SAMSON AGONISTES
��So Virtue, given for lost, Depressed and overthrown, as seemed, Like that self-begotten bird In the Arabian woods embost, 1700
That no second knows nor third, And lay erewhile a holocaust, From out her ashy womb now teemed, Revives, reflourishes, then vigorous most When most unactive deemed; And, though her body die, her fame sur- vives, A secular bird, ages of lives.
Man. Come, come; no time for lamenta- tion now, Nor much more cause. Samson hath quit
himself
Like Samson, and heroicly hath finished A life heroic, on his enemies 1711
Fully revenged hath left them years of
mourning,
And lamentation to the sons of Caphtor Through all Philistian bounds; to Israel Honour hath left and freedom, let but
them
Find courage to lay hold on this occasion; To himself and father's house eternal fame ; And, which is best and happiest yet, all this With God not parted from him, as was
feared,
But favouring and assisting to the end. 1720 Nothing is here for tears, nothing to wail Or knock the breast; no weakness, no con- tempt, Dispraise, 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 Soaked in his enemies' blood, and from the stream
��With lavers pure, and cleansing herbs,
wash off The clotted gore. I, with what speed the
while
(Gaza is not in plight to say us nay), Will send for all my kindred, all my friends, 1730
To fetch him hence, and solemnly attend, With silent obsequy and funeral train, Home to his father's house. There will I
build him
A monument, and plant it round with shade Of laurel ever green and branching palm, With all his trophies hung, and acts en- rolled
In copious legend, or sweet lyric song. Thither shall all the valiant youth resort, And from his memory inflame their breasts To matchless valour and adventures high ; The virgins also shall, on feastful days, 1741 Visit his tomb with flowers, only bewail- ing
His lot unfortunate in nuptial choice, From whence captivity and loss of eyes. Chor. All is best, though we oft doubt What the unsearchable dispose Of Highest Wisdom brings about, And ever best found in the close. Oft He seems to hide his face, But unexpectedly returns, 1750
And to his faithful Champion hath in place Bore witness gloriously; whence Gaza
mourns,
And all that band them to resist His uncontrollable intent. His servants He, with new acquist Of true experience from this great event, With peace and consolation hath dismissed, And calm of mind, all passion spent.
�� �
