But thou, Infernal Serpent! shalt not long Rule in the clouds. Like an autumnal star, 620 Or lightning, thou shalt fall from Heaven, trod down Under his feet. For proof, ere this thou feel'st Thy wound (yet not thy last and deadliest wound) By this repulse received, and hold'st in Hell No triumph; in all her gates Abaddon rues 625 Thy bold attempt. Hereafter learn with awe To dread the Son of God. He, all unarmed, Shall chase thee, with the terror of his voice, From thy demoniac holds, possession foul, Thee and thy legions; yelling they shall fly, 630 And beg to hide them in a herd of swine, Lest he command them down into the Deep, Bound, and to torment sent before their time. Hail, Son of the Most High, heir of both Worlds, Queller of Satan! On thy glorious work 635 Now enter, and begin to save Mankind.” Thus they the Son of God, our Saviour meek, Sung victor, and, from heavenly feast refreshed, Brought on his way with joy. He, unobserved, Home to his mother's house private returned. SAMSON AGONISTES. A DRAMATIC POEM. Aristot. Poet, cap. 6— Τραγῳδία μίμησις πράξεως σπουδαίας, etc. Tragoedia est imitatio actionis seriæ, etc., per misericordiam et metum perficiens talium affectuum lustrationem. THE ARGUMENT. Samson, made captive, blind, and now in the prison of Gaza, there to labour as in a common workhouse, on a festival day, in a general cessation from labour, comes forth into the open air, to a place nigh, somewhat retired, there to sit awhile and bemoan his condition. Where he happens at length to be visited by certain friends and equals of his tribe, which make the Chorus, who seek to comfort him what they can; then by his old father Manoah, who endeavours the like and withal tells him his purpose to procure his liberty by ransom; lastly, that this feast was proclaimed by the Philistines as a day of thanksgiving for their deliverance from the hands of Samson, which yet more troubles him. Manoah then departs to prosecute his endeavour with the Philistine 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, Manoah returns full of joyful hope, to procure ere long his son's deliverance; in the midst of which discourse an Hebrew comes in haste, confusedly at first, and afterwards more distinctly, relating the catastrophe, what Samson had done to the Philistines, and by accident to himself; wherewith the tragedy ends. 5 A The Scene, before the Prison in Gaza. SAMSON. Attendant leading him. LITTLE onward lend thy guiding hand To these dark steps, a little farther on ; Relieves me from my task of servile toil, Daily in the common prison else enjoined me, Unwholesome draught; but here I feel amends, To Dagon, their sea-idol, and forbid Laborious works; unwillingly this rest 15 Their superstition yields me; hence, with leave Retiring from the popular noise, I seek This unfrequented place to find some ease, Ease to the body some, none to the mind From restless thoughts, that, like a deadly swarm 20 Of hornets armed, no sooner found alone, But rush upon me thronging, and present Times past, what once I was, and what am now. His godlike presence, and from some great act 30 Why was my breeding ordered and prescribed Designed for great exploits, if I must die 35 To grind in brazen fetters under task Put to the labour of a beast, debased O glorious Promise was, that I Should Israel from Philistian yoke deliver; Eyeless in Gaza, at the mill with slaves, |