This nymph that gaz'd upon his clustring locks, Much like his father, but his mother more, At last betakes him to this ominous wood, And in thick shelter of black shades imbower'd 60 65 70 Toquench the drouth ofPhoebus, which as they taste, I shoot from heav'n, to give him safe convoy, 80 85 And take the weeds and likeness of a swain, 90 COMUS enters with a charming rod in one hand, his glass in the other; with him a rout of monsters, headed like sundry sorts of wild beasts, but otherwise like men and women, their apparel glistering; they come in making a riotous and unruly noise, with torches in their hands. COм. The star that bids the shepherd fold, Now the top of Heav'n doth hold, And the gilded ear of Day, 95 His glowing axle doth allay And the slope Sun his upward beam 100 105 1720 But favouring and assisting to the end. 1725 Will send for all my kindred, all my friends, 1730 To fetch him hence, and solemnly attend With silent obsequy and funeral train 1735 Home to his father's house: there will I build him 1740 CHOR. All is best, though we oft doubt 1745 What th' unsearchable dispose Of highest Wisdom brings about, Oft he seems to hide his face, But unexpectedly returns, And to his faithful champion hath in place 1750 Bore witness gloriously; whence Gaza mourns And all that band them to resist His uncontrollable intent; His servants he with new acquist Of true experience from this great event, The End of Samson Agonistes. 1755 Volume III. N PRESENTED AT LUDLOW-CASTLE, M. DC. XXXIV, BEFORE THE EARL OF BRIDGEWATER, THEN PRESIDENT OF WALES. Eheu quid volui misero mihi! floribus austrum TO the Right Honourable JOHN LORD VISCOUNT BRACKLY, Son and Heir apparent to the Earl of Bridgewater, etc. My Lord, THIS Poem, which received its first occasion of birth from yourself and others of your noble family, and much honour from your own person in the performance, now returns again to make a final dedication of itself to you. Although not openly acknowledg'd by the Author, yet it is a legitimate offspring, so lovely, and so much desired, that the often copying of it hath tired my pen to give my several friends satisfaction, and brought me to a necessityofproducing it to the public view; and now to offer it up in all rightful devotion to those fair hopes, and rare endowments of your much promising youth, which give a full assurance, to all that know you, of a future excellence. Live, sweet Lord, to be the honor of your name, and receive this as your own, from the hands of him who hath by many favors been long obliged to your most honored parents, and as in this representation your attendent Thyrsis, so now in all real expression, Your faithful and most humble servant, |