SAMSON AGONISTES; A DRAMATIC POEM. 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 the 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 shew 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. This unfrequented place to find some ease, But rush upon me thronging, and present Of both my parents all in flames ascended 25 As in a fiery column charioting His god-like presence, and from some great act Design'd for great exploits: if I must die 35 To grind in brazen fetters under task strength Put to the labour of a beast, debased Lower than bond-slave! Promise was that I Should Israel from Philistian yoke deliver; Ask for this great deliverer now, and find him 40 From restless thoughts, that like a deadly swarm | Eyeless in Gaza at the mill with slaves, Of hornets arm'd, no sooner found alone, 20 Samson Agonistes; Agonistes a Greek word sig nifying Actor. The introduction is in imitation of the Edipus Coloneus of Sephocles. For the subject of the poem, and most of the scriptural allusions it contains, reference may be made in general to the Book of Judges. Himself in bonds under Philistian yoke : 46 In what part lodged, how easily bereft me, By weakest subtleties, not made to rule, But made hereby obnoxious more 50 Life in captivity 55 60 65 But to subserve where wisdom bears command? Of man or worm; the vilest here excel me, O first-created beam, and thou great Word, Why am I thus bereaved thy prime decree ? The sun to me is dark 75 80 85 That light is in the soul, 95 She all in every part; why was the sight By privilege of death and burial 100 From worst of other evils, pains and wrongs, 105 87. Shakspeare, second part of Henry VI. Act 1. Sec. 8.-The silent of the night, which is a classical expression, means, according to Warburton, an interlunar night. Among inhuman foes. But who are these? for with joint pace I hear 110 At my affliction, and perhaps t' insult, Chor. This, this is he; softly a while, O change beyond report, thought, or belief! As one past hope abandon'd, And by himself given over; In slavish habit, ill-fitted weeds Or do my eyes misrepresent? Can this be he, Irresistible Samson? whom unarm'd 115 120 125 Then with what trivial weapon came to hand, The jaw of a dead ass, his sword of bone, 145 A thousand fore-skins fell, the flower of Palestine, bore |