WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.640 --> 00:00:07.400 Preface to Samson Agonistes. This is a LibriVox recording. All 2 00:00:07.480 --> 00:00:12.320 LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information 3 00:00:12.759 --> 00:00:19.640 or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org. Recording by 4 00:00:19.719 --> 00:00:30.920 Martin Geeson. Samson Agonistes by John Milton, the preface of 5 00:00:30.960 --> 00:00:38.159 that sort of dramatic poem which is called Tragedy. Tragedy, 6 00:00:38.560 --> 00:00:43.479 as it was anciently composed, hath been ever held the 7 00:00:43.520 --> 00:00:51.079 gravest moralist and most profitable of all other poems. Therefore 8 00:00:51.240 --> 00:00:56.159 said by Aristotle to be of power by raising pity 9 00:00:56.320 --> 00:01:01.359 and fear or terror, to purge the mind of those 10 00:01:01.520 --> 00:01:07.000 and such like passions, that is, to temper and reduce them, 11 00:01:07.079 --> 00:01:11.879 to just measure with a kind of delight stirred up 12 00:01:12.000 --> 00:01:18.799 by reading or seeing those passions well imitated. Nor is 13 00:01:19.000 --> 00:01:23.719 nature wanting in her own effects to make good his assertion. 14 00:01:24.519 --> 00:01:30.040 For so in physic things of melancholic hue and quality 15 00:01:30.480 --> 00:01:37.159 are used against melancholy sour, against sour salt, to remove 16 00:01:37.359 --> 00:01:45.599 salt humors. Hence, philosophers and other gravest writers, as Cicero, Plutarch, 17 00:01:45.719 --> 00:01:51.599 and others, frequently cite out of tragic poets both to 18 00:01:51.719 --> 00:01:59.599 adorn and illustrate their discourse. The apostle Paul himself thought 19 00:01:59.599 --> 00:02:04.719 it not unworthy to insert a verse of unipides into 20 00:02:04.760 --> 00:02:11.439 the text of Holy Scripture One Corinthians, Chapter fifteen, verse 21 00:02:11.560 --> 00:02:18.199 thirty three, and Paaus, commenting on the revelation, divides the 22 00:02:18.319 --> 00:02:23.879 whole book as a tragedy into acts, distinguished each by 23 00:02:23.919 --> 00:02:30.520 a chorus of heavenly harpings and song. Between here two 24 00:02:30.560 --> 00:02:35.680 four men in highest dignity have labored not a little 25 00:02:35.759 --> 00:02:41.520 to be thought able to compose a tragedy of that honor. 26 00:02:41.960 --> 00:02:48.000 Dionysius the Elder was no less ambitious than before of 27 00:02:48.120 --> 00:02:54.159 his attaining to the tyranny. Augustus Caesar also had begun 28 00:02:54.360 --> 00:02:59.800 his ajax, but unable to please his own judgment with 29 00:03:00.120 --> 00:03:06.520 what he had begun, left it unfinished. Seneca the philosopher 30 00:03:07.000 --> 00:03:11.560 is by some thought the author of those tragedies, at 31 00:03:11.680 --> 00:03:15.159 least the best of them that go under that name. 32 00:03:16.520 --> 00:03:21.919 Gregory Natziansen, a father of the church, thought it not 33 00:03:22.319 --> 00:03:27.159 unbeseeming the sanctity of his person to write a tragedy, 34 00:03:27.479 --> 00:03:34.120 which he entitled Christ Suffering. This is mentioned to vindicate 35 00:03:34.439 --> 00:03:40.520 tragedy from the small esteem, or rather infamy which in 36 00:03:40.560 --> 00:03:44.400 the account of many it undergoes at this day with 37 00:03:44.840 --> 00:03:51.879 other common interludes happening through the poets error of intermixing 38 00:03:52.199 --> 00:03:59.680 comic stuff with tragic sadness and gravity, or introducing trivial 39 00:03:59.759 --> 00:04:05.680 and vulgar persons, which by all judicious hath been counted 40 00:04:05.840 --> 00:04:13.039 absurd and brought in without discretion corruptly to gratify the people. 