ! Amindah The word is like strong wine within my veins ! Abidah His voice is like the wind upon the trees, Even the mighty trees of Lebanon. 2D Priest I felt a sudden warmth as when the sun Quickens the limbs that have grown stiff with cold! (enter Captain of Philistines and Soldiers) 33 Captain What shouts are these, what tumult? Who spoke here ? Who raised his voice, and who cried — Israelites Victory ! Captain What would ye ? Israelites Freedom ! Manassah Freedom in the land — Our altars and our homes. Israelites Our liberty ! Captain Disperse, ye people ! Rather be your prayers For mercy from your rulers. Who is chief, And who is leader, let that man be seized ! Omnes Samson ! Soldiers We are afraid ! 34 Man ASS AH Behold the hour Of our deHverance is nigh at hand ! Captain Yield us your leader, rather cast yourselves Upon our mercy, than provoke our wrath, Lest it blow out upon ye like a flame And ye be stubble utterly consumed. Samson Nay, be not hasty in your deeds ; lest I — I, Samson, fall upon and slay ye here, A thousand as a man. Israelites Samson the strong ! Samson As I have slain your brothers ! Captain Seize ye him ! Samson Ye come against us armed with sticks and staves ! 35 , , (Philistines surround Samson; he rends the staves from them; and gives them to the Israelites) Follow ! these be your weapons, Israel. (ivith the zveapons the Israelites drive off the Philistines) CURTAIN Scene II Scene: The same. Evening. Discovered: The High Priest seated on the stone beneath a tree, and beside him the Captain, Aijah and other Priests. High Priest How are the mighty fallen from their seats. Captain One day hath brought our victories to naught. Aijah One man hath sucked our strength. We were, alas ! A field that flaunts its flowers 'neath the sun. High Priest He hath arisen in his might, behold How he hath withered us ! Aijah He is a god ! High Priest Who shall search out the secret of his strength ? 37 1ST Priest Soft are the ways of women ; is there none Among our daughters who can steal his eyes ? AlJAH No man can slay or snare him in his strength. High Priest Take thought, take counsel, let us bind with vows, Strong vows of fear, some maiden to our cause. Whose beauty shall disarm him. She must be Subtle and sweet, sudden and strong to smite. And great shall be her honour and renown. If she surprise the secret of this man. Whom do the maidens hold the fairest? Captain Her Men call Delilah, maids, the delicate. Yet she is royal. AlJAH One more lowly born Should be thy tool, the plaything of thy craft. 38 High Priest No harm shall come to her, she shall but look Upon him with her unawakened eyes, Taking his sudden fancy in the net Of her untutored loveliness. Priest A word To woo his secret from him, when the night And weariness relax his vigilance. High Priest Then if we know where he may be assailed, It were a man's deed to undo his might. AlJAH No arm more eager of the deed than mine. High Priest Thine be the deed. Yet lend us now thy help. Thou art her brother, speak to her thereof. The old men seeing her forget their years And all their weariness. Captain The young men pine With love of her. 39 Priest The maidens crown her queen. (enter Delilah; she starts as she sees the men) AlJAH Delilah, fairest in Philistia, Honour is thine, our speech is all of thee. Delilah (petulantly) I pray thee heed him not, for every day And all the hours of it, he wearies me, Pleading that I shall take some man to lord. High Priest Daughter ! Delilah I will not hear ! Aijah Sister ! 1ST Priest Nay, hear ! Delilah I will not wed ; nay, I will take to lord No man — or if I choose a man 'tis he — 40 Captain A soldier, who shall bend the world for thee, And lay the spoils of battle at thy feet, And tame the exulting beauty of the steed To bear thee gently in his pride of strength. High Priest (aivgrily) This is no idle hour to prate of love. Delilah (unheedingly) The man who slayeth Samson, he shall be My lord. (to the Captain) Canst thou do this ? Nay, shame on ye For ye are many, he is but one man ! What ! are ye masters, are ye lords of us ? Your chariots of iron, where are they, Where are your young men? Shame upon ye, shame ! Priest This is the warrior's blood that burns in her. High Priest Samson hath conquered us, well hast thou said, If he be slain we conquer Israel. 4T Captain Danger is his familiar, death his friend, Sudden and swift is he in his revenge, He heedeth not the spear nor biting blade, Neither with any strength of arm nor hand Shall we subdue him. Delilah (meditatively) — By some subtle guile? High Priest (eagerly) Well hast thou spoken ; wisely, child, and well. AlJAH Yet who shall set a snare to take his feet? And thou, Delilah, hast had speech of him? Delilah Some praises, such as women glean from men. (they press eagerly about her) Why do ye question me, with eager eyes Searching my face? High Priest We have great need of thee. 42 Captain Hast thou no fear ? Delilah How shall I fear at all ? (to Aijah) This is my brother; (to the Captain) this my childhood's friend. Priest She hath the wonder of the waking spring, The tremble of new leaves beneath the sun. Captain She floats above us like a bough of spring, A budding branch that idly rocks and sways Its waking blossoms in the wind of dreams. Delilah Why do ye murmur thus among yourselves? This is a council of grave men, and I — (she starts to go) Priest Thy beauty brings our wisdom unto naught. Delilah I am a maiden of unlettered speech, My knowledge is of woodland mysteries, 43 I can brew subtle poisons from strange herbs. Priest She hath a murmur as of many leaves ! High Priest And art thou skilled in love ? Delilah Men call me fair And I could love my country's rescuer. High Priest Thy country ! Dost thou love thy country, child? Delilah Better than the sweet, bounding pulse of life. High Priest And wouldst thou vow thyself to its great need Upon the sword of Dagon, that men say Seeks out a perjurer and smites him dead. Delilah (timidly) Wherefore these questions ? (shrinking from the Priest) Ah, I fear thine eyes. 44 High Priest Great is thine honour, if thy heart be strong; And where the armoured might of men has failed Thou shalt prevail. Rejoice ! Delilah How shall this be ? High Priest Dagon has chosen thee to free thy land. Delilah My hands are but a woman's, frail and fair. Captain Shall not a man go mad to hear her voice ? High Priest (taking off his szcord and holding it before Delilah) Come, wilt thou vow thyself upon this sword, As thou dost fear the terrors of the god To do our will ? Delilah (suspiciously) What wouldst thou have me do ? 