MAN. That still lessens The sorrow, and converts it nigh to joy. MESS. Ah Manoa, I refrain too suddenly 1565 To utter what will come at last too soon; Lest evil tidings with too rude irruption Hitting thy aged ear should pierce too deep. MAN. Suspense in news is torture, speak them [dead. out. MESS. Take then the worst in brief, Samson is MAN. The worst indeed. O all my hope's defeated 1575 To free him hence! but death, who sets all free, MESS. Unwounded of his enemies he fell. MAN. Wearied with slaughter then, or how? exMESS. By his own hands. MAN. Self-violence? what cause [plain. Brought him so soon at variance with himself 1581 death's wound] Æn. xii. 322. • Pressa est insignis gloria facti, Nec sese Æneæ jactavit vulnere quisquam.' Among his foes? MESS. Inevitable cause At once both to destroy and be destroy'd; MAN. O lastly over-strong against thyself! 1590 1595 MESS. Occasions drew me early to this city, And as the gates I enter'd with sun-rise, The morning trumpets festival proclaim'd Through each high-street. Little I had dispatch'd When all abroad was rumour'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 Not to be absent at that spectacle. The building was a spacious theatre, Half-round, on two main pillars vaulted high, With seats, where all the lords and each degree Of sort might sit in order to behold; 1605 The other side was open, where the throng The feast and noon grew high, and sacrifice 1611 Had fill'd their hearts with mirth, high cheer, and wine, When to their sports they turn'd. Immediately Was Samson as a public servant brought, 1615 1620 In their state livery clad; before him pipes At length for intermission sake they led him With both his arms on those two massy pillars, 1645 I mean to show you of my strength, yet greater; 1655 He tugg'd, he shook, till down they came and drew The work for which thou wast foretold To Israel, and now liest victorious Among thy slain, self kill'd Not willingly, but tangled in the fold 1665 Of dire necessity, whose law in death conjoin'd Thee with thy slaughter'd foes in number more Than all thy life had slain before. [sublime, SEMICHOR. While their hearts were jocund and Drunk with idolatry, drunk with wine, 1670 In Silo his bright sanctuary : Among them he a spirit of frenzy sent, And urged them on with mad desire 1675 1680 Their own destruction to come speedy upon them. So fond are mortal men Fall'n into wrath divine, As their own ruin on themselves to invite, And with blindness internal struck. SEMICHOR. But he, though blind of sight, Despis'd and thought extinguish'd quite, With inward eyes illuminated, 1685 Like that self-begotten bird 1689 inward] H. More, Song of the Soul 1642. c. iii. st. 9. 'Our inward eyes that they be nothing bright.' 1605 villatic] Plin. lib. xxiii. sect. 17. Villaticas alites.' Richardson. |