41 00:04:15.039 --> 00:04:22.120 And though ancient tragedy, use no prologue, yet using sometimes 42 00:04:22.160 --> 00:04:27.519 in case of self defense or explanation, that which Marshal 43 00:04:27.720 --> 00:04:33.639 calls an epistle in behalf of this tragedy coming forth 44 00:04:33.720 --> 00:04:38.959 after the ancient manner, much different from what among us 45 00:04:39.040 --> 00:04:45.519 passes for best. Thus, much beforehand may be epistled that 46 00:04:45.879 --> 00:04:52.360 chorus is here introduced after the Greek manner, not ancient only, 47 00:04:52.800 --> 00:04:59.199 but modern and still in use among the Italians. In 48 00:04:59.279 --> 00:05:04.160 the modeling therefore of this poem, with good reason, the 49 00:05:04.399 --> 00:05:10.480 Ancients and Italians are rather followed as of much more 50 00:05:10.680 --> 00:05:16.000 authority and fame. The measure of verse used in the 51 00:05:16.120 --> 00:05:22.040 chorus is of all sorts called by the Greeks monostrophic 52 00:05:22.759 --> 00:05:30.199 or rather apoleluminon without regard had to strophe and dystrophe, 53 00:05:30.759 --> 00:05:35.839 or epart which were a kind of stanzas framed only 54 00:05:36.040 --> 00:05:40.879 for the music then used with the chorus that sung 55 00:05:41.920 --> 00:05:47.319 not essential to the poem, and therefore not material. Or 56 00:05:47.480 --> 00:05:54.160 being divided into stanzas or pauses, they may be called aliostropha. 57 00:05:55.759 --> 00:06:01.199 Division into act and scene, referring chiefly to the stage 58 00:06:01.639 --> 00:06:07.000 to which this work never was intended, is here omitted. 59 00:06:08.480 --> 00:06:13.519 It suffices if the whole drama be found not produced 60 00:06:13.600 --> 00:06:19.279 beyond the fifth act of the style and uniformity, and 61 00:06:19.519 --> 00:06:25.720 that commonly called the plot, whether intricate or explicit, which 62 00:06:25.759 --> 00:06:30.879 is nothing, indeed, but such economy or disposition of the 63 00:06:30.920 --> 00:06:37.160 fable as may stand best with very similitude and decorum. 64 00:06:37.720 --> 00:06:44.439 They only will best judge who are not unacquainted with Esculus, Sophocles, 65 00:06:44.519 --> 00:06:50.839 and Euripides, the three tragic poets unequaled yet by any 66 00:06:51.519 --> 00:06:56.120 and the best rule to all who endeavor to write tragedy. 67 00:06:57.720 --> 00:07:04.600 The circumscription of time, wherein the whole drama begins and ends, is, 68 00:07:04.720 --> 00:07:10.199 according to ancient rule and best example, within the space 69 00:07:10.439 --> 00:07:21.800 of twenty four hours. The argument Sampson made captive, blind 70 00:07:22.360 --> 00:07:26.680 and now in the prison at Gaza, there to labor 71 00:07:26.759 --> 00:07:31.360 as in a common workhouse on a festival day, in 72 00:07:31.439 --> 00:07:36.120 the general cessation from labor, comes forth into the open 73 00:07:36.199 --> 00:07:41.759 air to a place nigh somewhat retired, there to sit 74 00:07:41.839 --> 00:07:47.560 awhile and bemoan his condition, where he happens at length 75 00:07:47.839 --> 00:07:52.360 to be visited by certain friends and equals of his tribe, 76 00:07:52.920 --> 00:07:57.639 which make the chorus, who seek to comfort him what 77 00:07:57.800 --> 00:08:03.879 they can. Then by his old father man Noah, who 78 00:08:04.000 --> 00:08:08.439 endeavors the like and withal tells him his purpose to 79 00:08:08.560 --> 00:08:15.560 procure his liberty by ransom. Lastly that this feast was 80 00:08:15.680 --> 00:08:20.439 proclaimed by the Philistines as a day of thanksgiving for 81 00:08:20.600 --> 00:08:25.600 their deliverance from the hands of Sampson, which yet more 82 00:08:25.839 --> 00:08:32.279 troubles him. Manoah then departs to prosecute his endeavor with 83 00:08:32.360 --> 00:08:38.480 the Philistian lords for Samson's redemption, who, in the meanwhile 84 00:08:38.960 --> 00:08:43.960 is visited by other persons, and lastly by a public 85 00:08:44.120 --> 00:08:48.879 officer to require coming to the feast before the lords 86 00:08:48.960 --> 00:08:54.639 and people to play or show his strength in their presence. 87 00:08:55.879 --> 00:09:01.480 He at first refuses, dismissing the public off with absolute 88 00:09:01.679 --> 00:09:08.279 denial to come. At length, persuaded inwardly that this was 89 00:09:08.360 --> 00:09:12.600 from God, he yields to go along with him, who 90 00:09:12.679 --> 00:09:17.720 came now the second time, with great threatenings to fetch him. 91 00:09:19.080 --> 00:09:24.799 The chorus, yet remaining on the place, Manah returns, full 92 00:09:24.879 --> 00:09:30.440 of joyful hope, to procure ere long his son's deliverance. 