45 High Priest (persuasively) Thou art a child, and I the god's high priest. Wilt thou not trust me for thy good, and vow Thyself to save thy country ? Delilah (zvith conviction) Yea, though death Should be my vow. (looks at Priest) And yet, I am afraid. (she crosses to Aijah) Brother, why art thou sad ? (Aijah turns silently away) Captain She is so young. What if love should surprise her unawares! High Priest Swear me to free thy country ! Delilah (touching the sword) I do swear ! High Priest What if thy vow be broken? 46 Delilah (zvhispering) I shall die! Captain She is swept onward like a drifting flower Upon some boisterous river to the sea. Delilah What must I do ? How may I serve the god ? How shall my frailty give my land its aid? High Priest Seek thou out Samson. He whose voice is death And havoc in the ranks of men will lend An ear to thee. Delilah What message shall I bear ? High Priest Entice his secret from him. Delilah (very slowly) Is this then My vow ? High Priest This art thou sworn and bound to do 47 And thou shalt have from every man of us Eleven thousand pieces— Delilah (funis azvay in disgust) Thou shalt be A ruler of thy country, lord of us — (Delilah returns) All (shouting) A woman for our lord ! High Priest Yea, verily this thing shall come to pass, If thou deliver us from Israel ! Delilah Peace is the portion of the terrible ; None lifts his hand for fear against their might ! Weak are the men whose women war for them. Nay, not for silver do I this, but hate, For he hath shamed my country in mine eyes. (aside) And yet I do not hate him utterly. 48 High Priest Do thou this deed and rule thou over us. Delilah Set ye a watch, a strong watch by the gate; It may be he will seek me by the well. High Priest Entice his secret, if he fall asleep Here be strong withes, green withes to bind him with. (she fakes the zvithes) AlJAH And we shall slay him suddenly at dawn. High Priest Let us make ready for the midnight feast, That we may honour Dagon, the great god. (exit Philistines) AlJAH Delilah, flee this peril, foolishly Thou hast consented to their priestly craft. Delilah Aijah, blaspheme not, nor revile the priest Who is the holy mouthpiece of the god. 49 AlJAII Thou canst not do this thing, nor would success Be gain for thee, or me, at such a price — By thy dishonour. Delilah Dost thou fancy me A prey to any man? No woman yields Save to her own desire; and there is death, A weapon to disarm a god or man. Unless love fights against me, I shall win ! AlJAH We two like buds upon a single stem. Sprung from the selfsame soil, have grown and burst Together on the mystery of life. Besides the bond of blood that binds our hearts. No friendship, quickly come, and lightly gone. But a deep-rooted, wide-branched sympathy Has intertwined our lives inseparably. Therefore, O sister, hear and heed my words. Delilah So sad, so wise, I would not have thee so, 50 Better thy joyous comradeship of youth. Dost think I love this Samson suddenly? AlJAH Defy not thou this unknown god of Love, Nor rashly challenge him as thou hast done, Seeking to snare a man, vain of thy youth, Lest in an unseen net thy heart be snared; Riot and ruin and division then Would sunder us, as lightning cleaves a tree. Delilah How should I love my hated enemy. What idle fear works busily? And yet — AlJAH The threshold of a world borders thy words — *' And yet " — Go not Delilah, I forbid thee, Come ! Already thou hast hidden in thy heart Wonder and admiration of this man ; Seeing thee he must love thee, even as We love a flower, simply, unaware. Delilah Aijah, this is thy manhood's vanity That speaks, thinking man irresistible. 51 Mine ignorance protects me 'gainst all love. AlJAH Nay stay, nor tempt thy curiosity, Which leads thee to a gulf where death is hid Lurking for thee or me. Nay I command. Delilah Peace to thee, I have given here my word, And will fulfill it. Thy authority — Little avails, though I do love thee well I will be guided by mine own desire Knowing this is but idle foolishness. AlJAH I go. I will be near, if thou succeed To slay thy captive, if thou fail to fall Before his arm, or if he conquer thee To be avenged. Farewell, Delilah. Delilah Go. AijAH (going) Farewell. Delilah Brother! Nay it is better so. His words have planted doubt deep in my heart, 52 And half disarmed I go to meet a foe. Strong is he as a Hon; beautiful As the young sun rejoicing in his might. Is my heart hardened? Would that I could hate Mine enemy. What hath he done to me ? I know not if I bear him hate, or love ! (song, Delilah sijiging) I wandered in the valley, when the dew Was sweet upon the hilltops and the flow- ers; I lingered in the vineyards and the bowers, My fingers dropped with myrrh, my locks with dew. 2 Saw ye my soul's beloved ? Know ye him ? How comely is his face, how sweet his voice ! Cause me to hear it, let my soul rejoice! Know ye my well-beloved? Saw ye him? 3 By night I sought him, but I found him not ; The watchman took away from me my veil ; I cried, he answered not ; my spirits fail ; 53 I sought him in the streets and found him not. 4 I am a Hly of the vale, a rose That blooms in Sharon, leaning to the sun ; A garden where the living waters run; I am a lily and a fragrant rose. 5 My well-beloved is a lofty tree. Even a cedar with a pleasant smell ; A palm that lifts its head beside a well. Full of sweet shade and sound, a mighty tree! 6 My love is like an army in its strength, Like chariots of iron are his hands; (enter Samson) Lo! he is terrible, what man withstands The sun who cometli up in all his strength! 7 Between my breasts all night my love shall lie, For he is like a scent of costly myrrh, Yea, wake him not, I charge ye make no stir, 54 All night between my breasts my love shall He. Samson Thy well-beloved, whither is he gone, And whither is thy loved one turned aside. That I may seek him with thee. Delilah He is come ; Whom seek ye, Samson? Samson Tell me where is he Whose hands are chariots of iron. Would That I might find mine enemy ! O thou, The fairest among women, where is he, Thy well-beloved ? What name doth he bear ? Delilah Samson ! Samson Set him before my face that I May give his strength to dust, his pride to naught. And shame him in thine eyes. Delilah Samson, his god, 55 Thy God hath set a seal upon his brow, And where his strength is hid no man can tell. Samson Woman, why dost thou mock me ? Delilah I have vowed That I will take to lord no Philistine Save he be strong as Samson, for behold How beautiful is strength, how terrible. My love is chiefest amongst thousands ! Samson Nay ! There is none such in all Philistia. Delilah For at the thunder of thy name they flee, Therefore they shame me, and I give my love Unto the enemy. Samson Turn