Man. Sad, but thou know'ft to Ifraelites not faddeft The defolation of a hostile city. 1561 Melf. Feed on that firft, there may in grief be fur- The forrow, and converts it nigh to joy. 1575 Man. Suspense in news is torture, speak them out. Melf. Take then the worst in brief, Samfon is dead. Man. The worst indeed, O all my hope's defeated 1571 To free him hence! but death who fets all free Hath paid his ransome now and full discharge. What windy joy this day had I conceiv'd 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 dy'd he; death to life is crown or fhame. All by him fell thou say'st, by whom fell he, 1580 What glorious hand gave Samson his death's wound? Meff. Unwounded of his enemies he fell. Man. Wearied with flaughter then or how? explain. Meff. By his own hands. Man. Self-violence? what cause 1585 Among Brought him fo foon at variance with himself U 2 Among his foes? Meff. Inevitable cause way More than enough we know; but while things yet 1595 Me. Occafions drew me early to this city, And as the gates I enter'd with sun-rise, The morning trumpets feftival proclam'd Through each high street: little I had dispatch'd, When all abroad was rumor'd that this day 1601 Samfon should be brought forth, to show the people Proof of his mighty ftrength in feats and games; I forrow'd at his captive state, but minded Not to be abfent at that spectacle. 1605 The building was a spacious theatre The other fide was open, where the throng 1610 The feaft and noon grew high, and facrifice (wine, When 1616 When to their sports they turn'd. Immediately At length for intermission sake they led him 1630 With both his arms on those two massy pillars, 1640 Not 1 Not without wonder or delight beheld: I mean to show you of my ftrength, yet greater; Lords, ladies, captains, counsellors, or priests, Met from all parts to folemnize this feast. Pull'd down the fame deftruction on himself; The vulgar only scap'd who stood without. 1660 Chor. O dearly-bought revenge, yet glorious! Living or dying thou haft fulfill'd The work for which thou waft foretold To Ifrael, and now ly'ft victorious Among thy flain felf-kill'd Not willingly, but tangled in the fold 1665 Of dire neceffity, whose law in death conjoin'd Thee with thy flaughter'd foes in number more Than all thy life had flain before. (lime, Semichor. While their hearts were jocond and sub Drunk Drunk with idolatry, drunk with wine, 1671 And fat regorg'd of bulls and goats, In Silo his bright fanctuary: 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 destroyer; They only set on sport and play Unweetingly importun'd 1675 1680 Their own deftruction to come speedy upon them. So fond are mortal men Fall'n into wrath divine, As their own ruin on themfelves t' invite. 1685 |