THE ARGUMENT. SAMSON, made captive, blind, and now in the prison at Gaza, there to labour as in a common workhouse, on a festival day, in the general cessation from labour, comes forth into the open air, to a place nigh, somewhat retired, there to sit a while and bemoan his condition. Where he happens at length to be visited by certain friends and equals of his tribe, which make the Chorus, who seek to comfort him what they can; then by his old father, Manoa, who endeavours the like, and withal tells him his purpose to procure his liberty by ransom; lastly, that this feast was proclaimed by the Philistines as a day of thanksgiving for their deliverance from the hands of Samson--which yet more troubles him. Manoa then departs to prosecute his endeavour with the Philistian lords for Samson's redemption: who, in the meanwhile, is visited by other persons, and, lastly, by a public officer to require his coming to the feast before the lords and people, to play or show his strength in their presence. He at first refuses, dismissing the public officer with absolute denial to come; at length, persuaded inwardly that this was from God, he yields to go along with him, who came now the second time with great threatenings to fetch him. The Chorus yet remaining on the place, Manoa returns full of joyful hope to procure ere long his son's deliverance; in the midst of which discourse an Ebrew comes in haste, confusedly at first, and afterwards more distinctly, relating the catastrophe-what Samson had done to the Philistines, and by accident to himself; wherewith the Tragedy ends. SAMSON AGONISTES. SAMS. A little onward lend thy guiding hand To these dark steps, a little further on; I I For yonder bank hath choice of sun or shade. Of both my parents, all in flames ascended His godlike presence, and from some great act VOL. III. H 20 Or benefit revealed to Abraham's race? Why was my breeding ordered and prescribed 30 As of a person separate to God, Designed for great exploits, if I must die Betrayed, captived, and both my eyes put out, To grind in brazen fetters under task With this heaven-gifted strength? O glorious strength, Put to the labour of a beast, debased Lower than bond-slave! Should Israel from Philistian yoke deliver! Promise was that I 40 Ask for this great deliverer now, and find him Had been fulfilled but through mine own default? By weakest subtleties; not made to rule, 50 60 So many, and so huge, that each apart O worse than chains, Dungeon, or beggary, or decrepit age! Light, the prime work of God, to me is extinct, Annulled, which might in part my grief have eased. Of man or worm, the vilest here excel me: Without all hope of day! O first-created beam, and thou great Word, And silent as the Moon, When she deserts the night, Hid in her vacant interlunar cave. She all in every part, why was the sight And not, as feeling, through all parts diffused, 70 80 90 00 100 |