thou thine eyes, For they have overcome me, and my heart Is full of joy that overfloweth, as A pitcher cometh dripping from the well. S6 Delilah If thou wilt make an end of war, behold My love shall be about thee like a scent, A scent of spices when the north wind blows Upon my garden, and the smell flows out. Samson God hath ordained my purpose like a star. War is for us to give our children peace ! Delilah Why didst thou turn thy steps to Gaza's well ? Samson Behold, a single thread of golden hair Hath drawn me unto thee, as surely as The mighty nets draw fishes from the sea. The dew is in my locks, the scent of spring Beats up against my face like a caress ; The little whispers of the wind breathe low, And spend themselves in kisses on my brow. Arise, let us go forth in search of love. Delilah I fear thee, Samson, yet there is a way ; Tell me the secret of thy strength, that I May know thou lovest me. 57 Samson Woman, I see The guile within thy heart. If I be bound With seven withes, green withes undried, my strength Shall be as weak as any other man's. Delilah (produces the zvithes) So I will bind thee lest thou do me harm. (binds his hands, laughing) (enter Philistines) The foe is come upon thee, Samson ! AlJAH Who Is captive to Delilah ! High Priest Lead him up Unto the feast of Dagon. (they hesitate) Samson Do ye fear Me bound and helpless ? Aijah (seises him) As an ox is led, S8 So shall I lead him. (Samson breaks the withes and seizes Aijah in his arms) High Priest (to Delilah) He hath lied to thee. Captain He brake the withes e'en as a thread of tow Is broken when it touches fire. (Aijah is throzvn to the ground) Delilah Alas ! Aijah (rising — to Delilah) Come thou away lest he should do thee harm I Samson Choose thou between us ! Aijah Nay, what choice is here? Shall a man hail a foe and leave a friend ? Priest It may be she will search his secret out. 59 AlJAH She looks with wondering eyes upon the man, With morning eyes of love. Delilah, come ! Priest (aside) Daughter, thy vow is registered on high ! (aloud) Go thou among the maidens of thy place. Delilah My place is by my lord. Omnes (going) Samson the strong! Delilah No man that liveth can endure thy might. Samson What man was he who braved me ? Delilah Ah, 'tis well Thou didst not slay him ; he is of my kin ! Samson Delilah, am I hateful in thy sight? Delilah T came to make thee captive. 60 Samson I am thine. Delilah To the strong victory ! Thy god shall be My god, thy land shall be my land. . Samson Away! Delilah How shall I fight? Love hath surprised my hate. I came to war against thee, but my love Hath made me captive as the chariots Surround an army that hath no retreat. Samson Why hath thy foe found favor in thy sight? Delilah Surely thou art the chiefest among men ! (enter Rebekah) Rebekah Samson, away, ere evil come of this ! Samson And shall I fear a woman ? 6i Rebekah Fear thou God. Delilah Who is this woman? Samson She is my betrothed ! Rebekah (cowering) I will be gone ! Delilah Nay, stay a little, stay ! Behold her ! Dost thou love her in thy heart ? Is thy desire towards her as the earth's Is toward the spring, the flower's toward the sun, The river's toward the sea that hath the moon In myriad images upon its waves ? Dost thou so mirror her in all thy thoughts? Do thy thoughts dwell upon her and return As the sea turneth back upon the shore? Rebekah How beautiful she is. How terrible ! Delilah Is she like nature's music to thine ears, 62 Sweeter than many waters murmuring? Rebekah I would be gone! Delilah Nay, stay a little, stay ! Is she a seal upon thy heart, a flame Before thine eyes when all life's ways are dark? And is she shed about thee like a cloud To cool and comfort all thy weariness? And doth she steal upon thee like a scent — A scent of frankincense or costly myrrh ? Rebekah No cunning words are mine to tell of love ; Yet is my silence truer than her song! Delilah Doth thy heart welcome her, e'en as a roe Leapeth for joy upon the hills at noon. And as the stricken deer beneath the sun Longs for the water-brooks, dost thou for her? Rebekah If this be love, alas ! for thee and me ! 63 Delilah . Doth she withhold thine eyes from sleep by night, And hover o'er thee like a dream by day? If all the world be with thee, art thou still Alone and lonely if she be not near? Do the hours, empty of her, weight thy neck Like millstones? Dost thou cry aloud and say To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-day? Rebekah (going) Her words are millstones hanged about my neck ! (exit Rebekah) Samson How fair thy countenance, how sweet thy voice ! My heart is like a meadow parched with fire. Thy voice a stream that singeth on its way, For never woman spoke as thou before. Delilah Go not from me ! take not thy face from me ! Samson Do with me as thou wilt, my love is poured 64 Like water at thy feet! Let us go hence! (a bright light appears upon the hill of Horeb) What Hght is it that burneth o'er the hill ? Delilah A star that hangeth over Horeb's brow ! Samson Let us be gone ! Delilah The walls encompass us, The gates are closed against us till the dawn ; But what are they to thee ? Samson See, I go forth, And do thou follow; though thou mockest me I cannot think thee evil, for thy face Leans to me like a lily, and thy hair Is poured about thee like a golden stream Of fragrant wine that holds the sun's own gold. All forms of beauty are a guess at God. Let us go forth unto the mount of myrrh, 65 (Samson lifts the gates of the city from the hinges) Delilah The watch is fled! Samson hath raised the gates ! I am afraid ; surely thou art a god ! Love leadeth me, yet hate hath bound me fast. I am afraid ; I know not what I do. Samson Make haste, beloved, be thou like a roe, Or like a hart upon the fragrant hills Made sweet with spices. Delilah Thou art like the sun ; No man can stay thee ! Samson Come, my love, away, Let us go to the vineyards ; let us see If the vine flourisheth, and if the grape, The tender grape appeareth ; men shall cry Who Cometh from the wilderness? Behold Her leaning on her well-beloved? Come! 66 Delilah The night is spent; the day is nigh at hand, My steps are faint with fear. (they go toward the gates) Samson Nay, fear thou not ; My love shall be thy shelter through the day, Like a cool garden with a hidden spring; A cloak of many colours through the night, Shall my love be to fold thee from the dark. Delilah (looking backward as she goes) Hate hath led me hither; love shall lead me hence. CURTAIN 67 ACT II ACT II Scene I Scene: A market place in Gaza. In the background booths, upon which are displayed silks, trinkets, swords, spices, fruits, Ush. On the right a narrow street, on left trees. A large cedar slightly to the left of the centre spreads its boughs over the entire scene; beneath it a stone seat. (A few buyers come and go, but the zvomen are packing up their wares upon mules for it is high noon) Discovered: Meres, Zophar, Apame. (enter Adina) Meres (to the maidens) Adina, draw near unto us. I know A riddle that I will put forth for ye. (the maidens gather about her) Who Cometh from the valley, who is she P'air as the morning, fouler than the night? 