Samson Marrving 
 
 Samson at Tinmah 
 damson Hybristes Samson Blinded 
 
 Four Dramatic Poems b\ 
 EDWIN T. WH1FFEN 
 
Class PS 354S 
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SAMSON MARRYING 
 
 Samson at Timnah, Samson Hybristes 
 Samson Blinded 
 
 Four Dramatic Poems 
 
 BY 
 
 EDWIN T. WHIFFEN 
 
 BOSTON 
 
 RICHARD G. BADGER 
 
 The Gorham Press 
 
 1905 
 
Copyright igo* by Edwin T. Whiffen 
 All Rights Reserved 
 
 !.!;!RARYof COWeRffssf 
 Two Oopiea N«aut»- 
 
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 CopyriKnr. tmry 
 
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 /i7 40 
 
 P$35^r5 
 
 Printed at 
 
 THE GORHAM PRESS 
 
 Boston, U. S. A 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 Page 
 Samson Marrying 7 
 
 Samson at Timnah 51 
 
 Samson Hybristes 97 
 
 Samson Blinded 145 
 
SAMSON MARRYING 
 
 THE ARGUMENT 
 
 Samson, having espoused a woman of Timnah, 
 departs to that place with his father and feastful 
 friends to celebrate the nuptials. During the 
 last day of the marriage-feast, the solution of the 
 riddle put forth before by Samson is earnestly 
 sought by the bridal courtiers, who form the 
 chorus, assigned from the Philistian youth. Sam- 
 son's father, ill-treated by them to force the se- 
 cret, departs home-ward in anger, accompanied by 
 the friends of his nation. At last the bride, hav- 
 ing wrested the secret, reveals it to the chorus ; 
 whereupon Samson departs to Ascalon, slays 
 thirty, and carries their garments to Timnah as the 
 wagered forfeit. A messenger, coming in short- 
 ly, tells the story of Samson's performance ; where 
 at the chorus bewail their nation's loss, and 
 threaten vengeance upon Samson ; which con- 
 cludes the drama. 
 
THE PERSONS 
 
 Samson 
 
 Manoah, father of Samson. 
 
 Lilithj his wife. 
 
 Messenger. Chorus of Philistines. Servant. 
 
 Attendant. 
 
 The Scene at Timnah 
 
SAMSON MARRYING 
 
 Manoah. With wavering hope and doubtful 
 
 resolution 
 Of what before so oft by me essayed, 
 I have drawn thee to this place, where friendly 
 
 silence 
 Will not inform against us, nor espial 
 Descry our posture and close secrecy 
 Here at this vacant hour of morning prime, 
 Samson, once more, ere lastly thou determine 
 That marriage to thy country's foe conjoined, 
 This daughter of the Timnian infidel, 
 If supplication and a father's tears 
 May bend thy purpose, ere, too late, achieved 
 Thy own undoing and thy country's shame. 
 Too well thou knowest, against thy mother's wish 
 And mine express these bonds consummated ; 
 Hence I could well desist my vain attempts 
 To move thee, as heretofore, could I my auguries 
 Draw from successes past, or yet my heart 
 Forego the dear regard which yet it bears thee. 
 Canst thou, then, yet respect a mother's tears, 
 These aging locks, that plead more loud than 
 
 words 
 Of vehement speech, as in our law enjoined, 
 To leave thy purposes, yet unperformed ? 
 I could be well content with this regard 
 The marriage-ransom paid quite to forego, 
 And willingly, no, glad to scape so quit. 
 
 Samson. Father, break off; since, though the 
 
 love I bear thee 
 In measure as our near relation ask, 
 Yet herein, as I thus far have begun, 
 So shall I finish, cast in heart, be sure, 
 
8 SAMSON MARRYING 
 
 To cross thy hopes, or disappoint thy purpose ; 
 But higher inspirations from above, 
 Promptings divine, compel me, unwillingly, 
 Into those paths, which else I should abhor, 
 If to my own free counsel left inclining. 
 Otherwise, never should I so persist 
 To disregard that dear respect of love 
 Which links me to thee, nor so far presume 
 Apparent disrespect and seeming lack 
 Of duty, with bold deed, to all appearance 
 Contrary to our laws and laws of God, 
 And wishes to my parents thus opposed. 
 
 Man. Consider, son, ere thou decide, while yet 
 The thought is umpire to the purposed act, 
 Lest thou too late the rash decision rue 
 After decree gone forth beyond recall. 
 Though I thy honesty of heart misdeem not, 
 And forward purpose, yet thus far I question, 
 Though not thy prompting, yet the motive to it, 
 So main against our customs and our laws. 
 And other reasons, also, I adduce. 
 For know, not unannounced, as ordinary, 
 Thy birth ; but the high messenger of Heaven 
 Foretold thee to thy mother in the field, 
 There as she sat reclined after the day ; 
 To me the angel also was revealed, 
 Who, to confirm the tidings high imparted, 
 Rode up in flames from off the burning altar, 
 After conception assured of him destined 
 To free his country, break her enemies. 
 Of this no question can arise, for plain 
 The omen ; but this other that thou sayest, 
 In this may not some error lurk? since doubtful 
 The mind of man and full of wandering ever, 
 And ever least assured of highest purpose, 
 Then most uncertain when most certain deemed. 
 I question not thy honor, but I question 
 
SAMSON MARRYING 9 
 
 Thy immaturity, inexperience, youth. 
 
 These must weigh some with thee ; let also weigh 
 
 Thy duty and thy service and thy love. 
 
 Shalt thou not be surmised of other parents, 
 
 And not from us derived, as now reputed, 
 
 If to our wishes thou oppose thyself thus ? 
 
 As thou art known my son, desist thy purpose. 
 
 Sams. Father, I do acknowledge thee my sire, 
 And in all willing duty have I served, 
 Even unto this, my parents ; but herein 
 The voice of God so plainly in my ear 
 I cannot but regard ; for not through love, 
 Fondly by passion moved, have I urged on 
 This marriage, but from hence that I might find 
 Hostile occasion on them who oppress 
 God's people, and his deity despise. 
 And this not all ; for, while as yet a child, 
 Heroic thoughts flamed at my heart, that I 
 Should Israel from Philistian yoke redeem, 
 The task whereto I was divinely set. 
 Which task enjoined, and with high purpose cher- 
 ished 
 Through all my years, the rudiments laid down, 
 With ripe determination now I enter, 
 Nothing to be detered from this great end. 
 Whence now begins this mission, thus esteemed 
 And purposed, from this day and from this deed. 
 Herein if I should fail, or now. draw back 
 From this great entering, should not also fail 
 The glorious task on me by Heaven imposed, 
 To set my people free? Not to be thought. 
 No; though in this naught but regretful sorrow 
 To cross thy hopes I find, yet so the more 
 Myself should I misdeem, herein should I 
 Waver for parents' love, or parents' tears, 
 Or aught than these more dear — private regards, 
 And hence not rightly weighed or yielded to — 
 
io SAMSON MARRYING 
 
 Thus recreant to my purpose and my trust. 
 
 Man. Thy faith seems not unfounded; and I 
 yield 
 That for his people God of old hath wrought 
 Wonders incredible ; yet such wherein 
 Obedience and firm faith and fealty held, 
 And not, as now, dishonor and contempt, 
 With bold disloyalty and base presumption. 
 Herein, so main against God's law, how couldst 
 
 thou 
 Hope for his aid, since against his thy will 
 Opposed, and purpose set to his transverse ? 
 For well thou knowest, God hath pronounced it 
 
 sin 
 To yoke in wedlock with the uncircumcised. 
 How, then, in this by his aid to come off 
 Thou canst presume, I own surmounts my reach. 
 Sams. Be of good courage, father, nor to doubt 
 So easily resign thyself. Things strange, 
 To us uncertain, darkly are ordained, 
 Sometimes, to work from evil into good ; 
 As in this instance may perhaps be found. 
 Save what I have advanced, no more I can, 
 Except a certain presage of the mind, 
 Which puts to something out of wont my 
 
 thoughts, 
 That this day aught remarkably shall be done 
 By me, and from this hoped occasion rise, 
 Worthy our God, our nation, and myself. 
 Else why this purpose, though expressly opposed 
 To God's high law, that strictly still forbade 
 Such union with the uncircumcised conjoined, 
 Set on, and furthered thus as by his aid? 
 Which had not been, except his counsel served. 
 Man. Since thus thy perseverance, to no pur- 
 pose 
 These admonitions, now, as first, repulsed. 
 
SAMSON MARRYING n 
 
 But other secret matter would I mention 
 Before thy notice, haply to thee known. 
 The stripling youths that follow thee about, 
 Thy nuptial tendance, move somewhat against 
 
 thee, 
 Cast from their hope to solve thy riddle set ; 
 For, as thou knowest, this now the seventh day 
 
 finds them 
 Still unresolved, unsettled, still to seek. 
 Black looks and muttered threats, thought undis- 
 
 cerned, 
 Have I perceived, not, certain, to thy face, 
 For thee they hate, yet fear thy haughty limb 
 And higher courage ; but thy absence gives them 
 Cause and occasion. Here then be advised — 
 To what avail, if, the one danger shunned, 
 Thou on the other strike and suffer wrack ? 
 Sams. What blind suspicion, father, puts thee 
 
 on thus? 
 They will not dare against their oath assured 
 Of friendship and of league with us conjoined 
 In strictest amity, with their dread lords 
 By solemn oath confirmed, nor aught intend 
 Upon me, lest the penalties that attach 
 To those that thus dissolve allegiance sworn 
 And faith be visited upon their deed. 
 Yet should they so on me thus girt with friends 
 Endeavor treachery, or shrewd use contrive, 
 What could be else than blank discomfort gained, 
 And ruin drawn on those who attempt the deed — 
 The wished occasion to hostility, 
 Perhaps, that should Israel's deliverance 
 Begin, as the angel thus to thee affirmed ? 
 Man. I cannot, son, yet reconcile myself 
 To this thy marriage-choice ; and how thy foes 
 May plot thy ruin hence, or how distasteful 
 To them such union, though under show of love 
 
12 SAMSON MARRYING 
 
 Now masking and of fair and open front, 
 I know not ; nor can see from this derived 
 Aught to advantage pure or honorable, 
 Worthy our God, our nation, or thyself. 
 For between vanquished and the vanquisher 
 What faith can hold, or what engagements stand, 
 Since they who faith engage thereto compelled 
 By nothing that assures their holding safe; 
 Or how can that turn good by express law 
 Enjoined us absolutely not to do? 
 Reasons enough, as might seem, to dissuade, 
 Perhaps, a stronger purpose than thou holdest. 
 And more I cannot urge, unless to suasion 
 Force added, which I still were loth to use, 
 If still were in my power, since thy age 
 Now to the prime and flower of youth attained ; 
 Yet fain I still would say, if to some purpose. 
 But now enough ; and I perhaps too much 
 Herein have said, since every circumstance, 
 The place, the hour, and this close secrecy, 
 Informs against and sets suspicion on, 
 If not unmarked, as now. For list, I hear 
 ( So apprehension quick hath sharpened more 
 The ear of age than youth's unwary sense) 
 The tread of hasty steps that steer this way, 
 And yonder through the shade by glimpse dis- 
 cern 
 Thy bridal friends and guests, doubtless now 
 
 come 
 Here at this grateful hour to gratulate 
 Thy love consummated. Be circumspect, 
 And put thee to thy guard with extreme care. 
 
 Chorus. O hospitable house, whose happy roof 
 With prosperous shade protects 
 That couple, fairest found in love's consort, 
 Who shall this day fulfil their bonds espoused! 
 
SAMSON MARRYING 13 
 
 Semi-cho. And happy chance that brings thee 
 to thy bride, 
 Samson, more favored now, 
 And more rejoiced than when, to oppose thy path, 
 The solitary fierce beast proud, 
 That wons in wild, 
 Beset thy single steps, 
 
 And with no spousal grasp, or dalliant arm, 
 Griped in each paw thy form ; 
 But thou, with mighty hold 
 Tearing the lion as the lion tears the kid, 
 Shored'st off both tawny hide and crested mane, 
 Spurning, with insupportable foot, 
 The carcass, left for bees to hive therein. 
 
 Semi-cho. What shall I higher praise, 
 Thy might, or chance in love ? 
 Since thee thy happy hazard thus assigns, 
 Nor less thy lot esteem, 
 Among the daughters of the Philistines, 
 The fairest and the choicest, virtuous, best ; 
 Who waits, this now the seventh day's sun 
 Chiding the heavy time, 
 Her spousal consumations and thy own. 
 
 Cho. Thrice happy bride and house ! Yet hap- 
 pier deem 
 What prosperous roof shall shade 
 Thy marriageable bed, 
 That, rich with fruitful pleasures, shall bring 
 
 forth 
 Large issue, increase fair 
 Of goodly sons and daughters chaste, 
 Likest to thee and to thy wedlock mate ; 
 Happy, if to their nuptial lot be linked 
 Like issue of success in wedded love. 
 
 Sams. Peace with you, comrades. Your in- 
 ducement hither 
 Since not unfriendly, say why ye are here. 
 
14 SAMSON MARRYING 
 
 Cho. Peace with thee, reverend Manoah, and 
 with thee, 
 Samson, esteemed strongest of mortal men. 
 We come, thy bridal courtiers and thy friends, 
 To gratulate thy love consummated ; 
 And, as we have in charge, and were assigned, 
 To aid with wished assistance to thy will ; 
 Say, therefore, what task now thou hast enjoined 
 On us, who only wait thy word to do. 
 
 Sams. Your coming, friends, is timely ; for 
 this day, 
 Though now the marriage-feast known largely 
 
 given, 
 Sees much performed, if all in order duo 
 Accomplished, ere night bring the grateful end. 
 Now, therefore, haste, and. as I gave in care, 
 Have strict attendance on those timely tasks, 
 Such as become your office best assigned, 
 And to my kindred chief. I, the meanwhile, 
 Must hasten conference with those who have 
 In charge this last day's glad solemnity. 
 And now, perhaps, my wished arrival wait. 
 
 Cho. Then thee our grateful task thus enter- 
 tains, 
 Grave Manoah ; for so may well befit 
 The bridal friends and comrades to thy son, 
 With pride, indeed, thus named ; since well art 
 
 thou 
 Happy in such a son, above example 
 Present or past the mightiest born of men ; 
 Since not in all Philistian borders reckoned, 
 Askelon, Ecron, Asdod, Gaza, Gath, 
 Not, though thou add the list of Anak's sons 
 Famous and blazed, whose giant stature vast 
 Might well with terror strike, and win the name 
 Of highest eminence for feats of arms 
 And tests of strength endured, his like accounted, 
 
SAMSON MARRYING 15 
 
 Much less equal or second, at whose coming 
 The mightiest and the bravest of our land 
 Let fall the crest, with less self-conscionable stride 
 And lower courage stalking, or slink by, 
 Not braving his affront. Is he thy sole 
 Wonder, and country's boast, or others worthy 
 Compare with him and equal praise assigned ? 
 
 Man. Our sole accompt and paragon ; his like, 
 Much less his equal or superior, 
 As not among the Philistines, not in Israel, 
 Of whom he also bears the highest name 
 For feats of strength and valiant deeds per- 
 formed. 
 Cho. Thy moderation to enlarge his worth, 
 Since by such ties thus nearly to thee joined, 
 Accredits thee ; and to much ampler merit 
 Thou might'st have raised his name, and yet come 
 
 short 
 Of his desert and due for sleights of strength 
 And strenuous feats displayed, nor so his cunning 
 Stinted of equal praise. For, when he came 
 Hither to his marriage, he a riddle set, 
 Framed with so curious and so hidden skill, 
 His first propounded, none till now can boast 
 Solution and the wagered forfeit won. 
 And some are moved against him, but as yet 
 The more part speak him well and wish him fair, 
 Whose spousals thus to grace they have as- 
 sembled — 
 Where of some tidings would we might but learn, 
 By his departure thus deprived. Yet see ! 
 For yonder to this place I now discern 
 One by his garb and look perhaps hath come 
 With news of what but lately hath befallen. 
 Servant. I come not, friends, for such are ye 
 discerned 
 To Samson and this house wherein I serve, 
 
16 SAMSON MARRYING 
 
 With tidings which may hit with joy your ears, 
 As some perhaps, yet cannot else relate, 
 Than as I have received, howe'er adjudged; 
 And as they are will tell, if ye desire, 
 Though haply wished unknown, the news I bring. 
 
 Cho. Evil, or good ? superfluous yet to ask. 
 
 Serv. Foreboding ill ; so thick a tempest 
 draws. 
 
 Cho. The morning promised fair, nor threat- 
 ened aught. 
 
 Serv. Yet gathers darkly now, and noises loud. 
 
 Cho. Still no concern; foul days have oft 
 turned fair. 
 
 Serv. But this with other kind of storm por- 
 tends. 
 
 Cho. Resolve thy drift ; no second riddle 
 needs. 
 
 Serv. Look not for tidings now of happy sort, 
 Your question thus, perhaps, yet soon explained, 
 If so may be explained what still unknown, 
 Nor wonder at so strange relation heard, 
 111 suiting nuptial time and marriage-feast, 
 Though of the happy consummation lack 
 To honor this glad feast and fair occasion 
 Of this day's spousals, now so long preparing, 
 Nothing voluptuous of soft or sweet, 
 Or pleasing to sight, sound, or smell, or taste, 
 So sumptuous the feast and lavish planned. 
 For first, that all their nuptial rites be passed 
 In order, and their spousals due observed, 
 Along the tall grove's edge they have upraised 
 A spacious tent, whose curtains fast enclosed 
 Deny all sight not bidden, and high roof, 
 Ample and round, of richest texture woven, 
 With state of regal luster spreads above, 
 O'erdoming as a sky. Within, dispersed 
 At grateful intervals, rich palms, and shrubs 
 
SAMSON MARRYING 17 
 
 Odorous, grateful both to sight and smell, 
 Jasmine and rose and myrtle, acanthus, laurel, 
 Iris, as grown in ordered place disposed; 
 And music, touch of harp and timbrel mixed 
 With pipe and warbling song, invites the dance, 
 Pleasing the ear, as sight and smell were pleased. 
 Nor other senses want ; Autumn and Spring, 
 As due at once, have heaped their choicest 
 
 bearth — 
 Bright apples of the Hesperides, with rind 
 Of golden burnish clad, pomegranate, quince, 
 All fruits of the earth, with choicest flowers in- 
 mixed — 
 Upon the grassy table, by whose side 
 Couches of softest touch, and carpets, rich 
 In texture, and in tint damask, recline ; 
 While at the fragrant wine, in order ranged, 
 Fair stripling youths, rich-clad, of ruddy hue. 
 Such is the luxury, it seems no strife 
 Nearby could dwell, no riot rude endure, 
 But would be calmed to quiet, and forget 
 Its brawling noise, still to be so entranced. 
 Yet they, for whom all this, with jangling war 
 And wordy discord jar, within the house 
 Close in a chamber got, though not so sore 
 The bridegroom ; him the bride loudly upbraids 
 With love's disrelish cloyed, because some secret, 
 So loud her cries not long a secret kept, 
 To her denied ; wherefore she weeps by turns, 
 Upbraids him next with lack of proper love 
 Toward her espoused, but this day made his bride, 
 Next threatens, then cajoles ; that all the house 
 Rings with the tumult loud. How it shall end 
 I may not know, so stubborn she, so fixed 
 Not to give o'er her siege until success, 
 And he as fixed on his part to withstand. 
 But longer to delay my task permits not, 
 
18 SAMSON MARRYING 
 
 Upon me joined with speed as not defering. 
 
 Cho. What it can be divides them holds my 
 thought ; 
 No serious rupture ; some love-quarrel, doubt- 
 less, 
 That soon the firmlier but joins who jar; 
 Not like the marriage-riddle he so guards, 
 Though that not unforgiven, if divulged 
 In gamesome sport, not wanton treacherous 
 
 malice. 
 But thou hast known perhaps, at hazard gained, 
 Or by relation heard, what mystic sentence 
 Resolves the marriage-riddle that he set? 
 
 Man. Some question else inquire, if thou 
 wouldst gain 
 Reply ; since this not rightful to reveal. 
 
 Cho. If some convenient matter were pro- 
 posed — 
 
 Man. I should not so less resolution hold. 
 
 Cho. Yet without harm to thee, or danger, 
 done, 
 This nuptial time and glad occasion warrant. 
 
 Man. Yet so the occasion and the time abuse 
 Befits not — though urged hard, betraying thus 
 To you, his friends, yet rivals in the secret. 
 Nor were it seemly ye should so persist, 
 After refusal offered, to affront 
 Hospitable rites, presuming thus insistence 
 Upon superior age. Have ye no fear, 
 Regard, of those just penalties that attach 
 To reverence outraged and abused respect, 
 Unmeditated now, perhaps, yet so 
 Not less offensive, when obtruded thus 
 Against all decency, all regard to years ? 
 Forbear such purpose, then, so main opposed 
 To justice, rights of hospitality. 
 
SAMSON MARRYING 19 
 
 Cho. Yet once again, and while in time thou 
 mayest — 
 
 Man. Urge me no further ; so ye do not well, 
 With such assaults hard-pressed and sieges 
 
 girded, 
 Seeking to make me traitor to my son, 
 That firm esteems his confidence reposed 
 On me, who now assuredly not betray it, 
 Revealing thus that secret sacred given ; 
 I know it not, nor, if I did, should tell. 
 
 Cho. Hence with thy gray dissimulation ! Pre- 
 tense 
 Of ignorance feigned, or reverence due to age, 
 Alike we disregard, since we perceive 
 Thou knowest it, well enough, and think'st to 
 
 hide, 
 Fearful to be compelled against thy will ; 
 Which we are fain to do, if thou persist. 
 For, plain enough, thou seest our throng too many 
 And our advantages to force thee to it. 
 Consider with thyself ; be wise and yield ; 
 Or we shall straight such terms of force pro- 
 pound, 
 As shall compel thee to a quick result. 
 
 Man. Would but my son here present, whose 
 high strength 
 Ye are not unknowing of ! Ye would not venture 
 Violence upon this head, which ye were better, 
 He absent, leave untouched. When he but learn, 
 As thus he shall, that be assured, ere long, 
 These deeds of violence, contumacious acts — 
 
 Sams. Peace, friends ; were best with no dis- 
 turbance here, 
 Now in this nuptial hour and nuptial place, 
 Where quiet best consorts. Ye meant no harm, 
 As I am well assured, upon my sire, 
 But as the time stirs up your minds more quick 
 
20 SAMSON MARRYING 
 
 To apt occasion ; yet unseemly so 
 
 This offered violence and these ventured hands 
 
 Towards any head, and most against a guest's. 
 
 Abuse not so the occasion and the time. 
 
 Which also, father, deem the full excuse 
 
 And sole extenuation of their fault, 
 
 Done in the wanton heat of youth, as ever, 
 
 So now, to ill-considered rashness bent. 
 
 Man. So slightly should it scape? I thought 
 more loudly 
 Thy arm, and not thy tongue, expostulates. 
 Shall such a fact, so heinous in itself, 
 Reckoned against the rated law of nations, 
 But here most, where to wont and usage joined 
 A solemn truce and sacred marriage-rites, 
 Be ventured so — unpunished, unrepentant, 
 After a crime so gross, on allied head 
 Laid violent hands and rude, these sons of Belial, 
 Incestuous, sacreligious, thus escape 
 That justest vengeance, punishment deserved? 
 If this thou thus endure without protest 
 More than thy daunted tongue thus far dares 
 
 vaunt, 
 I lower esteem thy valor than erewhile, 
 And hold it slackened, cheap, vile, and debased ; 
 Nor will I longer tarry in such presence 
 Of hostile insolence and unfilial shame. 
 
 Sams. Peace, father ; nor in wrath forget thy- 
 self thus. 
 Man. Counsel not peace with whom no peace 
 
 can hold. 
 Sams. Yet these the licensed time, if not excus- 
 ing, 
 At least condones in their offended fault. 
 
 Man. Not for a moment given ; lest, this pre- 
 sumed, 
 More open impudence they venture on. 
 
SAMSON MARRYING 21 
 
 Sams. Yet till the finished feast thy parting 
 stay; 
 When if thou must, at least in peace depart. 
 
 Man, Not longer than the preparation ask 
 Will I defer, or stay my parting hence. 
 
 Sams. Then by the dear respect of love I ven- 
 ture, 
 Though with unfilial seeming, thy restraint. 
 
 Man. Not so, forbear it ! lest my anger also 
 Curse thee in sudden wrath distinguished not. 
 Should I be so enforced, against my will 
 And by my son enforced, as these were fain, 
 My enemies, and so a second time 
 More openly and to more shame exposed, 
 These looking on, their gaze and scorn repeated ? 
 Presume not so upon the near relation 
 That nature gives, which here I disavow, 
 With all propinquity disclaimed of kindred, 
 Or ties of blood, to one so lightly holding 
 That dear respect. Thou art not son of mine, 
 Though such esteemed, and with delight once 
 
 cherished, 
 But no more, if thou tamely thus endure, 
 And shall resent not, with more strenuous anger, 
 Such insult to a father ventured on, 
 Thine or another's not thy near concern. 
 Have I begotten thee my sharpest curse, 
 Cherished thy years, tended about thy care 
 With fondest diligence, to find thee, now 
 Heartened and warmed, a deadly bosom-serpent, 
 Ungrateful, base, stinging the hand that reared 
 
 thee? 
 Or by the bait of woman snared, and tamed, 
 Thy sacred freedom lost that should assure 
 Our hoped deliverance, must I regard thee, 
 Tangled by fond desire in amorous net, 
 A prisoner to her wish, or lightest word 
 
22 SAMSON MARRYING 
 
 Let fall, with faith and rightful due forgot, 
 Thy glorious purpose quite foregone or lost, 
 And mission high neglected as despised — 
 Thee must I then bewail thus, once esteemed 
 M'y one delight, that should (but fondly hoped!) 
 Stay my declining years and nurse my age — 
 But now my sharp reproach and shame dis- 
 cerned ? 
 Be other than thou art, or be not mine. 
 Nor so expect my presence, how besought, 
 Or to occassion whatsoe'er desired, 
 Out of the dear regard of love, for such 
 As to thy shame thou now art found, unworthy 
 Nation or God, thy father or thyself. 
 
 Sams. Go, then, as best, ere soon occasion 
 further 
 These find to annoy thee, advantaged in my ab- 
 sence ; 
 And for thy conduct safe and safe convoy 
 I will dispatch along these chosen youth, 
 My nuptial tendance from our nation chosen ; 
 Nor shall I sorrow much, nor much afflict me 
 At thy departure, matters as they hold, 
 But bring thee, as befits, upon thy way, 
 
 Cho. I cannot like this pliant conduct, friends, 
 And outrage slightly overpassed ; from such 
 Omission but evil springs. More wroth at first 
 Should be who pardons, or condones. Nor such 
 His wont; since quenched not easily we know 
 His anger waked, nor for the main suppressed 
 In smiling looks and fair pursuading words. 
 But what have we to fear of harm, or dread, 
 So many, and with youthful vigor armed 
 Against him single for his kindred gone? 
 He will not dare against us now, nor venture 
 Violence or force, nor more contrary aught, 
 Among his foes thus single and unarmed ; 
 
SAMSON MARRYING 23 
 
 His error, and the wished occasion found, 
 
 As he shall find perhaps ere this day end. 
 
 But yonder through the shade I now discern 
 
 A bevy of fair damsels, richly dressed 
 
 In gems and waving robes, with steps well-timed, 
 
 As they in dance came on, and amorous ditties 
 
 Sung to the harp, tokens that well infer 
 
 The bridal train, the bride among them chief ; 
 
 And, driving now full-sail, this way they steer, 
 
 Like a rich fleet of vessels, fair addressed 
 
 To Tarsis, or the isles of utmost Ind — 
 
 One o'er the rest proudly pre-eminent 
 
 In stature, beauty, speed, a towering ship, 
 
 The pride and stately boast of her convoy — 
 
 With tackle hoised, sails filled, and streamers 
 
 flaunting, 
 That court the spicy winds to waft their way ; 
 And now, on nearer view more sure discerned, 
 Though yet unthought what purpose or intait 
 Induces, known the bride and bridal train. 
 
 Lilith. Greeting and welcome, bridal friends 
 and comrades 
 To him who hath espoused me, and this day 
 With me fulfilled those nuptial vows engaged. 
 
 Cho. O happy chance, that brings thee to this 
 place 
 To listen our hymeneal, 
 Thy nuptial ode assigned 
 And holy spousal hymn, 
 Befitting best occasion sacred thus 
 Of amorous consort, 
 That celebrates this day conjoined 
 With his thy vows in faith and wedlock bands, 
 That goodliest man of men, 
 Whom this day brings to consummate his love, 
 Happy in thee and thy possession fair, 
 Our flower of beauty, and pride; 
 
24 SAMSON MARRYING 
 
 Linked in whose love so dear, 
 
 Prosperous be thou as fair, thy spousal bed 
 
 Fruitful with nuptial pleasures pure 
 
 And beauteous offspring, consummation glad 
 
 Of all thy bliss and solace of thy love. 
 
 Nor less thy lot esteem, which thee assures 
 Thy spouse and wedlock mate, 
 That mightiest of earth's sons, 
 By whose dear side to shade thee and protect 
 Through all thy hazards of life, 
 Possess thy bliss devised, 
 His love to thee, and thine to him, assured, 
 Long life, and happy days, and issue fair. 
 
 Lil. I came not for your spousal greetings, 
 friends, 
 Though not unmindful for them, but to share 
 With you my tidings of success unhoped, 
 Scarcely this day but gained and in this hour, 
 His secret wrested from him in his height 
 Of resolution not to yield ; I urged him 
 With many reasons, brought forth many proofs 
 To win him, long in silence combated, 
 Pressed him with amorous arts and amorous 
 
 words, 
 And long in vain, though fixed not to give o'er, 
 Still mindful for your threat, until success. 
 At length that plea, twixt wedded man and wife 
 No secret, and with all assurance given, 
 Confirmed by solemn oath and solemn faith, 
 To you divulged not, wrought with him, and he, 
 Importuned, over worn and wearied out, 
 Opened me all his bosom and my will. 
 But he who cannot his own secret hold 
 Locked in his breast, with constant resolution 
 And purpose not to yield, whatever urged 
 Against him, or, with what persuasion armed, 
 Cunning, or fraud, or force, how should he hope 
 
SAMSON MARRYING 25 
 
 Who then shall keep it for him, when revealed, 
 By his inducements not enforced, or held, 
 Not to betray the secret, not to yield — 
 How think that sacred trust, to him committed, 
 In silence kept, if he in silence keep not, 
 Though upon sworn assurance, solemn oath? 
 And which the firmlier, bonds of civil duty, 
 Or bonds of wedlock, to whomever, bind? 
 Whom, then, should I regard or fear, a stranger 
 Of hated race and vanquished, an inferior 
 Held by our lords a thrall, given by my father, 
 Embraced against my will, or rather you, 
 My friends and countrymen, whose ties of kin- 
 dred 
 Firmlier bind than faith of wedlock bands? 
 And by your word assured, and by your presence, 
 That safe assures more than your word assures, 
 No harm to me, whatever harm devised, 
 I have not much to fear what he can do 
 Against me, or what harm on me contrive, 
 Single among his enemies and unarmed ; 
 Small danger which infers, if I reveal, 
 As without more I shall. A swarm of bees. 
 Hived in the lion's carcass, solves the riddle. 
 Now ye may boast your wagered forfeit won. 
 
 Cho. Yet softly ; for I see approach, 
 But now returned after his kindred parted, 
 Samson, who, when his secret known betrayed, 
 Doubtless found highly incensed ; 
 Advise, then, well 
 Thy conduct, that his wrath inflame not more. 
 
 Lit. Samson, well may we spare each other's 
 presence, 
 If, after parted thus, desire again 
 Unite as now, so much thy sight hath cheered me 
 Ignorant of thy going and the cause, 
 That, for society and human sight, 
 
26 SAMSON MARRYING 
 
 Hither I was constrained to these thy friends, 
 With whom some cheering found, some little so- 
 lace ; 
 And to repay whose entertainment given 
 I have bestowed what thou so well canst spare 
 And feel no lack, that secret thou impartedst 
 At my solicitation, hardly gained, 
 Yet gained with wonder so reluctant given 
 As much, so small the consequence attached ; 
 Neither upbraid, that I in this may boast, 
 Out of the dear regard for me thou hast, 
 But this day linked with thee in bonds of love, 
 Thy favor, as these now thy forfeit boast. 
 
 Sams. But not thy nuptial fealty, faithless 
 monster, 
 Who swore with solemn oath, and pressed me 
 
 strongly 
 Against my will and quick suspicion held, 
 Not to divulge, not to betray the trust 
 Deposited ; but thou with reasons urgedst me 
 So many and with such persuasions armed, 
 That to my better purpose I proved false, 
 As thou to me hast proved. Accomplished fraud, 
 Couldst thou not more oaths swear, more faith 
 
 confirm, 
 To make thy sin less heinous by enormity. 
 That men might more admire the magnitude 
 Than thy degree of vice and mind depraved ? 
 Yet what more couldst thou swear or what con- 
 firm, 
 More than thou hast, vile traitress? Thou ad- 
 
 juredst me 
 By all the bonds of love, so faithful held, 
 And bonds of spousal duty, nuptial faith, 
 What but to yield me and betray, a scorn 
 Among my enemies, utmost contempt 
 To all my kindred, all my friends endeared, 
 
SAMSON MARRYING 27 
 
 Proverbed a fool, to all time an example ? 
 Lil. Bear with me, Samson, while I shall en- 
 deavor 
 To lessen or extenuate my fault, 
 So held, committed, yet in all duty done 
 To thee, and fair intent. I feared thee change- 
 ful, 
 Since of thy own tribe women found so fair, 
 Of various fancy, dreaded thou wouldst leave me, 
 Perhaps, ere this day consummate our vows ; 
 Rightly sought, therefore, how to hold thee firm- 
 est 
 To me; and to this end thy cherished secret 
 Obtained; to these, thy friends, revealed it, 
 A further hold intended, in their knowledge 
 An added bond ; the forfeit rightly judged 
 So trivial, of such little worth esteemed, 
 That I could rather lose, than lose thy love ; 
 Which now I ne'er will urge again so hard, 
 If in this test but faithful it be found. 
 Pronounce forgiveness, therefore, on my fault, 
 By thee so held, but not by me intended, 
 Through which if I with thee am lower esteemed, 
 Restore me to my place and favor lost. 
 
