Now of my own accord fuch other trial

I mean to fhow you of my ftrength,
1, yet greater;
As with amaze shall strike all who behold.
This utter'd, ftraining all his nerves he bow'd,
As with the force of winds and waters pent,

1645

When mountains tremble, thofe two maffy pillars
With horrible convulfion to and fro,

1650

He tugg'd, he shook, till down they came and drew

The whole roof after them, with burst of thunder

Upon the heads of all who fat beneath,

Lords, ladies, captains, counsellors, or priests,
Their choice nobility and flow'r, not only

1655

Of this but each Philiftian city round
Met from all parts to folemnize this feast.
Samfon with these inmix'd, inevitably

Pull'd down the fame deftruction on himself;
The vulgar only fcap'd who flood without.

1660

CHOR. O dearly-bought revenge, yet glorious!

Living or dying thou haft fulfill'd

Among them he a spi'rit of phrenzy fent,

Who hurt their minds,

And urg'd them on with mad defire

To call in hafte for their deftroyer;
They only fet on fport and play

1680

Unweetingly importun'd

Their own destruction to come speedy upon them.

So fond are mortal men

Fall'n into wrath divine,

As their own ruin on themselves t' invite,

1685

1690

And though her body die, her fame furvives
A fecular bird ages of lives.

MAN. Come, come, no time for lamentation now,

Nor much more caufe; Samfon hath quit himself 1710 Like Samfon, and heroickly hath finish'd

A life heroic, on his enemies

Fully reveng'd, hath left them years of mourning,
And lamentations to the fons of Caphtor
Through all Philiftian bounds; to Ifrael
Honor hath left, and freedom, let but them
Find courage to lay hold on this occafion;
To' himself and father's house eternal fame;
And which is beft and happiest yet, all this
With God not parted from him, as was fear'd,
But favouring and affifting to the end.
Nothing is here for tears, nothing to wail

Or knock the breast, no weakness, no contempt,
Difpraise, or blame, nothing but well and fair,
And what may quiet us in a death so noble.
Let us go find the body where it lies
Sok'd in his enemies blood, and from the ftream
With lavers pure and cleanfing herbs wash off
The clotted gore. I with what speed the while
(Gaza is not in plight to fay us nay)
Will fend for all my kindred, all my friends,
To fetch him hence, and folemnly attend

1715

1720

1725.

1730

With filent obfequy and funeral train

Home to his father's houfe: there will I build him

A monument, and plant it round with shade

1735

Of laurel ever green, and branching palm,
With all his trophies hung, and acts inroll'd
In copious legend, or sweet lyric fong.
Thither fhall all the valiant youth resort,
And from his memory inflame their breafts
To matchlefs valor, and adventures high:
The virgins also shall on feastful days

1740

Vifit his tomb with flow'rs, only bewailing

His lot unfortunate in nuptial choice,

From whence captivity and lofs of eyes.

CHOR. All is beft, though we oft doubt,
What th' unfearchable dispose
Of higheft wifdom brings about,
And ever best found in the close.

Oft he seems to hide his face,

1745

1750

But unexpectedly returns,

And to his faithful champion hath in place

Bore witnefs gloriously; whence Gaza mourns
And all that band them fo refift

His uncontrollable intent ;

-1755

His fervants he with new acquift

1

Of true experience from this great event

With peace and confolation hath difmift,
And calm of mind all paffion fpent.

THE END.