71 Adina Delilah, daughter of Philistia. ZOPHAR No man hath seen her, two months is it since She fled to Sorek. Apame She will come again To show her face in Gaza. Meres She is come ! Seeking her brother Aijah whom she loves. Apame Let us shoot out the lip at her, and cry Her shame upon her, let us wag the head. Meres Thou wert her chief companion, and the friend Who leaned upon her bosom, Apame. Apame Said she so Meres, wise is she indeed Who knoweth friend from foe ! Meres Yea, some there be 72 Who love our gold, and others our estate. Apame And that we may befriend them some be friends ! As a man putteth money out for gain. Meres Love hath its day, as friendship has all time. It waxeth with the waning of the years. (cuter Delilah, who comes tozvard them) Fairer than purple, more to be desired Than many riches, yea than much fine gold. Delilah What speak ye of. Meres Grasshoppers ! What have we To do with thee. ZOPHAR AND AdINA Be gone ! We know thee not ! Delilah (she goes to each in turn) Meres? Adina? Zophar? Apame? (she walks proudly azvay) 73 Meres She walketh haughtily with outstretched neck. Apame And wanton eyes. ZOPHAR AND AdINA Yea, and with tinkhng feet. Delilah How their hate hisseth at me, yet of old Their praises fell upon me like the rain ; If one commend thee have no joy of it. For venom hideth underneath his tongue, And whom men praise they envy in their hearts. (maidens gather about her) Apame Thou hast despised thy people and thy kin! Adina A stranger thou hast taken for thy lord ! Meres She thought to snare him with a single thread. Take not a lion with a spider's web. 74 ZOPHAR Behold how Samson Heth. Delilah Yea, three times, Three times he hath escaped the Phihstines Though I had bound him. Apame For he mocketh thee. Delilah I did this thing that I might see his strength, Sweeter is he to me than mine own soul ! Meres Thy heart is turned to him. Apame Thy brother dies A thousand deaths, in this thy living shame. Delilah Have ye seen Aijah? Speak to me of him. For I am come to seek him. Meres Seek him not. Adina He is not here. 75 ZOPHAR Nor would he see thy shame Nor look upon thy face while Samson lives. So hath he vowed, and sworn to slay the man. Delilah I have forgot my country and my kin! Meres All things she has forsaken for her love ! (High Priest enters) High Priest (to Meres) Peace to your foolishness. (to Delilah) Daughter we gave A trust to thee, how hast thou dealt with us ? Delilah Shall I be true to thee, if I be false, Is honour more than love, is country more? He is my well-beloved, slay ye him. He is your enemy, slay ye the man ! High Priest We did not seek to slay him, find thou out The secret of his strength, that he may be 76 Harmless to us. Delilah I do not trust your hate. (Delilah draws back behind the group) High Priest (looking down the road) One Cometh bearing something in his arms. (Enter Samson carrying a corpse) Samson Beside the gates of Gaza as I came Along the way from Sorek I was 'ware Of one that followed me and suddenly He made to slay me from behind, he cried "Because of thy Delilah do I this !" I know him not. I crushed him in my arms. I took his sword from him and in his breast I sheathed it. Let the Philistines behold How Samson dealeth with his enemies. (exit Samson leaving the corpse. The peo- ple press forward) High Priest What man is this? (Priest starting) Delilah, look not here ! 77 (Delilah pushes them aside and kneels by the corpse) High Priest Alas for Aijah, he is slain ! Delilah —Alas! Captain No more shall he delight us in the chase Meres Nor crown the maidens with the spoils of war. Delilah (kneeling beside Aijah) Brother, my brother, thou who wert to me The light within mine eyes, my right arm's strength. My heart like lead is molten in my breast, To see thy head laid low in early death ! Nay, if the dead be conscious of our tears. If grief avail, thou shalt not lack for aught, For I shall mourn thee in the grov/ing day And in the night time I shall not forget. A little folding of the hands to sleep, A little daylight, and a little dark, 78 Before I wrap thy dust about my heart In death, and hold thee closer than in life. (rising) Brother, no love shall leave thee unavenged! Take him up tenderly and bear him hence. Let there be tears for him, I shall not weep ! This night shall Samson be betrayed to thee. My love shall serve the purpose of my hate. (exit Philistines bearing the corpse) (enter Samson and Israelites) Samson Why are your hearts cast down, why do ye weep? Are not your foes delivered unto you ? Rise in thy might, O Israel, arise. Destroy the remnant of thine enemies. To-morrow I shall lead ye in the fight. The Lord will give the battle unto ye. Manassah. Go thou not forth! Omnes We will not follow thee ! Abidah Thy strength is like a flame within the wind, 79 Blown this way, that wa)L^^ Amindah Yea, do thou take heed Lest with her breath she put thy candle out ! Samson To look upon her filleth me with peace ! Manassah Lo, a strange woman is a narrow pit! Abidah Yea, a deep ditch that men may fall therein ! Amindah Who breaketh through a hedge, let him be- ware Lest any serpent bite him with its teeth ! Samson (dreamily) This is my well-beloved and my friend ! Manassah Wake, Samson ! Cast thy sickness from thee. Omnes Rise! Manassah Thy flock is shepherdless among the wolves. 