 Sams. Out, traitress, out ! I can as soon re- 
 store thee 
 To new acceptance, as thou canst restore 
 Thy fealty and thy trust of silence lost. 
 Even were thy words sincere, how couldst thou 
 
 hope 
 Would go my faith, or favor, or my love, 
 Where my esteem could not and confidence, 
 Or long remain, where these could not remain ; 
 How could they, where no worth or value found, 
 So heinous is thy sin that thou hast sinned? 
 I before all the daughters of my nation 
 
28 SAMSON MARRYING 
 
 Esteemed thee and loved; unlocked thee all my 
 
 heart ; 
 Not as a trial designed of marriage-faith, 
 But overcome by importunity 
 And strong assurance of thy wifely love. 
 Was this thy wifely duty, wifely love 
 Assured, thus to desert me, thus forego me, 
 Slight me as naught, betray me to my friends 
 Esteemed, but now as foes and hostile held, 
 Then to beseech me, and with feigned remorse 
 Entreat my new acceptance and new love ? 
 Thou shouldst not so direct against my notions 
 Presume thyself, and then presume forgiveness ; 
 Or, if thou dost, know thy presumption false. 
 Lil. Yet further hear me, Samson; that my 
 love 
 In this not slackened, but the more assured, 
 Know, through my fear for thee I have revealed 
 What, but for this, had never been disclosed. 
 I saw thee here among thy enemies, 
 For such they are, though friends to thee pre- 
 tended, 
 Single and unarmed and thence against them 
 
 weak; 
 I feared what harm they might inflict upon thee, 
 Cast from their hope to solve thy riddle set, 
 And deemed that thou might'st easier lose thy 
 
 forfeit 
 Than spare thy life, with thy lost love to me, 
 And all the pain that love deprived attends 
 For this have I misdone, if must be deemed 
 What for thy own best good and highest end 
 Intended, by regard for thee impelled 
 Through love, which, if well meaning though 
 
 harm wrought, 
 No blame attends, but pity rather and pardon. 
 These pleadings satisfy the laws of love, 
 
SAMSON MARRYING 29 
 
 And therefore thee, if thou to love a subject. 
 Let this appease thy wrath and thou the rather 
 Applaud my dauntless resolution bold, 
 That against thy displeasure sought thy welfare, 
 Than censure the light holding of my faith 
 To thee engaged, not to thy harm engaged. 
 These reasons, then, these, these, and more be- 
 side, 
 May well, if not deserve, at least implore 
 Thy pardon and thy favor and thy love. 
 
 Sams. Since thou wilt cling still to that odious 
 plea 
 Of love, pretended, faith to me, abjured, 
 Hear me, if I pronounce thy refutation. 
 No token of thy faith could I esteem 
 Of higher proof, or love to me engaged, 
 Than the maintaining of that faith and love 
 By firm hold on thy word to me assured. 
 For where is found no faith of man and wife, 
 Mistrust and fear must lurk, inconstancy, 
 Mutual doubt, suspicion, that shake sore 
 Their inward peace of mind and wonted calm. 
 My welfare was thy thought ; what if my welfare 
 I lower held than faith of marriage-bonds? 
 Of which the one thou shouldst have kept to me, 
 The other left to whom it most concerns ; 
 Or how couldst thou presume what I, thy head, 
 Had charged thee absolutely not to do, 
 And then not raise in me utmost displeasure, 
 Knowing, as needs thou should, so disobeying? 
 Thou only seek'st fresh opportunity, 
 On pardon granted, to insult me more, 
 And with more open impudence betray me. 
 Thy acted parts and feignings I contemn, 
 And count thy specious pleas not pleas, but lies. 
 Lil. Then if these reasons win thee not, let win 
 thee 
 
3 o SAMSON MARRYING 
 
 What else I suffered, ere I could consent, 
 What snares were set, what sieges girded round ; 
 Some small commiseration this may gain me, 
 Perhaps, from thee, not from my hope quite 
 
 cast. 
 It was not wanton disregard of faith, 
 As thou inferest, or I of thee infer, 
 Slackening of wedlock duty, wifely love, 
 Still firm my faith to thee as first, but weakness 
 Against their importunity to oppose 
 Is my excuse. Thy bridal friends and guests, 
 Thy friends esteemed, hence firm to thee es- 
 teemed, 
 And toward thy interest, set upon me, pressed 
 
 me, 
 Urged me by all the ties of civil duty 
 And of relation, to obtain thy secret 
 And give to them, when once I had obtained ; 
 Assuring me, not against thee designed 
 Occasion of quarrel ; but dishonorable 
 Thus to permit an alien to our race, 
 And our inferior held, to advantage thus 
 Upon my kindred, on my countrymen. 
 These proving vain, they threatened cruel death, 
 Constraining me to wrest thy secret from thee 
 And tell to them, that solved thy riddle set. 
 With such assaults hard pressed, though scrup- 
 ling much 
 To circumvent my faith, at last I yielded, 
 Unlocked them all thy secret and their will. 
 But let me find some place to show contrition, 
 Samson ; reject me not thus for my fault, 
 By sad event so found, not deemed at first, 
 Loss of thy love and thy displeasure gained. 
 Upon my known offence and sin allot 
 Whatever punishment, and I will pay 
 To the full reckoning set my heavy score, 
 
SAMSON MARRYING 31 
 
 So I may still to favor be restored ; 
 
 And in thy anger be some mercy shown, 
 
 How small ; nor from all hope cut me quite off. 
 
 Regard my weaker sex and weaker years, 
 
 If in thy heart some pity harbor still, 
 
 And bear with me in my infirmities, 
 
 Which with thy help I shall in time o'ercome, 
 
 Perhaps ; without thy aid and favor not. 
 
 So shalt thou, as thou dost in strength excel, 
 
 In mercy and compassionate pardon so. 
 
 Sams. Such punishment, as on my own I take, 
 To thy sin I allot ; and if no more, 
 Thou wilt not readily seek like penalty, 
 Loss of all love, and sharp mistrust engendered. 
 Thou wouldst not for thy husband wish me, thus 
 Loveless and unendeared, a mock and scorn 
 Among unperjured women, faithful wives. 
 Forego they seeking, then, or own it feigned, 
 After a fact so heinous, to thy husband 
 Unchaste, unfaithful ; for a deed so faithless 
 Argues a heart like faithless and unchaste ; 
 Nor can their pled constraint absolve thy sin, 
 Since under my protection, as thy husband, 
 Thou first obedience owed'st to me, not them, 
 Who thence thy countrymen no more, nor kin- 
 dred, 
 Though they to thy refusal had attached 
 A threat more cruel, joined a heavier doom. 
 Yet much I marvel that my friends and com- 
 rades 
 Could move against me thus, the wagered for- 
 feit 
 Esteemed so slight, not worth a life to lose. 
 Cho. Thou wouldst not wonder long, couldst 
 thou but learn 
 The occasion of our importunity. 
 Our politic lords assigned us as thy spies, 
 
32 SAMSON MARRYING 
 
 Though bridal friends and guests to thee pre- 
 tended, 
 Fearing some fraud on us by thee contrived, 
 Not friendly heretofore, but hostile found. 
 Guile, then, with guile, as best, they have op- 
 posed, 
 Cunning have matched with cunning, since force 
 
 with force 
 Single they could not ; from whose wished event 
 Infers that strength, unless to wisdom joined, 
 Made only to subserve where wisdom rules ; 
 A lesson, Samson, which to thee we care not 
 If we reveal, since thus from thee we learned ; 
 Whom much we need not fear from this attest. 
 Sams. Was this that solemn oath and faith af- 
 firmed 
 By your dread lords to me, and me to them, 
 So to requite with perjured guile the trust 
 In them reposed by acquiescence given 
 To their request, though strange and out of wont, 
 My nuptial tendance from their nation chosen, 
 Not mine, as custom old and use obtains? 
 Where, also, was that oath to me assured, 
 By you assured, of faith and friendship firm, 
 When I received you for my bridal friends, 
 Not with reluctance, as I feared in aught, 
 But openly, as numbered of my nation, 
 When ye by cruel force constrained my bride 
 To wrest from me and tell to you my secret, 
 Thereto set on by your designing lords, 
 Themselves not true, but in false league combined 
 To wrest their oath and break their pledge se- 
 cured ? 
 This was your honor and Philistian faith, 
 Wherein, put to the test, how dully shows 
 The coin debased of friendship counterfeit, 
 
SAMSON MARRYING 33 
 
 And when with mine compared how foul ap- 
 pears ! 
 Among the daughters of your nation found 
 I sought a bride, which proved in me no guile, 
 And here among you held my nuptial feast, 
 So further my sincerity attesting. 
 If aught against me, then, your lords have moved, 
 They did it impiously, against the laws 
 Of nations, laws of hospitality, 
 Violating thus their country's fairest ends. 
 With such no league can hold, since disregarded 
 Those principles that base and found a state, 
 Honor and faith and fair intent to all, 
 Without which none begins, or long endures. 
 Too much I cannot gratulate my chance, 
 In time discovered both a faithless wife 
 And faithless nation, both alike in fraud 
 Exceling, found unfaithful as unchaste ; 
 Nor shall I greatly sorrow, if to both 
 My faith I break, since both to me have broken, 
 Cho. Thou wouldst not dare, except thou dost 
 presume 
 Upon our suffrance, thus abuse our patience 
 With insult to our lords and us avouched, 
 Pretending broken faith and oath outraged 
 By us, when thou occasion only sought'st 
 To do the like, but never couldst surprise, 
 And which through fear of us durst never seize. 
 False pretext, since from us to thee needs hold 
 No faith, victor to vanquished, lord to slave ; 
 Since in fierce battle we thy nation vanquished, 
 Regaining thus the glory of prowess lost 
 Of Palestine from thine, who thence our subject, 
 Toward whom we hold what faith soe'er and 
 
 league, 
 As to a race inferior and enthralled. 
 Nor think we greatly dread, as thou presumest, 
 
34 SAMSON MARRYING 
 
 What the utmost of thy might on us can do, 
 Would fortune but fair opportunity. 
 Afford, as once before, soon should'st thou show 
 A lower courage, use a smoother tongue, 
 Spite of thy vaunted strength and valor framed. 
 Let this be warning, then, that may suffice, 
 And not need force, or stronger, to impress. 
 Sams. I fear ye not, nor all your force ; the 
 rather 
 Welcome such contest, what ye dare against 
 The merited assay of this right arm 
 Provoked, though first, yet not the last, reward, 
 Of faith-breach, league thus loosely disallied ; 
 Nor other time I know, or like to be, 
 Or other place, so suitable as this, 
 To show you what this vengeful arm intends, 
 Or to receive your utmost brunt of battle, 
 Whatever, then, your sudden valor prompt, 
 Sit on, nor deem that I shall hence be far. 
 
 Cho. Not long should hesitation hang, nor se- 
 quel 
 Delay thy vaunt with force returned, wert thou 
 Our equal, worth our valor to assail, 
 Not rather insult and declined emprise 
 By us accounted, thus with thee engaged, 
 Our subject, our inferior, our thrall, 
 Beneath all notice, worthy but contempt, 
 Or best chastised by those whose pride, as thine, 
 In lips unrazored and like boistrous locks, 
 Thus by a woman, not by men, subdued. 
 
 Sams. I thought thy circling pretense thus 
 would end 
 In vouched disdain, insult to valor offered, 
 Tongue-doughty, whom no insult ventured on, 
 No force, could more, except with idle breath, 
 To venture or return, if offered fight ; 
 And, as might well be thought, as ye in fraud 
 
SAMSON MARRYING 35 
 
 Excel, so now in cowardice, since thus 
 The hand maintains not what the tongue pre- 
 sumed, 
 Thus insolent, untractable, unquenchable, 
 Not worthy notice, beneath all contempt, 
 And likest those who profit by respect 
 Of sex against all honor and fair faith ; 
 So now with futile answer like returned. 
 
 Lil. Samson, once more, ere lastly thou pro- 
 nounce, 
 Let me obtain forgiveness for my fault, 
 Which I confess, and well could wish not done, 
 So unforeseen the sad event derived ; 
 Nor thus disjoin our vows, this day conjoined. 
 
 Sams. No, no ; it suits not thou and I were one, 
 Twain now in heart and soul as twain in race ; 
 Nor frame thy thoughts to speech in artful mode, 
 As to her spouse by faithful wife and dear. 
 Thy amorous nets no more shall tempt my feet, 
 Once in the snare, and well-nigh fatal, caught ; 
 Nor thy unfaith my credulous faith betray. 
 On thee, who art a woman, and exempt, 
 I will enforce no violence, nor on these 
 Aids to thy fraud, respecting both thy sex 
 And their false oath ; but others of thy nation, 
 Since all perceived set on like enmity, 
 Will not exempt this, but will deal toward them 
 As enemies, wherever chanced or found. 
 Yet think not for the base return ye made 
 To my regarded faith I shall as base 
 Return, or for that wagered forfeit set, 
 By you so foully gained with perjured sleight, 
 Ye have long time to wait, or I to seek. 
 
 Cho. Which if thou gain within time boasted 
 thus 
 Will prove a shrewder riddle than thy last 
 With search to find the satisfying solution. 
 
36 SAMSON MARRYING 
 
 Sams. O double breach of faith to me pre- 
 sumed, 
 And insult dire returned 
 To my regarded trust, 
 
 Which with as greater shame must on me show, 
 If tamely and ingloriously endured 
 Affront so vile esteemed 
 And foul indignity presumed 
 From heathen and profane, 
 Yet no return attempted on my foes ! 
 
 Was it for this that plighted faith secured 
 And mutual pledge engaged 
 Assured your firm regard sincere, when I 
 With fair and open intent 
 Sought league with you and mutual amity, 
 And, further to assure the bond sincere, 
 Among you chose a bride, 
 Approving thus my steadfast loyalty 
 To that pledged word assured ? 
 Which by you basely broken 
 Compels me, unwilling else. 
 From the dear side and loved society 
 Of her but this day linked 
 With me in faith of wedlock bands. 
 
 Yet not through fear seduced or drawn, I go, 
 Of what your utmost 
 On me may inflict ; 
 
 But to requite such faith-breach offered 
 And insult foul presumed 
 
 With what becomes of extreme vengence urged, 
 My purpose, and, by right, studied revenge. 
 
 Cho. Go, then, nor think we greatly dread 
 What the utmost of thy might 
 On us is able. 
 
 Though to thy vaunted strength were joined 
 The total force of those that serve thy God, 
 With the utmost of his deity seconded ; 
 
SAMSON MARRYING 37 
 
 Whose puissance we ere this have proved, 
 
 And found it against Dagon 
 
 Useless and vain, ridiculous, despised. 
 
 Go therefore, where thy heart inclines, 
 
 Whether to death, or some more shameful fate, 
 
 For strict necessity naught less 
 
 Upon thee allots, 
 
 In that direful fold self-tangled. 
 
 Lil. He's gone ; and how he may revenge him- 
 self 
 By stirring up his wrath to hostile deeds, 
 My heart misgives me, sore divine of ill, 
 Since readily he passes no affront, 
 However slight ; how, then, should this escape, 
 Se heinous in his sight and foul esteemed ? 
 Who could have thought he would so strictly hold 
 The urged offense, my broken faith to him, 
 Given but by way of jest, and not intended 
 Binding on me, since not on him constraining? 
 Yet since he could persist in his affront 
 After my suit for pardon, I shall not 
 Greatly deject myself for my offense, 
 No reasily care to gain his love endangered, 
 So readily shaken as not worthy deemed, 
 Only our schemes miscarried I deplore, 
 To draw him into our power and through my love 
 Render him our subservient and our thrall ; 
 Captive at home, a prisoner to love 
 Esteemed, so held, more in our power secured. 
 
 Cho. Be not disturbed ;i no serious harm upon 
 us 
 He can inflict, how much his anger chafe ; 
 What strength soe'er live in those mighty limbs, 
 Though doubled more than now, he cannot cope, 
 Single and unarmed, against a nation armed ; 
 For, as thou knowest, he long ere this dispatched 
 Homeward in haste his countrymen and sire, 
 
38 SAMSON MARRYING 
 
 Fearing some further affronl upon them offered. 
 Nor to the citizens much harm can lurk 
 In his displeasure visited upon them 
 Perhaps before the popular tidings published. 
 For with his father and his kindred parted, 
 
 \t\^\ the known cause therefor, the city rings; 
 Him also present sole the city knows, 
 And with prevention will ward off all harm. 
 rii.it he hath now departed all our hounds 
 
 And hath arrived his father's house, were likelier, 
 Than tarried in the midst o\ enemies. 
 Thus from his kindred ami from succor far. 
 Be not disheartened, then, and have uo care, 
 
 Either for self, or kindred, or thy nation; 
 Bui rather like tin lot which hath prevented 
 
 A wedlock so distasteful to thyself, 
 
 Yet rather to thy friends, his paranvmphs, 
 t )i whom thou mayest a second mate select 
 
 Suitable to thy choice, since now thy former 
 
 I'-s express word and action hath divorced thee 
 Constrained to bonds by force against tin will. 
 Lit, Then, chiefly by your kind assurances giv- 
 en, 
 Pledges of dear regard, I take no fear 
 Upon myself for what I have misdonej 
 
 Not so intended, sinee 1 other deemed 
 
 The event, and him, not now, as heretofore, 
 
 Subservient to my asking and my will. 
 
 .And since Ivy his own act and express word 
 He hath divorced me and left, so let him go; 
 1 can as easily find another mate 
 
 As he, ami one oi better faith, perhaps, 
 
 To take affront upon SO slight offense. 
 
 Not for Some breach of faith endangering life. 
 
 And though with his my fame may stand traduced 
 
 Pattern o\ most uuconjugal unfaith. 
 
 Yet here, among my kindred and mv friends, 
 
SAMSON MARRYING 39 
 
 And all my tribe, what I could more esteem, 
 I shall be fa moused of those faithful women, 
 Who, to promote her cherished welfare, chose 
 To set their country's faith above their own. 
 Nor shall I much repine, if I receive 
 The favor of my nation and my friends 
 To recompense my zeal for country shown. 
 If he at this take envy or despite, 
 1 leave him to his lot, and cleave to mine. 
 
 Cho. Nor less thy fortune hold ; since not un- 
 grateful 
 To thee or us or all thy nation numbered. 
 Thou in thy country's favor satisfied 
 Shalt need no husband, that to thee a husband 
 Less ready to abjure thee and forsake 
 Than he, who, for his perjury done this day, 
 Merits no name of husband and no wife. 
 Nor dread thou long the sting of love disprized, 
 Soon in a second passion comforted, 
 More faithful than thy first, and more endeared. 
 
 Li!. Still less, then, shall my choice repent or 
 change, 
 That firm assures my country's favor gained 
 For his, to whom in wedlock joined were shame 
 Unutterable, intolerable, and worse 
 Than fancy might conceive or fear might feign — 
 Not, therefore, to be sought, but every way 
 Avoided, as what worse to me might fall, 
 Nor in my present mind to prosecute, 
 Thus unsurmised, unworthy, undesirable. 
 But by what means soe'er to circumvent. 
 
 Cho. Yet see! for yonder comes in haste 
 That famoused, that renowned, 
 Invincible Samson, 
 Manoah's mighty son : 
 Though not, as when he parted, 
 Cloudy defiance lowering on his brow, 
 
40 SAMSON MARRYING 
 
 But in his look more mild sits calm serene. 
 His burden borne the wagered forfeit deemed, 
 Doubtless full satisfaction and discharge 
 Of his sworn oath and faith to us engaged. 
 Remain ; for thou with him shalt see some sport 
 Perhaps, nor shall he work thy harm in aught. 
 
 Lil. Whom I with all persuasion will assault, 
 All amorous arts and fair enticing words, 
 If in my power still to appease his mind 
 With what amends, so highly incensed against 
 
 me, 
 Yet now perchance by time elapsed more mild, 
 Or, if not so, still to our purpose bent. 
 
 Clio. Howe'er the event may turn, alike im- 
 ports. 
 Sams. I come not, comrades, to accuse my 
 chance, 
 Though ill perhaps, or wish it had not been, 
 As of unfriendly event. For, where effect 
 Hath ended hope, the former mind forgets, 
 As though desire or wish had not been known. 
 Wonder not, then, though wonder well were 
 
 moved 
 Perhaps at this so sudden change perceived, 
 That I, who late such heat of anger felt, 
 Then justly deemed, now show of different mind 
 And different purpose changed so soon. For so 
 It suited not that I, who late conjoined 
 Friendship and league with you, and fealty firm, 
 By solemn pledge confirmed, should all disjoin, 
 For one slight difference held, one trivial breach, 
 Though first but hardly held, friendship so dear 
 And amity, nor that your just reproach 
 Resented my slack failure to fulfil 
 That bond secured, since I not then refused 
 The trial, as I now the forfeit not, 
 Best surety of my pledge. Wherefore behold 
 
SAMSON MARRYING 41 
 
 The wagered forfeit ye had won of me, 
 And say if this be satisfaction deemed, 
 As I to you engaged, or wanting still. 
 
 Cho. Full and complete adjudged, nor lacking 
 aught ; 
 And worthy thus thy fame, that in brief space 
 Incredible thy pledge thou couldst redeem. 
 Yet much I marvel that in time so short 
 Accomplished thus, despite thy vigor known, 
 Since to thy place and here return accounted 
 No journey of a sabbath, loaded so 
 A wonder well thy might so much endured. 
 Who, then, shall ravel this aright, and set, 
 To me shall seem of fame no less deserving, 
 Than who thy former riddle rightly searched. 
 
 Sams. That thou hast gained thy forfeit gaged 
 suffices ; 
 Further concerns thee not. But much I marvel 
 How chances yet my wife upon this place, 
 Not in the riddling contest now concerned. 
 Say, woman, hadst thou not enough offended 
 By treason to me and hate unconjugal, 
 That thou shouldst more contumely and reproach 
 Heap on my head, thus witness to my shame ? 
 Or dost thou further seek to excuse thy fault, 
 Rather to approve thy innocence confirmed, 
 Open to all, and easily apparent ? 
 
 Lil. Samson, by sad experience well I know 
 How little force with thee my words can find ; 
 And that my own perverseness I may thank 
 No interpreter than thy displeasure needs. 
 But granting all, I still beseech thy love, 
 Earned by repentance and by penance sore, 
 Loss of thy love to me, not mine to thee, 
 That still remains, and strives in thee to raise 
 Like measure of itself. Forsake not thus 
 Her, whom thy love once chose to recompense, 
 
42 SAMSON MARRYING 
 
 Nor easily repulse, lest thou shalt feel 
 With me the secret sting of love refused 
 Too late, when mine to thee no more endures. 
 Sams. My love I gave thee once, but thou 
 didst use 
 With what abuse ! How, therefore, could I ven- 
 ture 
 That love again, fearful of like return? 
 Thy infidelity have I refused 
 And treason most unconjugal, not thy love. 
 These, then, forbid my love's return, not I, 
 Who only pleasure should own and new delight, 
 Once more if love should knit our vows disjoined, 
 So linked anew in willing wedlock-bands. 
 Yet that this once could be I cannot think, 
 After offense, so unprovoked committed, 
 That mutual amity and faith could grow 
 Where fires of fierce mistrust have burned so 
 
 deep. 
 Such reasons, then, should warn thee to forbear 
 Imploral of love and mutual faith renewed, 
 Howe'er desirable and fair appearing, 
 Lest by a second lapse and heavier fall 
 In hate thou deeplier plunge, with second shame 
 Drawn on thee, thy renewed reproach and mine. 
 Lil. That I toward thee no harm or ill in- 
 tended 
 Witness the love I bear thee ! Let me find 
 Some place to show fit recompense, nor thus 
 Repulse my penitence, disregard my tears ! 
 Though I herein offended, not so deem 
 Ever I shall again — such agony 
 Of love and inward pain, amorous remorse, 
 Till now I never felt, nor shall again. 
 Since never more I mean to try, once tried 
 With sad event, the pain of thy displeasure, 
 That teaches me not lightly thus to hold 
 
SAMSON MARRYING 43 
 
 Thy faithful love to me, so dear, unequaled ; 
 
 Lacking which, how shall I endure to live, 
 
 Lost from the consolation of thy love, 
 
 Joyless and unendeared, hopeless and sad? 
 
 As when a traveler, at shut of day 
 
 Faint and belated, scans the landskip round 
 
 For shelter gainst the night; meanwhile sun 
 
 sinks, 
 Sky lovers apace, and sullen-rising winds 
 Moan wandering round their vast aerial hall. 
 My fault performed I acknowledge, here abjure, 
 And falling at thy feet, I clasp thy knees, 
 A suppliant, and beg thee, as a boon, 
 Not with displeasure and contempt returned 
 My proffer of peace and amity renewed. 
 
 Sams. Hence from my feet! nor think thy 
 acted parts 
 More shall with me prevail, though once pre- 
 vailing. 
 I know thy amorous arts and amorous wiles, 
 Though nearly to my cost, thy toils and trains, 
 The wont of every woman, like thee, false. 
 Didst thou not break all vows, deceive, betray, 
 Once to obtain my secret in thy power, 
 Then, with what speed thou couldst, post straight 
 
 to these, 
 My spies and rivals, and as a thing of naught 
 Reveal, abjuring bonds of marriage- faith ? 
 Yet now on my weak credence couldst pretend 
 Repentance, feign remorse, what but in hopes 
 To win me to thee again, when thou wouldst hold 
 
 me 
 Uxorious to thy power, thy thrall complete ! 
 Once more thy odious pretense I contemn, 
 And count thy spurious pleas not pleas, but lies. 
 Lil. Then since thou wilt renounce me, thus 
 against 
 
44 SAMSON MARRYING 
 
 Thy marriage-faith, thee I renounce, disown, 
 Nor hold my husband, but account it free 
 To choose as likes my choice ; nor think the slight 
 Thou set'st upon me easily overpassed 
 And no return attempted. In thy stead, 
 Thy paranymph, whom thou hast used thy friend, 
 I here espouse, and trust to find of faith 
 Not to desert upon so slight offense, 
 Not breach of wedlock-faith engendering hate. 
 This if thou like not, since thou art sole cause, 
 Thou must endure, since no redress is found. 
 Full leave of me thou hast to do the like, 
 If thou canst find, my doubt, a second mate, 
 After thy faith to me and fealty shown. 
 However, then, it likes, or likes thee not, 
 Thou to thy lot may'st cleave, as I to mine. 
 Sams. Whatever, then, thy inclination bids 
 thee, 
 Do therefore, now no more with me at one. 
 So less than ever by this last act of thine, 
 That teaches plain, if still were need to learn 
 After thy former proof sufficient had, 
 How miserable lot with thee to live 
 Were mine, thus with a noxious bosom-snake 
 Entangled, had I not cut thee quickly off, 
 Before the threatened sting received. Nor less 
 Knowledge to choose a second mate I know, 
 In thy example warned, not by the bait 
 Of beauty snared, that falsest sign of virtue ; 
 Then only fair, where goodness, virtue, shines, 
 That even the plainest lineaments illumes, 
 True beauty ; other, lacking these assured, 
 Comely or homely, with indifference gazed, 
 Or trivial passion felt and notice passed ; 
 Not truly beautiful, save truly good. 
 But I too long in this unfriendly place 
 Have stayed, nor yet delaying. Ye, who take 
 
SAMSON MARRYING 45 
 
 These pledges won, though now to have gained 
 
 esteeming, 
 And with imagined triumph flown discerned, 
 Think me not so unpractised or unskilled 
 To set the hazard on a single throw — 
 A second riddle set, but the solution 
 Not now so easily gained, since on yourselves 
 Depends, if ye would have ; though now not far 
 It yet remains to learn, nor, would ye know 
 Whence were these gotten spoils, long time to 
 
 wait. 
 In such concerns I leave ye. So, farewell. 
 
 Cho. So let him go, a riddler to the last. 
 But where in time so brief his forfeit gained 
 Now entertains my thoughts. Yet is most likely, 
 Since of Philistian mode, some wandering mer- 
 chant, 
 By force constrained or gold, hath furnished 
 
 them; 
 Since other means or other place, than thus 
 To obtain them in his power, none appears, 
 And he on us durst no reprisal venture ; 
 For had he thus, by this and here the attempt. 
 Lil. Thy thoughts I fain would share, but can- 
 not hope ; 
 For, at his parting first, a surly chafe 
 Possessed him, thus defrauded, as he thought, 
 With wrested honor where he felt secure 
 His faith ; and, though more calm of mind ap- 
 pearing 
 At his last coming, somewhat in his look 
 And action moved uncertain, that hath left 
 Doubtful and dark my mind ; not easily, thus 
 By cunning overreached, will he defer 
 His vengeance, if already not exacted 
 Whate'er return or chosen recompense. 
 Expect, then, soon to hear tidings unwished, 
 
46 SAMSON MARRYING 
 
 And for of other import than now deemed — 
 
 Some horrid deed, or dismal accident, 
 
 And sad to us in the end, not joyful proving. 
 Cho. Yet if thus found, or no, it cannot long 
 
 Hang in suspense thus doubtful, whether we 
 
 Erring be proved or thou, between whom now 
 
 The sure event must arbitrate, 
 
 And so, perhaps, not far defered. 
 
 For now I see approaching, 
 
 With altered garb disordered 
 
 And visage uncomposed, 
 
 One in port and mien announcing news ; 
 
 Draws on a pace, and in his look 
 
 Tidings of other sort than late received ; 
 
 By his habit known a Philistine, 
 
 As well as I may guess, 
 
 One of our nation, sure, though not of ours. 
 
 What wind hath driven him hither conjecture 
 fails, 
 
 But, by his frown, not fraughted well for us. 
 
 Attendant. Ye, that upon this place now present 
 stand, 
 
 One here attends with message to you brought 
 
 Of what hath chanced from Samson, for such 
 gained 
 
 While he the place inquired, for Timna bound ; 
 
 And now awaits assurance, here at hand. 
 
 Mes. Men of Philistia, since that such ye are 
 
 Appearance testifies and rumor, say 
 
 What city this, and who the habitants ? 
 
 Cho. Think then at once both inquiries satis- 
 fied, 
 
 Though thou not yet declared, if Timma known, 
 
 The habitation of the sons of Caphtor. 
 
 Mes. Then ye to whom the sad concern per- 
 tains. 
 
 Yet miserable, that to my lot should fall 
 
SAMSON MARRYING 47 
 
 The dread relation strange to be imparted, 
 Though haply to your ears by this the tale 
 Has come ; so ill the news, it travels post. 
 
 Cho. Nothing we know in aught concerns us 
 sad; 
 Nothing to startle or astound, except 
 Thy strange demeanor and thy outcry strange, 
 As though on ours some dire calamity fallen. 
 
 Mes. Nor far at variance deem thy guess from 
 truth. 
 
 Cho. Intends thy speech the full significance? 
 
 Mes. Not less esteem ; though yet so strange 
 the event 
 Occuring, slow belief will credit scarce. 
 
 Cho. I am curious what this riddle may im- 
 port. 
 
 Mes. Perhaps thy wish gains unthought satis- 
 faction. 
 
 Cho. Tell us at once ; for so suspense in news 
 Tortures, the worst at once were better known. 
 
 Mes. So dire a tale would soon proclaim it- 
 self, 
 Nor ask a tongue. But, if to full repletion 
 By rumor unconfirmed already filled, 
 Urge not so hard, nor with so keen desire 
 Seek what remains behind, lest evil tidings 
 In full relation heard bring grief in surfeit. 
 
 Cho. Yet still set out thy news, whate'er thou 
 knowest. 
 
 Mes. Hither from Ascalon am I, to. which city, 
 Past midday as we kept about our thrift, 
 Came Samson, peaceful then to us as seemed, 
 Though otherwise the event approved, so dread, 
 So direful ; whom our rabble straight assailed, 
 Matter of scorn to them and gaze, untried, 
 Though not unheard from rumor and report, 
 
4 8 SAMSON MARRYING 
 
 What dreadful might stored in those massy 
 
 limbs. 
 Yet for a time he seemed unchafed, but stood 
 With eyes fast fixed upon the ground, nor no- 
 tice 
 Gave, nor attention, to their insolent rout, 
 As is their wont to strangers and alone. 
 At last, with head erect, and eyes uplift, 
 That blazed with burning light and sparkles dire 
 Shot forth, he uttered voice to this effect : 
 Hitherto, as your inclination led, 
 Ye have performed, and I unmoved beheld ; 
 Now in my turn I mean to try, if ye 
 Stand as unmoved, while I my part acquit. 
 So saying, nor with further voice vouchsafed, 
 But stern regard on his tormentors bent, 
 Fierce as a chafed wild boar from out the wood, 
 When hounds and huntsmen, galling, rouse, he 
 
 set, 
 Single and unarmed, upon his enemies ; 
 Whom when among, smiting with mighty force, 
 He felled to the earth, as mountain oaks and pines 
 Felled bv fierce winds, when, rushing forth from 
 
 all 
 The quartered earth, they vex the wilderness 
 With forests whole crushed down or torn up 
 
 sheer ; 
 So he whome'er he chanced upon opposed 
 Buffeted low, or, raised in air, dashed down 
 To the hazard of their heads and ruined sides. 
 None might with hope oppose, or long withstand 
 Such onset, as, now roused and raging fierce, 
 He seized on trunks, or limbs, or heads, or arms, 
 And crushed, or bruised, or swung and dashed to 
 
 death, 
 Till thirty, of our choice and flower esteemed, 
 Lay numbered slain ; till when his anger burned 
 
SAMSON MARRYING 49 
 
 Unslackened, unexhausted, unappeased. 
 Lastly, such fierce destruction to oppose, 
 Weening his triumph, since he thought recoiled 
 And wearied by so mighty number slain 
 Who by his prowest acts had wrought such harm, 
 Ahiman, of the mighty Anakim, 
 Come towering, armed in gorgeous panoply, 
 Helmet, and greaves, and brazen shield, and spear 
 Whose staff a weaver's beam and massy head, 
 Chalybean-tempered steel, a talent's weight, 
 Vant-brace, and gauntlet, brigandine, clad en- 
 tire — 
 And cased from head to feet in perfect mail. 
 Whom, when he saw, disdaining, as before, 
 Advantage save in strength, or weapon's aid, 
 Samson, whom now transcendent valor raised 
 To highest deeds, with mighty force rushed on ; 
 And, little recked or none what warlike toils, 
 Thrust spear, or brandished blade, or javelin 
 
 poised, 
 Threatened him, or what towering bulk opposed, 
 The pillars main that bore the edifice 
 Caught in his grasp, and tugging to and fro 
 The haughty pile, with fierce convulsion shook, 
 As waters pent, till down the structure drew, 
 Felled to the ground in ruinous heap — a mass, 
 Shattered and maimed and wrecked, of shudder- 
 ing flesh, 
 Crushed plate and broken mail and ruined sides, 
 Mangled with ghastly hurts in head and limb 
 Pent in and bruised by all his armor bent. 
 After which fearful slaughter, in our streets 
 Standing alone, since all had fled aloof, 
 Fearing yet harm, he raised a mighty voice 
 And cried aloud : If hitherto ye sought 
 Reason of what I do, since unprovoked 
 By you esteemed, know that in Timna found 
 
50 SAMSON MARRYING 
 
 Both these your robes and of my deed the cause. 
 
