SAMSON AGONISTES: A DRAMATIC POEM. THE ARGUMENT. Samson made captive, blind, and now in the prison of Gaza, nere to labour as in a cominion workhouse, on a festival day, in the general cessation from labour, comes forth into the open air, to a place nigh, somewhat retired, there to sit awhile and bemoan his condition. Where he happens at length to be visited by certain friends and equals of his tribe, which make the Chorus, who seek to confort him what they can; then by his old father, Manoah, who endeavours the like, and withal tells him his purpose to procure his liberty by ransom; lastly, that this feast was proclaimed by the Philistines as a day of thanksgiving for their deliverance from the hands of Samson, which yet more troubles him. Manoah then departs to prosecute his endeavour with the Philistine lords for Sainson's redemption; who in the meanwhile is visited by other persons: and lastly by a public officer to require his coming to the feast before the lords and people, to play or shew his strength in their presence; he at first refuses, dismissing the public officer with absolute denial to come; at length, persuaded inwardly that this was from God, he yields to go along with him, who came now the second time with great threatenings to fetch him: the Chorus yet remaining on the place, Manoah returns full of joyful hope, to procure ere long his son's deliverance, in the midst of which discourse an Hebrew comes in haste, confusedly at first, and afterwards more distinctly relating the catastrophe, what Sanison had done to the Philistines, and by accident to himself; wherewith the tragedy ends. SAMSON. Attendant leading him. A LITTLE onward lend thy guiding hand To these dark steps, a little further on; Samson Agonistes; Agonistes is a Greek word signifying Actor. The introduction is in imitation of the Edipus Coloueus of Sophocles. For the subject of the poem, and most of the scriptural allusions it contains, reference may be made in general to the Book of Judges. Daily in the common prison else enjoin'd me, Unwholesome draught! but here I feel amends, To Dagon their sea-idol, and forbid Laborious works; unwillingly this rest Their superstition yields me; hence with leave 15 Retiring from the popular noise, I seek This unfrequented place to find some ease, From restless thoughts, that like a deadly swarm 20 25 His god-like presence, and from some great act 30 Design'd for great exploits: if I must die Betray'd, captived, and both my eyes put out, Made of my enemies the scorn and gaze; To grind in brazen fetters under task 35 With this Heav'n-gifted strength? O glorious strength Lower than bond-slave! Promise was that I Put to the labour of a beast, debased Should Israel from Philistian yoke deliver; Ask for this great deliverer now, and find him 40 Had been fulfill'd but through mine own default, 45 Who this high gift of strength committed to me, Under the seal of silence could not keep But what is strength without a double share 50 55 By weakest subtleties, not made to rule, But to subserve where wisdom bears command? God, when he gave me strength, to shew withal GO 65 70 Light, the prime work of God, to me is extinct, Of man or worm; the vilest here excel me, Without all hope of day! O first-created beam, and thou great Word, Let there be light, and light was over all; And silent as the moon, When she deserts the night 75 80 36 85 87. Shakspeare, second part of Henry VI. Act 1. Sc. 8.-The silent of the night, which is a classical expression, means, according to Warburton, an interlunar night. |