80 Samson Shall the sheep give the shepherd counsel? Go! Manassah How hardly shall a fool give ear to thee ! (exit, all, right) (enter Rebekah) Rebekah I pray thee, Samson, suffer me to speak. Go not to Sorek, go not up to-night, Delilah taketh counsel with the priests How she may snare and slay thee suddenly. Samson Jealousy worketh vain imaginings! Rebekah I lay in wait. I heard them, as they walked For fear of them I hid me in the corn. Samson If thou wouldst not hear evil, hearken not! The feast of Dagon neareth, as is. meet Delilah taketh counsel with the priests, She bringeth up an offering to the god. 8i Rebekah Wise art thou in thine own conceit, alas! Samson (going) Who shall direct my steps ! Rebekah Yea, who indeed. curtain 82 Scene II Scene : Interior of Delilah's house in Sorek, in the centre of the hack- ground a door standing open to the moonlight. To the left an open window, in the immediate centre a table, couch covered with a lions skin. At the head of it a table, upon zvhich lie shears and a dag- ger, also a candle. By the win- dow a low stool. Weapons of the chase, bozvs, spears, lie about. Time : Midnight. (Discovered: Delilah coming through the half open door timidly followed by the Priests. She car- ries a torch.) Delilah Nay, all is dark and still. High Priest He is not come. Delilah What do ye fear, nay enter in like thieves Who find the master gone. 83 High Priest Would it were done! This time thou shalt not weaken. See to it, For we are come to hold thee to thy word. Delilah No word that thou can speak compels the deed, As Aijah's silence does. Get ye within And hide ye, lest returning suddenly Samson should slay ye. High Priest Hide us safe away. (she leads them through a door to the left) Do thou remember. Delilah (returning) Would I could forget. To such as these must I betray thee then. To such a man who bears the name of priest, A little more than woman, less than man. And enemy to both ; standing between The obliterated truth the soul would see. Pity me, O my brother, pity me. Release me from my ruin and my vow. Alas, alas, O Aijah, thy revenge 84 Is more than I can bear with or fulfill. I am a woman. Was it then for this That I forsook my ancient life and ways A slave to love, who ringed my life about With an illusive beauty, leading me Into the net of treachery and hate? I have conceived and born a loathsome thing, And carried death not life within my heart. Is this the fruit and offspring of my love? How can I cherish this proud murderer. Pitying Aijah and my brother's blood. How can I harm the head upon my breast. My friend, my lover, and my enemy? Yet Samson trusts me not, much he conceals. If of his will he should because of love Confide his secret, make me guardian Of the proud fortress of his mighty strength, Not Aijah, nor the blood of all my kin Could then disarm me, or direct my sword Against his life. So be it. I will prove His love and guard indeed his trust, If trust it be, but if by guile I win His secret from him, then 'tis Dagon's will. And I obey, and sacrifice to him. To Aijah, to the god my doomed love. 85 Ah, let me be all hate and all revenge, Or let me be all woman and all weak Beneath his touch incapable of hate. (she goes to the zmndozv and looks out, she starts at an imaginary noise) It is the wind, alas, I wait alone. SONG How melancholy is the lonely night! The straying sheep betra3^eth all his fear, The vulture uttereth his shrill delight. The lonely wolf in silence draweth near. Upon the night I cast my fear, I sigh. For who so lonely in the world as I ? Sweet is the fountain singing to the night, Soft is the turtle's voice, but not for fear, Happy the hill wherein the stars delight, Glad is my heart, my loved one draweth near. Upon the night I cast my fear, I sigh. For who so joyous in the world as I ? (enter Samson) Samson A man shall envy thee thy happiness More than thy riches which are bought with gold; 86 If thou wouldst build thyself a place of love See that thou keep it close and tell no man, Lest straightway ill report should come and blow Upon thy house until it fall. Do thou Heed not the prying tongue that speaketh ill. Better thine ignorance than truth that slays The hope within thee, without love and hope Man's days are millstones hanged about his neck. (advancing toward the conch) My soul is heavy in me, weariness Is strong upon me, I will lay me down. (Delilah weeps) Delilah, wherefore dost thou weep? Delilah Oh love, Mine enemies are many, thou art one. They cry against me, then I said behold How shall they not prevail and turn his heart? The night is spent, I cried he cometh not, My arms are empty of him, and my breast Is full of sorrow. 87 Samson Wherefore didst thou go To Gaza, wherefore didst thou seek the priests ? Delilah To-morrow is the feast of Dagon. Samson Yea, J know it well ! Delilah Put thou thy trust in me ! Samson Three times hast thou betrayed me to the foe. Delilah That I might see thee triumph in thy strength. Do I not love thee, is my hair not poured About thee like a flood of sunshine, lo. Mine eyes, look in mine eyes, are they not deep As the fishpools of Heshbon ! Seest thou Thy face in each of them, am I not thine ? Samson Lo, thou art altogether fair, my love ! 88 Delilah For thee the maidens mock me in the town, They speak against me in the market place ! Samson The men of Judah wag their heads at me, "He trusteth in a Phihstine," they cry, "He goeth to strange women, let him heed The ground whereon he treadeth !" Delilah And the priests Cried out upon me, " Samson mocketh thee. He lieth, yet thine eyes are turned toward him, Look back upon the people of thy blood." Samson (tenderly) They cried against her in the market place, They smote her in the city ! Delilah Not for this Have I poured out my tears, behold my love, My well-beloved, hath no faith in me. Sometimes I think thou hatest me. 89 Samson Peace, love, I leave thee ere the sun is up, I go Down to the pastures where the waters be. Sometimes I feel thee like a mighty chain About my neck, then I would cast thee off. Delilah I too would hate thee did I love thee less. Samson How shall I trust thee ? Delilah Nay, I have not harmed (they sit upon the couch) A hair upon this head. (he starts) Yet I have watched Thee helpless, sleeping, like a weary child All night upon my breast ; thy dagger lies Beside thee through the dark, how slight a thrust Could still the heart that beats beneath my hand. Samson A coward's deed, that wouldst thou never do ! 90 Delilah Yet with a nail thy country woman slew The stranger seeking refuge in her tent. Samson Thy secret thoughts, who knows if they be true. Delilah (pouring wine) I pour thee wine, wherefore doest thou not look For poison in the cup ? Samson Sweeter than wine Is love that makes the simple eloquent. Delilah The night is wild, the wind is in the trees. (a great zvind has arisen, Samson lies down upon the couch, Delilah makes fast the doors) The fig trees tremble that by day are white Beneath the sun. Samson The sheep are in the fold, 91 What if the world without with all its storms Shall beat against us, love hath shut us in. Delilah (sitting upon a stool at his feet) Dost thou despise me, kiss me with thy lips. How dost thou love me ? Samson As I love my God ! Delilah Thy heart is closed against me, O, my love. Tell me the secret of thy strength, that we. We two alone may know this hidden thing. Thou goest up against the foe at dawn. Leave me thy secret, let it comfort me. Samson What God hath hidden shall I show it thee? Why are thine eyes like fire upon my face ? Delilah They shine above thee like a watchful star. Samson My strength is in thy hands ! 