93 00:09:31.639 --> 00:09:37.039 In the midst of which discourse an ebrew comes in haste, 94 00:09:37.440 --> 00:09:44.919 confusedly at first, and afterward more distinctly, relating the catastrophe 95 00:09:45.519 --> 00:09:50.799 what Samson had done to the Philistines, and by accident 96 00:09:51.159 --> 00:10:05.080 to himself. Wherewith the tragedy ends the purse Samson, Manoah, 97 00:10:05.639 --> 00:10:14.440 the father of Samson, Dalilah, his wife, Arafa of Gath, 98 00:10:15.879 --> 00:10:28.159 public officer messenger, Chorus of Danit, end of the preface 99 00:10:29.600 --> 00:10:42.799 recording by Martin Geeson in Hazelmere, Surrey, Section one, The 100 00:10:43.000 --> 00:10:54.240 scene before the prison in Gaza, Samson the chorus, A 101 00:10:54.360 --> 00:11:00.000 little onward, lend thy guiding hand to these dark steps. 102 00:11:00.039 --> 00:11:06.360 A little further on for yonder bank, hath choice of 103 00:11:06.600 --> 00:11:11.440 sun or shade. There I am wont to sit when 104 00:11:11.480 --> 00:11:16.879 any chance relieves me from my task of servile toil 105 00:11:17.919 --> 00:11:23.200 daily in the common prison. Else enjoin'd me, where I 106 00:11:23.440 --> 00:11:29.799 a prisoner, chain'd scarce freely draw the air imprisoned also 107 00:11:30.600 --> 00:11:38.720 close and damp unwholesome draft. But here I feel amends, 108 00:11:40.919 --> 00:11:46.000 the breath of heaven, fresh, blowing, pure and sweet with 109 00:11:46.360 --> 00:11:53.840 day spring born. Here leave me to respire this day 110 00:11:54.039 --> 00:11:59.120 a solemn feast. The people hold to dug on their 111 00:11:59.320 --> 00:12:08.120 sea idol and forbid laborious works unwillingly. This rest, their superstition, 112 00:12:08.559 --> 00:12:14.440 yields me. Hence, with leave, retiring from the popular noise, 113 00:12:15.039 --> 00:12:21.360 I seek this unfrequented place to find some ease, ease 114 00:12:21.480 --> 00:12:27.159 to the body, some none to the mind, from restless 115 00:12:27.279 --> 00:12:32.799 thoughts that, like a deadly swarm of hornets armed no 116 00:12:33.000 --> 00:12:39.240 sooner found alone, but rush upon me thronging and present 117 00:12:39.840 --> 00:12:48.480 times past. What once I was? And what am now? Oh? 118 00:12:48.639 --> 00:12:53.840 Wherefore was my birth from heaven? Foretold twice by an 119 00:12:53.960 --> 00:12:58.639 angel who, at last, in sight of both my parents, 120 00:12:59.200 --> 00:13:03.759 all in fla lames ascended from off the altar, where 121 00:13:03.799 --> 00:13:09.240 an offering burn'd as in a fiery column, charioting his 122 00:13:09.480 --> 00:13:16.200 godlike presence, and from some great act or benefit reveal'd 123 00:13:16.600 --> 00:13:24.039 to Abraham's race. Why was my breeding ordered and prescrib'd 124 00:13:24.320 --> 00:13:30.240 as of a person separate to God design'd for great exploits? 125 00:13:31.039 --> 00:13:37.159 If I must die betrayed captiv'd and both my eyes 126 00:13:37.399 --> 00:13:42.799 put out, made of my enemies, the scorn and gaze 127 00:13:43.360 --> 00:13:48.440 to grind in brazen fetters und a task with this 128 00:13:48.919 --> 00:13:56.399 heaven gifted strength, Oh, glorious strength, put to the labor 129 00:13:56.480 --> 00:14:03.480 of a beast debased lower than slave. Promise was that 130 00:14:03.639 --> 00:14:10.840 I should Israel from Filistian yoke, deliver. Ask for this 131 00:14:11.120 --> 00:14:17.799 great deliverer now and find him eyeless in Gaza at 132 00:14:17.879 --> 00:14:24.360 the mill with slaves, himself in bonds under Philistian yoke. 133 00:14:25.519 --> 00:14:31.759 Yet stay, Let me not rashly call in doubt divine prediction. 134 00:14:32.759 --> 00:14:37.519 What if all foretold had been fulfill'd but through mine 135 00:14:37.519 --> 00:14:42.679 own default? Whom have I to complain of but myself? 136 00:14:43.720 --> 00:14:48.480 Who this high gift of strength committed to me in 137 00:14:48.679 --> 00:14:54.879 what part lodg'd, how easily bereft me under the seal 138 00:14:55.000 --> 00:14:59.960 of silence, could not keep but weakly to a woman 139 00:15:00.480 --> 00:15:07.519 must reveal it or come with importunity and tears, Oh 140 00:15:08.080 --> 00:15:15.080 impotence of mind in body strong? But what is strength 141 00:15:15.320 --> 00:15:24.039 without a double share of wisdom? Vast, unwieldy, burdensome, proudly secure, 142 00:15:24.639 --> 00:15:30.360 yet liable to fall by weakest subtleties, not made to 143 00:15:30.639 --> 00:15:37.679 rule but to subserve, Where wisdom bears command God, when 144 00:15:37.720 --> 00:15:42.679 he gave me strength, to show withal how slight the 145 00:15:42.840 --> 00:15:49.120 gift was hung it