The building was a fpacious theatre Half-round on two main pillars vaulted high, The other fide was open, where the throng 1605 On banks and scaffolds under sky might stand; 1610 The feaft and noon grew high, and sacrifice Half-round on two main pillars vaulted high, &c.] Milton has finely accounted for this dreadful cataftrophe, and has with great judgment obviated the common objection. It is commonly afked, how fo great a building, containing fo many thoufands of people, could reft upon two pillars fo near placed together and to this it is answered, that inftances are not wanting of far more large and capacious buildings than this, that have been fupported only by one pillar. Particularly, Pliny in the 15th chapter of the 36th book of his natural history, mentions two theatres built by one C. Curio, who lived in Julius Cæfar's time; each of which was fupported only by one pillar, or pin, or hinge, 1615 In tho' very many thousands of people did fit in it together. See Poole's Annotations. Mr. Thyer further adds, that Dr. Shaw in his travels obferving upon the eastern method of building fays, that the place where they exhibit their diverfions at this day is an advanc'd cloyiter, made in the fashion of a large penthoufe, fupported only by one or two contiguous pillars in the front, or elfe at the center, and that upon a fuppofition therefore that in the house of Dagon, there was a cloifter'd ftructure of this kind, the pulling down the front or center pillars only which fupported it, would be attended with the like catastrophe that happen'd to the Philistines. See Shaw's travels. p. 283. 1619.-cata In their state livery clad; before him pipes None daring to appear antagonist. At length for intermiffion fake they led him Between the pillars; he his guide requested 1630 (For fo from fuch as nearer ftood we heard) As over-tir'd to let him lean a while With both his arms on those two maffy pillars, He unfufpicious led him; which when Samfon 1635 1619. cataphras] Men or horfes completely arm'd, from xaτα βράσσω armis minuo. 1649. With borrible convulfion] Felt In feveral editions it is printed confufion, but Mr. Thyer, Mr. Sympfon, and every body faw that it fhould be convulfion, and fo it is in Milton's Felt in his arms, with head a while inclin'd, And eyes fast fix'd he stood, as one who pray'd, 1645 I mean to show you of my strength, yet greater; 1649 He tugg'd, he fhook, till down they came and drew Milton's own edition. And in the next line it should not be He tugg'd, he took, as it is abfurdly in fome editions, but He tugg'd, he fbook, as in 1655 Met Met from all parts to folemnize this feast. O dearly-bought revenge, yet glorious! 1660 Living or dying thou haft fulfill'd The work for which thou waft foretold To Ifrael, and now ly'st victorious Among thy flain felf-kill'd Not willingly, but tangled in the fold Of dire neceffity, whose law in death conjoin'd Thee with thy flaughter'd foes in number more SEMICHORUS. While their hearts were jocund and sublime, Drunk with idolatry, drunk with wine, 1665 1670 In 1657. in number more Than all thy life had flain before.] Judges XVI. 30. So the dead which he flew at his death, were more than they which he flew in his life. 1674. In Silo] Where the tabernacle and ark were at that time. 1682. So fond are mortal men, &c] Agreeable As their own ruin on themselves t' invite, 1685 And with blindness internal struck. SEMICHORUS. But he though blind of fight, Defpis'd and thought extinguish'd quite, His fiery virtue rous'd From under afhes into fudden flame, Agreeable to the common maxim, Quos Deus vult perdere dementat prius. Thyer. 1692. And as an evening dragon 1690 Affailant came &c] Mr. Calton fays that Milton certainly dictated And not as an evening dragon came. Samfon |