92 Delilah (kissing his hands) Sleep thou my love ! Behold my love how terrible thou art ! Thy hands are mighty, see I kiss thy hands. Samson Thy pulses flutter like a frightened bird, Thy throat is softer than the fleece of lambs. Delilah Thy thoughtless hand could crush it in thy sleep ! Where is thy secret hid ? Samson Search thou in vain. Delilah How mighty are the sinews of thine arms. Who can endure thee ? Yea, thine arms have slain A man this very day. Samson Speak not thereof. Delilah Thy secret, is it hidden in thine arms ? 93 Thy neck is like a tower of ivory, Thou art deep-chested Hke a milk-white bull ! (sadly) I may not find the secret of thy strength ! Samson This thing thou shalt not know, speak not thereof. Delilah Thy strength, thy power, the beauty of thy might. Striking confusion on the multitude, The death that lurks within thine arm, the fear Of thine uplifted hand, though weaponless The strange unfettered secret force of thee. The exultation of thy majesty. The devastation uttered in thy name — Are more than love to thee. (pause) What if, indeed, Illness made slack thy sinews, sheared thy strength ? Samson Nay rather death, than the weak shreds of life. 94 Delilah Could I not recompense thee with my love, Fold thee with tenderness, fence thee about, Serve thee, and succour thee? I hate thy strength, For so thou has no need of me at all. Samson Yea, I draw need of thee with every breath. And make the midnight tremble with thy name, Delilah. Ah, to thunder it abroad A battle-cry against mine enemies. Alas, the marvel of thy beauty, love. Keen as the sun flashing on eager spears— The magic of that subtle face of thine Hath made my strength a helpless mockery. I am a prisoner to thy voice, a child Trusting thy tenderness. Delilah Samson, enough. Is my love more than all thy strength to thee ? 95 Samson Yea, more than strength or weakness, more than shame, Yea, more than boasted honour — histed power. More than my country, more than — Delilah Say it not Lest thou repent. A woman loves but love. There is division in the heart of man, And more than love, loves he his mastery. Samson Yet a man taketh up his sword and shield, He goeth on his way to rob and steal, He saileth on the seas, he travaileth With sorrow and much toil, tilleth the earth — When he hath stolen, spoiled, he bringeth up The fruit of all the labour of his hands And giveth all of it unto his love. Delilah I am content, come let me give thee rest. Samson Thy sweeetness works its way like subtle wine, Intoxicating nie. Listen, O love. For I will tell thee, thou shalt know indeed, And if thou wilt, then slay me, I am thine, I have no secret, I will tell thee all. Delilah Hush, hush, I must not, nay, I will not hear — Lest thou regret. Samson Nay, of mine own free will. Delilah Yea, tell me, fetter me, disarm my hands. (Samson rises, she sees a stain of blood upon his cloak) Samson ! Ah, thou art wounded, O my love ! Samson 'Tis not my blood. Delilah Not thine, not thine, whose then? Samson I know not. Delilah (zvildly) Say it is not blood at all, I will not know, hide it, I must not see. 97 It is some wounded animal, «rome beast That thou hast slain — Samson A Philistine— Delilah His name? Samson I know not, but it matters not, So would I deal with them, yea one and all. (Delilah has unconsciously touched the blood on his cloak) See, thou hast stained thy hand. Delilah (looking at her hand) Alas ! Alas ! Am I not wounded^ for it seems to me This was my blood, my blood that thou hast shed! Samson Peace, woman, thou art foolish. Delilah 'Twas my fear, 98 Thinking thee wounded. Samson Dost thou love me so ? Delilah Tell me thy secret. Samson Nay, I will not then. I am myself again. Delilah Nay tell it me. Samson Search thou and find. I know thou hatest me When I have slain a foe, a Philistine. Delilah My love is little to thee, mock me not. Thy hand is never stayed from shedding blood, My country's blood. Such is a man's love shown That with caresses, lust, and light delights Repays the body and the mind, the soul That woman brings, changing her very self 99 LofC. To meet his will, which bends not, nay nor leans To her desires, her beliefs, her hopes, But breaks her as his due and lawful prey. Samson My head is full of weariness and sleep. Delilah (she takes his head upon her knee) Lay thou thy head upon my knee, oh love, How heavy is thy head, and lo, thy locks Cluster upon it like a swarm of bees, The dewdrops of the night are in thy locks! Samson A razor hath not come upon my head. Delilah (she takes the shears from the table) Couldst thou not spare one lock of it to me? (she clips off a little lock) To be beside me when thou art afar. Samson (starting) Delilah ! Delilah Samson, fear thou not at all ! 100 Thy strength is hidden in thy locks ; oh love No longer shall I weep to know this thing. For I have sought with tears, and with much guile, To hold thy secret treasured in my heart, Thou hast refused me. Samson Wise was I indeed. Delilah How slight, how trivial a thing is fate. Betraying thus by chance into my hands. Denying when I sought, what I have found And take unwillingly. Too late, too late. Hast thou no fear? Samson Fear is unknown to me. Thou art twice woman and once Philistine. I trust not but I fear thee not at all. Delilah My worthy and beloved enemy! Samson My strength is in thy hands. Delilah Sleep thou, my love. lOI (she rises and begins pacing the room) One touch, one word, and I had been disarmed And had become his helpless guardian Who now am made his lawful enemy To work the god's revenge. So I am strong. For as a wounded animal recoils, And turns and rushes, quite instinctively, Upon its master who has wounded him, (Though it has loved him as I loved this man) So will I spring on Samson suddenly. Wounded too deep to be but animal. And striking him, slay him at once and love, Even with Aijah's blood upon mine hands. (she takes a dagger from the table and stands looking at Samson) He sleeps, and yet no pity weakens me, Dagon, bear thou witness thou great god, 1 put love from me; I am strong indeed. How near my heart he lies, yet hate cries out No longer shall he smite at will and slay — (she raises the dagger as if to strike, he stirs 102 in his sleep, she drops the zveapon helplessly) Not death, not death that were too merciful, And more Hke love, bringing him rest and sleep. No harm shall come to him, I put away All mercy from me, I am strong indeed. (zvith the shears she clips oif the locks from his head) (she opens the door to the Philistines) This time hath