in my hair. But peace, I 146 00:15:49.360 --> 00:15:54.840 must not quarrel with the will of highest dispensation, which 147 00:15:55.000 --> 00:16:01.480 herein haply had ends above my reach. To know suffices 148 00:16:01.639 --> 00:16:06.919 that to me strength is my bane, and proves the 149 00:16:07.159 --> 00:16:13.080 source of all my miseries, so many and so huge, 150 00:16:13.480 --> 00:16:16.879 that each a part would ask a life to wail. 151 00:16:17.799 --> 00:16:24.519 But chief of all, oh, loss of sight of thee 152 00:16:24.559 --> 00:16:34.080 I most complain. Blind among enemies, Oh, worse than chains, dungeon, 153 00:16:34.320 --> 00:16:41.200 or beggary or decrepit age. Light, the prime work of 154 00:16:41.480 --> 00:16:47.440 God to me is extinct, and all her various objects 155 00:16:47.480 --> 00:16:53.120 of delight a gnault which might impart my grief. Have 156 00:16:53.399 --> 00:16:59.879 EA's inferior to the vilest now become of man or 157 00:17:00.200 --> 00:17:08.160 worm the violest here excel me, they creep, Yet see 158 00:17:09.000 --> 00:17:16.599 aye dark in light, exposed to daily fraud, contempt, abuse, 159 00:17:16.759 --> 00:17:21.880 and wrong within doors or without, still as a fool 160 00:17:22.640 --> 00:17:28.200 in power of others. Never in my own scarce. Half 161 00:17:28.359 --> 00:17:32.400 I seem to live dead more than half. 162 00:17:33.640 --> 00:17:43.519 Oh dark dark, dark, amid the blaze of noon, irrecoverably dark, 163 00:17:44.240 --> 00:17:52.799 total eclipse, without all hope of day, Oh first created beam, 164 00:17:53.480 --> 00:17:59.759 and thou great word, let there be light and light 165 00:18:00.200 --> 00:18:01.119 over all? 166 00:18:02.000 --> 00:18:08.920 Why am I thus bereav'd thy prime decree? The sun 167 00:18:09.400 --> 00:18:14.240 to me is dark and silent, as the moon when 168 00:18:14.319 --> 00:18:20.400 she deserts the night hid in her vacant interlunar cave. 169 00:18:21.599 --> 00:18:27.759 Since light so necessary is to life, and almost life itself. 170 00:18:28.279 --> 00:18:31.880 If it be true that light is in the soul, 171 00:18:32.279 --> 00:18:37.559 she all in every part, Why was the sight to 172 00:18:37.680 --> 00:18:43.480 such a tender ball as the eye confin'd, so obvious 173 00:18:43.599 --> 00:18:48.359 and so easy to be quench'd, and not as feeling 174 00:18:48.799 --> 00:18:53.200 through all parts diffus'd that she might look at will, 175 00:18:53.279 --> 00:18:58.960 through every pore. Then had I not been thus exil'd 176 00:18:59.000 --> 00:19:03.880 from light, as in the land of darkness, yet in 177 00:19:04.160 --> 00:19:09.880 light to live a life half dead, a living death, 178 00:19:10.599 --> 00:19:18.759 and buried, But oh yet more miserable myself, my sepulcher, 179 00:19:19.480 --> 00:19:25.759 a moving grave, buried, yet not exempt by privilege of 180 00:19:25.960 --> 00:19:32.519 death and burial from worst of other evils, pains and wrongs, 181 00:19:32.960 --> 00:19:39.279 but made hereby obnoxious more to all the miseries of life, 182 00:19:39.960 --> 00:19:48.240 life in captivity among inhuman foes. But who are these? 183 00:19:49.039 --> 00:19:52.279 For with joint pace I hear the tread of many 184 00:19:52.440 --> 00:19:57.680 feet steering this way, Perhaps my enemies who come to 185 00:19:57.920 --> 00:20:04.119 stare at my affliction, and perhaps to insult their daily practice, 186 00:20:04.279 --> 00:20:11.519 to afflict me more. This this is he, softly awhile 187 00:20:12.119 --> 00:20:18.200 let us not break in upon him. Oh, change beyond report, 188 00:20:18.960 --> 00:20:24.440 thought or belief. See how he lies at random, carelessly, 189 00:20:24.559 --> 00:20:32.440 diffus'd with languish'd head, unpropp'd as one past hope, abandon'd, 190 00:20:32.960 --> 00:20:39.640 and by himself given over in slavish habit, ill fitted 191 00:20:39.799 --> 00:20:46.279 weeds or worn and soil'd. What do my eyes misrepresent? 