 Or, if ye further seek and more desire, 
 
 These tidings carry to your lords, intended 
 
 My answer to their acts and vindication 
 
 Of what themselves provoked and drew, which 
 
 more 
 Fully the ill befallen ye can explain. 
 Then, stripped their robes and as a burden placed, 
 He, disappearing, vanished from our sight 
 Suddenly, and as strangely as he came. 
 Ye have the account of his performance, then, 
 Full and complete, wherein if thee be found 
 Matter of joy, rejoice and gratulate. 
 
 Cho. O fearful vengeance on thy foes in- 
 flicted, 
 Samson, by proof strongest of mortal men ! 
 Alas, if such thy tale, no cause of triumph 
 In this appears, occasion more to wail 
 And knock the breast ; nothing but ill and foul, 
 Nor aught to quiet us in a loss so shameful. 
 Nothing remains for joy, naught but dispraise, 
 Dishonor, fear, and shame, and foes' contempt ; 
 Since never from one so dire a chance hath fallen 
 
 us, 
 Wherein no glimpse of hope, none of revenge 
 On him, the dread occasion of our loss 
 And cause, with all best speed by this departed 
 And from our borders passed beyond pursuit ; 
 Since evening, rising now, begins to tell 
 Her starry rubric. Nothing, then, remains, 
 Nothing but lamentation, then, remains 
 For so great loss, and after to confer 
 With counsel plotting how to reach revenge, 
 Since never overpassed with disregard 
 So foul dishonor stuck upon our front, 
 This day's disgrace, our sad reproach and shame. 
 
SAMSON AT TIMNAH 
 
 ARGUMENT 
 
 Samson, his wife having been made the bride 
 of another, his paranymph, taketh vengeance by 
 setting foxes and fire brands among the corn and 
 vineyards of the Philistines, who either in re- 
 venge, or as an act of justice, burn the Timnite 
 and his daughter. While conversing of his ex- 
 ploits with the chorus, his friends and comrades 
 at Zorah, his mother enters, and begs him to be 
 reconciled with his father for their difference dur- 
 ing the marriage at Timna. Samson hesitates, 
 but at last consents, going, as it may be, to his 
 death, yet departing, before his father arrives, 
 upon tidings of the outrage to his wife. For 
 Samson, either desiring vengeance for the slight 
 put upon him, or not accepting the deed as jus- 
 tice in full, parts to Timna, slays the Philistines 
 with great slaughter, and thence withdraws to the 
 rock Etham. Manoah comes in during his son's 
 absence, making inquiry of his whereabouts, ex- 
 plaining that he now desires to be reconciled to 
 Samson for their difference at Timna. While thus 
 occupied, a messenger, an Edrew, entering, re- 
 lates the story of Samson's exploits ; and the 
 drama concludes. 
 
PERSONS 
 
 Samson 
 
 Manoah, his father. 
 His Mother. 
 First Messenger. 
 Second Messenger. 
 Chorus of Danite Youths. 
 Servant. 
 
 The Scene, at Zorah. 
 
SAMSON AT TIMNAH 
 
 Samson. O what a swarm of restless thoughts 
 aroused 
 Awakens in me, while I contemplate 
 From earliest years my strange eventful life, 
 Well suiting to that mission high imposed ! 
 For first, as I have heard my parents tell, 
 My birth by messenger divine was brought 
 Unto my mother, hitherto, though loth, 
 Childless and barren, and before had prayed 
 A son from Heaven, as she sat reposed 
 Amid the field at cool decline of day; 
 Next to my father, then much moved by doubt 
 Of what the showing meant, if vision true, 
 Or false presenting as a pretext urged, 
 Since open vision or prophetic dream 
 Long since were not, and this might startle well 
 With so strange tidings, hard for slow belief, 
 A second message also was vouchsafed, 
 Confirmed by solemn miracle, the seal 
 And sign of truth ; for, when the kindling flame 
 Rose with the sacrifice from off the altar, 
 The angel, mounting, rode thereon to heaven, 
 After conception assured of me foretold 
 To free my nation, break her cruel foes. 
 And so, when due time was, and all fulfilled, 
 My birth arrived, as late declared, the earnest 
 Of doubtful cherished hope. But this not all ; 
 For still in youthful years and yet a child, 
 Heroic actions warmed my heart, when seeing 
 My nation subject to their heathen lords, 
 Myself ordained, perhaps, to set them free, 
 That I should Israel from such yoke redeem, 
 My sacred task divine imposed from Heaven. 
 At this perceived my mother much rejoiced, 
 Heartening thus my youthful hopes : O son, 
 Cherish thy thoughts so high, but not presump- 
 tuous, 
 
 53 
 
54 SAM'SON AT TIMNAH 
 
 As might be deemed, since not as ordinary 
 Thy birth, nor unannounced ; but to me seated 
 Amid the field, thence gone for solitude 
 And prayer for children, childless then and bar- 
 ren, 
 The messenger of God appeared, who told 
 That thou shouldst be and when, thy mission 
 
 high, 
 To rescue Israel from Philistian yoke. 
 Hence I thy thoughts from earliest days have 
 
 eyed, 
 Awaiting what best time to set before thee 
 That high annunciation and divine 
 Mission on the enjoined, that I might show thee 
 Thy marvelous birth and dedicated life. 
 But this remember sure, that in thy hair 
 The sacred secret hangs both of thy might, 
 Wondrous beyond compare, and safety placed. 
 This, therefore, ponder well, that naught may 
 
 tempt 
 Thy ruin, and thou unadmonished fall. 
 Then, when my years were grown to man, strange 
 
 promptings, 
 Fulfilment of my youthful thoughts, which 
 
 yearned 
 With hopes heroic inflamed, that I, perhaps, 
 Might free my nation from Philistian yoke, 
 Roused me to more among my enemies, 
 The Philistines, those proud oppressors cruel, 
 Where easily all their prowess I surpassed 
 In tests of strength and strenuous feats displayed, 
 That they, stirred up by quick revenge and 
 
 hatred, 
 Endeavored oft to get into their power 
 The- secret of my safety, sought in vain, 
 Until, through passion frail and amorous snare, 
 Once I beheld and loved, as they supposed, 
 
SAMSON AT TIMNAH 55 
 
 The daughter of the Timnian infidel, 
 And sought her, though against my parents' wish, 
 Who saw this not, as I, as sent from God, 
 The occasion of my glorious task enjoined, 
 To be my wife, through passion ? no, but urged, 
 I knew not how, by movings unexplained, 
 Certain in this, from God, and therefore followed 
 Rightly, as his divine behest. Then going 
 To claim my bride, the lion roared against me ; 
 But him I caught with mighty hold, and shore 
 Easily off both hide and crested mane, 
 Tearing him as he tore the yeanling kid. 
 Whence was that riddle hard, by me propounded, 
 When to the place arrived, to those choice youth 
 Assigned me as pretended friends, but spies 
 And rivals by their actions after found 
 To gain solution sought, long mused in vain, 
 Last through base sleight secured, my bride en- 
 forced 
 To wrest from me and tell to them the secret 
 That solved my riddle set, the pretext furnished 
 My great work on our enemies to begin ; 
 Of whom thirty, their flower and choice esteemed, 
 At Ascalon I slew, bearing their robes 
 To Timna, as the wagered forfeit won. 
 Where, at my visitation last, her father 
 My bride refused, upon my paranymph, 
 Whom I had used my friend, bestowed, avering 
 To her my utter hate supposed, and offering 
 Her younger sister, fairer claimed — a blot 
 Purged by the fires the foxes bore, when flamed 
 Both shock and standing corn with vineyards 
 
 grown 
 Amid the olive orchards, theirs, whose toil 
 Had eared the field, as false adultress found. 
 And now I wait what further may be moved 
 Among the Philistines, by this aroused 
 
56 SAMSON AT TIMNAH 
 
 More than the former insults on them offered, 
 Certain of this, that good to ours shall come 
 Through yet occasion to hostility 
 Upon our foes, herein so highly incensed. 
 What this may be I know not now, perhaps 
 Not need as yet, since in due time revealed ; 
 For what concerns me then God will disclose. 
 But yonder through the trees I now discern, 
 With rivalry of steps that steer this way, 
 A friendly troop, my chosen companions dear, 
 Auxiliars and associates to my hope. 
 In many a hard task set my surest aid ; 
 Whose purpose, if some sudden wonder move 
 Now of their coming at this hour unused, 
 Their fraught, whate'er it be, will soon disclose. 
 Cho. Where shall we find whom long our 
 search hath sought, 
 But to our sorrow in vain, 
 
 Through all his wonted haunts and known fa- 
 miliar paths, 
 In Zorah and the vale of Eshtaol, 
 That witnessed his annunciation high 
 And marvelous mission enjoined ; 
 Then after saw his might prodigious grown 
 To manhood and prime of strength, 
 The promise well fulfilled of youthful years? 
 There now perhaps he wanders, thus withdrawn 
 Remote from sight of men, 
 And meditates what more 
 Upon our foes to inflict, 
 That may fulfill deliverance begun 
 Of Israel and our freedom lost restore, 
 His mighty work foretold, 
 And task from Heaven imposed. 
 Mountains, and all ye caverns, that may hold 
 Deep in some far recess 
 Our mighty champion wandered, 
 
SAMSON AT TIMNAH 57 
 
 His earliest view at infancy and last 
 
 Vision departing beheld, 
 
 If anywhere he harbor in your fastness 
 
 From us him long awaiting, 
 
 Restore him safe back to his friends and home. 
 
 Sams. Comrades, and ye that seek, suppose 
 your search, 
 If whom ye sought I am, here finds an end. 
 
 Cho. Can this indeed be he, 
 That famoused, that blazed, 
 Invincible Samson, promised long 
 Our land's deliverer? whom we sought 
 So long our quest and baffled search, at last 
 With joy and rapture beheld, 
 Whose glorious might, our nation's bulwark 
 
 reared 
 Unbroken by hostile brunt, discomfit sore 
 Wrought hard upon our foes, 
 When thirty, their flower and choice, 
 By Ascalon fell, our champion strong approv- 
 Matchless in might, the miracle of men ? 
 And thus fulfilled that early promise, shown 
 Beyond question sure, 
 When, to debate his path, the lion proud, 
 Roaring against him, reared 
 His mighty bulk opposed ; 
 But he, with violence insupportable 
 Tearing him, cast aside 
 The carcase, a hive for bees ; 
 The perplexed riddle set and stubborn test, 
 That taxed their utmost, 
 And stumbled many, beyond question fallen. 
 If thus, beyond our hope, 
 After long search and anxious quest, 
 To us indeed thou come, 
 So long awaiting, 
 
58 SAMSON AT TIMNAH 
 
 Resolved at last of fears and timorous doubt, 
 Say, then, what great intent had rapt thee from 
 us. 
 
 Sams. My mission known and purpose high 
 imposed 
 In our dread lords and cruel foes impeled me 
 To fresh occasions of hostility; 
 From which but now arrived and now returned, 
 To me, your friend and comrade, as thou saidst, 
 This grateful welcome comes as not unkindly, 
 After a passion cold and bed unchaste. 
 What therefore ye would know, boldly inquire ; 
 And I, as far as may with self-esteem 
 Consort, will satisfy your thoughts put forth. 
 
 Cho. Thy former injuries on our foes inflicted 
 To us think not unknown ; for who so far 
 Retired from frequent haunts of men, or tongue 
 Of popular fame, by notice as not known 
 Thy bold deeds on our enemies performed, 
 At least of thy own countrymen and kindred ? 
 To whom thy marriage-choice unfortunate 
 In sad event, as seemed, not more unknown, 
 Though most approve the consequence, avering 
 Better no wife than one so faithless found ; 
 In which opinion also we concur. 
 But such as thou yet lately hast accomplished, 
 By common fame nor tidings yet arrived 
 Brought to our ears, these then to us divulge, 
 Since yet unheard from rumor or report, 
 Much less the true relation and distinct. 
 Wherein if aught be sad, as from thy words 
 Thus much perhaps infered, then share with us 
 The full load of the sorrow that thou bearest, 
 That fellowship in grief divide the smart, 
 And not upon thy shoulders all the burden, 
 Too much for one, as best becomes our office 
 To hearten with aid, as body, so of mind. 
 
SAMSON AT TIMNAH 59 
 
 Sams. Your purpose, friends, is kindly, and 
 
 approves. 
 A wonted zeal and care for my concerns, 
 Though sore and hard desired recital given ; 
 For who could wish, though to whom friendly 
 
 told, 
 His own remorse and grief set forth, whence thus 
 Repeated and redoubled to more shame ? 
 Yet fairly have ye asked, nor shall ye lose 
 Desired relation, though old griefs, awaked 
 By memory of those deeds, with fresh assault 
 Besieging, without intermission urge. 
 Words, kindly meant, but unadvised cast forth, 
 Salve not my sores, but,_like unskillful hands 
 That would be medicinal, yet lack the art, 
 To further aggravation only tend, 
 Opening afresh a wound new-healed. Yet so 
 I shall delay desire nor slack in aught 
 Relation of those deeds which God by me 
 Singly hath done upon our conquerors, 
 So told, as late accomplished, that, as due, 
 Though ours the advantage all, to him the praise 
 Who of his special favor thus vouchsafed. 
 Ye knew that I had chosen my bridal choice, 
 Prompted thereto by God, impulse divine, 
 Among the daughters of the Philistines 
 Idolatrous, unclean, unceremonial, 
 Much to my parents' wish opposed, who saw not 
 Herein, as I, as sent from God, by occasion 
 My great work on our enemies begun, 
 The task whereto I was by Heaven proposed. 
 Hence they beset me sore, and urged me hard 
 Such purpose to forego, and quite give over 
 Intent so main esteemed against our laws. 
 But I persisted blind, and would not notice 
 Or mother's tears or father suppliant, 
 Deeming it ill-advised, if not unfaithful, 
 
60 SAMSON AT TIMNAH 
 
 After impulse divine, prompted by God, 
 
 My mission to forsake, or now draw back 
 
 From this great entering on my task proposed, 
 
 Thus recreant to that high injunction given. 
 
 Nor still repent me of my choice, by God 
 
 Urged and set on, though it cost me all that pain 
 
 Of conjugal infidelity endured; 
 
 Which, though forseen not, still approved as fair, 
 
 If so his purposes may best be furthered, 
 
 My mission, and great end of being on earth. 
 
 Cho. Yet furthered thus my mind misdoubts, 
 against 
 God's strictest law and thy vowed purity 
 To seek a bride of stock idolatrous, 
 Uncircumcised, unchaste — a thing forbid, 
 Scandalous, and esteemed in the highest unworthy 
 Our nation or our God, and in our law 
 With pains and penalties severest punished ; 
 Yet disregarded late by some, who mix, 
 In such ill-mated marriage as obtains, 
 Their blood with heathen, which abhor to join, 
 Join with result thou seest, our nation slaved 
 And painful servitude. Well, then, may it chance 
 That thou upon thyself draw'st thy own ills, 
 And more shalt draw, by this uncounseled act 
 So opposite to our customs and our laws. 
 Yet so it may turn out, since thy intent 
 Found worthy, that God will of favor rule 
 Good from this act to come, not else ordained. 
 
 Sams. All things are best done when they may 
 be best, 
 And as they may be ; means not much import ; 
 So they suffice the time, no question needs. 
 If wrong herein were found, God had not so 
 Have prompted or permitted to an act 
 Against his own best good and highest end 
 That champion, for this purpose reared express, 
 
SAMSON AT TIMNAH 61 
 
 To free his nation from their chiefest foes ; 
 So by this act his contradiction proving 
 With evil wrought for good — not thought of 
 God. 
 Cho. I oft had wonder at thy marriage-choice, 
 Since of thy own tribe women given so fair 
 Who willingly had yoked with thee in bonds ; 
 The more, because thy separation known 
 To God and mission imposed seemed to forbid 
 License or choice to thee, else overlooked 
 With small respect, or unregarded quite. 
 But now thy vouched permission and command 
 Might well excuse in thee, if else, a fault 
 Not to be overpassed, or unrespected 
 In one by Heaven's gifts adorned so highly, 
 And more in one to such great service missioned. 
 Sams. Then to the feastful marriage gone, my 
 father 
 Abused, as known, departed thence in anger, 
 Because I would not, for that insult offered, 
 Wreak vegeance upon those who thus had ven- 
 tured 
 Violence against him ; deeming not as yet 
 Sufficient provocation, since no breach 
 To me of faith, nor that Heaven-gifted strength, 
 Bestowed to public benefit, not private 
 Respect, rightly here used ; nor still was ripe 
 My purposed deed, since yet my sire and kindred 
 Sojourned at Timna, which on them might draw 
 My punishment provoked, if, they found present, 
 Violence I presumed ; whence came that breach 
 Between us opened, nor yet closed entire. 
 But when I saw my bride unchaste and faithless, 
 My secret on fair pretext gained, then basely 
 Given to my spies and rivals, and perceived 
 How impudently and with what insolence 
 
62 SAMSON AT TIMNAH 
 
 Their faith-breach first confessed, then of their 
 
 lords, 
 By them set on and urged unto the act, 
 Knowing by this all put on enmity, 
 Since disregarded quite their solemn faith, 
 Toward them I dealt as enemies, where chanced, 
 And parting thence to Ascalon, I slew 
 Thirty, their flower and choice, bearing their 
 
 robes 
 To Timna, as their wagered forfeit set ; 
 Whence parted, here in anger I returned. 
 But she, the hateful source of all that strife, 
 My bride espoused and wed, unknowing taken 
 From me, as basely was bestowed upon 
 My paranymph, whom I had used my friend, 
 Exampling well boasted Philistian faith, 
 Unfaithful, unregarded, unobserved. 
 Therefore, in time of harvest parted hence. 
 And passed to Timna, I found my bride refused, 
 Espoused another, and, which was far worse 
 Than insult yet presumed, her father proffered 
 A younger sister, fairer, in her stead, 
 Either by way of justice, though thus viewed 
 Scarcely, or else, which seems presumption fairer, 
 And to their apter mind, more to enrage, 
 Already chafed and sore, my passion roused. 
 Cho. But for such dire affront and insult stud- 
 ied, 
 Ere this perhaps, thou hast made some dreadful 
 
 way 
 To satisfy the full of thy revenge. 
 
 Sams. I paid my enemies in their own coin, 
 No counterfeit, be sure, as this may show. 
 For, after their pretended given amends, 
 Not to be so deceived, or cheated yet 
 Of what by right my own, nor still to show 
 Regard, more than I felt for one so faithless, 
 
SAMSON AT TIMNAH 63 
 
 Yet here more than the Philistines blameless 
 
 found 
 Though unto them so sore displeasure done, 
 With friendly assistance furnished, thrice a hun- 
 dred 
 Foxes I caught, yoked two and two with brands 
 Fast-fixed, that, touched with nimble fire, shot 
 
 forth 
 Flames thick and fast among the vines and corn. 
 They, as they ran, with heat incestuous seized 
 Whatever adverse chanced, which violate, 
 Both vines and standing corn adulteress played, 
 Cheating whose hard-used toil had eared the field, 
 (Their falsities in turn how well repaid!) 
 Nor ceased, until that marriage-ransom given 
 At least not to the takers more remained. 
 Of what from this may spring, or how their lords 
 Will move, doubtless herein highly incensed, 
 I have no thoughts ; but still of this feel certain ; 
 Not long will they endure so foul affront 
 Put on them, and not more somewhat in answer, 
 If by no more set on than merest shame ; 
 To me the sooner come the better liked, 
 Since thus occasion to hostility 
 Means what but freedom reft sooner regained? 
 God having long since given them justly up 
 For their delusions and idolatries 
 Into our hand, had we not headlong followed 
 To idols, and transgressed command imposed 
 So strictly, as not lightly to be held ; 
 Nor humbled yet ourselves, but persevered 
 To evil, though God oft of favor raised 
 Deliverers, by us as oft contemned, 
 Choosing ignoble ease to strenuous freedom, 
 (O folly and extreme of weakness found!) 
 Who, with a tithe of valor shown before, 
 Might easily have shaken off their yoke ,.; 
 
64 SAMSON AT TIMNAH 
 
 And ruled o'er them, as they o'er us now rule. 
 But vile unmanly weakness held us bound 
 To serve; servility rewarded well 
 With servitude and servile punishment. 
 
 Cho. Thy deeds heroic bring to mind 
 How famous champions else, by Heaven endued, 
 With strenuous effort have assayed 
 To free their nation from a cruel yoke, 
 The mighty Gideon, nor so far 
 By time removed, brave Jeptha famed ; 
 Others of less renown, but equal merit, 
 Shamgar, Anath's bold son, and later named, 
 Barak and Tola, 
 Champions yet approved, 
 
 Though of their fame unlike memorial known, 
 Yet these, ungratefully received, 
 Ungrateful more were left, despised, suspected 
 By whom their valor freed, deserving 
 Far better thanks repaid, 
 Which yet their lot obtained, 
 Than shame and shown contempt on glorious 
 
 deeds. 
 Yet these in part achieved ; reserved perhaps 
 For thee, our known deliverance raised, 
 And thence acceptable found, as fit, 
 Our total reprieve to accomplish. 
 
 Sams. Yet to the men of Israel not so, 
 Witness their slack indifference to my deeds, 
 Worse than their hate, or envy, or suspicion 
 To me, their great deliverer ordained ; 
 Rather than whom receive, they sit in bonds 
 Under a hateful yoke, abject, despised, 
 Disglorified and shamed, disprized, dishonored, 
 Though to what glorious freedom once destined. 
 Yet so perhaps God's purpose high fulfilled, 
 Time to himself best known and instrument, 
 If by a single arm their bondage broken, 
 
SAMSON AT TIMNAH 65 
 
 That his be all the praise, none due to them, 
 Who held so faithless covenant express 
 Unworthy, unregarded, unobserved, 
 And God's high gifts despised as valued naught. 
 
 Cho. Dark are the ways of God, 
 And darkly ordained 
 
 His counsels, yet his purpose vindicates them, 
 Designed our test of faith 
 And trial of fortitude. 
 
 He had not else, except his purpose served, 
 Prolonged our expectation 
 With sure deliverance offered thus postponed, 
 Nor left so long unsuccored 
 His chosen people under heathen yoke 
 Abject, despicable, unworthy, vile, 
 So chosen once to rule 
 The land where now they serve. 
 
 Semi-cho. But they forsook his yoke, though 
 just and mild, 
 And bowing down to worship wood and stone, 
 The work of human hands, 
 Served after other gods, 
 Brutish and foul, Baal and Ashtaroth, 
 With others many more, 
 The dark idolatries among the heathen round, 
 Insensate, and provoked their Living Strength 
 To turn away his holy eyes 
 And leave them to his judgments ; 
 Who, thus incensed, hath justly given them up 
 To serve the worshipers who served their gods. 
 But they repented not, nor yet sincere 
 Received the mighty ministers he raised 
 To their deliverance ; 
 
 But treacherously dealt, and God contemned, 
 Which caused them added woe, 
 And wrought their deeper shame, 
 To extreme pitch of abject fortune fallen. 
 
66 SAMSON AT TIMNAH 
 
 Semi-cho. So let not like ingratitude afflict 
 thee, 
 Samson, by trial approved 
 Strongest of mortal men; 
 Rather may he, whose minister thou art 
 And mighty imaged strength, 
 Regard thy toils and to thy labors place, 
 For thus he only can, 
 As to thy hopes thus far, successful end. 
 
 Cho. But see ! from forth the house retired, 
 With face where hope and fear contend 
 Thy mother comes ; advise 
 With her what converse thou holdest. 
 
 Sams. Her fraught I part may guess, though 
 still unknown. 
 
 Cho. Some sorrow, needs, for so her looks in- 
 fer, 
 Fallen and dark, and doubtful speech essayed, 
 Which, ere it frame to words, on the pausing 
 
 tongue 
 Dissolves to sighs. But now she moves to speak. 
 
 Mother. With lingering steps and doubtful sad 
 persuasion 
 I came, still fearful of thy absence, Samson ; 
 Whom when I knew, belief would credit scarce 
 What my ears evidenced and eyes received, 
 My dearest expectation thus returned 
 Beyond my thought, the crown of all my hope. 
 And now, arrived from some great purpose done 
 Upon our foes, since thus far I infer, 
 Knowing thy task divine on thee imposed, 
 Grant me, as first to these perhaps, relation 
 Of what remarkably thou late hast done, 
 That, as thy youthful hopes I shared, fulfilment 
 I now may share by this recital given. 
 
 Sams. Since ended scarce to these my actions 
 done, 
 
SAMSON AT TIMNAH 67 
 
 Defer request, till more convenient time 
 Permit relation fuller, that, alone 
 With thee, if once again my deeds recited 
 To thy sole ear, I shall not seem to boast, 
 As haply so, if now again recounted 
 My exploits on our enemies performed ; 
 Which would convert my glory to contempt, 
 Though worthy all renown and highest praises, 
 To ridicule and scorn, with laughter moved 
 Of all who heard, and shameful title gained 
 Of babbler, on my front the mark of fool, 
 Doughty in words, not deeds, which of themselves 
 Declare their doer's praise, if praise attached, 
 But savoring thus dishonor done to God, 
 Rancor and pride, impatience of renown, 
 That comes itself, unsought, if truly so, 
 And on my mission drawn contempt deserved — 
 The height of folly found, and height of sin. 
 
 Mother. Then, thus returned from purpose 
 high achieved 
 Upon our enemies, since from report 
 Thus much I gather, grant me, as of old, 
 Though with event more unrepined, be hoped, 
 My first petition, Jeptha his daughter gave 
 Up to his vow, a maiden consecrate, 
 Virgin and dedicated all her days — 
 Thus thou my prayer accept, and to thy father 
 Be reconciled, who, hoping against hope 
 Of thy forgiveness granted, knowing both 
 His great indignity on thee and thy 
 As strong resentment roused contrary, yet hopes 
 Thy pardon, and through me desires be made 
 Reconciled to his son, whom yet he loves. 
 
 Sams. I did not, mother, at the first offend ; 
 Nor do I now, as then I did not. hold 
 Resentment, though such well might be provoked 
 By such offense, and in such presence offered, 
 
68 SAMSON AT TIMNAH 
 
 Debased among my fellows, disesteemed 
 With lack of filial seeming thus avouched. 
 Nor am I loth in aught, if might be healed 
 The wide breach opened by his acts between us, 
 Nor, still the fault not mine, yet closed entire. 
 But I am not as when by due and custom 
 Pardon to seek the first was mine, the offense 
 Rightly not so, with reconcilement moved, 
 As to a superior power owing reverence, 
 Which well might sort with youthful duty held ; 
 But now a man mature and grown to years, 
 With rights and honors rightly due to man, 
 Somewhat belongs to me of self-regard, 
 Self-estimation ; which if thus my father 
 Have disrespected, as the offense not mine, 
 So also the first suit for pardon not, 
 Nor easily to grant, as slightly offended. 
 
 Mother. Yet still bethink thee, son ; though 
 here be deemed 
 Some nice regard to thy asserted right, 
 As to thy proper guidance now arrived, 
 He is thy father still, to whom belong 
 As first by debt of nature, now of age, 
 Thy duty and thy service and thy love ; 
 Which bonds by time relaxed not, what thy years, 
 Constrain thee, son, against thy present holding, 
 Both to my granted prayer and his forgiveness ; 
 Nor can I think thy mind, though stubborn now 
 And firm of purpose, long will persevere 
 Against that better-natured self, thy wont, 
 As not by entreaty moved and mother's asking, 
 So now, as first, a son obedient. 
 
 Sams. I cannot else reply than what I have, 
 And still retain that dignity of soul 
 With self-esteeming thought, my pride and weak- 
 ness, 
 If rightly judged a weakness, and not rather 
 
SAMSON AT TIMNAH 69 
 
 The sure strength and most firm prop to the mind, 
 Which lacking, lacks all worthy objects else ; 
 For, where esteem of self is wanting, wants 
 Respect of others, nor is ever won, 
 Until the dignity, that builds within, 
 Create an awe and conscience of true worth, 
 Informing both the soul and outward sense : 
 Nor can I do my conscience thus far wrong 
 As plead a fault, wherein no fault exist 
 By my esteem and right esteem of all, 
 To pleasure thee, a mother yet known dear. 
 This, then, my purpose chosen and firmly held 
 Despite what yet thou hast had to bear against, 
 May teach thee to desist thy vain attempt, 
 As found before, to move me, with reason armed, 
 Truth on my side and justice, as thou seest, 
 Thus, with my quarrel righteous, trebly proof. 
 
 Mother. Is this thy final answer, then, re- 
 turned ? 
 
 Sams. So take it, with what sad reluctance giv- 
 en. 
 
 Mother. I am sorry what this stubbornness may 
 cost thee, 
 Samson, so persevered against regard 
 Had to his proffered suit, by me so proffered 
 As to thv right meet estimation had ; 
 Nothing but ill, be sure ; which, though repented, 
 Shall not escape whatever consequence, 
 When thou in act, not less than apprehension, 
 Shalt feel the pangs of love repulsed severe, 
 Or to thyself some like offense presumed, 
 The rights that love obtains regarded not 
 Or outraged by some foul indignity, 
 Which on thyself in no long time shall fall 
 Perhaps, when thou too late repent'st thy crime ; 
 My warning then regarded, but too late. 
 
70 SAMSON AT TIMNAH 
 
 Sams. My crime it is, thou sayest, not first to 
 move 
 Repentance, and first reconcilement seek 
 Now with my father, at thy instance urged, 
 Rather than disregard entreaty thus, 
 Though of thy asking. Stands there no excuse 
 Then on my part, no cause or reason found ? 
 Was it no injury on his side performed, 
 When at the marriage-feast and all in sight 
 Of those who stood attending, bridal friends 
 And comrades of my nuptials, in their presence 
 Who waited to exult over my ill, 
 Thus to debase me, slight me, and forego me. 
 Insult, denounce me with reproaches heaped 
 Of cowardice and heart unvalorous — 
 The chief indignity of youth, and shame — 
 Lastly to disinherit and disown me, 
 Cut off from hope of honor, disavow me, 
 With infamy upon my name denounced? 
 Yet, after these indignities, and worse, 
 Heaped on me with contempt, to sue his grace 
 With pardon moved, beseech his love renewed 
 And favorable face, his due offense 
 Mine, not as his, acknowledged — the extreme re- 
 proach, 
 Yet now with all assurance on me presumed ? 
 If access to my pardon thou hast sought, 
 An erring way thou took'st. I will not grant it. 
 
 Mother. Be circumspect, and of thy honor nice, 
 But urge not to thy own contrition, Samson ; 
 Deplore the offense, but not so rigorous hold 
 Against the offender, whose extreme fault goes 
 No further than a certain over-haste 
 And heat, or ardor, in his right presumed, 
 Not fitting to his age or place, perhaps, 
 Nor due to some defect of mind, infered 
 Broken with age or overworn, but rather 
 
SAMSON AT TIMNAH 71 
 
 The workings of a pride surprised and hurt 
 By question or denial of authority 
 Once had, and still presumed, still thought pos- 
 sessed. 
 Rather than anger raise, then, or despite, 
 It should obtain indulgence, make for pardon, 
 As but the spark the virtuous temper strikes, 
 Random and hasty, not the settled blaze 
 Of steady hate, unquenchable, untamed ; 
 And will so, in the truly noble mind. 
 
 Sams. Thou arguest aimless ; since thou canst 
 not know 
 The just cause and due motive of my wrath, 
 Not present on the place, nor knowing aught 
 The offensive unextenuate circumstance, 
 Hadst thou been there, or here the offense, thou 
 
 wouldst not 
 Have wonder at my anger or fixed mind 
 Not to sue first or reconcilement move, 
 No cause of wrong in me or error found ; 
 Rather wouldst well approve and right aver. 
 What I had done deserved no such return, 
 Nor wouldst thou, in my place, gloss it o'er thus. 
 Cease, then, to urge me more with pardon moved ; 
 Thou but thy labor losest. I will not grant it. 
 Mother. I do not, son, reproach thee that thou 
 bearest 
 Too heavily on his charge, for his default 
 Exact'st too much, too far thy right presumest, 
 That thou thyself rejectedst and disownedst 
 First, ere thy father, and regardedst not 
 God or thy country's law, that still forbade 
 That false league with thy country's foe con- 
 joined 
 Of wedlock, to all thy ills the fount and source 
 Now proving ; not thus for my wrath extends. 
 But yet I tell thee thou hast wrong, if thus 
 
72 SAMSON AT TIMNAH 
 
 Thou stand upon thy due, and give no heed 
 To kindly admonition or reproof, 
 Intended for thy good and welfare best. 
 I thought thy ill-event in marriage-choice 
 Had taught thee some regard unto my word, 
 Then disregarded with result thou seest ; 
 But now I see some false imagined pride 
 Of thy due right and honor nicely held 
 Weighs with thee more than all that I can say, 
 And though I thought to do thee some small ser- 
 vice 
 Between thy father, I am moved to leave thee 
 Unto that curse by him on thee pronounced, 
 And add my own, to see how then may prosper 
 That high pride against curses doubly heaped. 
 Yet thou art still my son ; that still forbids 
 What I with fond presumption thought to do ; 
 By which relation dear I strongly adjure thee 
 Now with thy father to be reconciled ; 
 For he is more in years than thou, and deems it 
 Not his to make suit unto thee, nor more 
 First reconciliation with his son, 
 As to his age and office an indignity. 
 Though thou couldst not before, yet canst thou 
 
 now 
 Respect thy mother's tears, which how they flow 
 Thou seeest, to leave thy stubborn purpose held 
 By suit .for pardon, now in time besought ? 
 And who knows to what perils thou mayest go 
 By reason of thy mighty deeds achieved 
 Upon our enemies, thy task assigned? 
 Shouldst thou not stronglier do, and more achieve, 
 If by our prayers and wishes seconded. 
 Than striving against what ill curse may fall 
 From God, because of thy refusal shown 
 To grant what still from him thou must receive, 
 Through thy temptation fallen, and not restored ? 
 
SAMSON AT TIMNAH 73 
 
 Consider, then, if well thou canst withhold 
 What for thyself in no long time besought, 
 And of another be not more exacting, 
 So found in like offense, than of thyself. 
 
 Sams. Give o'er thy tedious siege, thus only 
 found 
 To this time, uneffectual, unavailing, 
 Despite what powerfulest thou hadst to bear, 
 And like to end as vain, so fixed my mind, 
 So armed, so proof against extreme assault ; 
 I cannot, nor I will not, grant thy asking. 
 