Samson shown me all his heart. (Philistines surround couch) (to Samson) The foe is come against thee, Samson — wake ! Samson (rising) As I have done before so will I do I will go out and shake myself — (one soldier seizes Samson — he struggles in vain) Delilah Go not! Thy strength is in my hand. Away with him, 103 Lest I repent me of my deed — away! (they lead him off) Brother, my brother, peace be unto thee. Thus have I made an end of all my hate. (she raises the locks to her lips and kisses them) CURTAIN ACT III ACT III Scene I Scene: Interior of the temple of Dagon at Gaza, A semi-circular roofless building supported by col- umns. In the center two larger columns closer together uphold the building. Behind the columns are rozvs of seats extending far back. To the right massive gates standing open, to the left an idol, a small altar before it. Discovered: An attendant, feed- ing the Hame upon the altar. Enter Priests, some bearing bunches of grapes upon poles, others sheaves of wheat, soldiers follozv, bearing zveapons, and maidens bearing cymbals. They deposit their offerings before the god. Israelites come in and stand in a group upon the right, beside the gate. People take their seats bctzveen the columns. The entire cast, with the exception of Delilah, 107 her friends, and Samso% are as- sembled. High Priest Draw near and honour Dagon, praise the god, For he hath triumphed o'er his enemies. Omnes We honour Dagon and we praise his name! Captain In battle he is mighty ! 1ST Priest And in peace He prospereth his people in the land. Captain He giveth to the soldiers victory ! Priest He giveth increase to the flocks that feed Within the pastures, who shall number them ? Omnes The people do delight to honour thee ! High Priest The vineyards swell with wine, the fields with wheat, 108 Yea, even as the billows of the sea ! With snow-white feet the maidens tread the grape, The wine is like a river in the land, The threshing floors are groaning with their wealth. Omnes We honour Dagon and we praise his name. High Priest Lo, he hath saved the harvest from the blight, Nor is the locust loosed upon the land. Captain He strengthened the young men. Meres And the maids He maketh a delight to look upon. (tJie fire Uames upon the altar) High Priest The flame hath eaten up the sacrifice, The omens are propitious ! Omnes Hail the god ! 109 (Enter Delilah with her maidens^ bearing baskets of lilies and roses. She has a bough of olives in her hands, her locks are braided up with purple grapes that cluster around her temples.) High Priest Who Cometh clothed in purple to the feast? Captain She changeth like a rainbow in the sky! Maidens Delilah, daughter of Philistia! (the Priests and people press about her) High Priest What shall be done to show our love of her? Priest Crown her with olives, with a crown of peace ! Men and Maidens Crown her with roses, with a crown of love ! Soldiers Crown her with gold, a crown of victory ! (a page hands her the crowns) no High Priest What hath she done that we should honour her? Omnes Samson she hath deHvered unto us ! Captain (to soldiers) Set him before us, we would see his face. High Priest Yea, let the people have their will of him ! Soldier He will not come ! Rebekah (disguised as a page) Yet I will fetch him here. Soldier (zvonderingly) A child shall gently lead him by the hand. His name was like an army spreading fear. (Rebekah stands at Delilah's elbow) High Priest Delilah, daughter of Philistia, The people do delight to honour thee. Ill (three pages enter hearing gifts) 1ST Page We bring thee silks, all purple and all gold. 2D Page And silks of blue and green, that shame the sea, Fine as the threads of gold upon thine head. 3D Page We bring thee linen whiter than thy hands. Delilah White are my hands as lilies ! Rebekah . (zvhispers to Delilah) Yet they drew Thy lover to thee, and they stole his strength. 1ST Page We bring thee silver. 2D Page Yea, and much fine gold ! Rebekah (zvhispering) How hardly shall it buy thee back thy love! 112 Delilah (dropping her crowns) Who mocketh at my triumph ? 3D Page Yea, behold We bring thee perfumes of Arabia. Rebekah Not all the spices of the earth make sweet The soul that sinketh in thee of its sin. (Delilah turns and sees Rebekah) Captain What dost thou here, go lead the captive forth. (Rebekah goes) Delilah Enough, my lords, I will have none of these. How shall they comfort me, yea, shall they give My brother back, my lover to my arms? These things be for the joyful, but my heart Is sore within me, yea, my heart is dead. (the pages go sorrozvfully away) Bring me the lilies, for their scent is sweet. 113 (the maidens offer her their baskets) Strew roses on my sorrow, yea, perchance. It may sleep softly in so sweet a grave. (the maidens scatter roses over her) Priest She speaketh riddles. Omnes — We would honour thee. Delilah (facing the people) If one betray her lover, shall it be Accounted to her credit, different names Have ye for this, the one deed and the same. Murder is justice, treachery shall be To some for honour, and to some for shame ! Omnes What wouldst thou of us? Lo, we honour thee! High Priest What thou hast done is done, therefore re- joice, A weak thing and a vain thing is regret. (she goes toward the altar.) 114 (Samson enters. He is leaning up- on a staff. Rebekah leads him by the hand.) Omnes We give thee greeting, Samson— Samson, hail! Samson (groping wildly about him) What be these shouts and whence this mul- titude? (he waves his staff) I feel a throng about me. Follow me O, Israel, I bring thee victory ! (laughter) Meres The foe is come upon thee, Samson, flee ! Samson (wonderingly to Rebekah) I pray thee tell me, for thy heart is kind, And very gently hast thou led my steps, What place is this, what hostile shouts are these ? 