192 00:20:47.319 --> 00:20:57.160 Can this be he that heroic that renown'd irresistible sampson, whom, unarm'd, 193 00:20:57.559 --> 00:21:03.240 no strength of man, or the fiercest wild beast could withstand, 194 00:21:04.279 --> 00:21:08.480 who tore the lion as the lion tears the kid 195 00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:15.759 ran on embattled armies clad in iron and weaponless himself 196 00:21:16.279 --> 00:21:23.279 made arms ridiculous, useless, the forgery of brazen shield and spear, 197 00:21:23.960 --> 00:21:30.200 the hammered cuirass, chalybean temper'd steel, and frock of mail 198 00:21:30.599 --> 00:21:38.440 Adamantean proof. But safest he who stood aloof when insupportably 199 00:21:38.799 --> 00:21:43.839 his foot advanced in scorn of their proud arms and 200 00:21:44.119 --> 00:21:50.599 warlike tools, spanned them to death, by troops. The bold 201 00:21:50.759 --> 00:21:58.200 Ascalonite fled from his lion. Ramp old warriors turned their 202 00:21:58.279 --> 00:22:04.319 plated backs under his heel, or groveling soil'd their crested 203 00:22:04.440 --> 00:22:10.240 helmets in the dust. Then with what trivial weapon came 204 00:22:10.319 --> 00:22:15.480 to hand the jaw of a dead ass, his sword 205 00:22:15.680 --> 00:22:22.920 of bone. A thousand foreskins fell the flower of Palestine 206 00:22:23.119 --> 00:22:28.480 in ramath Lechi, famous to this day. Then by main 207 00:22:28.920 --> 00:22:33.640 force pull'd up and on his shoulders bore the gates 208 00:22:33.759 --> 00:22:38.559 of Aza Post and massy Bah up to the hill 209 00:22:38.759 --> 00:22:43.759 by hebron seat of giants, oul'd no journey of a 210 00:22:43.960 --> 00:22:50.160 sabbath day, and loaded so like whom the gentiles fagin 211 00:22:50.359 --> 00:22:56.920 to bear up heav'n which shall I first bewail thy 212 00:22:57.079 --> 00:23:06.359 bondage or lost sight? Prison within prison inseparably dark thou 213 00:23:06.480 --> 00:23:14.480 art become o worst imprisonment, the dungeon of thyself, thy soul, 214 00:23:15.160 --> 00:23:23.160 which men enjoying sight oft without course complain imprison'd. Now indeed, 215 00:23:24.119 --> 00:23:29.759 in real darkness of the body dwells shut up from 216 00:23:29.920 --> 00:23:37.480 outward light to incorporate with gloomy night, For inward light 217 00:23:37.720 --> 00:23:44.279 alas puts forth no visual beam o mirror of our 218 00:23:44.559 --> 00:23:51.880 fickle state. Since man on earth unparallel'd the rarer thy 219 00:23:52.079 --> 00:23:58.799 example stands by how much from the top of wondrous glory, 220 00:23:59.440 --> 00:24:06.440 strong guest of mortal men, to lowest pitch of abject fortune, 221 00:24:06.720 --> 00:24:12.720 thou art fallen for him? I reckon not in high 222 00:24:13.000 --> 00:24:17.920 estate whom long descent of birth or the sphere of 223 00:24:18.160 --> 00:24:25.720 fortune raises. But thee whose strength, while virtue was her mate, 224 00:24:26.039 --> 00:24:33.599 might have subdu'd thee Earth universally crown'd with highest praises. 225 00:24:36.039 --> 00:24:40.440 I hear the sound of words their sense. The air 226 00:24:40.680 --> 00:24:47.240 dissolves unjointed. Ere it reach my ear? He speaks. Let 227 00:24:47.279 --> 00:24:53.240 us draw nigh much less in might the glory late 228 00:24:53.359 --> 00:24:58.720 of Israel. Now the grief we come thy friends and 229 00:24:59.000 --> 00:25:05.279 neighbors not are known from Estal and Zora's fruitful veil 230 00:25:05.519 --> 00:25:11.799 to visit or bewail thee, or if better counsel or consolation, 231 00:25:12.160 --> 00:25:17.960 we may bring salve to thy sores. Apt words have 232 00:25:18.359 --> 00:25:23.359 power to suage the tumors of a troubled mind, and 233 00:25:23.480 --> 00:25:32.839 are as balm to festered wounds. End of Section one, 234 00:25:33.680 --> 00:25:44.279 Section two, Samson. The chorus your coming Friends revives me, 235 00:25:45.240 --> 00:25:49.799 for I learn now of my own experience, not by talk, 236 00:25:50.480 --> 00:25:55.960 how counterfeit a coin. They are, who friends bear in 237 00:25:56.000 --> 00:26:03.000 their superscription of the most I would understood. In prosperous 238 00:26:03.160 --> 00:26:08.799 days they swarm, but in adverse withdraw their head, not 239 00:26:09.079 --> 00:26:15.079 to be found those sought we see, o, friends, how 240 00:26:15.200 --> 00:26:20.880 many evils having closed me round? Yet that which was 241 00:26:21.000 --> 00:26:27.640 the worst now least afflicts me blindness? For had I 242 00:26:27.960 --> 00:26:33.319 sight confused with shame, how could I once look up 243 00:26:33.920 --> 00:26:38.160 or heave the head, Who, like a foolish pilot, have 244 00:26:38.480 --> 00:26:45.359 shipwreck'd my vessel trusted to me from above, gloriously rigg'd, 