 Mother. Have I besought, and vainly then be- 
 sought thee, 
 Humbled myself, where well I might command, 
 Implored thy easiest gift, yet find me scorned, 
 Denied, repulsed as thou were not my son, 
 111 treated worse than by an enemy, 
 The pains, which purchased dear thy life, be- 
 
 mocked, 
 And what thy constant love had well secured, 
 Yet now as naught regarded, valuless? 
 O why do men, in whom the spirit pretends 
 Of wisdom, with no due regard or fear 
 Before them, by example still untaught, 
 Implore, beseech, and beg desirable 
 The doubtful gift of children, fondly deeming 
 Barreness found in wedlock a reproach ? 
 For, when with answered prayer and given re- 
 quest 
 Obtained, our anxious life is filled entire 
 With fears, if well or ill they shall turn out, 
 And oftest shall, be sure, the latter end, 
 Unkindly, unregardful, slack in duty, 
 Or, worse, a deep reproach and wounding shame ; 
 And, if by death deprived, what surcease then 
 Of sorrow, loveless, joyless, desolate, 
 Nothing desirable in life, and death 
 
74 SAMSON AT TIMNAH 
 
 Not ready, though so ready found before ? 
 Which infinite woe hath brought to human life, 
 And shall bring, by experience unschooled ; 
 But some ill destiny, or nature's bent, 
 Impels. Which now my bitter lot obtains, 
 One son, and one by one too many found. 
 
 Cho. Samson, if we may venture, nor offend 
 By privilege of friendship ventured thus 
 And wonted old regard, consider well, 
 Rightly if thou refuse offer thus tendered 
 To reconcile, while yet occasion serves, 
 And pardon more, while yet in time thou mayest, 
 Before too late, and vainly then, besought. 
 
 Sams. I had no thought to have replied again 
 To what thou mayest have said, but thy strong 
 
 sorrow 
 And ruthful passion felt the like have raised 
 In me, though not to overbear my purpose, 
 Going into such peril, as thou saidst. 
 But though I cannot all concede thee, yet 
 Thus far I grant thee, though thus only, that 
 To thy entreaty so much I will yield, 
 As to be reconciled, if he will seek. 
 More than this can I not, nor ask thou more. 
 
 Mother. If this thy resolution, to no purpose 
 My supplications, which I cease, perforce. 
 Vain only and of such prevailment found 
 As idle breath breathed forth against the wind ; 
 But, going to thy father, will entreat. 
 Thus far forbearance and his duty owed 
 As to forego his elder right, and sue thee 
 For pardon, as his first offense requires. 
 Wherein with him if better I succeed not 
 Than now with thee, matters no worse at least, 
 If not improved, as yet my hope assures 
 Of my entreaty again to him prefered, 
 By me assailed, as lightly not refused ; 
 
SAMSON AT TIMNAH 75 
 
 Which now shall first concern me. So, farewell. 
 
 Sams. Misdeem not, friends, if herein I per- 
 sisted, 
 Perhaps beyond what just and right were held, 
 To disregard entreaties deemed so dear; 
 But after offense so sore and unprovoked 
 If pardon asked, not mine the first to move, 
 And reconcilement seek with what amends. 
 I had not else have kept what faith and honor 
 Due to myself I owe, and before you, 
 After the full relation heard, had fallen 
 With disesteem ; for where offense so great 
 So easily pardoned, what can else be deemed, 
 Save that who pardon grants himself thus values 
 Cheaply, or none at all ; as I could not 
 And still retain what self-esteem I have ; 
 I should have so lost all virtuous regard. 
 
 Cho. Thy conduct still approves thy wisdom, 
 Samson, 
 Herein to reconcile thyself, though late 
 Repenting thee the former mind thou hadst 
 Not to be first to move, or herein grant 
 Reconciliation easy, for who knows, 
 Which late thy mother said to move thy purpose, 
 What perilous enterprises unforseen. 
 Await thee, now our lords so justly roused 
 By thy late acts more than thy former offered ? 
 For they will not defer to wreak their vengeance 
 So as to touch thee nearly, if perhaps 
 To quell thy hostile force, having once learned 
 Thy harass bold upon their land presumed. 
 
 Sams. It cannot be too soon by my desire, 
 The sooner come the better to my liking, 
 For this express and purpose moved against them, 
 To tempt them to their ruin who have provoked 
 Justly God's anger by his chosen enslaved, 
 Whatever, then, their sudden valor prompt, 
 
76 SAMSON AT TIMNAH 
 
 Let them set on, to try whose found the stronger, 
 Their god, or whom Israel's sons adore ; 
 Then, after trial had, let him be boasted 
 Whose champion's prowess best approves his 
 own. 
 
 Cho. O glorious strength, the means by Heav- 
 en endued 
 To our deliverance, 
 As God oft before 
 In his high purpose raised 
 Mighty deliverers 
 
 To free his nation from the heathen and profane, 
 Who out of smallest things had well ordained 
 Unquenchable force to quell the oppressor's vio- 
 lence, 
 The boistrous power of evil men, 
 When, all their arms and mighty force contem- 
 ning, 
 On them surprised, amazed, 
 Raft of defense, 
 
 And by their folly to their own ruin drawn, 
 So smitten with wrath divine, 
 He executes his errand of destruction. 
 
 Yet so his purpose high he oft delays, 
 Proving his instrument. 
 As fit to his great purpose 
 By trial unsupposed, 
 Some testing of his means, if they suffice 
 To serve his mighty mission 
 And purpose high decreed ; 
 Yet, after trial had, if stedfast found, 
 And fixed secure his faith, 
 By peril or dread unshaken, 
 But purposed resolute, 
 He, in return, wants not some witness left, 
 Some glorious proof of high regard bestowed 
 And favor shown by Heaven. 
 
SAMSON AT TIMNAH 77 
 
 Which still may be thy lot and chance endured, 
 Samson, by proof esteemed 
 Strongest of mortal men, 
 Subjected thus to what indignities 
 The tyranny of fortune can afflict ; 
 Though yet may he avert, 
 If so his counsel 
 His purpose serve, 
 From thee, our freedom ordained 
 And mighty champion raised ; 
 Though if he else determined, 
 His counsel still his cause will wind vindicate. 
 
 But now I see approaching 
 One whose garb disorded 
 And altered mien proclaim 
 
 No uncertain news of what may late have hap- 
 pened, 
 Perhaps the consequences of thy deed. 
 He will not far defer, nor much delay 
 His tidings, whatsoe'er he may have gained ; 
 Which to receive expect ere no long time. 
 
 Mes. Samson, for such I knew thee by report 
 If yet these eyes had not thy might beheld, 
 Tidings I have that touch thy near concern, 
 More than perhaps thou mayest imagine now, 
 And for of other import than thou deemest ; 
 So best related to thy ear alone. 
 
 Sams. Sad must they be supposed, or joyful 
 rather 
 Esteemed, as to demand sole audience thus ? 
 
 Mes. Sad to the sad, but to the joyful not ; 
 Among which latter known I reckon thee. 
 
 Sams. So much the less relation asks delay. 
 
 Mes. So with like surety of the present audi- 
 ence. 
 
 Sams. Put forth thy tale ; no hesitation needs ; 
 Friendly are all who stand, or like to hear. 
 
78 SAMSON AT TIMNAH 
 
 Mes. Hither from Timna come I, whither oc- 
 casions 
 Drew me of late, where, as my business sped, 
 Following the distant quest of some stray beast, 
 Came rumor of thy acts, which had laid waste 
 That harassed region whence thy bride thou hadst. 
 Meanwhile thy bridal friends, with others more — 
 For so I learned from such as present stood — 
 By inquiry made now gained thy motive thereto, 
 Thy bride by marriage faith-breach with false bed 
 To thee unchaste, came up, her only seeking 
 Who had provoked thy anger, thus unchaste. 
 But when they knew her sire also concerned 
 In her unchastity and violate oath, 
 By him bestowed upon thy paranymph, 
 Whom thou hadst used thy friend, excuse avering 
 To her thy utter hate and shown contempt, 
 Which argued thee no more her wedlock mate 
 And thee no more regarding her as thine, 
 Not that they much repented thy affront, 
 But dreaded repetition of thy deed, 
 Either to clear from their connival deemed 
 The guilt of wedlock bands thus disallied, 
 Or else terror to strike into their foe 
 Who by his prowest deeds had 'wrought such 
 
 harm, 
 With fire they burned her and her father's house. 
 Yet here to thee no cause of grief supposed, 
 Though nearly in the sad event concerned 
 Fortunate to have lost so faithless bride ; 
 Rather more cause for joy to have thus escaped. 
 
 Cho. Stand not so silent, Manoah's mighty 
 son, 
 As sore offended by such tidings heard, 
 Or by pretended sorrow much distressed, 
 Since here not due the wonted signs of grief 
 That custom for so near a death demands. 
 
SAMSON AT TIMNAH 79 
 
 Or happiness, or what forbids thy utterance ? 
 Not sorrow, to have heard so joyful tidings. 
 
 Sams. Alas, that favor high, to have received 
 Command from Heaven imposed, 
 As missioned to some great service, 
 And by some acts of valor in part approved, 
 If now to me, God's minister ordained 
 And mighty imaged strength, 
 Such insult ventured 
 And foul affront presumed 
 By heathen and profane, 
 
 Thus disesteemed as naught who me commis- 
 sioned ! 
 
 Was it for this those tidings high descended 
 By messenger divine, 
 
 Who charioted in flames from off the altar 
 After my birth foretold 
 And mission high asserted, 
 To break my nation's cruel foes, 
 Task thus divinely set, 
 As with attest of Heaven destined 
 To some great work and glory 
 By hopes beyond heroic thus unflamed ? 
 Yet now, alas, forsaken ; 
 Abandoned to foe's contempt 
 Whose might I was ordained to quell, 
 All helpless left 
 To irreparable sense of shame ; 
 Thus given to draw out miserable days, 
 To foes ridiculous, 
 A gazed and pitied object 
 To all my friends and kindred, 
 As not of force such insult to return 
 Redoubled on my foes. 
 
 Rather than which endured, so shameful, vile 
 Wound to my honor esteemed 
 Beyond all hoped relief, 
 
80 SAMSON AT TIMNAH 
 
 This one petition, might I but he heard, 
 
 Some violent death or evil end, 
 
 Or aught, if aught, more dread 
 
 Than perished unknown, ignoble, 
 
 So cut off from remembrance of my shame ; 
 
 To me the cure of my great woes regarded 
 
 And welcome end of all my miseries. 
 
 Cho.' All is of God, to some great end or- 
 dained, 
 Though darkened oft by doubt 
 If thus his counsel best his purpose serve ; 
 Who, as a trial designed of faith 
 And tested fortitude, 
 Submits to some affliction 
 His chosen, that his glory may appear 
 More glorious, and his counsel vindicate, 
 When, after testings hard, he them appoints 
 Enlarged deliverance, 
 For their fault repented 
 Favor renewed, 
 Tempering so his justice with his mercy, 
 
 Which chance may be thy lot and chance ap- 
 pointed, 
 Samson, thus visited 
 With what indignities 
 The tyranny of fortune may afflict. 
 Deject not, therefore, overmuch 
 Thyself, as lost entire 
 And wholly given to shame ; 
 Think to thy ill some good, however small, 
 Conjoined at least, since now no longer found 
 Thy linked and wedlock mate 
 One so foully disregarding 
 The faith of marriage-bands ; 
 Better thy lot, endured whate'er, thus freed, 
 Though by so hard mischance, 
 From her, the cause of all thy miseries ; 
 
SAMSON AT TIMNAH 81 
 
 Whom so to have lost esteem thee fortuned high- 
 
 ■ft 
 
 And willingly receive what grief conjoined, 
 
 Of smaller moment found, if justly weighed, 
 To raise thy prosperous scale in counterpoise. 
 
 Sams. Aye me! so soon that direful punish- 
 ment 
 Visited on her disregarded faith? 
 Yet none to plead for mercy, and no place 
 For pardon found? Stood there not one her 
 
 friend, 
 One on her part ? Must all have thus conjoined 
 To her destruction, all in hate conjoined? 
 Which, had I present stood, had else not been, 
 Or more had rued the bitter consequence. 
 But here no place for words or boastful talk ; 
 Rather by deeds to learn if disregarded 
 Marital rights and dues a husband holds 
 With wanton outrage unprovoked presumed, 
 Yet no return attempted. They shall feel 
 Soon my displeasure heavy and fierce wrath 
 Upon their heads, whose skill no further knew 
 Than slaughter of the unoffending helpless 
 To satisfy the vengeance their own acts 
 Of faithlessness and broken league provoked ; 
 Nor on the unsuspecting innocent 
 Redounds this punishment, but they, whose acts 
 Offended, they shall feel what wrath themselves 
 Drew on them with unlooked for, dire return. 
 Which now shall be my task, when preparation 
 Suffices to my matters ordered right. 
 
 Cho. Consider, Samson, into what hazard thou 
 goest, 
 If perilous enterprise thus draw thee forth ; 
 All by this roused, thou seest, as not before, 
 And hardly shall they deal toward thee, the cause 
 Of all their harm, by this their deed performed 
 
82 SAMSON AT TIMNAH 
 
 Thy ruin perhaps intended, in the snare 
 So easily drawn, if singly thou adventure 
 Among thy enemies thus fierce aroused. 
 Forego thy purpose, or, if still thou holdest, 
 Select, at least, some friendly aid who, under 
 Thy conduct, will assist to thy revenge, 
 And thus insure thy safe protection owed, 
 As our foretold deliverance, to thy nation, 
 And not to so rash valor victim fall, 
 As well might chance, if singly thou adventure. 
 
 Sams. Thy words are not unreasoned, but they 
 fail 
 Of purpose either that I should forego, 
 Or share with proffered aid the high emprise. 
 For what dread danger can so sore beset, 
 As menace or much threat with serious harm 
 Him to his land's foretold deliverance raised ? 
 And to whom else, or by whose hand more fitly, 
 Than who received the insult, either due, 
 Or with stern compt exacted, the revenge 
 Through what dread perils or shrewd toils pur- 
 sued? 
 Which if on one presumed, so much the more, 
 If equal force sufficient in him found, 
 Boldly, through opposition whatsoever, sought. 
 I, therefore, I alone will undertake 
 This hazardous enterprise, if hazard be, 
 And not redounded glory on the deed, 
 My presage, nor with other share the shame 
 If I shall fail, or praise if I succeed. 
 Nor long shall separate so sudden purpose 
 Now entertained from swift accomplishment; 
 Which good or ill fallen out expect soon tidings. 
 
 Cho. Go, and be Israel's God 
 Thy sure defense and shield, 
 And strengthen thee with might in the inner man, 
 That thou fail not ; 
 
SAMSON AT TIMNAH 83 
 
 With us may he abide, 
 
 Who, reft of thee, know double need 
 
 Of succor and the Almighty's firm defense, 
 
 But now I see old Manoah here approaching 
 
 With hasty steps, doubtless thus come to seek 
 
 Reconcilement desired ; though tardily moved 
 
 Repentance, since his son new parted hence. 
 
 This his intent or no we now shall learn. 
 
 Manoah. Friends to my son, since that ye are 
 appears 
 Both from report and what before I held, 
 If anywhere he harbor hereabout, 
 To me, his father, as perhaps ye thought, 
 Impart some tidings of his presence known, 
 Approving both your friendship to my son 
 And me, his erring sire, but now repentant. 
 Cho. Thy son stood here but now, and parted 
 hence, 
 Bound on a mission difficult and obscure, 
 Upon some tidings that concerned him nearly. 
 About his soon return or no, I know not ; 
 But how the event fell out he promised notice. 
 Man. What news so sudden hath bereft him 
 
 hence ? 
 Cho. Touching his bride some tidings late ar- 
 rived. 
 Man. Evil were they, or well pronounced and 
 
 fair? 
 Cho. Both good and evil as the circumstance. 
 Man. But how with him? well took he them, 
 
 or hardly? 
 Cho. Not hardly, though he purposed quick 
 
 revenge. 
 Man. And parted suddenly, so late returned ? 
 Cho. But now he stood just here, and now is 
 gone. 
 
84 SAMSON AT TIMNAH 
 
 Man. I am curious what this mystery may im- 
 port. 
 Cho. What it portends in part I may reveal, 
 But cannot all, for still the sequence doubtful. 
 Shortly ere thou arrived, came one returned 
 From Timna with strange tidings unsuspected, 
 That told how to requite thy son's incursions 
 Upon our foes the Philistines came up 
 With gathered powers to inquire the cause 
 Of his bold deeds and forays on them done ; 
 Whereto was answered that because her father 
 His bride had late bestowed upon his friend 
 And paranymph, thus disregarding quite 
 His due esteemed, therefore he had begun 
 The harass of their land, as in revenge. 
 Whereat incensed both at the deed and cause, 
 And as an act of justice meant inflicted, 
 Or of revenge in turn designed, or both, 
 With fire they burned her and her father's house. 
 Whence he, in turn aroused and worse provoked, 
 Hath parted hence on our dread enemies 
 Satisfaction for so foul affront to seek. 
 Man. Went he in wrath, as though in passion 
 crossed, 
 Or rather in his face and mien appeared 
 Sad resolution settled, as who seeks 
 Not rashly, but with hate plotting revenge ? 
 
 Cho. A while he stood uncertain what to do, 
 But stood not long; wrath prompted him at 
 
 length, 
 And rage to find his rights deprived of husband 
 Roused him the more and to a fierce vengeance 
 Upon his foes to a worse doom reserved. 
 Breathing out wrath he went, nor would accept 
 Offered assistance, but departed straight 
 Upon the purpose bound which we have said ; 
 Yet not so soon as not with promised tidings 
 
SAMSON AT TIMNAH 85 
 
 Of how the event fallen out, or good or ill. 
 
 Man. Ay me ! too late I then arrived, too late, 
 Both to forgive and be forgiven in turn 
 By him now gone whom present I forgave not 
 And wished not here, yet now forgive to find 
 Not present whom to find I now would seek. 
 But so my folly is my punishment, 
 My stubbornness my shame, and worse becomes 
 If he return and wounded by my coldness 
 Not wish forgiveness, or if, ill befallen him, 
 He never shall return, but sooner perish 
 Than my repentance tardy might prevent 
 With knowledge of my recompense, though late 
 With what amends were in my power, that thence 
 More eased in mind and somewhat raised he part ; 
 Which now becomes my torment and my shame, 
 Yet my just punishment and due confessed 
 That have refused occasion, till too late. 
 
 Cho. If aught of consolation may be drawn 
 From this, take what for thee may be obtained, 
 How small. His mother late, as thou hast known 
 Perhaps, came to this place, and urged him hard 
 To seek with thee first reconciliation, 
 Avouching that from thy superior age 
 Thou wouldst not make suit unto him, nor more 
 First reconcilement, but still ready stood 
 To grant his pardon, if he would but seek. 
 He also was thus minded, and refused 
 To entertain such thought, as first to move ; 
 But rather seemed disposed, if absolutely 
 Pardon refused not, long to be implored 
 At least, and urged with many a forceful plea, 
 Before he would consent to thy forgiveness ; 
 Nor hotly spoke in wrath, but with that spirit 
 Settled, and of all consequence secure, 
 Less to be moved than any passion can ; 
 Yet by entreaty strong she last prevailed 
 
86 SAMSON AT TIMNAH 
 
 That he consented, but to this extent, 
 As to be reconciled, if thou would seek. 
 More than this would he not, nor might she gain, 
 Howe'er by entreaty urging and strong plea. 
 From which infered thy pardon granted quite, 
 If thou but first would move, thy present mind, 
 Since thus much he could not and not yield all ; 
 Which consolation gather, if thou canst 
 From this relation, of thy son's intent, 
 Whose fuller pardon must await return. 
 
 Man. With hope thy words relieve me for my 
 fault 
 Doubtful of pardon all, so sore provoked 
 His anger, which my passion had aroused, 
 Shamed by him, as I thought, before my foes. 
 I knew me in the wrong, when passion cooled 
 Had left a wonted calmness to the spirit. 
 And to implore his pardon was I minded ; 
 But age, though slow to wrath, unwilling yields ; 
 Though to the wrong part drawn, when once 
 
 aroused ; 
 And hence my purpose, cherished long before, 
 Of humble penitence and pardon implored, 
 Till now defered — perhaps my lasting sorrow, 
 The punishment deserved and well rewarded 
 Folly to have been so causelessly provoked. 
 
 Cho. Some difference risen with thee thy son 
 touched on, 
 In his desired recital of his deeds 
 To us, his friends and comrades thus desiring, 
 But not enough, nor with relation clear, 
 As fully to enlighten what the cause, 
 Thus glanced at as much more yet lay behind, 
 Which not to us he meant so to impart. 
 
 Man. Then what from him ye gained not take 
 of me, 
 Though to my shame the cause to you set forth. 
 
SAMSON AT TIMNAH 87 
 
 At Timna, as we kept the marriage-feast, 
 Samson put forth a riddle, whose solution 
 Long sought, and mostly by his bridal comrades, 
 But vainly by fair means, at last by foul 
 Determined found ; and taking me unawares, 
 They would have gained the secret, though un- 
 known 
 To me, as I avered, which they received not ; 
 But next with cruel force would have constrained 
 
 me 
 And violent hands, had not my son, late parted, 
 Timely arrived, forcing them to forego 
 So foul advantage ; who, wishing, as supposed, 
 Since thus far prospered all, not easily 
 Broken in upon the order of the feast, 
 Dismissed the affair with small regard or none. 
 But I could not endure so foul affront 
 Put on me, by such means abominable 
 Seeking to make me traitor to my son, 
 With no return, and would have parted thence, 
 Stirred up with bitter passion at the outcome, 
 To Zorah, had not my son with kindly intent 
 Striven to detain me, whereat I, incensed 
 With folly, which is now my chief reproach, 
 Broke roughly from him, and denounced him, 
 
 there 
 Before them known his bridal friends and guests, 
 Ingrate, unfilial, traitor to his duty ; 
 That he, amazed, but still with kindness shown, 
 Suffered me thence to part, and sent a convoy, 
 His nuptial tendance from our tribe intended, 
 Which brought me on my way. Later, as learned, 
 His bride perfidious gained by some base sleight 
 And gave his secret to those bridal spies, 
 His friends assigned pretended ; by which means 
 Deceived and wounded, cheated out of all, 
 Where most esteem and faith he most presumed, 
 
88 SAMSON AT TIMNAH 
 
 Towering in wrath, to Ascalon he parted, 
 Whence he exacted all that marriage-forfeit, 
 Leaving them blank of joy and blank of boast, 
 Who traitorously had thus requited faith. 
 But further have I learned not, nor in full 
 What purpose or intent employs him now. 
 
 Clio. After her nuptial faith so disregarded, 
 For thus of him we gained, to Timna gone, 
 He found his bride refused given to another, 
 His paranymph, and what to him far worsened 
 The insult offered, by her father given, 
 Who first with plea avered to her supposed 
 His utter hate, nor hence his wife regarded ; 
 Next offered, as by way of justice thought, 
 Or insult, further to extend reproach, 
 A sister, fairer claimed ; whereat incensed, 
 As thought of small account by the esteemed, 
 So having put on him whome'er they wished not, 
 Or found not to their purpose or desire, 
 The harass of their country he began, 
 Nor ceased, till for that marriage-ransom paid 
 They had atoned in full the heavy score ; 
 That they, in turn aroused, came up and sought 
 Her death who had wrought their reputed harm. 
 These tidings, then, to him recited late, 
 Roused him once more to more about revenge ; 
 Whose outcome, good or ill, we here await. 
 
 Man. It cannot be in aught save good, since 
 now 
 Repented of his sin, that sought a bride, 
 Contrary to our laws and laws of God, 
 Among the idolatrous, unclean, unchaste, 
 And from his known repentance thence forgiven, 
 God will of favor bring him thus restored 
 Where he some mighty service shall perform, 
 Such as perhaps may gain deliverance promised, 
 The divine task whereto he was ordained. 
 
SAMSON AT TIMNAH 89 
 
 What if, even while we speak, among his foes 
 Arrived, he now be wreaking dreadful wrath 
 And dealing death upon his enemies ? 
 
 Cho. Not doubtful, since to God is nothing 
 hard, 
 Much less impossible, who of himself 
 Unaided could have wrought our promised free- 
 dom, 
 Yet rather chose to rear this mighty champion 
 Ordained to our deliverance by his choice. 
 
 Man. Whom since God so hath reared and 
 high ordained, 
 What better chance to do his mighty task 
 Allotted than now, by revenge exacted 
 Of his insulters, to accomplish thus 
 Both his own private vengeance and God's will, 
 With punishment upon their heads redounded, 
 Who in their arrogance respected none 
 Either God's law or man's due right, which gave 
 The husband o'er his wedlock mate all power, 
 Nor to another given delegate, 
 Of conjugal unfaith, thence rightly punished 
 As foe to God and man-^their added sin 
 Who justly had provoked God's fiercest wrath 
 With slavery of his chosen, to whom now 
 Deliverance he appoints and bounds enlarged? 
 Presumptuous thought, perhaps, yet not unhoped. 
 His might we know is limitless, and well 
 Accords his purpose to redeem his people 
 From their chief enemies by his champion's 
 
 hand — 
 On whom why else this wondrous might be- 
 stowed ? — 
 Nor shall his high intent be frustrate found. 
 Cho. His friendly mind we know, and know 
 our state 
 Untoward, until his purpose high fulfilled. 
 
90 SAMSON AT TIMNAH 
 
 But tidings of the event somewhat by this 
 Should come, so long he parted hence as easily 
 Permits his full discomfiture or theirs, 
 Which, whate'er known, were better far endured 
 Than thus suspense and apprehensive doubt. 
 This to remit I would some news arrived. 
 
 Man. In which desire I also share, as fits. 
 But who is this ? For now I see approach 
 One by his mien and act perhaps hath come 
 With tidings of what lately hath befallen. 
 
 Cho. Thine eyes deceive thee not ; there does 
 approach 
 One by his mien and act expressly come 
 With tidings of what lately hath befallen. 
 Expect, then, soon to hear tidings desired, 
 Which, good or bad, the full relation clears. 
 And now he nearer draws, and now at hand 
 Delays his traveled steps ; with what for us ? 
 
 Servant. Manoah, and ye that tend upon this 
 place, 
 Some messenger from Samson here is come 
 With tidings of what fate hath him befallen ; 
 And now with inquiry of you attends, 
 To render full recital, as befits. 
 
 Mes. Old Manoah, and ye friends that stand 
 about, 
 If such ye are, and not descriptions err, 
 To you my message, if this place and ye 
 Whom thus by chance I find ; resolve my doubt. 
 
 Man. Zorah the town, and we whom thou hast 
 sought ; 
 Say, then, from whom, and what to us thou hast, 
 That thus thou hast inquired our place and name. 
 
 Mes. From Samson, and late tidings of his 
 deed. 
 
 Man. Fair are they, then, or foul must we sup- 
 pose? 
 
SAMSON AT TIMNAH 91 
 
 Mes. Fair to whom good imports ; foul to 
 
 whom ill. 
 Man. Of which then may we deem to us thou 
 
 bringest ? 
 Mes. Not foul, to have received so joyful tid- 
 ings. 
 Man. Which we not yet receive till thou de- 
 clare. 
 Defer not, then, what soonest comes too late 
 More than what, at the latest, comes too soon. 
 Mes. Take, then, at once the sum ; Samson yet 
 
 lives. 
 Man. Lives, but captived or free, and how? 
 
 explain. 
 Mes. Both lives and now is free, as this as- 
 sures. 
 After his false bride and her father burned 
 By no more time than swift dispatch sufficed 
 Samson was made acquainted with the tidings, 
 Which doubtless ye have heard, his bride des- 
 troyed, 
 By what foul means no more, and who the cause ; 
 Which, as ye knew, incensed him to the height, 
 His due he thought of husband disrespected, 
 And he dishonored by so foul affront 
 Unwarranted, unworthy, unprovoked. 
 Soon in that region, whence his bride he had, 
 Arrived, where now awaited all that force 
 Collected to destroy who, thus unchaste, 
 Had drawn his wrath and their accomplished 
 
 harm, 
 He saw, among them first, those bridal spies, 
 Whose baneful arts had wrought his chiefest 
 
 wrong ^ 
 
 With practise foul, and yet to cost them dear ; 
 Whom, then, unmoved beholding, thus he spake : 
 Why have ye, Philistines, thus far presumed 
 
92 SAMSON AT TIMNAH 
 
 Beyond your power and right to disregard 
 My due as husband, when ye punished thus 
 One under my protection as my wife, 
 Nor owning your authority, but mine? 
 And what intends your purpose, recompense 
 Awarded, as by due, or forcibly 
 Exacted, as my just pretense demands? 
 Whereto with ready words his foes replied : 
 Samson, since thus thou hast inquired our right 
 To do this deed, know that thy thought concern 
 Hath here no part, since neither of thy tribe 
 The woman was, nor still thy wife regarded ; 
 Which, as thy self, deem that we also knew, 
 Nor knew ourselves not free to exercise 
 Right on our own. though wheresoever found, 
 Or to whom joined, as in this instance done : 
 Which, if thou think to question, asks but trial 
 Such as we here both offer and accept. 
 What hinders, then, with final proof to try 
 Thy right or ours the stronger, force with force, 
 That we may know whose right be found su- 
 preme ? 
 So speak they, heightened in their victory deemed, 
 Surveying him with eyes that only saw 
 Success assured, whene'er his onset chanced ; 
 As when a mountain oak, or forest pine, 
 Or cedar, from the haunts of men remote, 
 Some woodsmen in a mountain valley see, 
 And, with awakened wonder seen, survey, 
 Pondering where best to fell, in what part hewn. 
 Whereto, still unabashed, he thus returned : 
 Though thus far ye have done, yet not enough 
 Connival deemed to clear from that foul blot 
 Of wedlock disallied, by you abeted, 
 If not set on ; wherefore I still on you 
 Will be avenged, and after will I cease. 
 So Samson spake, and from his eyes shot forth 
 
SAMSON AT TIMNAH 93 
 
 Confusion, as when lightning glares from heaven, 
 That withered all their force and courage drained. 
 Instant, without delay, straight he advanced 
 Upon his foes helpless to vengeance left, 
 Until their first he gained, when, smiting forth 
 With strenuous might, their foremost he assailed, 
 Felling them with a fury unopposed, 
 As, seizing on whatever part first met, 
 Head, trunk, or limb, as chanced, naked or armed, 
 He bruised, or crushed, or swung and dashed to 
 
 death 
 Whomever nearest stood, or dared make head, 
 Though but with vain attempt, against his force. 
 Such onset fierce they might not long endure, 
 But turning fled, or groveled in the dust, 
 Though warriors old and well to arms inured, 
 Their plated backs under his naked heel, 
 Such fury on them broke and wrath aroused. 
 Soon to full flight their host he turned, dismayed 
 By reason of such mighty number slain, 
 Their choice and flower of chivalry, not only 
 Of Timna, but each neighbored region round, 
 Met from all parts to this great task imposed, 
 To wreak fierce vengeance on their mighty foe ; 
 Yet contrary proved their ruin and dismay 
 From him, whose thus to compass they assembled. 
 He, after victory won, his virtue worn 
 Reposes, safe to Etham's rock retired ; 
 Where now he waits what further may be moved 
 Against him, if, after such attest of strength, 
 They yet intend upon him, thus annoyed, 
 Or meditates by what more force or guile 
 Still to infest his enemies thus quelled 
 With fierce compulsion. Well may they by this 
 Rue bitterly the direful consequence 
 Of their false acts and his attempted harm, 
 Thus perished, all without exception fatten 
 
94 SAMSON AT TIMNAH 
 
 Who braved his brunt ; they live alone who fled. 
 
 Cho. O glorious vengeance on our foes in- 
 flicted, 
 Samson, by trial approved 
 Strongest of mortal men ! 
 Set on thereto by him whose counsel high 
 And hidden purpose 
 Endued thy mighty strength, 
 Ordained to our deliverance 
 When heathen and profane attempted thee 
 Proof against all assault, 
 Attempted to their ruin, 
 Who only thought to quell thy force ; 
 Yet contrary wrought their shame, 
 While thou, their feats and mighty force con- 
 temning, 
 Against them gone, 
 Sudden o'erthrew'st them as a flood, 
 To them naught leaving but thy fare increased, 
 And him high celebrating 
 Who had ordained thy might and wondrous force. 
 
 Now easier task awaits thee ; seconded 
 By all thy nation roused, 
 Back on thy foes victorious to return 
 And fully accomplish thy great work begun, 
 The mission high ordained 
 And task by Heaven imposed 
 That shall redound thy universal praises. 
 
 Man. Come, friends, there seems not much for 
 sorrow here, 
 And lamentation ; more cause to rejoice 
 That God, of his great favor, hath vouchsafed. 
 Such recognition of his mighty champion, 
 Who, by this prowest act, hath vindicated 
 His office high bestowed; as much deserving 
 To be rewarded well of all his nation, 
 Whom, under God, he justly hath delivered 
 
SAMSON AT TIMNAH 95 
 
 From their chief foes, upon whom now is found 
 Naught but dishonor, fear, shame, and contempt ; 
 To us deliverance he hath brought and freedom, 
 If, without wonted slackness, now be seized 
 So glorious occasion on our enemies 
 Defenceless thus, of might to be opposed. 
 And all this, yet God with him, as we hoped, 
 With favor and assistance in his task. 
 Nothing wants now, but that his nation roused 
 Back on their foes return, with sore discomfit 
 Breaking their force who them so long enslaved, 
 And fully accomplishing his task begun, 
 Theirs now as well, since all therein concerned. 
 
 Cho. All is best, though oft endured 
 Our grievous ills with questioned doubt, 
 As undiscerned whereto they tend; 
 Yet after trial, to our good 
 Intended found and welfare best ; 
 As now for us, when long matured 
 His high intent his purpose serves, 
 With vindication full and fair event. 
 
SAMSON HYBRISTES 
 
 THE ARGUMENT 
 
 Samson, for his incursions into the land of the 
 Philistines and his hostile deeds, is preemptorily 
 demanded of the men of Judah for vengeance to 
 be inflicted upon him. He consents to be bound, 
 and is brought before the elders of Judah, who 
 form the chorus, at Hebron, there to be tried. 
 Against their accusation of violating their law in 
 taking to wife a woman of the Philistines, he 
 urges his promptings from God, his marvelous 
 birth, and dedicated life. While his trial is going 
 on, the real cause whereof is yet not announced, he 
 is visited by his mother, who at first upbraids him 
 for his marriage contrary to the wishes of his 
 parents, but at last urges him to fulfill the will of 
 God concerning him, at the same time relating the 
 story of his divine annunciation and mission, name- 
 ly, to free his people. Samson, who had refused 
 with absolute denial, at last relents to go with the 
 herald sent to fetch him. After his departure, 
 enters his father, Manoah, with anxious inquiry 
 concerning his son and wife. His sorrow at the 
 tidings is interrupted by the arrival of a mes- 
 senger who, at first hesitatingly, afterward with 
 more spirit, relates what hath befallen the Phil- 
 istines from Samson ; wherewith the drama ends. 
 