115 Omnes This is the temple of the mighty god. Rebekah The harvest feast of Dagon ! Samson Thou art sad, Thou hast compassion on my suffering, Tell me thy name, thou youthful Philistine? Rebekah Rebekah is my name in Israel. Samson Upon a time I knew thy name, a name That Samson loved, him whom men call the strong, Samson, I knew the man, but he is dead. High Priest (pointing out Samson) Behold your leader, men of Israel ! Amindah We know him not. Abidah We will have none of him. ii6 Manassah He hath betrayed his people and his God. High Priest Whose captive is the man, whose spoil is he? Philistines He is the spoil of Dagon ! High Priest (to Israelites) How say ye ? Israelites He hath preferred a woman to his land. High Priest Delilah, we delight to honour thee ! Samson This is their honour, my exceeding shame ! High Priest Speak thou to him, Delilah, comfort him ! Delilah (coming down from altar zvithout daring to raise her eyes to his face) My Hps are stained with wine, sweeter my lips 117 Than honey of the fragrant honey-comb, I have bound up my tresses for thy sake With purple grapes against my golden hair, My temples are anointed with sweet myrrh. My arms are deep in lilies, yea, my hands Are little lilies laughing in the breeze. Samson (he turns his closed eyes tozvards her) I cannot see thee, woman, who art thou? Delilah Thine eyes! Samson, the foe hath blinded thee ! Samson I loved a woman, she hath done this thing. Omnes Delilah, daughter of Philistia! Delilah Not I, O love, I could not do thee harm, (Despise me not for I would speak to thee) Yet when thy hand had lain my brother low I sought to stay thine arm, to still thy wrath. And from the grave the mute compelling voice ii8 Of Aijah called for vengeance, then it was Seeing thy little trust of me, thy hate Wrecking my country, that I sought to stay The fury of thy devastating strength, I gave thee hate, behold, I bring thee love. Samson I gave thee love, behold, I bring thee hate. Mine eyes are sealed, my heart is closed at last. Who art thou, for I know thee not, and yet As in a dream thy voice floats back to me! My heart is dead and buried in the grave, With one I loved long since, a long time dead. What is thy name, O woman? Delilah Mock me not. I am Delilah. Samson Yea, I know thy name. Delilah, she whom Samson loved. 'Twas he Men called the strong, a sad tale heard long since. Cursed be woman henceforth for her sake. Ye Philistines declare your will to me. Why am I summoned here unto this place? 119 Captain That we may see thee do great deeds of strength For our dehght, no longer for our harm. Omnes Samson the strong, let him make sport for us. Samson My strength is consecrate to God alone. High Priest Where is thy God? Let him deliver thee, Perchance he sleepeth, surely he is gone Upon a journey: call upon thy God! Manassah The Lord hath turned his face away from him. High Priest In thee we mock thy people and thy God. Samson Light, grant me light, I do not ask to see The face of friends, show me mine enemies! Oh Lord, remember me I pray thee, God. 120 Israelites Cry on in vain, God hath forgotten thee ! High Priest Thy voice is like the wind that groans at night Among the temple pillars, with a sound Of melancholy speech none hears nor heeds. Delilah (sadly) Jehovah cannot give thee back thy sight. Samson Pity me not, woman, I see too well The guile that still would work me hate and harm. Let no man henceforth love a woman, nay, Let him but lust for her and tame her pride, And let her be his pleasure and his prey, Subservient, submitted to his will. Nor heed her counsel, nor bestow his heart, Seeing what love has done to me, who am A thing for pity and for mockery. Delilah Lift not thy hand in anger, strike me then, Yea, slay me if thou wilt, show me thy hate, 121 Thy hate, thy vengeance, let it fall on me. Let me not be a stranger at thy side, I, who have been thy glory, thy defeat, Doth thou not know me? Samson Yea, at last, at last. Would I were mad again remembering not! Delilah, O my God deliver me ! (sudden darkness) Delilah I am afraid, how dark it grows, how dark. Samson What sudden light? Omnes What darkness seizes us. Samson (to Rebekah) Go thou, and tell the elders God hath slain The enemy, three thousand in this place. (Rebekah zveeps) God shall not deal with thee as I have done, Who loveth righteously is loved of God. Weep not, the Lord of Hosts hath set an end To all my sorrow. God be with thee — go! 122 (exit Rebekah) (it is light again) Captain What saith the fool. Delilah Take ye no heed of him ! Philistines Behold the god is angry for his sake! High Priest What shall be done with him ? Omnes Slay us the man ! A sacrifice to Dagon let him be ! (the Captain drazvs his szvord to slay Sam- son. Delilah rushes between them) Delilah (to the people) Whose captive is the man, is he not mine ? Have I not bought him with my treachery; What man of ye could slay him in the fight, What hero could withstand him in the war. What snare could capture him, what strategy ? 123 Ye priests who tempted me unto my harm, That with my beauty I should snare his strength, Is he not mine; did I not with my love, — Unwilling love awakened unaware — Capture him utterly, and in my turn Did love not hold me fast a prisoner, Until his arm, lifted against my kin Betrayed my brother Aijah to the grave? And with unwilling hand made strong by pain To Aijah, to the dead, not unto ye. Ye priests, ye warriors, ye cowards all, I gave his strength. I stayed his slaying hand. I conquered him, and slaying love, slew life. And all my hope, and all my happiness ! With tears, and joy, rapture and suffering, Have I not bought this man, is he not mine ? High Priest Delilah, he is thine, do as thou wilt. Delilah Samson, I give thee life. Samson I bring thee death. 124 Delilah Nay, thou art mine, beloved, mine at last. Thy strength is gone, but I shall be thy force And guard thy days against thine enemies. Samson My strength was water spilled between thy hands. Delilah All men shall envy thee for with my love I will repay thee, yea, a thousand fold, Leading thee gently in the ways of joy. Samson Jehovah's hand is placed before mine eyes. And hides thee from me now for evermore. Delilah Nay, I will be thine eyes and paint the world With an eternal and undying spring, Showing thee only all things beautiful. All men who mock shall covet thee thy fate. Captain Delilah, peace, I fear the people's wrath. Lead him away lest harm should come to thee. 125 Omnes This is her chosen, let us see the man Her well beloved. High Priest Let the man be shown. Set him between the pillars, let him be Seen of the Philistines and Israelites. Delilah I lead thee to thy freedom, Samson. Samson Yea, Place me between the pillars ! Delilah Follow me! Captain Upon her arm he leaneth tenderly. (she places him betzveen the pillars) Delilah Helpless, I love thee, O beloved, more. Samson Speak not of love, it is not ! 126 Delilah Samson, nay, I am content ^o thou art mine at last ; I will not leave thee! Samson Stand afar from me. Delilah Thou canst not hate me always, O my love. Samson There is an end of love, an end of hate. Be gone from me for I grow strong again. Delilah Nay, though thou slay me I will not be gone. Samson (placing his arms around the pillars) In pity, go. (Delilah clings to him) So be it. Thou hast said. I feel a sudden strength. See, I am strong. life, I live again and with my hands 1 cast thee down ere thou shalt conquer me. (the pillars sway) 127 Omnes Flee, flee, the temple trembles. Samson Victory ! CURTAIN 128 }V 7 1904