245 00:26:46.279 --> 00:26:51.799 and for a word a tear fool have divulged the 246 00:26:52.079 --> 00:26:59.000 secret gift of God to a deceitful woman. Tell me, friends, 247 00:26:59.400 --> 00:27:02.839 am I not sung and proverbed for a fool in 248 00:27:03.079 --> 00:27:07.960 every street? Do they not say? How well are come 249 00:27:08.119 --> 00:27:15.519 upon him his deserts? Yet why immeasurable strength they might 250 00:27:15.640 --> 00:27:22.240 behold in me of wisdom? Nothing more than mean this 251 00:27:22.599 --> 00:27:27.359 with the other. Should at least have pair'd these two 252 00:27:27.559 --> 00:27:37.799 proportioned ill drove me transverse tax not divine disposal. Wisest 253 00:27:37.960 --> 00:27:43.559 men have erred and by bad women been deceived, and 254 00:27:43.720 --> 00:27:50.599 shall again pretend they ne'er so wise deject not then 255 00:27:50.720 --> 00:27:57.640 so overmuch thyself, who hast of sorrow thy full load. Besides, 256 00:27:59.000 --> 00:28:03.440 yet truth to say, I have oft heard men wonder 257 00:28:03.640 --> 00:28:08.680 why thou shouldst wed Felstian women, rather than of thine 258 00:28:08.759 --> 00:28:13.960 own tribe, fairer or as fair at least of thy 259 00:28:14.039 --> 00:28:21.119 own nation, and as noble. The first I saw at Tymna, 260 00:28:21.240 --> 00:28:26.000 and she pleased me. Not my parents that I sought 261 00:28:26.079 --> 00:28:30.799 to wed the daughter of an infidel. They knew, not 262 00:28:31.200 --> 00:28:36.160 that what I motioned was of God. I knew from 263 00:28:36.400 --> 00:28:43.079 intimate impulse, and therefore urg'd the marriage on that by occasion, 264 00:28:43.319 --> 00:28:49.559 hence I might begin Israel's deliverance, the work to which 265 00:28:49.599 --> 00:28:56.039 I was divinely called. She proving false. The next I 266 00:28:56.119 --> 00:29:01.559 took to wife, Oh that I never had fond wish 267 00:29:01.880 --> 00:29:08.599 too late, was in the veil of Sorek Dullillah, that 268 00:29:09.079 --> 00:29:17.519 speecious monster my accomplish'd snare. I thought it lawful from 269 00:29:17.559 --> 00:29:23.279 my former act, and the same end, still watching to 270 00:29:23.440 --> 00:29:29.920 oppress Israel's oppressors. Of what now I suffer. She was 271 00:29:30.119 --> 00:29:36.920 not the prime cause, but I myself, who vanquish'd with 272 00:29:37.039 --> 00:29:42.880 a peal of words, Oh, weakness, gave up my thought 273 00:29:43.079 --> 00:29:50.279 of silence to a woman in seeking just occasion to 274 00:29:50.440 --> 00:29:56.680 provoke the Philistine thy country's enemy. Thou never wast remiss, 275 00:29:56.759 --> 00:30:02.279 I hear thee witness, Yet Israel still serves with all 276 00:30:02.359 --> 00:30:08.119 his sons at fault. I take not on me, but 277 00:30:08.359 --> 00:30:14.559 transfer on Israel's governess and heads of tribes, who, seeing 278 00:30:14.680 --> 00:30:19.119 those great acts which God had done singly by me 279 00:30:19.680 --> 00:30:25.839 against their conquerors, acknowledg'd not or not at all consider'd 280 00:30:26.039 --> 00:30:31.599 deliverance offer'd. I, on the other side, used no ambition 281 00:30:31.839 --> 00:30:38.000 to commend my deeds. The deeds themselves, though mute, spoke 282 00:30:38.359 --> 00:30:43.799 loud the doer, but they persisted death and would not 283 00:30:44.039 --> 00:30:48.680 seem to count them things worth notice, till at length 284 00:30:48.880 --> 00:30:57.000 their lords the Philistines, with gather'd powers, entered Judea, seeking me, who, then, 285 00:30:57.359 --> 00:31:02.079 safe to the rock of Etham, was returned, tired, not flying, 286 00:31:02.559 --> 00:31:07.079 but forecasting in what place to set upon them, what 287 00:31:07.240 --> 00:31:13.960 advantag'd best. Meanwhile, the men of Judah, to prevent the 288 00:31:14.079 --> 00:31:19.799 harass of their land, beset me round I willingly. On 289 00:31:20.119 --> 00:31:25.799 some conditions came into their hands, and they as gladly 290 00:31:26.240 --> 00:31:31.440 yield me to the uncircumcis'd a welcome prey bound with 291 00:31:31.680 --> 00:31:37.880 two cords. P cords to me were threads touch'd with 292 00:31:38.000 --> 00:31:44.079 the flame on their whole host. I flew unarm'd, and 293 00:31:44.160 --> 00:31:49.839 with a trivial weapon fell'd their choicest youth. They only 294 00:31:50.039 --> 00:31:56.240 lived who fled, had Judah that day join'd or won 295 00:31:56.400 --> 00:32:00.880 the whole tribe they had by this possess'd the towers 296 00:32:00.920 --> 00:32:05.200 of Gath, and lauded over them, whom now they serve. 