THE PERSONS 
 
 Samson 
 
 Manoah, father of Samson. 
 
 Ebrew Messenger. 
 
 His mother. 
 
 The Philistine Messenger. 
 
 Chorus of Judean Elders. 
 
 Scene : — Before the Gates in Hebron. 
 
SAMSON HYBRISTES 
 
 Philistine Messenger. From utmost bound of Ju- 
 
 dah's land I come 
 To Hebron old, the seat of Anakim. 
 Whether occasion draws these hastened steps 
 Unto the governors and heads of tribes 
 O'er Judah set, one Samson to demand — 
 A mighty champion, bold above compare, 
 For that, though our due thrall, he hath dared 
 
 presume 
 On acts rebelious, and done hostile deeds, 
 Whose loud report at length hath roused our 
 
 lords, 
 That now, entering Judea with gathered powers, 
 On him or all his tribe their purpose holds 
 To wreak their wrath to the utmost point exact 
 Of penalty. And therefore justice mete 
 Render, he must, freeing the forfeiture 
 Of wont alloted unto those rebelious, 
 Or all his kind shall render in his room. 
 But wherefore stirs no human shape abroad 
 From yonder town or city nigh, since now 
 The point of day? I will along and seek 
 Who may inform these unfamiliar steps 
 Unto the prime of Judah and her chief 
 In rule, that I may take their purposed will. 
 
 Chorus. A little onward lies the toilsome path 
 For these faint step of age, 
 A little further on, 
 
 To yonder wayside place, our wonted seat 
 There daily we resort 
 And sit, dispensing justice — 
 Rather say, bewailing 
 The servitude of Israel and his sons, 
 Despicable, abject, unworthy, vile, 
 Whene'er, as now, the insulting light removes 
 Night's charitable mantle from our woes, 
 Showing them naked 
 
 99 
 
ioo SAMSON HYBRISTES 
 
 To the shame of day. 
 
 O thou, that, with surpassing splendor adorned, 
 Risest rejoicing, as the strong man in his might, 
 To run thy golden race, 
 To thee we call, O sun ! 
 Whose flaming progress on thine eastern road 
 With gladness all the earth 
 Beholds, rejoicing in thy joy. 
 O'er many an awful mount 
 Unused to servile yoke, 
 And over all the inviolable main, 
 All sea-girt isles, that stud, 
 Like starry archipelagoes 
 Of night, old ocean's nether firmament, 
 Unweariedly thy golden eye shall run 
 Till eve's dim eyelid seal thy sight again. 
 
 Semi-cho. Yet us no rapture fills 
 For thy glad sight, no heart's bright incense, joy, 
 Grateful shall rise, no praise. 
 Thereof instead shall wailing and lament 
 Vex all the burdened air, 
 Aidless, unhappy, dark ; 
 For thou, whene'er thou risest, 
 Usherest in no joy 
 To us, no hope, no gladness, 
 But, in saddest stead, 
 
 Despair and pain, anguish, and sorrow, and woe, 
 When day leads back our night. 
 
 Scmi-cho. Thy cheerful advent blythe, 
 Which most men hail as long release to joy 
 And glad purliens of light, 
 To us (O miserable!) 
 Is but the coming of the taskmaster 
 Unto the fearful and o'erlabored slave, 
 Waking the stinging thought 
 To goad along the barren toil 
 Of memory, and recall 
 
SAMSON HYBRISTES 101 
 
 The glory of the past, the present shame. 
 
 Cho. Yet now, perhaps, fresh grief draws hard 
 behind. 
 For I discern this way 
 Some stranger tending, so I deem 
 His habit tells, a Philistine ; 
 His hand a herald's sceptre bears ; 
 Bent all on haste, he nearer draws, 
 And now, at hand, his traveled steps he stays, 
 But, by his frown, with no good fraught for us. 
 Philistine Mes. Ebrews, the Judean elders here 
 I seek, 
 Whom ye reports account. Say if I err. 
 
 Cho. Thou aimest dextrously; discharge thy 
 
 purpose. 
 Philistine Mes. Elders, to you our lords thus 
 bid me say: 
 Are ye our slaves, our vassals, held our thralls 
 By right of war to do whate'er we bid ? 
 See on our sending ye deliver bound 
 Into our hand Samson, forfeit and due, 
 Since, though our bondman, he hath dared pre- 
 sume 
 On acts rebelious, and done hostile deeds, 
 In that with fire our fields he hath laid waste, 
 Harassed our land, harried and slain our men, 
 And chief those thirty there at Ascalon. 
 So gross a stain, touching so near our name, 
 Must in no wise be glossed with smooth excuse; 
 Hence, as our due, to take him are we come, 
 And those ill deeds to recompense in kind. 
 Thus much of him. The one command imposed 
 Duly if ye perform, our purpose hither 
 To other imports no violence or spoil. 
 But so deceitful hope, or stubborn pride 
 Obdurate, shall the execution slack 
 Or respite, is the hazard thereby earned 
 
102 SAMSON HYBRISTES 
 
 No less than threatens Samson, be assured, 
 By chance he come into our power and hand. 
 
 Cho. Such insolence like answers best befit, 
 
 Philistine Mes. Such the command your law- 
 ful lords have set. 
 
 Cho. But have they not proved to their hurt 
 his power 
 Surpassing human rate, above the strength 
 Of numbers to oppose, or banded might, 
 So that our most avails not to perform 
 The task imposed ? And therein if we fail, 
 What but our own destruction can portend ? 
 Return thy way ; thou seest we cannot do it. 
 
 Philistine Mes, But this reply, be sure, will not 
 suffice them. 
 
 ( 'ho. Perforce it will, so be it a better lack. 
 
 Philistine Mes. Nothing is here for words, be 
 sure ; for is not 
 Your nation held subjected to our lords 
 Their vassals, and by right of war their thralls ? 
 And shall ye at our sending and demand 
 Refuse our sending? Not, if well ye know, 
 Your pretence thus by place of office deemed, 
 That duty which to you by right pertains, 
 To guard the public safety and your own ; 
 Which, if thus rashly your refusal hold 
 Against our just pretense assumed, alike 
 Upon the utmost edge of hazard stand. 
 
 Cho. True is, our nation is subjected held 
 To your dread lords, deservedly, since we 
 By force of arms defeated and enthralled, 
 Who thence to you all due subjection owe 
 As masters, and to your commands imposed. 
 But that we here may satisfy your will 
 Lawful enjoined, and, won by force or guile, 
 Against the people yield into your hand 
 Their champion, and the popular idol held, 
 
SAMSON HYBRISTES 103 
 
 Thou mayest not think, since not in us disposed 
 Either superior force to overcome 
 Or civil power to compel his will, 
 Since of another tribe, nor hence to us 
 Owing obedience or judicial fear. 
 Yet who subserves the public good, no mean 
 Service, thereby not only honor bears, 
 But hazard, due alike, and due the more 
 As the degree in office higher stands. 
 And wherefore should we here our risk involve 
 With his, who hath denied and held our law 
 In absolute contempt, as if in scorn 
 Yoking base wedlock with the uncircumcised ? 
 And which should we the more esteem and weigh, 
 His safety, or the general, which by right 
 Our first and our sincerest care demands ? 
 For where the public to mischance exposed 
 Lies through default of one, his doom should free 
 Their danger, nor should all with him involve, 
 As he shall find perhaps who thus offends. 
 Wherefore bid send with best dispatch, and Sam- 
 son 
 Summon, to try if he perhaps be found 
 Submissive to our need, if thus with him 
 Persuasion may prevail to free his people 
 From hazard, which his acts on them induced, 
 Or else, though doubtful, if our force suffice 
 To win him, or win from him what he can 
 In power, since thus alike to us imports 
 Destruction, from your force, or from his hand. 
 These tidings therefore bear to your dread lords, 
 Which may somewhat perhaps prevail to ease 
 Our punishment, or dull, herein if we 
 Not slack be found, but forward to obey 
 Their bidding, whom by right of war we serve. 
 Philistine Mes. I thought your reasons better 
 would instruct, 
 
io 4 SAMSON HYBRISTES 
 
 And force compel perforce what erst denied, 
 
 With fear of worse conjoined, since all must yield 
 
 To strict necessity, that governs all. 
 
 But, how the event may turn, of this be sure, 
 
 That favorable compliance more will gain 
 
 Indulgence, and more favor will effect, 
 
 That slackness or than flat refusal more 
 
 Will hazard, if against your will perforce 
 
 Unable to perform what now enjoined. 
 
 This therefore ponder well, and be your speed 
 
 So as ye hope your safety, that your toil 
 
 May teach your minds obedience ; nor, thus fond, 
 
 Vainly refuse again what with all ease 
 
 Exacted, if our purpose that way tend ; 
 
 Nor further warning think to you vouchsafed. 
 
 Cho. High are the ways of God, 
 And high to human sense expressed, 
 Above the reach of erring man to know, 
 Alloting doubtful oft, as in despite, 
 Or contradicting to his deity 
 And edicts right ordained ; 
 For on the race of men his purpose holds 
 To good, as oft appears, or else, with hand 
 And favor changed, causeless his heavier judg- 
 ments light, 
 With no regard, as seems, of service past 
 From man to him, or him to man of promise. 
 
 Nor only upon them who disregard 
 And impiously blaspheme 
 His tents, and his deity despise, 
 The idolatrous rout that hold his name in scorn, 
 Fond, dissolute, profane, 
 Visits his sovereign will inscrutable 
 And fiery wrath reserved; 
 But such as he of favor hath elected 
 By grace his chosen, 
 And peculiar people held, 
 
SAMSON HYBRISTES 105 
 
 Them he alike subjects to like event, 
 
 Though dignified by choice, 
 
 Nor aught of difference weighs for their default, 
 
 As might his grace beseen, 
 
 But rather more exacts, and worse allots 
 
 Of punishment, the more his favor given 
 
 And grace divine vouchsafed, 
 
 Or at the utmost brings, as in despite 
 
 Of what himself decreed, 
 
 Just and unjust alike to evil end. 
 
 Which oft confusion works, and brings to fear 
 The pondering heart, that ventures not beyond 
 The present state of good or ill bestowed, 
 But yields, assailed by doubt, unmindful thus 
 Of former mercies past, and faints, depressed 
 
 With sense of Heaven's desertion. 
 Thus fond is mortal man 
 Fallen upon ire divine, 
 As on himself his ruin to invoke, 
 So smitten with folly dire, 
 Insensate strook, or to sense left depraved, 
 And with vision internal blind, 
 When God upon his head, 
 Surprised, distract, amazed, 
 Reft of defense, 
 
 Executes his high errand of destruction. 
 But who repents, and after pardon seeks, 
 His eye is gracious to admit ; 
 His ear is ever open to the suppliant. 
 
 So let not thus his wrath consume his people, 
 Though drawn to paths of ill, 
 And strook with ire divine ; 
 Rather regard their toils calamitous, 
 The merited punishment of sins, 
 And turn to pitying truth. 
 
 But soft ; for yonder to our wish 
 Samson behold ! 
 
106 SAMSON HYBRISTES 
 
 As yet, is every way unfit 
 
 Our purposed intent to inform him. 
 
 Samson. I come not, elders, though ye might 
 
 suppose, 
 As overpowered by fear, nor though it seem, 
 Superior force constraining, but that I own 
 Your reverend sway, and yield thereto respect, 
 As meet. So now your purpose with me say. 
 Cho. Whence earnest thou hither, and from 
 
 what feats performed? 
 For in thy efforts to provoke our foes, 
 The Philistines, thou never wast remiss, 
 As many a slain thou slewest them witness bears 
 
 thee ; 
 And often have I heard thy mighty acts, 
 But never true relation, and distinct. 
 
 Sams. After the slaughter of the uncircum- 
 
 cised, 
 I to the rock of Etham safe retired ; 
 Not that I feared what harm the event might draw, 
 But meditated by what force or guile 
 Still more to infest our enemies. Meanwhile these, 
 Your men of arms and officers dispatched, 
 Drew nigh, relating brief your ordered will 
 Imposed, to have me bound into your presence. 
 And, though with wonder seized what sudden 
 
 cause 
 Hath moved so violent haste, hither behold 
 Me come, not fearing what the event might gain 
 From strict refusal to your offered will, 
 But that I would no wrong or injury 
 Done in despite, or from the wanton heat 
 Of youth, offered against your reverend office, 
 Where honor only and regard pertains. 
 With this persuasion, then, and chiefly assured 
 By what your pledge secures and faith express, 
 Yourselves will not exact a penal forfeit, 
 
SAMSON HYBRISTES 107 
 
 The willinger I came, though yet unknown 
 What cause or what intent hath thus occasioned ; 
 Which yet informs me not my purpose here. 
 Cho. Was there no other cause to offend our 
 
 foes, 
 No further act, that by occasion hence 
 Might wrench the temper of the uncircumcised ? 
 
 Sams. Such hesitation shown to manifest 
 Your purpose with me well might question raise 
 Whether ye hide some further intent or not, 
 Importing more than on the face appears. 
 But whether thus it be or no, let pass ; 
 For ye are gone in age, that old respect 
 Is due, alloted unto years of wont. 
 Ye knew that I had chosen to wife — by then 
 Arrived the prime of marriageable love — 
 The daughter of a Timnian infidel ; 
 Yet me she pleased, my parents not. But now, 
 In time of harvest parted hence and passed 
 To Timna, I found my faithless bride refused, 
 Spouse to another. Hence that I might be 
 Blameless more than the Philistines, though to 
 
 them 
 Done a displeasure, thrice a hundred foxes 
 I caught, with sportive aid on mischief bent, 
 Yoking them two and two with fast-fixed brand, 
 In circle ranged, touched with the nimble flame. 
 Then ye might see the dry, flame-amorous corn 
 Seized by the ruffian fire, and, violate 
 Both shock and standing corn — nor less the vines 
 Amid the olives grown — adulteress play, 
 Cheating the uncircumcised who eared the field ; 
 That Timna, disappointed of her wine, 
 Would fare the Nazarite that season, needs, 
 The uncircumcised be, as the circumcised, 
 Despoiled. Yet so a dire revenge they found, 
 Unwarranted, unworthy, unproportionate, 
 
108 SAMSON HYBRISTES 
 
 And out of all regard to the offense. 
 For when they knew their careful tillage wasted 
 Wantonly, as might seem, and unprovoked, 
 Either to clear their guilt from deemed connival 
 In nuptial bands thus loosely disallied, 
 Or else to strike dismay into their foe. 
 Who by his prowest acts had wrought their harm, 
 Father and daughter both they burned with fire. 
 Cho. But doubtless in requital for such deed 
 Thou hast found some fearful way to thy revenge. 
 Sams. I paid my underminers in their own 
 coin, 
 Be sure, as this relation witness bears. 
 When next I came, and knew the shameful deed 
 Done in despite and out of wished revenge. 
 On her, my love so late and dear delight, 
 For my requital, sudden anger seized 
 Me as a tempest, that, in my phrenzied wrath, 
 Uncased in brass, naked my limbs of steel. 
 Right on I drove, smiting them hip and thigh, 
 Who had done the deed, with slaughter — as who 
 
 would else 
 Than be avenged on such vindicative hate ? 
 But now, after relation heard of deeds 
 Done on the foreskinned race singly by me. 
 Set forth your plain intent that brings me hither. 
 Cho. Why hast thou, Samson, broke the bounds 
 prescribed 
 By laws of God, in that presumptuous choice 
 Of thine, that chose among the foreskinned race, 
 Slackening thy strictest vow of purity 
 To yoke in wedlock with the uncircumcised ? 
 Was never there a woman of the daughters 
 From out thy own tribe found, or all our na- 
 tion, 
 That thou shouldst make thy wedlock mate among 
 The uncircumcised Philistines, our dread foes? 
 
SAMSON HYBRISTES 109 
 
 Whereby great scandal unto God thou hast 
 
 brought, 
 And to his people diffidence and doubt, 
 Though given_enough before from the true God 
 To waver and fall off, with idols joined. 
 
 Sams. Against the Philistines, our country's 
 
 foes, 
 I sought occasion to our deliverance ; 
 Therefore I urged the marriage on, that I 
 Might Israel from Philistian yoke redeem, 
 The task to which I was divinely set. 
 True is, some amorous remorse I felt 
 For the perverse event ; and this I yield, 
 The act had outcome other than my thought. 
 Cho. Was this, then, all thy care, the pains of 
 
 love 
 Disprized, and naught for wrath of justice 
 
 roused ? 
 So far presumptuous pride or lust had borne thee 
 Against our canon straitlv that forbade 
 Conjunction joined with the uncircumcised — 
 Which how hast thou obeyed ? Of alien stock 
 Was sprung the woman thou hast known thy 
 
 wife — 
 Would that thou never hadst, too late, alas ! — 
 Even she of Timna, whom thy roving choice, 
 Impetuous, unbridled, uncontroled ; 
 Settled upon. Prince cause indeed hast thou, 
 Or hadst, to love who in her nuptial height 
 Of love professed — proof of no love in her ! — 
 Thy riddle given betrayed. Thy facile heart, 
 Ease-amorous, unweeting, stood no siege, 
 Or but so much still more as draws assault, 
 And, like a fearful fortress, not one stroke 
 Strenuous opposed, yielded the garrison, 
 The secret of the riddle thou hadst set, 
 That she conveyed, with hasty impudence, 
 
no SAMSON HYBRISTES 
 
 To the fair-spoken paranymph, who usurped 
 Thy bed — fit guerdon to thy folly ! Yet 
 Even thus, even when the facile key displayed 
 Evidenced the betrayal, and her smile, 
 Mingled with other half but hidden, flouted 
 Thy shame, against her blazed not thy slavish an- 
 ger, 
 But thou, by mastering terror quite o'ercome, 
 To such effect repliedst as showed thy mind 
 Craven and unapt, unfit for highest things. 
 And after, thou stealth-gone to Ascalon, 
 Thy jeer-stung heart, to gain the forfeit gaged, 
 Mustered its might on thirty men unarmed, 
 Who ne'er to thee had offered harm ; yet thou, 
 Against our fact of peace expressly, slew'st them, 
 Then, like a robber, stripped'st and spoiled'st their 
 
 robes. 
 In such rash toils and ill-considered snares 
 Hath love, or rather lust, entangled thee, 
 Not love, as from thy words infers. For how 
 Could love, that only seeks her object's good, 
 Impel thee to thy dearest enemy, 
 Who sought thy capital secret to thy hurt? 
 
 Sams. Sharply have ye insisted on my sin, 
 Elders, falsely as ye assert, it seems. 
 Not wantoness it was, nor fond desire 
 Drew me, with purpose unabashed, wherein 
 Our law forbade approving to transgress. 
 Far other cause it was, other design ; 
 I have done what I have done, motioned of God ; 
 This plea the deeds themselves valid applaud ; 
 Wherein if I be shown to have done amiss, 
 Thus contrary to our laws and laws of God, 
 Have all your will ; ye see it in your hand. 
 
 Cho. What folly passed thy lip, Samson per- 
 verse ! 
 Thy plea the deeds themselves condemn unjust, 
 
SAMSON HYBRISTES in 
 
 Invalid, false, to partial error swerving; 
 This their event approves, and plain enough, 
 Which when thou seest, I wonder whence thou 
 
 hast found 
 Presumption thus to hide thy sin ; for sin 
 It still appears, though even of thy hand done. 
 Sams. With ignorance hast thou spoken. The 
 
 due act 
 Draws not approval from the event, as good 
 Or bad ; the prompting motive this affirms. 
 Else might the act of ill intent, o'er-ruled 
 By arbitrament divine and of result 
 Thence fair, assert itself above the good 
 That finds perverse event through chance not 
 
 seen. 
 But that plea urged to extenuate my deeds 
 The deeds themselves partial condemn, unjust ! 
 I was to do my part from Heaven proposed, 
 Not question consequence ; here if I erred, 
 The error was not mine, but his who sent me. 
 Cho. O argument presumptuous, fond, and 
 
 proud ! 
 Error is not attributable to God, 
 As thou blasphemest, so to cloak thy sin ; 
 Though oft, with specious plea of God's will done, 
 Do men, erring from right, approve their path. 
 Which way thy sin hath led thee ; first, thy love 
 Settled upon choice forbidden ; then, insolence 
 Hath borne thee on to insult who bear the rule ; 
 Last, with a God blasphemed thou hast closed the 
 
 tale. 
 Know, in a word, all this of woman sprung. 
 For diverse as her various outward show 
 Affects her influence o'er her wedlock choice ; 
 And oft, by fair idolatresses ensnared, 
 As thine, are men's uxurious hearts beguiled 
 From truth and purity and good and God ; 
 
ii2 SAMSON HYBRISTES 
 
 In part they effect the ruin of their lives, 
 Haply they make not shipwrack of the whole. 
 
 Sams. If, then, to you thus reprehensible 
 My deeds appear, thus gone from right and good, 
 Though in the highest intent on my part done, 
 Forbear to mix yourselves with my concerns. 
 Henceforth, as I shall hence from yours forbear. 
 
 Cho. Wise, who of old affirmed 
 Him Heaven-favored that hath found 
 A virtuous wife, who joins, 
 Her honor chief, domestic praise. 
 
 Hence, in thy proper kind 
 And order, choose thy mate; 
 Beyond thy walk in life restrain thy step, 
 Uplift no amorous eye — 
 Rather, lower not — 
 
 To her, whose outward shape though fair, 
 Informed with beauty, and adorned 
 With comeliness, 
 Nathless the inward show, 
 Ugly with spotted sin, taints like the snake ; 
 Never will she list to good, 
 However musicaly the charmer breathe. 
 
 For, howsoever found, with thus fond, 
 Empty of real goodness, real worth, 
 Adverse to virtue, 
 Stubborn, shameless, loud 
 And turbulent, thus given 
 Little or none to household good, 
 Wherein consist 
 
 Woman's chief honor and domestic praise, 
 But knowing well, 
 
 With trolling tongue and wanton roving eye, 
 Joined with asking look and act, 
 To tempt the weak unwary 
 To dalliance, or to worse dishonoring, 
 Of whom shame is ashamed — 
 
SAMSON HYBRISTES 113 
 
 With such a pilot at the helm embarked, 
 What voyage but would needs in ruin end ? 
 
 But whom desire and reason alike approves, 
 Veiled with virginity, demure and meek, 
 To God and good submiss, 
 Yet chastely wroth, if amorous play 
 Attempt, or overt act, 
 With license to offend her maiden awe, 
 Her wed, and to her cleave 
 Through all the hazards incident to life, 
 Unwavering, unswerving, unseduced. 
 
 But who is this ? What form draws hither fast, 
 As when a timorous doe, 
 Whose curious fawn had slipped her slumbering 
 
 side 
 To stray the perilous wild, 
 O'er wooded hill and moory dale 
 Begins her roam, seeking her wandered young? 
 And now, at nearer view, may seem 
 Some Ebrew matron, and perhaps thy mother ; 
 Her face distressed and dark, she steers to us. 
 
 Sams. Ay, with what other eyes must she me 
 now 
 Behold, unseemly sight, in bonds abused ! 
 
 Mother. From Zorah and the vale of Eshtaol 
 Desire to see thy face and learn thy state — 
 Maternal love o'er woman's anxious fears 
 Prevailing, since fame also found me out 
 With tidings of what lately had befallen thee — 
 Hath led me, Samson, by a various path, 
 For still report, erring, my steps beguiled, 
 Whither I find thee now. But why these bonds ? 
 
 Sams. Ask otherwhere, or question else in- 
 quire, 
 If thou wouldst answer gain ; of these perhaps 
 Thou mayst, on their occasion since I came. 
 
ii4 SAMSON HYBRISTES 
 
 Cho. Pretends that plea till now of ignorance 
 
 feigned, 
 Counterfeit innocence, smooth hypocrisy? 
 But feign no more ; for thou, be sure, shalt learn 
 Thy fault adjudged thee plain. Know sin, and 
 
 sin 
 By thee confessed, thy doom severe hath drawn. 
 For now those robes are like to cost thee dearer 
 Than the estimation on the purchase set, 
 As this, the rigid score, approves. Dispatch 
 Hastened a message late to have thee bound. 
 And given into the hand of our dread lords 
 To do as likes their utmost will. The worst 
 At once were best known ever; hence without 
 Swerving equivocation have I spoke. 
 
 Mother. Alas, both for the day and for the 
 
 deed, 
 Son, that bereaves me thee ! Ah wherefore, thus 
 Violating the law, didst thou espouse 
 The daughter of an infidel, against 
 Both then thy father's wish and mine express, 
 Whereby this loss of life to thee thou hast 
 
 wrought 
 To us of thee ? But let me pardon obtain, 
 Idly upbraiding thus, the woman's way. 
 Half of her sorrows woman would avert, 
 Could she withhold the word she knew unwise, 
 No, resolved not to utter. But anguish then 
 Enforced me losing thee, anguish the more 
 As thou art sole my child. Silence henceforth 
 Must be my portion, woman's wonted lot. 
 
 Sams. Was this that solemn pledge and vow 
 
 engaged, 
 With glozing words and baited lies to draw me 
 Into assassination's wily snare, 
 So to requite, with treacherous guile, the faith 
 In you adjudged by acquiescence shown 
 
SAMSON HYBRISTES 115 
 
 To your commands, though void and reasonless ? 
 Henceforth let none, kindled with kindly zeal 
 Through hard assays toil for the general good, 
 Hoping therefrom even gratitude, the spur 
 That raises generous minds to noblest acts ; 
 For him his envious fellows will suspect, 
 Despise, mistrust, cavil, reproach, contemn ; 
 And, if he aught remarkably begin, 
 They to their power will thwart or straight de- 
 sert, 
 Heaping contumely on kindliest deeds. 
 
 Cho. That we are false, thou sayest, urgest on 
 us 
 That specious plea, ingratitude, betrayal, 
 Yet, if thou seek, well shalt thou find, that first 
 Thou led'st the way, thou led'st the example give ; 
 Ere we to thee, thou to thyself wast false 
 And God. For hadst thou not with slackened 
 
 vow, 
 Yoked alien wedlock, which our statutes ban, 
 And treasonable league with our oppressors, 
 Permitting, in thy unbridled insolence, 
 Unreined desires and passions governless, 
 Catching the rule, reduce to servitude 
 Reason, in thee therefrom obscured, were now 
 No strict compulsion fallen on thee or us, 
 For which or we or thou must satisfy. 
 
 Sams. Yet better to be vile esteemed than vile. 
 For wherein have I sin ? Can open slaughter 
 Of those oppressors be as treason construed, 
 Or treasonable league? Still I affirm, 
 The marriage that ye censure, as before 
 Affirmed, was prompted by impulse divine. 
 The end thereof though sorrow, as I own. 
 Proves not my sin nor disapproves my plea. 
 Wherefore, then, have I blame, or why are 
 deemed 
 
n6 SAMSON HYBRISTES 
 
 As contrary to our laws and laws of God 
 My acts, which ye contemn, but I approve 
 The gifts of God, and mean to learn, before 
 My plea I yield, the fault I am charged to have 
 
 done? 
 Cho. Thou knowest the uncircumcised our 
 
 lords, 
 That bonds of civil duty thee constrained 
 To observe the fact of peace and amity 
 Mutual that subsists. Our plight undone 
 Thou seest, and seest into how evil case 
 Our state is come, not through our motioned act, 
 But thine ; thy deeds our peril have induced, 
 Thy doom should free, or else a common foe 
 Lie under judgment, slain without stain of crime 
 By whatsoever hand. And plead'st thou still 
 Divine impulsion prompting thee to acts 
 Whose ends were given of God ? Know then, as 
 
 thou 
 Wouldst know, were thine true plea, the gifts of 
 
 God 
 Are good and perfect, not, as graces feigned, 
 Desirable, but, given with solemn hand, 
 Drawing a sting. Hadst thou of God been 
 
 prompted, 
 Thy odious pretense, but now soon discerned, 
 Be sure thy acts other results had brought 
 Answering. Only the good can give good gifts ; 
 Since, be the giver so, the gift is good 
 Perforce ; and contrariwise the ill desires, 
 For evil springs whence but from evil source ? 
 Sams. The uncircumcised our lords I knew, 
 
 thou sayest, 
 And knew that civil duty me constrained 
 To observe obedience owed to those who have 
 Our nation in their civil power. The force 
 It was of subjugation. Force o'er force 
 
SAMSON HYBRISTES 117 
 
 Prevails but where the conqueror can. If ye, 
 Deservedly enthralled your outward freedom, 
 The inward lost, liberty would regain, 
 Ye ought not thus deliverance sent refuse, 
 But second rather those my high attempts 
 To break the yoke under which now ye chafe ; 
 Which to throw off, your minds ye must erect 
 To nobler counsels, raise to higher thoughts, 
 Knowing that none, of inward servitude 
 Enthralled and yoked, can outward violence free. 
 But, those great acts, which God by me hath 
 
 wrought 
 Upon your conquerors, acknowledged not, 
 Nor aught considered, if your servile minds 
 Me, your deliverance given, will not accept, 
 Ye are not capable ye should possess 
 Freedom, thus nicely or thus cautiously 
 Rejected, but deservedly will serve. 
 
 Cho. O folly and shame ! What government 
 have we, 
 What state, wherein those who are set to rule 
 If one, a private, may o'erbear, impune, 
 Rebellion raise, and levy single war — 
 Thou most, whose acts perverse have thus pro- 
 voked 
 Our peril, and whose deeds our doom have 
 
 drawn ? ? 
 Us, set of God and in his stead, if thou 
 Dishonor, whom hast thou dishonored, whom 
 Despised, but God? Whose wrathful jealousy 
 Thine unrepentant sin shall ne'er forgive, 
 But visit soon with punishment condign. 
 Thus if thou thinkest to deceive, or draw 
 Aside from right with hollow argument, 
 Or specious show of zeal for public good, 
 The common theme of those who value least, 
 Widely thou errest, and wanderest from the truth, 
 
n8 SAMSON HYBRISTES 
 
 Sams. Our government thou knowest, when 
 thou hast known 
 That state, wherein what serves his purpose best 
 Each works, not far to learn. But, to the main, 
 Had what I motioned been averse to God, 
 Though contrary to our laws and his ordained, 
 Why was it then permitted ? Just cause he had 
 To enmity, and had not wanted means 
 To set his people free. Had this act, then, 
 Unlawful thus been held, adjudged to stain 
 My vow of Nazarite, he had not so 
 Have prompted me, permitted, to an act 
 Against our law declared, unchaste, unclean ; 
 Rather his swiftest vengeance had pronounced 
 In certain tones his anger and my doom, 
 
 Cho. That God permitted, thou sayest, mo- 
 tioned thee toward, 
 Against that strictest vow of purity, 
 This act, of freedom for his people wrought 
 Plead'st divine purpose high. Fair argument! 
 Reason how sound approved ! Could not his 
 
 strength, 
 Of right adjudged almighty, other means 
 Have wrought, invented other arts to this, 
 Not contradictory thus to his edicts found, 
 Thus to his deity? This caption, then, 
 Explodes thy plea, and reads thee false or fond. 
 The trial of thy fortitude it was, 
 To prove thy faith and firm obedience owed 
 In recompense for the high gift of God, 
 Not license to a gross, forbidden sin. 
 But grant thee so ; stands in no stead for thee 
 That now he hastens not, his patient wrath 
 Precipitates not thy augmented doom ; 
 Omittance is not quittance. Doubtless he 
 Out of thine evil still can bring forth good ; 
 But should he so, it argues not thy acts 
 
SAMSON HYBRISTES 119 
 
 Approved divinely, or quits thee of unclean. 
 If thus be held, all who contemn his law, 
 Challenge his providence, reject his good, 
 Crimes which thou knowest to the height held im- 
 pious, 
 And worthy not to escape adjudged, yet so 
 In naught unchaste, vile, reprehensible. 
 Of such malfeasants thou art in the list. 
 Wherefore thou oughtest free thy forfeit pledged 
 To us, and yield thyself to have our will ; 
 Knowing that, when the public lies exposed 
 To danger, one for many should redeem. 
 Which, wert thou innocent, would still prevail ; 
 How much more, when thy fault stands plain ad- 
 judged. 
 For that thy blind, unbridled lust impeled thee, 
 And not zeal for thy God, by this appears, 
 That in extenuation of thy act 
 Thou urgedst plea of prompting from above 
 To seek in marriage that perfidious bride, 
 A Canaanite, thy country's enemy, 
 Yet first love for the woman thou hadst avowed. 
 And further, since thou movest more that plea 
 Prompted of God to do his will, then learn 
 He only is elect to do God's will 
 Who does it ; other choice or voice is none 
 Divine or human. Witness thy own instance. 
 
 Sains. Are ye not they who, solemnly elect 
 Of God, his law having impiously transgressed 
 And fallen to idols foul, by him are sold 
 To servitude as foul and bondage vile? 
 Which I, your great deliverer, when sent 
 To rescue Israel from Philistian yoke, 
 Having in some part ransomed with high acts — 
 Yet now am judged a public enemy, 
 Outcast from law, contemned an alien, deemed 
 
120 SAMSON HYBRISTES 
 
 As worthy death; though what chance now ye 
 
 bear 
 Falls, not from mine, but your incestuous acts, 
 Adulteries, murders, blasphemies, and lies, 
 With prayers to Adon, Baal, and Ashtaroth, — 
 The gods adored of Israel's heathen foes, 
 Whose might availed not yet to stay their fall — 
 And impious bowings down to stock and stone, 
 Dispisings of God's law and sanctuary, 
 The habitation of his holiness 
 In Shiloh where he shines ; therefore ye sunk 
 Bowed down beneath their despicable spear 
 In battle, when ye strove. Still Israel serves, 
 (O shameful servitude), with all his sons, 
 Cease, then, so strict insistence on my sin 
 Thus called, nor foist my fault over your own. 
 Cho. Then, when, thou standest pure, our sin 
 
 arraign ; 
 It suits not now. For, while vain speech thou 
 
 handiest 
 Of boasted purity and feigned innocence, 
 Peril impeled by thy own hand the state 
 Threatens with harm, which thine is to remove. 
 Nor is the law unjust that so ordains. 
 If aught against the pact, as plainly appears, 
 Unwarranted of us thou hast done, self-moved, 
 Then hast thou violated, in thy deed, 
 The law of nations, which, affronted thus, 
 Thou oughtest yield thyself to satisfy. 
 This, and not less than this, the least thou canst ; 
 Whate'er and whence thy might, thou canst not 
 
 more. 
 Nor still upon us pretend thy sin, nor charge 
 Weakly, by this to shift thy proper blame. 
 Thou to no purpose cloakest sin with sin ; 
 Thy vain erasions but uncover more. 
 
