1750 But unexpectedly returns, And to his faithful champion hath in place 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. Volume III. N 1755 With all those high exploits by him achiev'd, purpose Useless, and thence ridiculous about him. 1495 1500 And since his strength with eye-sight was not lost, Of his delivery, and the joy thereon In both which we, as next, participate. 1505 [noise! MAN, I know your friendly minds and-O what Mercy of Heav'n, what hideous noisewas that! CHOR. Noise call you it or universal groan, As if the whole inhabitation perish'd! 1510 Blood, death, and deathful deeds are in that noise, Ruin, destruction at the utmost point. [noise: MAN. Of ruin indeed methought I heard the Oh it continues, they have slain my son. 1516 CHOR, Thy son is rather slaying them, that outcry From slaughter of one foe could not ascend. MAN. Some dismal accident it needs must be; What shall we do, stay here or run and see? 1520 CHOR. Best keep together here,lest running thiWe unawares run into Danger's mouth, [ther This evil on the Philistines is fall'n; From whom could else a general cry be heard? He now be dealing dole among his foes, [ble MAN. He can I know, but doubt to think he will; Yet hope would fain subscribe, and tempts belief. A little stay will bring some notice hither. 1536 CHOR. Of good or bad so great,of bad the sooner; For evil news rides post, while good news baits, And to our wish I see one hither speeding, An Hebrew, as I guess, and of our tribe. 1540 MES. O whither shall I run, or which way fly The sight of this so horrid spectacle, Which earst my eyes beheld and yet behold ? For dire imagination still pursues me. But Providence or instinct of nature seems, Or reason though disturb'd, and scarce consulted, To' have guided me aright, I know not how, To thee first reverend Manoah, and to these My countrymen, whom here I knew remaining, 1549 As at some distance from the place of horror, 1550 So in the sad event too much concern'd. MAN. The accident was loud,and here before thee With rueful cry, yet what it was we hear not; No preface needs, thou seest we long to know. MES. It would burst forth, but I recover breath And sense distract, to know well what I utter. MAN. Tell us the sum, the circumstance defer. MES. Gaza yet stands, but all her sons are fall'n, All in a moment overwhelm'd and fall'n. [dest MAN. Sad, but thou know'st to Israelites not sadThe desolation of a hostile city. 1561 MES. Feed on that first, there may in grief be MAN. Relate by whom. MES. By Samson. MAN. That still lessens The sorrow, and converts it nigh to joy. [surfeit. MES. Ah Manoah, I refrain too suddenly 1565 Hitting thy aged ear should pierce too deep. [out. 1575 Nipt with the lagging rear of Winter's frost! MAN. Self-violence? what cause Brought him so soon at variance with himself 1585 Among his foes? MES. Inevitable cause At once both to destroy and be destroy'd; 1595 MES. Occasions drew me early to this city, And as the gates I enter'd with sun-rise, The morning trumpets festival proclam'd Through each high-street: little I had dispatch'd, When all abroad was rumor'd that this day 1600 Samson should be brought forth to show the people Proof of his mighty strength in feats and games; I sorrow'd at his captive state, but minded |