297 00:32:06.119 --> 00:32:11.279 But what more oft in nations grown corrupt and by 298 00:32:11.359 --> 00:32:17.160 their vices brought to servitude than to love bondage more 299 00:32:17.240 --> 00:32:24.839 than liberty, bondage with ease than strenuous liberty. And to despise, 300 00:32:25.279 --> 00:32:30.319 or envy or suspect whom God Hath of his special 301 00:32:30.559 --> 00:32:35.279 favor rais'd as their deliverer, if he ought to begin, 302 00:32:36.079 --> 00:32:40.559 how frequent, to desert him, and at last to heap 303 00:32:41.160 --> 00:32:48.960 ingratitude on worthiest deeds. Thy words to my remembrance bring 304 00:32:49.400 --> 00:32:54.759 how succorth and the thought of Penuel their great deliverer, 305 00:32:54.920 --> 00:33:01.039 contemnd the matchless Gideon in pursuit of Aladian and her 306 00:33:01.319 --> 00:33:08.160 vanquish'd kings, And how ingrateful Ephraim not worse than, by 307 00:33:08.200 --> 00:33:12.880 his shield and spear, had dealt with Jephtha, who by 308 00:33:13.119 --> 00:33:18.680 argument defended Israel from the Ammonite, had not his prowess 309 00:33:19.039 --> 00:33:23.839 quell'd their pride in that sore battle, when so many 310 00:33:24.200 --> 00:33:30.240 died without reprieve adjudg'd to death for want of well 311 00:33:30.480 --> 00:33:37.559 pronouncing shibboleth. Of such examples add me to the role 312 00:33:38.480 --> 00:33:45.559 me easily. Indeed mine may neglect, but God's proposed deliverance. 313 00:33:45.920 --> 00:33:46.680 Not so. 314 00:33:49.039 --> 00:33:54.480 Just are the ways of God and justifiable to men, 315 00:33:54.680 --> 00:33:59.279 unless they be who think not God at all, If 316 00:33:59.319 --> 00:34:05.000 any be, they walk obscure, for of such doctrine, never 317 00:34:05.359 --> 00:34:09.199 was their school but the heart of the fool, And 318 00:34:09.480 --> 00:34:14.880 no man therein doctor but himself. Yet more there be 319 00:34:15.119 --> 00:34:19.800 who doubt his ways, not just as to his own 320 00:34:20.079 --> 00:34:26.519 edicts found contradicting, than give the reins to wandering thought, 321 00:34:27.199 --> 00:34:34.000 regardless of his glory's diminution, Till by their own perplexities 322 00:34:34.199 --> 00:34:41.239 involv'd they ravel more, still less resolv'd, but never find 323 00:34:41.599 --> 00:34:48.320 self satisfying solution, as if they would confine the interminable 324 00:34:48.639 --> 00:34:52.880 and tie him to his own prescript. Who made our 325 00:34:53.159 --> 00:34:58.960 laws to bind us, not himself, and hath full right 326 00:34:59.119 --> 00:35:03.880 to exempt whomso it pleases him by choice, from national 327 00:35:04.039 --> 00:35:10.559 obstriction without taint of sin or legal debt. For with 328 00:35:10.760 --> 00:35:16.159 his own laws he can best dispense. He would not 329 00:35:16.519 --> 00:35:21.320 else who never wanted means, nor in respect of the 330 00:35:21.559 --> 00:35:27.119 enemy just cause to set his people free, have prompted 331 00:35:27.400 --> 00:35:33.679 this heroic Nazarite, against his vow of strictest purity, to 332 00:35:33.920 --> 00:35:43.320 seek in marriage that fallacious bride unclean unchaste down reason 333 00:35:43.639 --> 00:35:50.199 then at least vain reasonings down The reason hereover that 334 00:35:50.599 --> 00:35:58.880 moral verded quits her of unclean unchaste was subsequent her stain, 335 00:35:59.280 --> 00:36:05.280 not his is. But see here comes thy reverend sire, 336 00:36:05.800 --> 00:36:12.719 with careful steps, locks white as down, Old Man Noah, 337 00:36:14.000 --> 00:36:21.000 advise forthwith how thou oughtest to receive him? Ay me 338 00:36:21.880 --> 00:36:28.639 another inward grief awaked with mention of that name, renews 339 00:36:28.880 --> 00:36:43.320 the assault end of Section two, Section three, Man Noah, Chorus, Samson, 340 00:36:45.639 --> 00:36:50.440 Brethren and men of Dane, For such she seem though 341 00:36:50.519 --> 00:36:56.480 in this uncouth place, if old respect, as I suppose 342 00:36:56.920 --> 00:37:03.519 towards your once gloried friend, my son now captive, hither 343 00:37:03.679 --> 00:37:09.199 hath inform'd