SAMSON HYBRISTES 121 
 
 Sams. I have done what I have done, motioned 
 
 of God, 
 Under whose eye mine innocence I maintain, 
 Wherein I say, as first, these hands are clean ; 
 And hence ye nothing hold me herein found 
 Free and accountable to none but God. 
 
 Cho. Mortal, and made of mortal flesh, dost 
 
 thou 
 Dispute the points of purity with him 
 In whose pure sight no mortal flesh is pure? 
 And comest thou with such an one to judgment, 
 And plead'st thou purity in whose pure sight 
 His holy heavens are contemned unclean ? 
 Then shall frail, sinful flesh assert itself 
 Above the solemn edicts which of old 
 Obtained with God? Hence, while in time thou 
 
 mayest, 
 Hasten repentance toward that God incensed 
 Justly, knowing of surety this thy sin 
 Shall never, unrepentant, pardon find. 
 For thee necessity nor God compeled 
 Unto thy act, nor any man enforced, 
 Since force upon free will can have no place, 
 Else no free will. Hence, that which thou hast 
 
 done, 
 Freely thou didst it ; force or fear none was. 
 Free in thy power it lay, since free thy will, 
 Obedience or revolt ; but, that now passed, 
 In other hands the sequel lies, beyond 
 Thy choice. Hence, be assured that, to our 
 
 pledge, 
 Ourselves will not exact a penal forfeit ; 
 But for our peril, which thy acts induced, 
 And for thy solemn pledge of faith engaged, 
 We will deliver thee bound into their hand. 
 
 Sams. O miserable and fond, unfaithful, weak, 
 So to renounce your faith to God engaged, 
 
122 SAMSON HYBRISTES 
 
 Violating your country's dearest ends ! 
 And wherefore, but to gain slight respite, deemed 
 Than honor more, than freedom, duty, virtue ? 
 Fools, not to know that firm resistance made 
 On tyrant foes obedience is to God, 
 And slackened virtue rankest blasphemy ! 
 Yet not unusual, among men declined 
 From God so far, thus to forego their vows, 
 Nor unexpected is, where ignorance 
 Of such prevails, safety to set before, 
 Honor behind — and yet how few prefer 
 Hard freedom over easy servitude ! 
 Yet still this folly may convert to wisdom. 
 Will Judah now but join, or one half tribe, 
 We shall this day possess the gates of Gath, 
 And lord it over those we now obey. 
 Let not, then, slip occasion, which now serves, 
 But by your wisdom prove your worthy office. 
 Cho. Samson, thou hadst no name of wise, I 
 
 knew, 
 But never thought folly would lead so far 
 Thy youth astray, with solemnest advice 
 Such hazard on such warrant weak to urge. 
 Thou knowest the people is unnerved to war, 
 Sinews unbraced, and heart by servitude 
 Softened efnminately, the wont effect. 
 Such then the state, madness it were, self-death, 
 So to propose, much more the motioned act, 
 Though thyself even, with all-puissant arm, 
 Stood'st present to discharge thy chiefest aid ; 
 As soon could we, or all, as thou alone, 
 Boaster, who doubtless thence wert furthest 
 
 found. 
 Sams. My acts then of my faith were best the 
 
 warrant, 
 Which of its surety present witness vouches, 
 For, will ye but release me from my pledge 
 
SAMSON HYBRISTES 123 
 
 Assured, myself with unassisted might, 
 Which I withhold not, now occasion serves, 
 Engage this arm to wrest in sole attempt, 
 And ye at home, whole and unhazarded, 
 Not life alone, but freedom general, 
 So on your part ye dare the hazard set. 
 
 Cho. Think not thy strength entire, as when 
 thou stood'st, 
 Impenetrably armed of innocence ; 
 Thy prowess then, when thou no more wast pure, 
 Departed thee, and now thy might but none 
 Thou knowest, disallied and drawn from good ; 
 Wicked therefrom and weak, though clad thou 
 
 stood'st 
 And locked in mail proofer than adamant. 
 
 Sams. This mighty strength, given at my birth, 
 abides 
 Diffused through joint and limb, while I preserve 
 My vow inviolate, these locks unshorn. 
 
 Cho. For not in mighty bone or massy flesh, 
 Though oft so deemed, vigor resides alone, 
 Nor those robustious locks clustering thy head ; 
 But rather dwells with virtue, her ally 
 Divine, and the Spirit of the Lord of Hosts. 
 Full soon thy attempt this lesson must enforce, 
 How weak, how vain thy might divorced of these ; 
 And we, too fondly on thy force relying, 
 Destroyed in thy destruction should be found, 
 Such an ambitious heat thy heart hath fired ! 
 This knowing, wherefore further urge thy plea, 
 Or scheme proposals worthiest of naught ? 
 
 Sams. Then take upon yourselves to satisfy 
 The penalty imposed. I will not do it, 
 
 Cho. Wilt thou, then, leave us answerable to 
 those ills 
 Thy deeds on us induced, so to requite 
 Favor vouchsafed, protection to thy tribe ? 
 
124 SAMSON HYBRISTES 
 
 Besides what act more impiously unclean, 
 
 More than thy former, sum of unchastity, 
 
 So to betray and basely to desert 
 
 Thy nation's utmost need, us, and thy God ? 
 
 Be not thus impious, Samson, but consider 
 
 This act the glorious ending of thy toil, 
 
 Self-conquest, as than whom none mightier 
 
 known, 
 So much the more the conquest glorious deem. 
 
 Sams. But led in chains captived, or tamed by 
 cold 
 And hunger, wherein could I serve my work 
 From Heaven imposed, to set my people free ? 
 For this did the angel twice appear, for this 
 Declare my wondrous birth and wondrous life 
 Of God alloted ? And shall I frustrate thus 
 His divine gift of strength, favor vouchsafed 
 Thus recompensing? Rather let me strive, 
 While strength lives in these limbs, against my 
 
 foes, 
 That this miraculous might be not for naught, 
 Nor God's high gift be given to purpose vain. 
 
 Cho. Consider, Samson, matters now are come 
 Into evil case. What better couldst thou serve 
 Thy mission, if thy mission thus thou hast, 
 Whereof thy wondrous might avouches much, 
 Than by thy mind and act to satisfy, 
 Freely as thy offense, thy fault adjudged thee, 
 Working deliverance thy nation, plea 
 Now held, and making thence thy glorious name ? 
 Hence not of vain revenge, or vulgar spite, 
 But for our peril, which thy acts induced, 
 And for thy solemn pledge of faith engaged, 
 We will deliver thee bound into their hand, 
 
 Mother. Is this the end, then, of my prayers 
 and vows, 
 My fond maternal fears ? Yet yield thee, son, 
 
SAMSON HYBRISTES 125 
 
 For thus may be what offered means who knows 
 But God hath given before thee to set free 
 His people, as the oracle affirmed? 
 
 Cho. What may this mean — the oracle thou 
 sayest ? 
 Tell us the tale ; thou seest we thirst to hear. 
 
 Mother. An angel told his wondrous birth di- 
 vine 
 From God, which, after days accomplished, came. 
 This to be truth his might miraculous vouches, 
 
 Cho. But set the tale at length with circum- 
 stance, 
 Wherein conviction, if not truth, resides. 
 
 Mother. Then hear me, though in much amaze- 
 ment stands 
 My mind, that such as ye should know it not, 
 A marvel so unwonted, so miraculous, 
 Divine ; though other had I deemed the end 
 Than thus, inglorious, infamous, contrary 
 To those high hopes prefered. I prayed a son, 
 Holding a barren wedlock a reproach ; 
 I bore a son, that all esteemed me happy. 
 Who envies now my lot as fortunate? 
 Was my request too fond, or self too much 
 Inmixed, that God devised this punishment 
 Upon my sin doubting his ways not just? 
 Yet not as thus announced ; for to me gone 
 Into the field, there as by wont retired 
 To solitude and prayer for children, then 
 Childless and barren, as I sat reposed 
 Apart, the messenger of God appeared, 
 Who first to me revealed, next to my husband, 
 To whom a second vision was vouchsafed, 
 The divine mystery high, that from our loins 
 Should spring him who should set his people free ; 
 Then, to assure the message high imparted, 
 Ascended all in flames from off the altar 
 
126 SAMSON HYBRISTES 
 
 Whereon an offering burned, after fortelling 
 Conception sure of him who was destined 
 To free his country from her enemies. 
 And so, when due time was and all fulfilled, 
 I bore a son, whose name bestowed foretold 
 His mission, that he should with might set free 
 His people — since the angel so affirmed 
 At least, though now the event puts much in 
 
 doubt. 
 Cho. A marvelous tale, indeed, from which 
 
 thy faith 
 On hopes well-founded seemed, nor less to us 
 Agreeably conceived; yet now perverse 
 Through his default, and void of reason found. 
 Mother. It had been my delight to view his 
 
 home 
 With offspring filled, whose childish laughter 
 
 sweet, 
 Choicer to mother's ear than soothest pipe 
 Of stop, should charm the parent heart and mine ; 
 My husband, also, crowned with age serene, 
 Had summoned complete our circled household 
 
 hearth. 
 Ay me! 
 
 Never must thou call any woman wife, 
 Son, nor must I, with second mother love, 
 Dandle thy babes upon my knees, nor clap 
 Their cheeks, with fondest care pore every part, 
 Eyes, ears, and nose, and mouth, and hands, and 
 
 feet, 
 If mother's touch, or father's, more survive ; 
 But separate in age, alone, unloved — 
 This then must be my lot, it seems, deserted 
 And solitary ; since of thee bereft, 
 Whom have I? Kindred, kindly friends, and 
 
 home 
 No more to me remain, thou then no more. 
 
SAMSON HYBRISTES 127 
 
 Alas, how other seemed it late, when I 
 
 Stood cheered by all that hope or comfort 
 
 showed ! 
 But now one sorrow by another sits, 
 And all the doleful sisterhood of grief 
 Surrounds me, from the light of hope cut off. 
 Ah, with what other thoughts must I go hence 
 Than those in which I came ! Thus with each 
 
 morn 
 Light shall return, but ne'er to me return 
 Peace, or glad thoughts, or thy fond eyes to mine. 
 
 Cho. Give not to utter sorrow, but consider 
 Kindred thou hast yet, kindly friends remain, 
 And where thy husband is think there thy home. 
 Mother. Shall I, then, thus esteem thy loss as 
 
 naught, 
 Or valued slight, and absence soon restored, 
 By other charities of life supplied, 
 Relations dear of husband, friend, or home ? 
 Bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh thou art, 
 Life of my life, by sad experience dear 
 As well I know. For not with wonted pangs 
 And throes of travail felt I thee to light, 
 Fruit of my body, bore ; but griping pains 
 And tortures more than death were mid-wife to 
 
 me. 
 Yet words avail me nothing now, nor tears. 
 Ay me ! my members fail, and eyes, that thus 
 Wilh swift oppression seized, I can no more. 
 Cho. Let some convey her hence, and tend her 
 
 care, 
 As fits the need, with nursing diligence 
 Bestowed, that nothing seemly lack, becoming 
 Of wont a matron's honorable state. 
 
 Sams. Alas, those lofty hopes divine, 
 To have set free 
 Israel wrested from Philistian yoke ! 
 
128 SAMSON HYBRISTES 
 
 Was it for this that word descended, 
 
 Twice by an angel told 
 
 Who rode in flames up from the burning altar, 
 
 After conception assured, 
 
 With nurture holy ordained, and solemn care 
 
 Enjoined, as of a plant 
 
 Select and dedicated? 
 
 Why was my heart from earliest years inflamed 
 To high, heroic deeds, 
 Magnanimous fortitude, 
 If now, alas forsaken, betrayed, 
 And by my faithless nation, 
 As by an alien foe, 
 All aidless given, I must pay on 
 My hapless penalty imposed ? 
 Unseemly recompense to most men deemed, 
 But doubly to the champion endued 
 With the high gift of God. 
 
 Who now will credence yield 
 Unto our holy oracles, that foretold 
 Miraculous birth, to me vouchsafed, 
 And wondrous strength sufficient 
 To set my people free, 
 That solemn task divine 
 Gloriously entrusted from above? 
 Alas, whom God's high choice hath once elected 
 Chiefest in his regard, not vilely thus 
 He should desert, as never known, 
 And sell to servitude, 
 Be it but for promise made. 
 For whom God's favor hath chosen 
 To some great work and glory, 
 When but in part achieved 
 So if he whelm and thrall, subjecting him 
 To foul indignities, how stands therein 
 Judgment approved, or vindicated 
 Above the unjust the just? 
 
SAMSON HYBRISTES 129 
 
 Since both alike come to like evil end. 
 
 Cho. Wondrous the works of God, t 
 
 His many marvelous ways , 
 
 Beyond the searching out of man, 
 Yet some there be who deem no God at all, 
 Insensate, to their own blind thought inclining, 
 Others upbraid his providence adjudged 
 Partial, or to the erring 
 Indulgent, judgment perverse misdeemed, 
 Then cast the rein to roving doubt, 
 Unmindful of his former mercies past, 
 Which fills with anxious fears 
 The credulous, vain heart of man. 
 
 Yet for the trustful soul, 
 Assured his gracious eye divine, 
 God hath bid dwell remote all anxious cares 
 That spoil the sweet of being, 
 And in his service pure 
 
 Shine golden days fulfilled with golden deeds 
 Acceptable, which is the calmest life. 
 
 Which chance had been thy chance and lot se- 
 cured, 
 Samson, in wondrous might 
 The miracle of men, 
 
 With added favor joined of freedom wrought, 
 And heavy yoke bereft 
 From off thy people, 
 Now in vilest bondage found, 
 Had not thy pride and weak ambition ruled, 
 When thou with impious foot didst pass 
 The sacred bounds ordained 
 Which God of old had set to right, 
 Forgetful of thy task in part achieved, 
 The close of all thy labors and the crown. 
 
 Yet other lot on thee at length fallen, 
 By vanity or erring pride enticed 
 From that high purpose given 
 
i 3 o SAMSON HYBRISTES 
 
 And trust on thee imposed, 
 
 With ruin conjoined, that nulls those mighty 
 
 deeds, 
 The pledge and surety of thy task bestowed, 
 Though late in part accomplished 
 Yet now at last defeated, 
 And through thy own default, 
 Turning thy labors to disastrous end. 
 
 Sams. Alas, how otherwise my life portends 
 Than that it late possessed, when I in might 
 All mortal men exceled, with thoughts divine, 
 Magnanimous instincts, to mighty deeds 
 By hopes beyond heroic thus inflamed ! 
 Now shamed, dishonored, captive, and betrayed 
 By my own nation, — and which now becomes 
 My worst affliction — wherein can I serve 
 That work imposed, to set my people free ? 
 So much I feel that mighty purpose fail 
 Till now that urged me on, my hopes all vain, 
 My plea rejected, and myself contemned 
 Alien, outcast, disglorified, disprized. 
 
 Cho. Yet thou hadst hope to gain the govern- 
 ment 
 And rule thy brethren, after freedom wrought — 
 Fond, and incapable of place or rule, 
 Since lewdly to thy lust thou wert enthralled, 
 Not seeing, in thy headlong arrogance, 
 Others who fain would rule must first himself. 
 
 Sams. What, then, prevailed my abstinence, 
 not armed 
 To all allurements proved however pleasing 
 To appetence, though one it could resist? 
 Things in our law unclean, and thence forbid, 
 The surety of my vow inviolate 
 And pledge of hallowed life, with like regard 
 Of all deliciousness, all weak desires 
 That soften and effeminate the soul, 
 
SAMSON HYBRISTES 131 
 
 How held seduction sweet, my taste could spurn ; 
 Yet, though my mighty strength knew no com- 
 peer, 
 Though force, unforced, in me her fortress held 
 Impregnable, myself I could not rule ; 
 Which now I rue ; for, womanly o'ercome, 
 Enticed by erring vanity and pride, 
 Whereon men have perhaps most often ruined, 
 I, like a heedless pilot, have shipwracked 
 That glorious task divine enjoined from Heaven. 
 Wherefore call no man strong who rules not self, 
 Though strength, informed with every motion, 
 
 stalk 
 Preeminent — weak, worthless, and despised. 
 
 Cho. Thou mightst have made for honor and 
 for good, 
 Been high esteemed thy land's deliverer, famed 
 In the universal mouth. Now the worse part 
 Chosen thou hast, through giddy headiness 
 Erring, and, virtue lost, thou losest all. 
 
 Sams. I see the evil on which, presumptuously 
 Erring, I fell. When most I felt secure, 
 Lax in my strength, from the unsuspected sky 
 The cloudless thunder bolts upon my head. 
 Yet none the less anguish I feel and shame, 
 Betrayed by my own nation and my friends, 
 Who to their utmost should have seconded 
 My high attempts, not striven to have undone 
 
 them, 
 Snaring my unsuspicion with my words, 
 This not my least affliction and reproach. 
 
 Cho. We knew thy force, that thou determinest 
 No power but strength of body — our main hold 
 Lay therefore to assay thee what thou art, 
 Wherein thy true might summed, by guile or skill 
 To win thee or win from thee what thou hast 
 
132 SAMSON HYBRISTES 
 
 Of strength, that we might know ; as is the 
 
 part 
 Of wisdom, when force wavers, with discretion 
 To conquer wherein force effected not. 
 But thou of self didst come, beyond our hope, 
 And we in might presumed no match of thine : 
 Hence we had need what only aid remains 
 To weakness, and must lack of force supply 
 With cunning, or by what name else best called. 
 
 Sams. Dishonor rightlier called, impiety — 
 Since disregarded quite those mighty acts 
 By God through me vouchsafed — neglect and 
 
 scorn, 
 Rancor and pride and emnity and spite, 
 Or whatsoe'er be else of ill and vile, 
 Not fitting virtuous hearts or generous minds 
 Aiming at freedom from a hated yoke, 
 But worthy most dispraise, contempt, and shame. 
 Yet I to other thoughts had schooled my mind, 
 Into your hand to yield myself, since ye 
 Resolve me that yourselves will not exact 
 A penal forfeit, so I am content. 
 That I to other purpose wrought the deed 
 Avails me nothing ; hence do I repent 
 The error, which is now become my crime 
 And your occasion, basely, as it seems. 
 
 Cho. I see thou art not slack of virtue, false 
 To what high worth within thee still remains, 
 Though dim through thy default, but well re- 
 solved 
 Of purpose, as the unyielding center firm, 
 Nor wilt revoke thy word sincere engaged, 
 Though dearly to thy cost, if well discharged 
 That heavy score through thy own acts incurred. 
 Yet other would I choose thy end, than thus 
 Disglorified, disprized, and lastly death 
 Perhaps, or worse than death, inflicted on thee. 
 
SAMSON HYBRISTES 133 
 
 Sams. Yet otherwise to me my lot portends ; 
 For, though by you my plea contemned, despised, 
 Although those mighty acts by me performed 
 Attested well that mission high imposed, 
 Yet I persuade me God will not reject 
 As traitorously his champion, but will still 
 Favor vouchsafe and strength, as times before, 
 To vindicate the glory of his name, 
 Whence now, if aught from presage be fore- 
 warned, 
 Or there be premonition in the mind, 
 This day shall be remarkable, or my last. 
 
 Cho. May God thy plea accept, his law dis- 
 pense, 
 For so he can, not we, and thy petition 
 Prosper ; though otherwise my thoughts por- 
 tend, 
 The anguish of my soul, and chief affliction. 
 Yet, what may some avail to raise thy mind, 
 Since wisest men no more have oft aspired 
 Than to the common good, by that regard 
 For which our country is esteemed so dear 
 Thou diest ; thus much of excellence and praise 
 Attaches to thy deed. Free choice thou hadst 
 To save thyself, hast chosen the better part, 
 Her safety, which, be sure, gains due regard, 
 The gratitude and thanks of all thy nation — 
 No small mark, if at glory thou hast aimed. 
 Let this appease thy mind, and thou the rather 
 Accept what fate, lest heavier on thyself 
 That deadlier curse, thy land's destruction, light. 
 Sams. I could be well content with that award 
 Which fame appoints to wait on virtuous deeds ; 
 But marked with brand of treason, and the stain 
 Of infamy upon my name pronounced, 
 No prize esteemed, yet must by me be held 
 Indifferent like ; glory and shame are one 
 
i 3 4 SAMSON HYBRISTES 
 
 To men who for their country's welfare strive ; 
 
 And like by me are held, and valued like, 
 
 So best accomplished that great work imposed, 
 
 For which my life bestowed, and willing offered. 
 
 But other reasons urge, and other thoughts. 
 
 For yonder she, of whom I drew to live, 
 
 Now droops, anguished, and spent, and quite sunk 
 
 down, 
 With sad forebodings fraught and seized with 
 
 tears, 
 So strong the mother in her works. Wherefore 
 Comfort and speak her fair ; omit no means 
 That wait on woman's gentler ministeries. 
 The man may draw his own strength from him- 
 self, 
 And of his own live to himself, secure 
 Through chance in life and change ; the woman 
 
 not, 
 But in man lives her best and happiest life, 
 At least his care requires and kindly aid. 
 
 Cho. Nourish thy hopes ; nor deem us so un- 
 grateful, 
 So lacking in the common decencies 
 Of life, which reverence to distress enjoin, 
 And most in woman solitary in grief, 
 As not to guard her care to extreme shift. 
 Sams. With cause thy words relieve me for 
 her welfare 
 Fraught with forboding fears. This makes 
 
 amends, 
 Somewhat, for your ingratitude that sends me, 
 Dishonored, shamed, disglorified, disprized, 
 A prey to cruel foes. Thus much assured, 
 More eased in mind and somewhat raised, I part. 
 Cho. For now thy time arrives ; the man re- 
 turns. 
 Her. Elders, the Ebrew Samson here I seek. 
 
SAMSON HYBRISTES 135 
 
 Cho. His fetters may inform him where he 
 
 stands. 
 Her. Samson, by this doubtless thou hast the 
 
 cause 
 Wherefore I come. Haste, therefore, and prepare 
 Thy journey. Hesitatest? Come without 
 Delay, or thou shall learn, and to thy cost, 
 We can find means to quench thy insolence. 
 Regard thyself, and school thee to consider 
 Whether of self thou comest, or, from thy place 
 By violence moved, trailed through your com- 
 mon streets 
 Like a wild beast, a gross indecency, 
 And one which for thy honor best were spared. 
 Sams. Thy thought and tongue at variance 
 
 plain are set. 
 Her. Prat'st thou so boldly now? Soon hast 
 
 thou cause 
 Justly to rue the insolence thou showest. 
 
 Sams. Threaten not how thou wilt, but, as 
 
 thou canst, 
 Do now ; so fair a chance comes not in haste. 
 Her. Dost thou already chafe ? I thought thee 
 
 tamed. 
 Yet ways enough under the yoke to tame 
 Even thy gamesome spirit. Thou shalt groan, 
 Loaden with chains, in Gaza's prison-house 
 Pent in dolorous dungeon, thy comrades 
 Gaunt slaves and asses, which thou shalt not see, 
 Thy eyes bored out — no woman then shall set 
 Those orbs agape! — disgraceful there to grind. 
 And still to anger more, oft shalt thou play 
 At our high festivals to make our mirth, 
 Abused, maltreated, to the multitude 
 A gross unpitied object gazed and scorned; 
 If thou art backward to obey, the worst 
 That torment can devise, scourgings and whips, 
 
136 SAMSON HYBRISTES 
 
 Racks, branding fire, and cold, the extremest 
 
 pains ; 
 Last, like a labored beast thy chance-fallen car- 
 cass 
 Stenching the common air, to die a death 
 Ignoble, unknown, unenvied, unavenged. 
 Sams. No terrors have thy threats to shake my 
 soul 
 Armed to endure, with firmest constancy, 
 The extremest ills on me thine can inflict. 
 Before have I considered, and the score 
 To the utmost will discharge, if God's high will 
 Demand, that heavy satisfaction, death. 
 But 1 persuade me God will not desert 
 Thus traitorously his champion, since his task 
 Yet unperformed, but strength will still vouch- 
 safe 
 To vindicate the glory of his name. 
 
 Her. Reckon not on thy God. Thee he no 
 more 
 Considers or regards, thus to permit 
 Thy kin to sieze, with all indignity, 
 And yield to alien foes, his foes as thine, 
 Besides, were he so minded, he could not 
 Assist thee, weaker found and less of force 
 Than Dagon and the gods by us adored 
 With trial of combat, when, in battle joined 
 For proof, your heads bowed down beneath our 
 
 spears ; 
 Not all your force sufficed, nor us subdued 
 That day, though Israel's fiercest might con- 
 tended 
 With the utmost of his deity seconded. 
 Cease then from hope, nor in thy fond expectance 
 Await deliverance destined ne'er to come ; 
 But rather principle thyself to bear 
 Whatever chance may fall, which I assert thee 
 
SAMSON HYBRISTES 137 
 
 Shall not be less than thy extremest thought. 
 
 Sams. Were not thy coat and person by con- 
 sent 
 Of custom sacred, what withholds my hand 
 To spare thy dastard life, and not at once 
 Buffet thy structure low, or, raised, dash down 
 To the hazard of thy head and ruined sides ? 
 So should it soon be known, in this attest 
 At least, whose god were stronger, thine or mine, 
 Or thus deserted found that champion raised, 
 By his high acts on thine avouched, as well 
 Of thy false words the contradiction proving. 
 
 Cho. Stir not, with vain breath of thy airy 
 threats, 
 The man's grim fires of wrath, already waked. 
 And, Samson, hear thou us, nor in thy anger 
 Give wisdom's rule to folly, as thy wont. 
 
 Sams. Elders, farewell and peace. Though ye 
 this day 
 To me have shown but scant respect, dishon- 
 oured 
 My plea, and held in all contempt, yet now 
 Only fair words and comfortable I speak. 
 Whate'er may come I arm me to endure 
 With constant resolution, and perhaps 
 I yet shall gain my chance by you withheld ; 
 For so is presage in my mind, at least. 
 As for this impudent boaster, o'er-assured 
 My ignominious life and shameful death, 
 Whether your force be dextrous to subdue 
 The power of Israel's God, to me vouchsafed 
 And manifested in my wondrous might, 
 Twixt thee and me the event must arbitrate. 
 
 Cho. O miserable change thou fallest upon, 
 Samson, though with might endued 
 More than the sons of men ! 
 So far presumption in thee wrought 
 
138 SAMSON HYBRISTES 
 
 To wrest, through pride, the laws of God ; 
 Yet so repentance moved may still 
 Re verse the solemn edict passed 
 That dooms thy meted punishment, 
 Though doubt much moves my tardy mind 
 If justice roused be thus appeased; 
 Which yet the sure event must arbitrate. 
 But who comes thus in heated haste, as far 
 He fared ? an Ebrew, sure, but not of ours. 
 
 Manoah. Elders and men of Judah, since to 
 me 
 Such were ye shown, behold one hither come 
 Supposing here to find a son and wife — 
 Since rumor thus gave out, hence then my guest 
 Directed — whom my tardy presence here 
 Seems not to find. Say, therefore, where to seek. 
 Yet lest relation thus declare me not, 
 Nor serve acquaintance, since my place not 
 
 known, 
 I am of Zorah, Manoah is my name. 
 But after knowledge gained, thus clear of doubt, 
 Why guard ye silence, and with asking looks 
 ( raze each on other, without uttered speech? 
 
 Cho. Then learn thy son's reproach, the worst 
 that ever 
 Could have befallen him and his father's house, 
 Because he hath broken the law of God express 
 By alien wedlock, which our statutes ban, 
 And by his impious acts peril on us 
 Induced from our dread lords, the Philistines, 
 Therefore have we, and no dispraise to us. 
 Delivered him bound with bonds into their hand. 
 Of what hath fallen him notice yet is none; 
 But doubtless he by this hath paid his score 
 And satisfied the extreme of their revenge 
 In pains and penalties inflicted on him. 
 
 Man. O miserable hope ! was this that trust 
 
SAMSON HYBRISTES 139 
 
 I had conceived as fits a father's love 
 
 And care? Why was I mocked with specious 
 
 good, 
 As of a gift bestowed desirable, 
 Yet in the end discerned drawing a sting? 
 Is this that just requittal of my faith 
 That prayed a son, and gained, and such a son, 
 Purposed by Heaven's attest to our deliverance ? 
 Yet now himself deliverance most hath need, 
 Incapable and vain against his foes. 
 Alas, if such their import when received, 
 Such gifts, it seems, were best withheld, not giv- 
 en. 
 But cancel now in part this grief with joy, 
 Fair tidings of my wife and hope, or must 
 Thou add to this hard sum another score 
 Of woe more grievous still to satisfy? 
 
 Cho. Ah, Manoah, it irks me sore to say 
 The heavy tidings, which thou yet must bear ; 
 Yet summon now thy most of man the worst 
 Of grief to learn that e'er thy ear shall strike. 
 Thy wife, when she had known the sad relation. 
 Which thou but late hast learned, quite spent 
 
 through grief, 
 Sunk down with sense distraught, whence some 
 
 have borne her 
 Unto a house hard by, where still she lies ; 
 Her state, or life or death, I cannot say. 
 Yet never shroud in silence thus thy face 
 With mantled robe, but give thy grief to speech, 
 Lest with too rude irruption burst thy heart. 
 Man. Ay me, the worst! God's favor thus 
 withdrawn 
 And face, how shall I fear to pass my days ? 
 Why should I longer live, since life prolonged 
 Insures but' added grief and more remorse? 
 Death now inherits all my hopes conceived 
 
140 SAMSON HYBRISTES 
 
 Of barren joy and fond expectancj . 
 
 Vain all and fruitless; wherefore let him now 
 
 Seize on me also, since desire is gone 
 
 Of life bereft and solitary thus. 
 Yet I would be resolved the worst ; for still 
 The half woo lies in the uncertainty. 
 Though of my son can tidings be hut ill, 
 Hope still would hope, and faith would fain be- 
 lieve. 
 But let me hence, and learn what chance attends 
 My wife, in strait distress by your report. 
 Trie man, where dangers or dishonors press, 
 Nobliest and needliesl by the woman stays. 
 And from or with her guards or shares the worst. 
 
 Cho. Hold, for 1 hither speeding to thy wish 
 Discern who may report thy son with news. 
 Ebrezu Messenger. O miserable sight these eyes 
 beheld, 
 And still behold, and miserable to hear 
 The ruinous noise that yet peals on my ears ! 
 So lively still imagination shows, 
 And fancy, the dread horror late I passed, 
 But accident, or instinct, or some chance, 
 Seems to have led me hither back again 
 To you, my countrymen, though how scarce 
 
 known, 
 Who doubtless also heard, the noise so dire. 
 Cho. Nothing we heard, except thy rueful out- 
 cry, 
 From whose loud tumult comes no perfect wit- 
 ness 
 Of what remarkably hath late been done ; 
 Though from thy aspect thus much we infer, 
 That aught unusual hath happened late, 
 Which we must gain of thee, if still we learn. 
 Ebrew Mes. If I shall truly say what late I 
 saw, 
 
SAMSON HYBRISTES 141 
 
 Doubtful report will contradict belief. 
 
 Cho. Set forth thy news at once, whatever 
 known. 
 No hesitation needs ; belief will weigh 
 Thy tidings, after due relation heard. 
 
 Ebrew Mes. Which thus far ask report, though 
 hard to think, 
 That all the host of Philistines is fallen. 
 
 Cho. Fallen, and by whom? Since never of 
 themselves 
 Fell such a host, nor yet by all our force. 
 
 Ebrew Mes. Then learn, though little credence 
 gain and faith, 
 At Samson's mighty hand they met their doom. 
 
 Cho. Little indeed, since late these eyes beheld 
 His bonds of death. Yet still, if truth thou sayst, 
 Proceed, relate the fact how it befell. 
 
 Ebrew Mes. Know, therefore, when our cham- 
 pion parted hence 
 By order of our lords to satisfy 
 For us and our awarded forfeiture 
 Redeem, that I obscurely fared aloof, 
 Not, though in danger, thus to be detered 
 That I might know the end of this sad day. 
 But not far ; for, with earliest glimpse of dawn 
 Removed his camp, the Philistine had bent 
 With hastened expedition through the bounds 
 To Judah portioned, weening to overpower 
 Our faint surprise ; and, with hot haste disdain- 
 ing 
 Order and rank, his gross adventurous bands 
 Now with high noon drew to our city nigh. 
 And soon, near in the south, first met our view 
 A fierce array of aspect battailous, 
 The banded powers of Caphtor hastening on, 
 Both horse and foot, archers and slingers, spears, 
 The choice and flower of their chivalry 
 
142 SAMSON HYBRISTES 
 
 Met from all parts to this great task, who straight 
 Assembled stood at sight of their grand foe 
 Bound, and so tame, delivered into their hand ; 
 Whom when they saw, they raised a mighty shout 
 Against him, as when thunder speaks from Heav- 
 en. 
 Roused by the sound, Samson upheaved his head 
 With eyes uplift, as one who prayed, till then 
 Upon the ground fast-fixed, as in despair, 
 Or meditating some great purpose high. 
 And ere he scarce had raised them, when behold, 
 The Spirit of God fell on him, and each orb 
 Shot fire, as lightning glares from justling clouds, 
 That withered all their strength and vigor 
 
 drained. 
 Then from those mighty arms the binding cords 
 Parted, as touched with flame. On their whole 
 
 host 
 He drove, with trivial weapon armed, the jaw 
 Of a dead ass, which, in that glorious hand 
 Fallen swift with tempest on his enemies, 
 Slew largely of their chief and choicest youth. 
 Chill horror froze their spirits ; down idly drop- 
 ped 
 Their weapons, vain resistance were they raised ; 
 He, over helmed heads and dead prostrate 
 Fierce rushing, without let or hindrance slew, 
 None daring opposition, all amaze, 
 Such mighty execution wrought, and fear, 
 The sword and wrath of Samson on his foes 
 Strook with dismay, despaired, spiritless, fallen. 
 So ranged our mighty champion through their 
 
 host; 
 So fixed, so trembling, so of vigor drained, 
 A thousand foreskins fell, their flower and prime. 
 Man. Come, thou; no cause for lamentation 
 here, 
 
SAMSON HYBRISTES 143 
 
 Far less occasion. Samson like himself 
 Himself hath quit, and vindicated quite 
 His Heaven-attested mission ; on his enemies 
 Defeat hath wrought, dishonor, fear, and shame; 
 To Israel hath brought freedom, so but they 
 Seize the occasion, cause of still further woe 
 Upon our foes. Gaza in all her gates 
 Deplores the rued attempt, for which shall rise 
 Mourning and lamentation through the bounds 
 Of Caphtor, and in Asdod, and in Gath, 
 Among the daughters of the Philistines ; 
 For never hath so dire a stroke befallen them, 
 Since Israel first bowed beneath his yoke. 
 Nothing wants now to joy, but that my wife, 
 The associate and auxiliar of my hope, 
 Share in these tidings glad and common mirth ; 
 To whose dear side sad duty still enjoins me, 
 So in my son's concern too much remiss. 
 
