SAMSON.
SAMSON, the strongest of the children of men,
I sing; how he was foiled by woman's arts,
by a false wife brought to the gates of death! O
Truth, that shinest with propitious beams, turning
our earthly night to heavenly day, from presence
of the Almighty Father! thou visitest our darkling
world with blessed feet, bringing good news of Sin
and Death destroyed! O white-robed Angel, guide
my timorous hand to write as on a lofty rock with
iron pen the words of truth, that all who pass may
read.—Now Night, noon-tide of damned spirits,
over the silent earth spreads her pavilion, while in
dark council sat Philistia's lords; and where
strength failed, black thoughts in ambush lay.
Their helmed youth and aged warriors in dust
together lie, and Desolation spreads his wings over
the land of Palestine: from side to side the land
groans, her prowess lost, and seeks to hide her
bruised head under the mists of night, breeding
dark plots. For Dalila's fair arts have long been
tried in vain; in vain she wept in many a treacherous
tear. "Go on, fair traitress; do thy
"guileful work; ere once again the changing
"moon her circuit hath performed, thou shalt overcome,
"and conquer him by force unconquerable,
"and wrest his secret from him. Call thine alluring
