We unawares run into Danger's mouth. This evil on the Philistines is fallen; From whom could else a general cry be heard? 1525 From other 1.ands we need not much to fear. What if his eye-sight (for to Israel's God He now be dealing dole among his foes, 1530 Man. That were a joy presumptuous to be thought. Chor. Yet God hath wrought things as incredible For his people of old: what hinders now? 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 erst my eyes beheld and yet behold? But Providence or instinct of nature seems, 1545 1550 Or reason though disturb'd, and scarce consulted, And sense distract, to know well what I utter. 1556 Man. Sad, but thou know'st to Israelites not saddest The desolation of a hostile city. 1561 Mes. Feed on that first, there may in grief be sur Mun. Relate by whom. 1556. Distract, used also as an adjective by Shakspeare. [feit. Man. That still lessens 1565 1575 Man. Suspense in news is torture, speak them out. Mes. Take then the worst in brief, Samson is dead. Man. The worst indeed, O all my hope's defeated To free him hence! but Death who sets all free Hath paid his ransom now and full discharge. What windy joy this day had I conceived Hopeful of his delivery, which now proves Abortive as the first-born bloom of Spring Nipt with the lagging rear of winter's frost! Yet ere I give the reins to grief, say first How died he; death to life is crown or shame. All by him fell thou say'st, by whom fell he, What glorious hand gave Samson his death's wound? Mes. Unwounded of his enemies he fell. 1580 Man. Wearied with slaughter then, or how? exMes. By his own hands. [plain. Man. Self-violence? what cause Brought him so soon at variance with himself 1585 Among his foes? Mes. Inevitable cause 1590 At once both to destroy and be destroy'd; Eye-witness of what first or last was done, Relation more particular and distinct. 1595 Mes. Occasions drew me early to this city, And as the gates I enter'd with sun-rise, Through each high-street: little I had dispatch'd, 1600 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; The other side was open, where the throng 1005 On banks and scaffolds, under sky might stand; 1610 I among these aloof obscurely stood. 1615 1620 The feast and noon grew high, and sacrifice [wine, At length for intermission sake they led him 1625 1630 With both his arms on those two massy pillars, He unsuspicious led him; which when Samson 1635 Felt in his arms, with head a while inclined, And eyes fast fix'd, he stood, as one who pray'd, Or some great matter in his mind revolved: At last with head erect thus cry'd aloud, 'Hitherto, Lords, what your commands imposed 1640 I have perform'd, as reason was, obeying, Not without wonder or delight bebeld: 1605. Buildings are mentioned by Pliny the naturalist which were supported only by one pillar, and Dr. Shaw says in his Travels, that the eastern theatres are built in the form of an advanced cloister or penthouse, supported by one or two pillars in the front or centre. Supposing, therefore, that the house of Dagon was built, as is most probable, in this manner, the destruction which followed the exertion of Samson's strength was inevitable. 1619 Cataphracts, men er horses completely armed. Now of my own accord such other trial I mean to shew you of my strength, yet greater; As with amaze shall strike all who behold.' 1645 This utter'd, straining all his nerves he bow'd, 1649 1635 Chor. O dearly-bought revenge, yet glorious! 1660 Living or dying thou hast fulfill'd The work for which thou wast foretold To Israel, and now ly'st victorious Among thy slain self-kill'd, Not willingly, but tangled in the fold 1665 Of dire necessity, whose law in death conjoin'd [sublime, 1 Semichor. While their hearts were jocund and Drunk with idolatry, drunk with wine, And fat regorged of bulls and goats, Chaunting their idol, and preferring Before our living Dread who dwells In Silo, his bright sanctuary; Among them he a spirit of frenzy sent, Who hurt their minds, 1670 1675 Fallen into wrath divine, As their own ruin on themselves to' invite, 1667. Judg. xvi. 30. 1871. Silo, the tabernacle and ark were there at this time Insensate left, or to sense reprobate, 1685 And with blindness internal struck. 2 Semichor. But he, though blind of sight, And though her body die, her fame survives Man. Come, come, no time for lamentation now, Nor much more cause; Samson hath quit himself Like Samson, and heroicly hath finish'd A life heroic, on his enemies 1710 Fully revenged, hath left them years of mourning, 1715 1720 Or knock the breast, no weakness, no contempt, 1695. Villatic, domestic, from the Latin Villa. 1700. Imbost, embowered or concealed, from the Italian word imboscare, conjecture.-Spenser uses it. Faery Queen, B. 1. Can. 3. St. 24. 1713. Sons of Caphtor, Philistines from the island of Caphtor, who settled in Palestine. |