 Cho. All is of God, though oft with doubt 
 Is Heavenly disposition dark, 
 Aiming at ends unsearchable ; 
 Yet not amiss against its mark 
 His counsel flies, how distant far; 
 As now for us, whose chance hath proved 
 Happy, and that his high intent 
 Good out of evil brings forth still ; 
 The event the purpose vindicates. 
 
SAMSON BLINDED 
 
 THE ARGUMENT 
 
 Samson, having espoused and wedded Dalila, a 
 woman of the Philistines, in the vale of Sorec, is 
 earnestly importuned by her to reveal the secret 
 of his strength ; which he for some time refuses to 
 do, putting her off either by pretense or by abso- 
 lute denial. Meanwhile he chances to be visited 
 by certain young men of the tribe of Dan — who 
 make the chorus — as their former custom was, 
 resorting to him for converse ; and afterward by 
 his father, Manoah, who, under premonition of 
 danger, warns Samson of evil to befall him from 
 Dalila; which warning Samson scorns. Shortly 
 after, Samson departs under pretense of some 
 onset or act upon the Philistines that shall com- 
 plete the deliverance of Israel. Then enters Da- 
 lila to the chorus, inquiring for Samson, and, af- 
 ter some conversation, endeavoring his secret, 
 which they refuse; whereupon Dalila, repeating 
 her determination to succeed in her quest, goes 
 out. Shortly after, Manoah again appears, with 
 anxiety for Samson, having seen some Philistine 
 liers-in-wait ; and is still more troubled to learn 
 of Dalila's attempt upon the chorus to gain the 
 secret. While in suspense as to what should be 
 done, a messenger, an Ebrew, enters, relating 
 what hath befallen Samson ; who is soon brought 
 in, his eyes put out, in bonds, a prisoner to the 
 Philistines; Dalila afterward appears also, and 
 seeks reconciliation, but is rejected with scorn, 
 and then withdraws, glorying in her deceit; 
 whereupon the chorus seek to comfort Samson 
 what they can, that, less in despair, he is led away, 
 a captive, to Gaza : and the drama concludes. 
 
THE PERSONS 
 
 Samson 
 
 Manoah, father to Samson. 
 
 Messenger. 
 
 Dalila, his wife. 
 
 Chorus of Danite Youths. 
 
 Servant. 
 
 Public Officer. 
 
 The Scene : Dalila' s house, in the vale of Sorec. 
 
SAMSON BLINDED 
 
 Dalila. Once more with doubtful hope and wav- 
 ering purpose, 
 Although my oft repulse contrary warn 
 And promise like went, if I persist, 
 Samson, once more, ere lastly thou pronounce, 
 Let me renew my pleaded suit, imploring 
 That secret thou refusedst to impart 
 At my solicitation, wondering much 
 Of thy so strange refusal, for to me 
 Thou mayest with safety, as to thyself, reveal, 
 Since I on thee no advantage could presume, 
 The partner of my soul and other self, 
 In whom I live my life, without thee not, 
 But to no end exist, and days prolong. 
 With fruitless purpose. If, as to me thou sayest, 
 Thou lov'st me yet, dost hold me yet endeared 
 Thy wife, esteem'st me yet and cherishest ; 
 Thou wilt not longer my request defer, 
 But wilt reveal what I so long have sought. 
 Wherein thy strength consists and safety placed, 
 Thy capital secret held, and citadel 
 Which I with constant hope so long have tried, 
 Yet vainly to my sorrow, thus assuring, 
 Beyond a shadow of doubt, thy heart sincere, 
 And trust in me reposed faithful, approved, 
 The solace and sure seal of this our love. 
 For, where twixt faith of wedded man and wife 
 Some secret stands, no perfect union joins, 
 But discord, fear, suspicion, lastly hate, 
 That all their fair domestic peace confounds. 
 If thou canst use me thus, thy wife esteemed 
 And dear delight, as thou hast oft professed, 
 Thou lov'st me not, and but in scorn dost hold 
 
 me, 
 As thou didst fear me false, or over-fond, 
 So to reveal, and thus thine anger assured, 
 Thy wrath, thy scorn, displeasure, if revealed 
 147 
 
148 SAMSON BLINDED 
 
 The secret of thy safety and thy life. 
 
 Samson. Not that I trust thee not, or fear thee 
 
 false, 
 Disloyal to thy faith and fealty sworn, 
 Have I refused thee, and still refuse, though 
 
 such 
 Might well be warned, as easily not surprised, 
 By first experience. Did not she of Timna 
 Betray her solemn trust and solemn faith, 
 When in her prime of spousal love professed 
 She basely to my spies and rivals gave 
 The imparted secret, on whose issue hung not 
 The hazard of my safety and my life, 
 As here depending? She, with like assurance 
 Of wifely love to me and faith maintained, 
 Yet scrupled not, hard pressed and sore beset, 
 Basely my secret for her gain to barter, 
 O'ercome by mastering importunity. 
 Not, therefore, that I fear thy false intent 
 Do I refuse thee ; but I fear thy weakness, 
 Lest, in like case of sore beseting need, 
 Not willingly, perhaps ; but for thy life, 
 Whose loss at moments even the bravest fears, 
 Or in a time when unprepared, which all, 
 The best, most principled with good, have felt, 
 Thou also, with like error, do what thou, 
 Or armed with wonted virtue, or by knowledge 
 Made stronger, never couldst consent to do. 
 Nor should I, as thy husband, thus expose 
 Thy virtue to temptation, that assails 
 Unsought ; trial enough, be sure, will come, 
 Without thy seeking, to approve thy faith, 
 Which will require thy utmost to oppose, 
 And not by curious knowledge to divide 
 That strength, to thee for other use imparted. 
 So shall I best my love to thee approve 
 By love maintained from trial unsecure, 
 
SAMSON BLINDED 149 
 
 Not by indulgence weak to work thy fall, 
 Or, at the least, confusion somewhat raise, 
 Which might our peace and household faith con- 
 found. 
 Nor does thy happiness upon that knowledge 
 Depend ; thy love sincere to me remains 
 Without that secret, which revealed might raise 
 Trouble, which raised thou wouldst avoid, yet 
 
 raised 
 Would work perhaps what thou would'st vainly 
 
 repent ; 
 Seek not then what cannot thy happiness 
 Increase, but might diminish, or destroy 
 Our love ; which to maintain should be thy care. 
 Dal. Deny me not thus, Samson, not thy wont, 
 Who still thy thoughts to me art used to impart, 
 My solace and sole comfort, since to thee 
 United from my nation cuts me off, 
 By this degraded, as they hold, to thee, 
 Of race inferior, joined ; though joined to thee 
 Assures me not the favor yet of thine, 
 Who evermore repulse my friendly motions, 
 Jealous of thee perhaps and of my love, 
 Whereof good proof to thee that day I gave, 
 When I against my country and my faith 
 (For so the priest rang ever in my ear, 
 Preaching how impious to my country's gods 
 It would be to espouse an enemy, 
 Our fiercest, most inveterate, who had slain 
 Such numbers of our nation and the flower) 
 Received thee for my husband, loved thee, served 
 
 thee 
 In all good faith, and still thy welfare seek, 
 Would still in quiet love, with thee would live, 
 My highest happiness and peace accounted, 
 Asking thee only to approve thy faith 
 As mine to thee, by yielding this last proof, 
 
150 SAMSON BLINDED 
 
 This secret that divorces me from thee, 
 Still separates our union, mine from thine, 
 Whose heart entire I covet, nor would share, 
 Except against my will, with aught ; repulse 
 No longer her so long who justly sues. 
 Sams. With sorrow I refuse thee ; and could 
 wish 
 Some other question of my love, some proof 
 Whose surety I could readily vouchsafe, 
 Thou wouldst prefer, and not thus constant urge 
 So hard my secret, the one citadel 
 I must not yield, too long, if without rudeness 
 I may presume, too long by thee assailed ; 
 Thy importunity too far hath borne thee 
 Against thy constant service and thy love. 
 Desist, then, to prefer thy oft request. 
 That must, if too far urged, but more divide 
 Division, and the rupture slight increase. 
 
 Dal. If such thy purpose, then in vain I have 
 sought 
 To heal our wounded love, and have but widened, 
 Though to my sorrow and grief — more than to 
 
 thine, 
 I fear, since ever so the woman feels 
 The most, and suffers most love's parting pain ; 
 Rut suffering can bear and silent hide 
 Her sorrow and heart-grief; and I no less 
 Will suffer, as I loved, with due regard 
 That no extreme be known, howe'er the smart ; 
 To bear without complaint is woman's lot, 
 And silently endure her chiefest praise. 
 But see ! for yonder through the shade discerned 
 A youthful troop steering this way their steps ; 
 Perhaps thy friends, who for thy wished con- 
 verse 
 Are wont to come ; whom fitly to receive 
 Thou must with favor meet, and I retire. 
 
SAMSON BLINDED 151 
 
 Cho. This, this is whom we sought, 
 The dread invincible of Israel's foes, 
 The glory of his nation and the boast, 
 With matchless might endued 
 And heavenly vigor armed, 
 Whose dread heroic might, 
 Now blazed and famous through remotest bounds 
 
 of earth, 
 No ode, or choicest lyric song, 
 Or storied legend told in lofty verse, 
 Can to the height of his true worth exalt, 
 Crowning his name with universal praises. 
 Semi-cho. For first, his flowering youth yet 
 
 scarcely blown 
 And virtue yet unapproved, 
 With strenuous might he slew 
 The solitary beast that wons in wild, 
 Tearing him, as the lion tears the kid. 
 
 Semi-cho. Then, to avenge the riddle's dastard 
 
 stealth 
 And wagered forfeit redeem, 
 Thirty, the flower and choice of Ascalon, he slew, 
 Alone, and without aid 
 Armed in himself complete, 
 Scorning their weapons proud and martial tools. 
 Semi-cho. Then, for his wrested bride and 
 
 faith profaned, 
 Upon his hapless foes, 
 Surprised, distract, amazed, 
 Weaponless and unarmed he singly fell, 
 Though clad in mail they stood, proudly secure 
 Of him whose dreaded might and wondrous force 
 They sought to o'erthrow ; 
 But contrary wrought their shame, 
 When on their battled might 
 His anger with impetuous fury smote, 
 And quelled their pride. 
 
152 SAMSON BLINDED 
 
 Semi-cho. Then, armed with trivial weapon 
 largely slew 
 The choice and prime of their Philistine youth 
 In Ramath-Lechi, where the bidden spring 
 With kindly rupture burst from the dry ground, 
 After the brunt of battle, to allay 
 His thirst, and virtue restore. 
 
 Semi-cho. Then on his shoulders took, 
 And by main strength upbare, 
 The massy gates of Gaza, post and door, 
 No trivial burden borne, or distance passed, 
 Toward Hebron, ancient seat of Anakim. 
 
 Cho. Where shall I first extol 
 Thy dread heroic might, 
 With plain celestial fortitude adorned, 
 And heavenly vigor armed, 
 Worthiest all renown and highest glory? 
 For thee I reckon chiefest in estate, 
 Whose strength by Heaven endued 
 And wondrous might bestowed, 
 By wondrous acts expressed and wondrous deeds, 
 The miracle of men, 
 
 Declare their doer's worth, and highest tell 
 His fame and loftiest praises. 
 
 Sams. Your presence, friends, is kindly ; for I 
 gain 
 Now by experience dear how current runs 
 The coin debased of friendship counterfeit. 
 For not, as once they used, hither resort 
 Frequent my friends for oft converse, where from 
 I drew fresh virtue, vigor new derived, 
 To work my mighty mission. Tell me, comrades, 
 Whence is this falling off, this strange defection, 
 No ancient enmity or new offense 
 Between us known? Why am I slighted thus, 
 Cut off from all my nation, disavowed 
 As sprung of hated stock idolatrous, 
 
SAMSON BLINDED 153 
 
 Or held unclean ? Other return is due 
 
 For those great acts which God by me hath 
 
 wrought 
 Upon our conquerors ; gratitude and thanks 
 And no small praise better beseem than thus 
 Neglected and discarded, as though held 
 Alien, outcast, uncircumcised, despised. 
 
 Cho. Be not offended, Samson, if plainly set 
 The reason, which perhaps, though hard to hear, 
 May work thy remedy, since apt words, though 
 
 harsh, 
 Unpalatable, ungrateful, undesirable, 
 Yet, spoken with sincere intent, as herbs 
 Bitter to the taste, but healing of effect, 
 Oft medicine and alleviate the ill ; 
 For, to say truth, men deem thee fallen away 
 To our oppressors, since thy hated wedlock, 
 Now twice-repeated, which persuades the more, 
 Forbidden with the uncircumcised to join, 
 Argues no longer thee of ours esteemed, 
 Or over-proud toward us to condescend. 
 Much wonder have I felt, and often heard, 
 That thus thou hast twice espoused an infidel, 
 Uncircumcised, unclean, unceremonial, 
 So main against thy God and country's law ; 
 The more that sad event in nuptial choice 
 And lot unfortunate might well deter 
 Thee from attempting what so near thy ruin 
 Once wrought, thus hardly from the snare es- 
 caped. 
 Sams. Doubtful it seems, I own ; yet still must 
 plead, 
 My sole extenuation and excuse, 
 Divine impulsion prompting me to find 
 Some cause upon our foes that might redeem 
 Our hated yoke. For not through fondest love, 
 Vanquished by passion weak, have I urged on 
 
154 SAMSON BLINDED 
 
 The former marriage, or this second joined ; 
 But that I might my mission prosecute, 
 To free my nation from Philistine yoke, 
 The task divine on me enjoined from Heaven ; 
 My own advantage weighed not, what might best 
 Serve my own end of pleasure, thus conjoined 
 With her who had my wished destruction plan- 
 ned, 
 And once had well nigh wrought ; but I escaped 
 Her snare, when she, my former, basely sold 
 My secret to those bridal spies and rivals, 
 Who sought my undermining, but their own 
 Achieved, importunate of death, and rash, 
 When I on them fierce vengeance executed 
 For violated oath and right profaned. 
 Nor in this other seems more faith, who urges 
 Against denial to besiege the secret 
 Wherein my seal of strength and safety placed. 
 Now thrice, with blandishment and woman's 
 
 tears, 
 She hath essayed me, summoning all her wiles 
 And feminine allurements, sly assaults ; 
 And thrice have refused her, thrice withstood 
 Her wordy batteries, to idle sport 
 Turning her utmost importunity. 
 By she, by all her failure undetered, 
 Though better taught by ill successes past, 
 Surceases not to storm me day nor night 
 With her assaults, out-watched and over-worn, 
 Adjuring me by all the ties of love. 
 And ties of wedlock duty, nuptial faith, 
 Professing first my duty wanting to her 
 And her great love toward me, then threatening 
 
 high 
 To leave me, if I refuse, as more with me 
 To live no pleasure, since my passion cooled 
 And trust in her destroyed, or undermined 
 
SAMSON BLINDED 155 
 
 At least, thus nicely or thus cautiously 
 
 Her suit denied. Thus she assaults me sore 
 
 Now this fourth time, and stronger the assault — 
 
 But vainly, since I never will reveal, 
 
 Thus impiously and weakly, the strict pledge 
 
 And vow inviolate, wherein reposed 
 
 The surety of my safety and my life. 
 
 Cho. Wisely hast thou determined, wisely held 
 Though urged, thy bosom-purpose ; since before, 
 And often, wisest men have been deceived 
 By some bad woman, once in wedlock joined, 
 Or, over- fond, reposing firm their trust, 
 Thinking no evil where no evil seemed, 
 Or holding cheap the peril of woman's power 
 To frustrate, or divert, or undermine 
 Their inmost counsels. Well hast thou once come 
 
 off, 
 Hast once escaped the toils, though to thy cost, 
 The wonder thus of many that again 
 Thou set'st thy feet so near a second snare. 
 
 Sams. Unduly are they moved, and for my 
 welfare 
 Too far concerned, who ever have left off 
 To follow, where I led them first the way 
 That guides to freedom; which they, over cau- 
 tious, 
 Or loving more their lives than liberty, 
 Servitude more than generous liberty — 
 Hard liberty and easy servitude — 
 Neglect, and like despise that champion raised 
 To their deliverance ; whom, if he aught begin 
 They will suspect, and envy, and desert, 
 Holding my glorious actions in contempt, 
 Though destined their deliverance foretold, 
 And on my task heaping inglorious shame. 
 Yet had they, when I motioned first our freedom, 
 Joined with me then, or later as I moved, 
 
156 SAMSON BLINDED 
 
 We had long since possessed the gates of Gath, 
 
 And lorded over those we now obey. 
 
 Wherefor let them now serve, who have rejected 
 
 Offered assistance thrice, and be themselves 
 
 Sufficient to themselves, if they suffice 
 
 To gain their freedom scorned, since they from 
 
 me 
 Refused that glorious boon. For me refused 
 Means what but God refused, whose purpose high 
 Endured my strenuous might and vigor gave, 
 His counsels scorned, and him, not me, despised, 
 His covenant rejected, and those gods, 
 Whom meanly now they serve, to him prefered ? 
 Just cause of wrath and their deserving sin. 
 
 Cho. Dark are the minds of men, 
 And darkly endued 
 
 Their counsels, struck insensate or depraved, 
 To wrath divine given over, 
 And by their folly drawn to their own hurt, 
 With sight internal dark, 
 When on their hapless heads, 
 Defenseless left, or struck with sense deject, 
 Surprised, bereft, amazed, 
 God visits all his might and vents his wrath 
 In tempests of fierce destruction. 
 
 Yet they not more instruct, but preserve 
 To evil, though God oft of favor warn 
 By prodigies and signs of portent, visioned 
 
 dreams, 
 Seeking to make acquainted his high purpose ; 
 Until his anger waked 
 And patience quite o'er-passed, 
 Deserted and depraved, to ill given over, 
 On ruin they strike, 
 Wrecking their vessel gloriously given from 
 
 above, 
 And partly their faith affect, 
 
SAMSON BLINDED 157 
 
 Haply they make not shipwreck of their lives. 
 
 Else had not been, except his counsel served, 
 Those visitings of wrath, and fierce avenging 
 
 stroke 
 Of servitude beneath our cruel foes, 
 Nor thus our expectation fair prolonged 
 With sure deliverance offered, 
 Nor we so long unsuccored 
 Under a hateful yoke, abject, despised, 
 Though chosen once to rule 
 The land where now we serve. 
 
 But we his easy government forsook, 
 And, joined with idols foul, 
 Provoked his righteous wrath, 
 Whose instant stroke denounced, though oft de- 
 layed, 
 Hath now o'erwhelmed ; 
 Yet, pitying our sad plight 
 And lost undone estate, 
 Many a mighty champion oft he raised 
 To our deliverance ; 
 
 Yet we received them not, nor yet sincere 
 Repented of our sin, but God contemned, 
 Which more increased our shame, 
 And wrought our deeper woe, 
 To lowest pitch of object misery fallen. 
 
 But see ! for hither bent in haste, 
 As on some purposed errand bound, 
 Thy father, Manoah, comes ; 
 Whose here intent, if friendly or adverse, 
 The sure event will inform us. 
 
 Man. Samson, before and oft have I essayed 
 thee, 
 And urged thee hard with deeds which thou main- 
 
 tainedst 
 Not will, but strong impulsion, set thee on, 
 Though to thy own undoing ; but thou didst plead 
 
158 SAMSON BLINDED 
 
 Divine permission given thee from above 
 With purpose to infest our grievous foes, 
 That thou might'st work Israel's deliverance, 
 The task whereto thou wast ordained by Heav- 
 en. 
 Yet the outcome never hath approved thy plea, 
 But contrary warned thee to desist those acts 
 Sinful by law pronounced, and in the end 
 Causing thy grief and shame, and to thy foes 
 Occasion to their triumph, though thy might 
 Hath changed their harm, the ruling will of 
 
 Heaven. 
 Nor in thy marriage choices hath appeared 
 Other ; but, contrary to our law express, 
 Unschooled in prudence aught, in life unskilled 
 Secure, to passion giving headlong rein, 
 Thou didst espouse and wed an infidel, 
 An alien to our race and thence forbid, 
 Whence all thy ills have sprung and grievous 
 
 woes ; 
 Nor in thy second choosing hast been warned 
 Aught by thy first, but joined her like, or worse, 
 Whence ruin must needs ensue and still worse 
 
 harms. 
 Yet came I not with purpose to upbraid thee 
 For thy default and sin, rather to warn, 
 Lest in thy thought sufficient some worse thing 
 Some way or other yet further to annoy thee 
 Might rise, and thou, not warned, careless might 
 
 fall; 
 Not that I know undoubted, or have gained 
 By hearsay or report, for seldom come 
 Such to my ears, but, if aught presage warn, 
 Or there be premonition in the mind, 
 Some harm or grievous ill impends upon thee, 
 Which haply thy foreknowing might prevent, 
 Or, warned and thus aware, thou might'st escape. 
 
SAMSON BLINDED 159 
 
 Wilt thou, then, be advised, or, unaware, 
 Continue, till at length in ruin fallen? 
 
 Sams. That danger may impend surprises not, 
 And from what foe or source not far to learn ; 
 For, since my mighty acts upon our foes 
 Performed, they have not ceased to seek my harm. 
 But I have still escaped, have still maintained 
 Entire my strength, have kept my secret whole 
 And fortress safe, by oft surprisal tried 
 And oft attempt. Hence admonition warns not 
 Or danger or from whom it may arise. 
 Yet for thy kindly interest in my welfare, 
 Not often now expressed or often shown, 
 Think me not so ungrateful, lost to shame, 
 As not to feel some stirrings of regard 
 For my behoof ; though, as thou seest, not needed 
 Anxiety or fear for my concern. 
 
 Man. Be not too careless, over-confident, 
 Secure in thy own knowledge, thy own strength, 
 But let another's judgment, not thy own, 
 Sway, or at least assist thy purpose formed ; 
 For thus becomes the office of a friend, 
 To warn, admonish, still reprove, though harsh 
 Often reproof or admonition given; 
 Yet so to avoid offence, if without harm 
 May be avoided, as I doubt if now. 
 For I express am come and for this purpose, 
 To warn thee of this woman thou hast joined 
 To be thy wife, and to admonish thee 
 Of danger, if thou longer preservere 
 With her to live, and not at once shall leave ; 
 Sorrowful, if offence by this must come 
 Between us, but no less this to endure, 
 Or worse, if worse there be that may arise, 
 Contented only if at last I win thee 
 To thy true good and welfare, as I aim. 
 
 Sams. Thy warning I repulse not, but receive, 
 
160 SAMSON BLINDED 
 
 For so in kindness meant, yet follow not ; 
 
 Since, to myself myself sufficient deemed 
 
 And now to proper age arrived, I yield not 
 
 Unduly to another, but myself 
 
 Regard, and follow what to me deemed right. 
 
 But, though thy labor useless, yet not lost, 
 
 Since never lost the act of kindly intent. 
 
 Yet that I ever will desert the wife 
 
 Myself have joined, and still have held endeared, 
 
 Still cherished, loved, esteemed, thou mayest not 
 
 think, 
 Since other counsel, other act, becomes 
 The virtuous husband, whom though his wife he 
 
 love not, 
 While faithful she remains, due right demands 
 And faith sincere constrains he should receive 
 And cherish, still should foster, nor desert, 
 But still his wife consider loved, endeared. 
 Man. Of those our law forbids not, women 
 
 found 
 Of our own tribe or nation, sentence holds ; 
 But this, of alien stock derived, adjudged 
 Uncircumcised, unclean, unceremonial, 
 Not only not enjoined, but straitly forbid, 
 To wed, or wedded cleave to, her no law 
 Commands thee still to keep, with her to live, 
 Rather forbids thee not ; no reason then 
 Why thou shouldst longer love, or with her live ; 
 The more, because thy enemy accounted 
 And sprung of heathen stock, our foe professed, 
 Warns thee the rather now to null those bonds 
 Which may, if I mistake not, work thy ruth. 
 Nor is opinion only to my cause. 
 Already she hath tried thee, tasted, sought 
 To undermine thy welfare by obtaining 
 Thy secret in her power ; and that thou 
 Was proof against her argues not the less 
 
SAMSON BLINDED 161 
 
 Her wicked act, solicitous attempt 
 To work thy ruin, nor assures that thou 
 More than thy former will refuse to her 
 The object of her importunity ; 
 Thy weakness, if may without reproach 
 Remind thee, as thou knowest, too nearly wrought 
 Thy ruin once, against my warning pled 
 When thou didst persevere and headlong join 
 That woman, who confusion to thee brought 
 And wished thy harm. Nor deem this other else, 
 Or seeking more thy good, howe'er she descant 
 Of wifely duty, wifely love and faith. 
 Be warned, then, while in time thou mayest, be- 
 fore 
 The threatened ruin fall, and thou repent 
 Too late, when thou receiv'st what once thou hadst 
 scorned. 
 Sams. That thou believ'st some danger threat- 
 ens near 
 I well can think, yet cannot all receive 
 What thou so main hast urged, or false or fond 
 The woman I have joined to be my wife ; 
 For, though thy reasons from our law hold good 
 And capable in ordinary, yet here, 
 Where God hath prompted, urged the act express, 
 With purpose to redeem his chosen people 
 From servitude, they argue not my sin, 
 Thus with the uncircumcised in wedlock joined, 
 Nor urging to invalidate or null 
 The bonds of spousal faith conjoined, though here 
 With one of race by law forbid, nor lastly 
 So to desert, on nothing proved thus grounding 
 Some faint suspicion had of ill or harm 
 Offered by whom such first from me prevented. 
 But grant thy reasons good, and that to me 
 Danger impends, if I reveal the secret 
 Wherein my safety placed and life secure, 
 
162 SAMSON BLINDED 
 
 No peril yet impends, while I hold fast 
 My fixed determination not to yield, 
 Not to divulge by word or motioned act, 
 Nor by expression aught betray, thus fond, 
 The fortress of my silence to a woman, 
 Wherein my safety garrisoned and life. 
 And this thou mayest with more assurance have, 
 Because I, once essayed, escaped the snare, 
 Which warns me, and the warning well received, 
 Never to trust nor to another give, 
 Although my wife sincere and true accounted, 
 What by myself best known. Herein if I 
 Persist, what danger or what harm can threat 
 While I remain but faithful to myself? 
 
 Man. I praise thy resolution, while I fear 
 Thy former weakness to the mastering charms 
 Of powerful beauty. Virtue is safest untried, 
 But liable to fall, proudly secure ; 
 Nor loses aught her worth, if but discretion, 
 Her best ally, she grapple and hold fast — 
 For to avoid is better than escape 
 The danger, and the more assurance gives 
 Of safety, valorous, yet found discreet — 
 But entered in the toils, and once entangled, 
 Finds hard escape. Nor canst thou, once em- 
 broiled, 
 Gain hope or respite that thy nation roused 
 To thy deliverance will afford thee aid, 
 The less, that, when thou stood'st in height of 
 
 fame, 
 Full of magnanimous instincts, high thoughts, 
 After some acts of proof indeed heroic 
 And favor shown upon thy ways by Heaven, 
 Thence by such proof and favor shown impeled 
 To work thy country's freedom, they the sooner, 
 Or false, or over-fond, or impotent, 
 Resigned thee to thy foes, who had demanded 
 
SAMSON BLINDED 163 
 
 The satisfaction of thy life for deeds 
 Which thou by express appointment hadst per- 
 formed 
 For their behoof who traitorously yielded 
 Thee to those cruel enemies provoked 
 By those same acts which rightly viewed had 
 
 wrought 
 Allies to aid thy task enjoined from Heaven. 
 Then since thou for thy own behoof must stand 
 Sufficient to thyself, and of thy own 
 Live to thyself, the livelier reason bids 
 That caution thou conjoin with hardihood, 
 Lest unawares thou work thyself much harm 
 By weak dependence placed where none is found. 
 Nor this alone. Thy mission high asserted, 
 To wrest thy nation from Philistine yoke, 
 Delayed or quite forgot, thou long forgoest, 
 Since long indeed the time thy last assault 
 Humbled their high-built pride, and dashed their 
 
 hope 
 To frustrate, or destroy, or render naught 
 That mighty strength on the endued from Heav- 
 en — 
 To other purpose given and other end 
 Than to sit weakly on the household hearth 
 In luxury and slothfulness and ease, 
 Thus vassal to a woman, in the toils 
 Of amorous snare, the wonder and reproach 
 Of all thy kindred, all thy nation slaved, 
 Whom thou wast sent expressly to redeem, 
 And to thy foes contemned a gaze and scorn. 
 Whence some have fallen away to our dread lords 
 And joined their worship foul, by thee seduced 
 And bad example drawn, thus diffident 
 Leaving their Living Strength, enough before 
 Given to waver and fall off to idols. 
 
164 SAMSON BLINDED 
 
 Sams. Whole to myself I well can live, nor 
 ask, 
 Nor need, their godless aid who have rejected, 
 More traitorously than I, that covenant 
 Between Jehovah joined and Israel's sons, 
 Expressly joined. Nor shall I sorrow aught, 
 Nor aught repine or dread, if I shall live 
 Sufficient from my own, and from myself 
 Draw my own strength, sufficient while I keep 
 My vow inviolate and locks unshorn. 
 Nor have I held my mission light, despised ; 
 But thrice our heads and governors of tribes 
 Have slighted, or neglected, or opposed 
 My high attempts to break the cruel yoke 
 Under which now they chafe, forgetful thus 
 That those who aim at freedom and essay 
 Deliverance from a hated servitude 
 Themselves must first their inward freedom work, 
 Before their outward liberty attained. 
 Hence they deserve naught else but to obey 
 With painful servitude those cruel lords 
 Who have enslaved them, since themselves not 
 
 free, 
 But slaves to passion, hate, mistrust, and guile. 
 Nor would it much avail, should I again 
 Move aught upon our foes to their deliverance, 
 Thrice in event so proving, justly held 
 The shame and deep reproach of all our nation, 
 Though theirs the fault, not mine, since they re- 
 fused 
 Ungratefully the gift* to them designed. 
 
 Man. I am sorry what this resolution cost thee. 
 
 Sams. Perhaps to others cause of sorrow also. 
 
 Man. Wouldst thou then still maintain as now 
 determined ? 
 
 Sams. No less than if by God himself enjoin- 
 ed. 
 
SAMSON BLINDED 165 
 
 Man. Regard thyself ; this may work near thy 
 ruin. 
 
 Sams. Yet so I preserve, nor aught abate. 
 
 Man. I cannot praise thy purpose, though I 
 admire 
 What strict determination hath impelled thee 
 And held thee firm ; nor deem me yet offended, 
 Or hurt by thy refusal, nor let rise 
 Occasion of quarrel, which would but more de- 
 feat 
 My end, to work thy good and welfare best, 
 The purpose and wished aim that still I seek. 
 
 Sams. Mistake not, friends, if strictly I re- 
 fuse 
 The object of such importunity, 
 Though moved toward me in all sincere intent, 
 Nor yield, though by solicitation urged 
 And father's asking, since in this myself, 
 And not another, must of right determine 
 What for my own best welfare deemed and good. 
 Nor should I, as of age accountable 
 And ripened of experience, to another 
 Give o'er the reins of rule, as to myself 
 Not trusting aught, or easily thus moved, 
 But casting so right reason from her office, 
 Distrusting or not countenancing her due ; 
 Thence weak, and of her exercise deprived, 
 Unable to determine or deter, 
 If aught of moment rise to be resolved, 
 When on herself depending. I should so 
 Myself work my own harm, and be myself 
 The cause of my own ruin, thus unwares 
 Bereft of reason's aid, unapt, unfit, 
 Unprompted aught of merit or of praise ; 
 Which would be to determine my own fall, 
 Too easily swayed, or without reason drawn 
 From my own counsel, what concerns me most, 
 
166 SAMSON BLINDED 
 
 And on my mission bring utmost contempt. 
 
 Cho. I cannot praise thy resolution, Samson, 
 Yet neither blame, both praise and blame must 
 
 mix. 
 For counsel, though well-meaning, hath wrought 
 
 harm, 
 If over-trusted, nor sufficient weighed ; 
 Yet, contrary, some, too stiff in self-opinion, 
 Or seeing not their good, by passion blinded, 
 Or thinking them sufficient to themselves, 
 Led on by vanity and high ambition, 
 Rocks on which men perhaps have oftest wrecked, 
 Wrought sooner their own ruin, unaware, 
 Proudly secure of self, unthought to fall. 
 But thou of self take counsel, and determine 
 What best may serve thy end, that thou, at least, 
 Have but thyself to censure or reproach, 
 If the outcome answer not thy purposed thought. 
 Sams. At least no blame on other could at- 
 tach, 
 And I pretend surprisal, unforewarned, 
 Or led on by false light of erring counsel 
 Until in ruin dashed — far from my thought. 
 For never would the woman I have joined 
 Desire or seek my harm, however urged, 
 Or with what strong persuasion hard assailed; 
 And in this seeking purposes but to hold me 
 More to herself endeared, to her secure, 
 Fearing, perhaps, lest one day I should leave 
 As once at Timna, counseling only then 
 To keep me safe, whole to herself and love ; 
 Though yet to her I will not weakly yield 
 What nearly to my safe concern pertains, 
 Lest, unawares, or in some evil moment 
 Strongly assailed, she may as weakly yield. 
 But other purpose moves me importuned 
 By thoughts which late my father had let fall — 
 
SAMSON BLINDED 167 
 
 Not weakly to lie idle, and thence scorned, 
 Contemned, despised, but, once more recollecting 
 That mission high enjoined, with summoned 
 
 might 
 But sudden act or onset to surprise 
 Israel's oppressors, and from them to wrest 
 Entire our freedom, since long time secure 
 From inroad, careless grown, indifferent, 
 Esteeming me their vassal or ally, 
 Unwilling, or not heartened to such task, 
 So long at ease sojourning in their land 
 And by the ties of wedlock indisposed 
 To aim at hostile acts or work their harm — 
 Good reason, then, if unaware surprised 
 And faint, unfortified by warning fear, 
 I upon them some sudden act determine 
 That may complete secure deliverance. 
 This would revenge, indeed, and close the mouths 
 Of those who cease not to forewarn destruction, 
 If I persist in what I have allied, 
 This wedlock, and compel perforce their praise, 
 Who only ruin forbode and blame foretell — 
 Reason well to induce at least the trial. 
 
 Cho. Thy purpose still approves thy wisdom, 
 
 Samson, 
 Thus to determine ; for I oft have heard 
 Men wonder that thou didst not quite complete 
 Thy task, from Heaven pretended, whose right 
 
 proof 
 Not argument or idle talk affords, 
 But to assure thy boast, make good thy plea, 
 By freedom entire wrought. If this be done, 
 And thou by proof approve thy mission high, 
 No longer will they waste in idle breath, 
 But, silent and confuted, own thy right 
 By silence, nor yet longer thee annoy, 
 Pretending falsely assumed thy task prefered, 
 
168 SAMSON BLINDED 
 
 Or blame thee arrogant and over-proud. 
 
 Sams. I long had meditated and before 
 Determined on this task, nor to myself 
 Attach the blame deferred ; but our due lords, 
 Ill-meaning, politic, neglected still, 
 Despised, mistrusted, hated, to our foes 
 Gave me a welcome prey, nor cared in aught 
 Whether that act should end me or should spare, 
 But sacrificed me for their welfare deemed, 
 Unmindful of their future state, preferring 
 Hard servitude to easy liberty. 
 Nor do they now, although their judge ordained, 
 Respect me, serve me, cherish and assist me, 
 By their free sufferance in this office placed. 
 But I too long have wavered, and kept back 
 From this my glorious mission, held by thoughts 
 That nulled my purpose ; since, though they found 
 
 slack, 
 Effeminate, idle, obligation holds 
 Upon me still to work my mighty task, 
 While still this strength remains, the surety giv- 
 en, 
 Garrisoned in my hair inviolate, 
 Nor should the gift of God lie useless thus. 
 
 Cho. With cause this resolution, since avered 
 By some that, in despite those high attempts 
 To break our yoke, freedom no nearer gained, 
 No nearer wrought thy task assumed from Heav- 
 en, 
 Since Israel still serves with servitude. 
 Yet other reasons to this act induce, 
 And well according purpose held. Perhaps 
 This gifted might remains no more, unused, 
 As like despised, disdained, contemned and 
 
 scorned. 
 The glorious faculties that Heaven endues, 
 Neglected, or but slackly exercised, 
 
SAMSON BLINDED 169 
 
 Are suffered not to waste in idle sloth, 
 
 But taken to assure them not our own, 
 
 Thus lent of Heaven, that strict accompt requires ; 
 
 The more inducement, then, to this high task, 
 
 Before too late, and vainly thence, essayed. 
 
 Yet not upon thy single strength attempted 
 
 So dangerous enterprise, as on one act 
 
 Casting the hazard, thence repulsed, defeated 
 
 Our hope entire and end ; but to thyself 
 
 Some strength sufficient join and aid, who, under 
 
 Thy conduct, will insure total success, 
 
 And quite redeem our yoke, the aim designed. 
 
 Sams. Thy reason is not unfounded, but must 
 fail 
 Of purpose, that I should with others' aid 
 Prosecute thus my lofty task determined ; 
 For, as my counsel no auxiliar needed 
 Although by father's asking wrought and fears, 
 So also not my strength, judged in itself 
 Sufficient to whatever task ; superfluous 
 Either by wiles to work, or to itself 
 Conjoin assistance ; whereof soon good proof 
 This selfsame day affords, since I no longer 
 Will vouchsafe to delay, already now 
 Too long delaying, but will prosecute 
 This mission, so that all who hear may own 
 My courage yet undamped, nor strength impaired. 
 Farewell, then ; and of me expect to hear 
 Nothing unworthy, unvalorous, impure, 
 But such as may become our God and Law, 
 Beseeming both my nation and myself. 
 
 Cho. O glorious gift of strength and match- 
 less might 
 By will of Heaven endued 
 To our foretold deliverance ! 
 As God's prevailing counsel oft decreed 
 And wisdom high ordained 
 
.170 SAMSON BLINDED 
 
 His strenuous champions raised 
 
 To work his mighty purpose, 
 
 With heavenly vigor adorned 
 
 And plain celestial virtue armed, 
 
 When they his purposed wrath have visited 
 
 Upon his hapless foes, 
 
 Who, reft of strength, distracted and surprised, 
 
 Upon ruin have struck, 
 
 Insensate, spiritless, despairing, fallen. 
 
 Which had our promised freedom long secured 
 And reft our captive yoke, 
 Abject, unworthy, vile; 
 
 But them our father owned not, nor received, 
 Although those mighty acts 
 Attested well their mission high imposed 
 And task divine asserted, 
 To set his people free ; 
 
 And, these despised, with justice high incensed 
 His favor God withdrew 
 And turned his holy eyes, 
 Visiting thence upon their scorn 
 The wrath reserved and destined for their foes — 
 Just punishment inflicted, 
 And their deserving sin, 
 Ungratefully who had received 
 His champions high ordained, 
 Yet more ungrateful left, 
 Despised, contemned, deserted, 
 Visiting all contempt upon their deeds. 
 
 Which task his favor high hath thee appointed, 
 Samson, by merit approved 
 Strongest of mortal men, 
 With heavenly vigor thus endued 
 And celestial virtue armed 
 To break thy nation's cruel foes, 
 Thy mission high asserted 
 And work by Heaven imposed, 
 
SAMSON BLINDED 171 
 
 Except some evil chance, or thy weak sin, " 
 That might thy strength o'ercome, or virtue im- 
 pair 
 Insensibly, thence struck with sense depraved, 
 Draw thee aside, defeating his high purpose. 
 
 So let not like mischance befall thee, Samson, 
 With wondrous might endued above the sons of 
 
 men; 
 Rather may God regard those mighty deeds, 
 The surety of thy mission high enjoined 
 And pledge of task imposed, 
 Already now in part achieved, 
 With hopeful recompense 
 Turning thy labors to successful end. 
 
 But softly, for behold where yonder comes 
 Some Philistine woman, as I guess, 
 So by her habit deemed ; 
 And now, on nearer view, no other known 
 Than Dalila, his wife. 
 
 Dal. My coming, friends, was not to pry, or 
 gain 
 Some notice of your doings or your words, 
 Of unforseen approach thus unaware, 
 If haply I might learn, but to obtain 
 Some tidings of my husband, parted late 
 From me, and busied in converse with you, 
 For so from some I had ; yet here not found 
 My hopeful search. Say, therefore, where to 
 seek, 
 
 Cho. But late with us he stood, yet now is 
 parted, 
 Bound on some purpose that concerned him near- 
 
 For so to us but lately he vouchsafed ; 
 Whereof much wonder is if thus to thee 
 Imparted not, or not to the revealed 
 What might suffice thy knowledge, since his wife 
 
172 SAMSON BLINDED 
 
 Esteemed gave thee some title to have known 
 His doings, though perhaps his soon departure 
 May have prevented him determined thus. 
 
 Dal. Doubtless ; though yet of late he gives no 
 
 care 
 For my behest, not much concerns himself 
 In my behoof or comfort, since from me 
 He long withholds a secret I have still 
 Endeavored, but in vain; though, if he grant, 
 Not less to him my love, but only more 
 Assured, and firmlier fixed my faith. Yet he 
 Delays me, still refuses, puts me off, 
 One while pretending to have plain revealed, 
 Yet found on trial false ; again, implored, 
 With like pretence deceiving, so that I 
 Am vexed, thus made a fool and still o'erborne. 
 Thrice have I thus assailed him, thrice have 
 
 sought 
 To win from him the secret that he guards ; 
 And thrice he hath deluded, thrice denied, 
 Turning to sport my importunity. 
 Again, now this fourth time, have I besieged 
 His secret, but thus far with like success, 
 Unhoping, but still stubborn to succeed ; 
 Since never can I cease or quiet rest 
 Until this final hindrance that remains 
 Between us, and divorces our close union, 
 Give way, and nothing still divide our love. 
 For betwixt faith of wedded man and wife 
 Of right no secret stands, or, standing, breeds 
 Mistrust, at least, suspicion, if not hate, 
 And wrecks all happiness, and peace confounds. 
 But ye perhaps have learned, by knowledge 
 
 gained 
 Or some relation heard, and can reveal 
 The secret I have sought, approving thus 
 Your friendly mind to him, and like to me 
 
SAMSON BLINDED 173 
 
 Imparting on what most my peace depends. 
 
 Cho. Neither his leave we have, nor deem it 
 right, 
 Thus to reveal what by him closely guarded, 
 His bosom-secret held and purpose fixed — 
 Thus by revealing only to divide 
 And more the rupture widen, now enough 
 Divided, as thou deem'st, which could but worsen 
 What gladly thou wouldst better ; so insure 
 To us his wrath, and thou no richer left, 
 But poorer, by his anger thus obtained. 
 Good reason then to give thy seeking o'er, 
 And rest contented, if not satisfied, 
 With what thou hast, his love to thee assured 
 And faith maintained, nor lose by seeking all. 
 Dal. Is not some way or other to move this 
 
 mind? 
 Cho. We still are firm and fixed in our dis- 
 sent. 
 Dal. Bethink yourselves ; this may give high 
 
 offence. 
 Cho. Yet with like resolution still maintained. 
 Dal. I am sorry if this mind work near your 
 
 ruin. 
 Cho. Think not to move us aught, or daunt by 
 threats 
 Idle, as thou preceivest, or to thyself 
 More danger holding; since toward thee his 
 
 wrath 
 Aroused and anger waked, if thou shouldst force 
 Against his will the secret he so guards, 
 Nor will reveal. Hence double rage expect, 
 If thou through treachery, or craft, or guile, 
 Win from another what from him thou couldst 
 
 not, 
 Just cause to him of anger not to pass. 
 
174 SAMSON BLINDED 
 
 Dal. I thought to have gained the secret, and 
 am purposed 
 Still to possess, not out of levity 
 Inquisitive, with curiosity 
 As over-powered, but only to remove 
 The great desire I have more to insure 
 And fix his moving fancy, not enough 
 Secure to my regard, as now I deem. 
 For I cannot endure longer to live 
 With him, and not possess him all my own ; 
 Either must leave, or, better lot, secure 
 His secret by whatever means, not caring 
 Much what may happen, if success assure not 
 His heart entire to me and faith secure 
 Unalterably fixed, so much I feel 
 The bond of nature draw me, soul to soul, 
 That we must be one heart, one flesh, one mind ; 
 To be without him were to lack myself. 
 
 Cho. Consider, if his wrath awake, and thou 
 Draw thy own ruin, persevering thus. 
 
 Dal. Yet that could not dissuade, nor daunt 
 me aught, 
 So fixed to gain my purpose sought I feel, 
 So bent upon success, determined, steadfast, 
 Fearing not death, nor aught than death more 
 
 dread, 
 So only I secure him to myself 
 Entire, nor thus divided share his love, 
 The purpose and fixed aim that now I seek. 
 
 Cho. Wise, who hath well conjoined 
 His lot in nuptial choice, 
 Not meekly drawn aside by beauty's snare, 
 Nor to frail passion yielding 
 Wisdom's chief sway and sovereign place as- 
 signed ; 
 But who hath well determined, chosen well 
 A virtuous choice in woman, that combines 
 
SAMSON BLINDED 175 
 
 Domestic care with virtue, chiefest good 
 
 In woman found, assuring 
 
 Happy that house, his path to virtue smooth. 
 
 If otherwise he choose, or other choice, 
 Or comeliness of form, or beauty's shape, 
 Pleasing to the eye and lovely, 
 Of outside fair, 
 But the inward show deformed, abhorred, and 
 
 vile, 
 To passion weakly yielding reason's sway, 
 By wisdom unapproved, 
 Him shall no pleasure find, once joined 
 In nuptials hateful, to a hateful bride 
 Fast linked and wedlock bound, 
 Adverse to virtue, 
 Turbulent and loud, 
 
 His shame and sharp reproach, an inward thorn 
 Too late perceived, thus by her charms ensnared 
 And drawn to folly, 
 Or wrought to sense repraved, 
 Or dotage, which in ruin surest ends. 
 
 But her whom reason and desire conjoined 
 Approves, with all perfections fair adorned 
 And heavenly virtue armed, 
 Modest and meek, demure, 
 Yet so with goodness principled, 
 That neither weak suggestion from within 
 Nor from without temptation frail o'ercomes, 
 Happy indeed pronounced, who thus hath found 
 One virtuous that conjoins 
 Domestic good, and highly favored held 
 Of Heaven indeed who thus secures ; 
 For she will do him evil not, but good, 
 All the days of her life. 
 
 But see ! for hither bent in haste, 
 Though parted late as not with soon return, 
 Old Manoah comes ; 
 
176 SAMSON BLINDED 
 
 Supposing here perhaps to find his son, 
 Or of his welfare bringing else some news. 
 
 Man. My purpose, friends, is not, as first, to 
 urge 
 My son on presage only to beware 
 The woman joined his wife, mere premonition 
 Unwarranted by likelihood or proof, 
 But to impart more valid argument, 
 Reasons more sound adduce, if haply thus 
 I might prevail upon him to forego 
 His purpose fixed, and danger to avoid, 
 While yet in time. But him I see not here. 
 
 Cho. But late he was, yet now is parted hence, 
 Bound on some purpose difficult and uncouth, 
 Yet not to us displeasing or averse. 
 For, after thy departure, something moved 
 His mind, and purpose altered, held so fixed 
 Before and different, that put him on 
 Some desperate adventure to reprieve 
 Our ills, and our entire deliverance work ; 
 Haply by this, on high emprise drawn forth 
 Thus from the snare, he hath escaped the toils 
 Of that bad woman, who so clearly purposed 
 His ruin, and to seeming near had wrought, 
 Importune, curious, inquisitive 
 To know his secret, where his vigor summed 
 And mighty hidden strength, no reason known 
 Why she should wish, except to work his harm, 
 As oft before attempting ; whence if foiled, 
 Perhaps some overt act she may presume, 
 Something too open try, that clear may warn him, 
 Infatuate, blind, and captive to her will. 
 This would be joy indeed, and valid cause 
 For gratitude, our gratitude as his ; 
 Since, thus entangled in her snare, he cannot 
 Hearten him wholly to his task, but wastes 
 In idle ease those mighty powers endued 
 
SAMSON BLINDED 177 
 
 To our deliverance ; thence from this achieved 
 Perhaps his gifted strength again to act, 
 Not captive in the toils and hence withheld. 
 
 Man. Thy hopes are not ungrateful, and thy 
 fears 
 For what of harm might happen well accord 
 With that I late received ; for, as I passed 
 Homeward in haste, with fruitless task deject, 
 I marked where lay in hidden close recess 
 Some of our foes, not singly, as disjoined 
 In purpose, but combined upon some task 
 Whose object and intent not clearly gained, 
 Yet could be what than aught upon my son, 
 Their hated foe, on whom not yet revenged 
 Their injuries inflicted at his hand? 
 This sight it is hath moved me to return, 
 Although my first repulse not kindly worn, 
 But argue like event, if I persist 
 A second time, after refusal offered, 
 And make attempt, at least, to put him on 
 The lurking danger, though, from your report, 
 Not to be dreaded now, since his departure, 
 If so accomplished, hath removed him safe 
 From what might undermine him and destroy ; 
 If so indeed departed, and not lingered 
 On some pretext or other by this woman, 
 Who never hath left off to seek his harm ; 
 I fear, unwilling, still some dread event. 
 
 Servant. O friends, that here now stand, at- 
 tend my news. 
 The Philistines, but late in ambush laid, 
 Within the house now hide, to what intent 
 Unknown, though not unguessed, foreboding ill 
 To Samson feared ; whose place, alike unknown, 
 But more distrust excites of what may chance 
 From them, if he unwares return within, 
 Or, he not parted, what yet worse ensues 
 
178 SAMSON BLINDED 
 
 To him unwarned ; for such my fears infer 
 Of them his ruin seeking still to wreak. 
 
 Cho. Thy fears I also share; and well could 
 wish 
 He were departed quite, ere unaware 
 Caught in assassination's wily net, 
 Since they no less on him, should chance occur, 
 Would venture, as their oft attempt assures. 
 For what thou hast related brings to mind, 
 When late his wife stood present, how she sought 
 To gain his careful secret, and on us 
 Presumed her wiles, if haply she might gain. 
 But we refused her, fearing what might fall 
 From bad compliance. Yet, if he have gained 
 
 not 
 The danger where he stands, nor parted yet, 
 It would be, on our part, received but friendly 
 To warn, if so perchance he win escape. 
 And time not much permits, if warned in time 
 Intending, since so long he parted hence 
 Permits their trial. What cry was that within? 
 
 Man. Perhaps his foemen shouting to behold 
 Their mighty dread, unbound and armed upon 
 
 them, 
 Whom they had thought to seize; yet now, ar- 
 rived 
 Among his enemies, dealing dreadful dole 
 And over slaughterous heaps walking his way. 
 Again ! again ! more loud ! What should it be ? 
 
 Cho. That shout was not of fear, but rather tri- 
 umph, 
 Nor of one voice, but many. What it bodes 
 I dread to think. 
 
 Man. Ruin is in that noise, 
 And dread destruction, whose the time yet gives 
 
 not. 
 Some danger, sure, impends. How should we do? 
 
SAMSON BLINDED 179 
 
 Best keep together here, or go and seek ? 
 
 Cho. I know not how to counsel, thus with 
 fears 
 Assailed, that reason null. But long remains not 
 Our doubt, since hither speeding to our wish 
 One by his mien and act hath left but late 
 The scene of horror ; whom I may not wish 
 To hear, nor yet refuse the tidings brought, 
 Though dreading much to learn complete relation, 
 An Ebrew, of our tribe, if I may guess, 
 Which some assures to us no present danger. 
 
 Messenger. O miserable to see, the sight I saw, 
 That drove me, filled with terror and with dread 
 Of like destruction, from that horrid place 
 And sight more horrid still, which yet I see, 
 By fancy or imagination fixed 
 Still on my mind confused, though loathing much ; 
 Yet not thus, but that reason, scarce consulted, 
 Or chance, or instinct, though divined not how, 
 Hath brought me to this place, where now I find 
 Thee, Manoah, and ye, my countrymen, 
 Too much, alas, in the like woe concerned. 
 
 Man. Thy news would much relieve us to par- 
 take, 
 Since apprehension shows more dark than knowl- 
 edge. 
 Set forth, then, what thou hast, while we attend. 
 
 Mess. Ah, friends, if truly said what late I 
 saw, 
 I fear lest evil tiding pierce too deep . 
 
 Man. Suspense in news more tortures than re- 
 lation ; 
 Delay no more thy tidings ; speak them out. 
 
 Mess. Take, then, what to my horror I have 
 gained, 
 And well could wish not known, so dire the tale, 
 Told only that your knowledge may suffice. 
 
180 SAMSON BLINDED 
 
 Due service had compeled my here attendance 
 Within this house, where long time I endured 
 To see what chanced, and suffered much to see ; 
 But duty to my master held me faithful, 
 Though marveling much his patience thus could 
 
 bear 
 And hold out firm against the constant siege 
 That sore assaulted. For, as well ye know, 
 His wife hath rested not by day or night 
 To vex him, harass, press him, urge him hard 
 To yield to her the secret he so keeps 
 Wherein his safety placed and strength contained. 
 But he hath still withstood her, still put off, 
 (Would that he had till now — fond wish, alas!) 
 Still borne her irksome importunity. 
 The wonder still of all, so much endured. 
 But this day she hath urged him hard, and pressed 
 
 him 
 To weariness, with blandishments and cries 
 Hath stormed him sore, till he at length, out-worn, 
 Weary and over-watched, out-harassed, vexed, 
 Yielding at last to words and woman's tears, 
 Opened her all his heart and gave her will ; 
 That he, whom not their whole united force, 
 In camp, or listed field, or ambuscade, 
 Could vanquish and o'ercome, hath weakly now 
 Given up his key of silence to a woman ; 
 Who well hath recompensed, hath well returned 
 His trust in her reposed. For when she knew 
 His secret sure revealed, and now perceived, 
 Accordant to her wish, that he was laid, 
 Weary and over-watched, out-worn and toiled, 
 Asleep secure of harm, she hastened then, 
 Forgetful of her solemn faith engaged, 
 And shore those mighty locks wherein contained 
 The surety of his strength ; then called his foes, 
 And to them gave him up, a welcome prey, 
 
SAMSON BLINDED 181 
 
 Shorn of his mighty strength, afflicted, fallen, 
 
 Disprized, dishonored, shamed, discovered thus 
 
 Naked and disarmed among his enemies. 
 
 Yet when he heard her cries, and saw his foes, 
 
 He wist not of his might departed him, 
 
 But as before assayed, and rising stood 
 
 Like a wild beast, whom hounds and huntsmen 
 
 rouse, 
 And galling darts ; then, as the foremost came 
 Incautious, caught and raised him high in air, 
 And dashed him down to death; like measure 
 
 found 
 The second, coming; but at length, o'er-borne 
 By numbers, that each moment thicker grew, 
 Surroundsd by his foes mistrustful still 
 And fearful of his strength, departing now, 
 Though still endeavoring, struggling to make 
 
 head, 
 But now with less and still less hostile force, 
 They seized upon him — head, or limbs, or arms, 
 What part where each might chance, binding him 
 
 fast; 
 Then put out both his eyes, and fettered held him, 
 That he no more should use that mighty strength, 
 Thus captive, poor, and blind, of sight bereft, 
 Their danger once and dread, to work their harm. 
 What further hath befallen him I have gained 
 
 not; 
 But that I have related true, behold him 
 Where yonder now he stands, and this his state, 
 Shaven and despoiled before his enemies. 
 
 Man. O sight detested ! sight of grief and 
 
 shame ! 
 Thy nation's glory late and nation's boast, 
 Now snared, assaulted, captive, and betrayed, 
 Of all thy wonted vigor thus deprived, 
 Naked and disarmed among thy enemies! 
 
182 SAMSON BLINDED 
 
 How wilt thou now thy nation serve, how work 
 That glorious mission trusted from above? 
 How rather curse that fatal weakness, curse 
 Thy yielding, that hath left thee, sight bereft, 
 Ridiculous, shamed, broken, miserable ! 
 But peace ! for without added burden joined 
 Heavy enough imposed, and deep the smart, 
 Nor needs from me, whose office better found 
 To lighten of thy load, and ease thy pains. 
 
 Cho. O miserable hope ! is this the man, 
 That mighty Samson far renowned 
 The fear of Caphtor's sons, 
 Famous and blazed his nation's boast and glory, 
 Whose matchless fortitude 
 And wondrous might bestowed 
 No banded strength opposed of man, or fiercest 
 
 beast, 
 Could chasten or subdue? 
 Yet now, incapable and vain, 
 Bereft, captived, betrayed, 
 The gaze and scorn of those same cruel foes 
 Whose might he was ordained to quell, 
 Thus miserable, assaulted, snared, and blind ! 
 
 Sams. Alas, from what high hopes and lofty 
 thoughts 
 Conceived unlooked for fallen ? Was it for this 
 The angel twice descended 
 With solemn word declared 
 And sacred task bestowed, 
 To work my land's deliverance foretold, 
 And thus divinely set 
 As by attest of Heaven? 
 
 Yet now assaulted, captive, poor, and blind, 
 Made of mine enemies the mock and gaze, 
 A shame and deep reproach 
 To all my friends and kindred, 
 My eyes put out, and, that high strength bereaved 
 
SAMSON BLINDED 183 
 
 Foretold to our deliverance, 
 
 Reserved to be repeated 
 
 Their cruelty and scorn, 
 
 Deserted thus by him who had ordained 
 
 My strength and wondrous force ! 
 
 What then availed that favor high pronounced 
 Of wondrous strength and mighty force endued, 
 If, when he gave me these, 
 God wisdom left disjoined, 
 Or ill proportioned gave, not balanced just 
 To immeasureable might ; 
 But left on me that burdenous work imposed, 
 The source of all my evils, pains, and wrongs, 
 Who glad would life forego, too heavy weight 
 Under such task assigned, and gladlier death 
 Invoke, as my chief good and final end ? 
 Wherefore let God now also take my life, 
 Sight vilely thus bereft, 
 The worst indignity that could befall, 
 And most to me, his minister ordained, 
 Yet without hope remaining. 
 
 Cho. Just are the ways of God, 
 And justly ordained 
 
 His purposes, though darkened oft by doubt 
 What Heavenly disposition may allot 
 And right decree ordain ; 
 So oft to men appearing 
 
 Partial his judgments high, condemned perverse, 
 To the erring indulgent, 
 Afflictive to the just, 
 
 Yet in the end approved, when clearly seen 
 The aim of justice triumphant. 
 
 But to the afflicted, bowed beneath the stroke 
 Of punishment, no consolation seems, 
 Or solace to his pains, 
 Though justly found afflicted, 
 Nor penance slackly urged, 
 
184 SAMSON BLINDED 
 
 Of hope bereaved, of mercy, 
 To despair given over 
 With fainting spirits depressed. 
 Yet thus, perhaps, God's counsel high fulfilled 
 And purpose best ordained, 
 Allotted justly so his punishment, 
 Whose fierce, avenging stroke, though long de- 
 layed, 
 Yet fallen at length, approves his justice sure, 
 Nor to his enemies occasion leaves 
 To murmur, or to chide him, or upbraid, 
 Since on his chosen, as on them, assigned, 
 If they be erring found, 
 Like punishment allotted, 
 And both alike brought to like evil end. 
 
 Which on thee, Samson, now at length hath 
 come, 
 In over-weening thought 
 Perhaps and pride secure 
 Unmindful thus of harm that might befall ; 
 Either too insecure with thought sufficient 
 Of strength on thee bestowed, 
 Or else too far presuming 
 The suffrance high of God, 
 Which, too for tried, hath cast thee, 
 Blind, naked, miserable, 
 Off to those cruel enemies provoked 
 By his appointment, 
 But through thy weak offense 
 Suffered at last to work thy ruin, 
 Bitter mischance and hard, yet not unearned. 
 
 But yonder, since those eyes no more perceive, 
 Deprived their visual ray, 
 The occasion of thy woes ; and now toward us 
 Holding her steps, thy wife, Dalila, comes. 
 
 Sams. My wife ? my viper and accursed hate ! 
 
 Dal. Be not offended, Samson, if I come 
 
SAMSON BLINDED 185 
 
 With hopes of thy relief, though sorrowing much 
 At this thy lot untoward and captive state 
 Undone, blind, poor, and lonely, yet still purposed 
 To give what aid remains to thy offense, 
 This loss of sight, which ne'er I would have 
 
 wrought, 
 Had I foreseen the sad event derived ; 
 But now too late perceived prevents to spare 
 What thou hast dearly lost, my grief as thine ; 
 Yet not refused thy pardon, that my service, 
 Which gladly shall attend thy life, may make 
 Some small amends for what I have misdone, 
 Not so intending, since I other deemed 
 The end. Thy hurtful loss my purpose holds 
 In part to null at least, if not entire, 
 By loving tendance visited upon thee, 
 The service of my life and willing offered, 
 If by this means some slight redress secured 
 To thee, my consolation sole and hope. 
 
 Sams. Let her approach and touch my hand 
 
 for pardon. 
 Would I had caught thee, as I had designed 
 And purposed, but this loss of eyes prevented, 
 And these slow chains unused that thus retard ! 
 I would have torn the lingering joint by joint, 
 That thou no more shouldst flatter and deceive, 
 Or work my further ruin, now enough 
 By thy false practise ruined, fittest end 
 Of thee and of thy fraud, that hath accomplished 
 The ruin of my mission and my hopes, 
 Caused my offence to God, and weakly left me, 
 At times when men wont most in vigor found, 
 Slight, miserable, disarmed, betrayed, captived, 
 Of all my wonted strength bereft, sight lost, 
 Dishonored, poor, and blind, disprized, dispoiled, 
 Naked and ashamed among my enemies. 
 Reason enough, if I refuse to love thee, 
 
186 SAMSON BLINDED 
 
 But rather leave, nor more avow my wife, 
 As I had long, but some blind chance withheld me 
 Against example warned and those who sought 
 My good, but I refused ; whence now I marvel 
 Or greater what weak, folly hath betrayed me 
 And wrecked my hopes, or this unwifely hate 
 Of thine, that wrought with greed of gold surren- 
 dered 
 Basely my secret given wherein contained 
 My hopes and mission — hopes, alas, how vain, 
 And mission how defeated, since by me 
 As basely and as impiously delivered 
 Up to a faithless woman (O what weakness!) 
 The secret of my safety and my life ! 
 
 Dal. Since thou hast so determined, I shall not 
 Again assay thy wrath that wrought so near 
 My fierce destruction, but I, warier found 
 Than thou, or better seeing, since to me 
 The clearer sight, escaped the danger feared, 
 Knowing thee, as I do, and thy blind anger ; 
 But rest me satisfied with what performed, 
 Which shall, doubt not, assure my future safe, 
 Thus grateful to my nation and our lords, 
 Whom I o'er thee have chosen, nor repent 
 The choice, my country's faith preferred to thine. 
 But now, if I mistake not, thou must go 
 To Gaza, in our prison-house to grind 
 With slaves and asses, thy adjudged compeers, 
 For so thy wisdom hath approved, incautious, 
 Infatuate, rash, impetuous, blind, where thou 
 Shalt other mission find and other task, 
 More suited to thy c tate, to exercise 
 That vaunted strength, than to destroy our land 
 With ravage ; whence shall be my greatest boast 
 Singly to have o'ercome that fierce destroyer, 
 And in an hour, whom not my nation banded 
 In years entire could vanquish and o'ercome, 
 
SAMSON BLINDED 187 
 
 And though thy favor I have lost, and love, 
 Yet I have gained, what I much more esteem, 
 The favor of my kindred and my nation 
 To recompense my zeal for duty shown. 
 Whether this like thee then, or like thee not, 
 I to my lot will cleave, and thou to thine. 
 
 Cho. Have comfort, Samson; yet thy friends 
 thou hast, 
 And kindred yet remain, who may perhaps 
 Work out thy ransom and redeem thee quite 
 Forth from their loathsome prison-house confined, 
 Though there intended now to woe and pain ; 
 Or else thy might, returning with thy hair, 
 Garrisoning thy shoulders yet again, 
 May of thyself enable thy deliverance, 
 Nor frustrate thus thy lofty mission found ; 
 Which would be joy indeed and well revenge. 
 
 Sams. Yet otherwise to me my lot portends ; 
 God's favor thus withdrawn and eyesight lost, 
 This light of life continues not for long, 
 Since the other light bereft, nor do I wish, 
 Rather implore for death, which my own hands 
 Would visit on myself, were they but free, 
 Their kindliest office deemed and chiefest service, 
 Hastening thus the cure of all my pains. 
 
 Man. Deject not thus thyself, nor, over-strict, 
 Exact thus from thyself the penal forfeit ; 
 For God may yet, if by sincere repentance 
 Appeased, quit thee his claim and quite relent ; 
 From whom consider that thou hadst this 
 
 strength, 
 Which, though now lost, may yet again return 
 With eyesight, if he will who all things can ; 
 And since thy appointed task not yet performed, 
 He may renew thy might, and cause again 
 The light within thy eyes — else why thus spared 
 Thy life, which he as well had thee deprived, 
 
188 SAMSON BLINDED 
 
 Had not his purpose still prevailed, and held 
 In some great service or other yet to use thee? 
 Cast then not thus away thy hope entire, 
 Nor God reject, who may again receive thee, 
 By true repentance and sincere assaying 
 Restored to favor by his suffrance thus, 
 That thou mayest serve him better than thou hast. 
 Thy life continues in thee not for naught, 
 Nor shall thy mission high be thus frustrate. 
 
 Sams. Thy words are not unkindly, and ac- 
 cord 
 With that high suffrance which hath long endured 
 May weak presumptuous sin, that hath delayed 
 The task on me imposed, and last defeated; 
 But me they little ease afford and hope, 
 Since not myself perhaps alone must bear 
 The heavy burden of my fault, but others 
 Also perhaps in the like ruin joined. 
 What if with me in chains a father dragged, 
 And countrymen, companions to my fall, 
 Innocent of my sin, yet drawn to waste 
 Their years entire, confined to woe and pain? 
 This would be woe indeed, and worse afflict 
 Than what already felt, or might befall, 
 And well would merit fiercest curses heaped 
 Upon my head, as cause of all their harm ; 
 Just reason, if their hate against me hold. 
 
 Officer. Be of more courage, Samson, nor de- 
 ject 
 O'er-much thyself ; since here our purpose holds 
 Upon thee only, and, thou once secured, 
 To other intends no violence or harm. 
 Therefore this fear dismiss, and less dishearten, 
 Enough disheartened, if thyself regarded, 
 And not to so great burden add the more 
 Of fault on these performed, thy present mind. 
 
SAMSON BLINDED 189 
 
 Sams. Thy words with hope relieve me, and 
 their thoughts 
 I as a grateful prophecy account ; 
 Nor more shall dread my life, nor shall be bent 
 To lay it down, too burdenous to bear, 
 Which would be to defeat in me God's will, 
 And double thus my sin, already found 
 Too great, thus weakly and thus impiously 
 If I presume my life, after betraying 
 Secrets by God imparted, act profane, 
 Not savoring thus of piety to God, 
 But rancoe and impatience to his rule ; 
 And now, thus cheered in hopes and elevate, 
 The willinger shall go, nor all repine, 
 Arming my breast with patience to endure 
 Whatever ills, and comforted with thought 
 Not all defeated yet that mission high 
 On me imposed, which to have so put off 
 Was my chief sin ; for whose accomplishment, 
 If I repent sincere, and shall forsake 
 My weak offending, God will still vouchsafe 
 To vindicate his name and me uphold 
 With favor and assistance to the end, 
 My sole sustaining hope and solace found. 
 But now farewell ; for I begin to feel 
 Some rousing motions round me that forewarn 
 Departure, which by me shall not delay, 
 But hasten rather, heartened thus and cheered 
 With what of hope allows, or what is else 
 Not to be overborne, more bent to do 
 My task assigned, and strong in fortitude 
 By heavenly consolation thus imparted 
 To bear, to strive, to feel, nor be o'ercome. 
 
 Cho. All is dark, and filled with doubt 
 Of what unsearchably disposed 
 And all inscrutably ordained ; 
 Yet in the close not contradicting 
 
190 SAMSON BLINDED 
 
 His purpose high decreed, chief hope 
 To us remaining, and the end 
 With vindication full and fair event. 
 
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