your younger feet, while mine cast back with 344 00:37:09.360 --> 00:37:15.440 age came lagging after, say if he be here as 345 00:37:15.519 --> 00:37:21.079 signal now in low dejected state, as asked in highest, 346 00:37:21.760 --> 00:37:28.639 behold him where he lies? Oh, miserable change? Is this 347 00:37:28.960 --> 00:37:35.599 the man that invincible samson far renown'd the dread of 348 00:37:35.920 --> 00:37:41.760 Israel's foes, who, with a strength equivalent to angels, walk'd 349 00:37:41.840 --> 00:37:49.800 their streets, none offering fight, whose single combatant duel'd their armies, 350 00:37:50.159 --> 00:37:57.679 rank'd in proud array himself an army now unequal match 351 00:37:58.159 --> 00:38:05.599 to save himself against a coward arm'd at one spear's length. Oh, ever, 352 00:38:06.000 --> 00:38:11.639 failing trust in mortal strength, and o what not in 353 00:38:11.920 --> 00:38:18.199 man deceivable and vain? Nay what thing God pray'd for, 354 00:38:18.920 --> 00:38:26.880 but often proves our woe? Our bane, I pray'd for children, 355 00:38:27.840 --> 00:38:34.199 and thought barrenness in wedlock a reproach I gain'd a son, 356 00:38:34.760 --> 00:38:38.760 and such a son as all men hail'd me happy? 357 00:38:39.719 --> 00:38:45.119 Who would be now a father in my stead? Oh? 358 00:38:45.159 --> 00:38:50.079 Wherefore did God grant me my request? And as a 359 00:38:50.159 --> 00:38:57.039 blessing with such pomp adorn'd? Why are his gifts desirable 360 00:38:57.239 --> 00:39:03.199 to tempt our earnest prayers? Then given with solemn hand 361 00:39:03.280 --> 00:39:11.320 as graces draw a scorpion's tail behind? For this did 362 00:39:11.360 --> 00:39:18.079 the angel twice dessent? For this ordain'd thy nature, holy 363 00:39:18.559 --> 00:39:24.119 as of a plant, select and sacred, glorious for a 364 00:39:24.320 --> 00:39:33.639 while the miracle of men. Then in an hour ensnar'd assalted, overcome, 365 00:39:34.400 --> 00:39:42.440 lead bound thy foe's derision, captive, poor and blind into 366 00:39:42.480 --> 00:39:50.239 a dungeon, thrust to work with slaves. Alas methinks, whom 367 00:39:50.400 --> 00:39:55.199 God hath chosen once to worthy a deed, if he 368 00:39:55.400 --> 00:40:01.440 through frailty er, he should not so awe whealm, and 369 00:40:01.480 --> 00:40:07.519 as a thrall subject him to so foul indignities. Be 370 00:40:07.639 --> 00:40:13.719 it but for honor's sake of former deeds, a point 371 00:40:14.000 --> 00:40:20.360 not heavenly disposition. Father, Nothing of all these evils hath 372 00:40:20.440 --> 00:40:26.480 befallen me, but justly I myself have brought them on 373 00:40:27.519 --> 00:40:34.199 sole author, I sole cause, if aught seem vile, as 374 00:40:34.360 --> 00:40:39.199 vile hath been my folly, who hath profan'd the mystery 375 00:40:39.280 --> 00:40:43.719 of God given me under pledge of vow, and have 376 00:40:43.920 --> 00:40:50.119 betrayed it to a woman, a Canaanite, my faithless enemy. 377 00:40:51.440 --> 00:40:56.559 This well I knew, nor was it all surprised, but 378 00:40:56.840 --> 00:41:02.719 warned by oft experience, did not she of Timner first 379 00:41:02.960 --> 00:41:08.039 betray me and revealed the secret rested from me in 380 00:41:08.119 --> 00:41:13.800 her heights of nuptial love, professed, carrying it straight to 381 00:41:14.000 --> 00:41:20.000 them who had corrupted her my spies and rivals. In 382 00:41:20.239 --> 00:41:25.719 this other was there found more faith, who, also, in 383 00:41:25.840 --> 00:41:33.559 her prime of love spousal embraces viciated with gold, though 384 00:41:33.760 --> 00:41:40.199 offered only by the scent conceiv'd her spurious first born 385 00:41:40.960 --> 00:41:47.800 treason against me. Thrice she essayed, with flattering prayers and 386 00:41:48.119 --> 00:41:54.440 sighs and amorous reproaches to win from me my capital secret, 387 00:41:55.159 --> 00:41:59.920 in what part my strength lay stored, in what parts 388 00:42:00.360 --> 00:42:06.559 summ'd that she might know? Thrice I deluded her and 389 00:42:06.760 --> 00:42:13.960 turn'd to sport her importunity, each time perceiving how openly 390 00:42:14.480 --> 00:42:19.159 and with what impudence she purpos'd to betray me, and 391 00:42:19.360 --> 00:42:24.840 which was worse than undissembl'd hate, with what contempt she 392 00:42:25.119 --> 00:42:31.280 sought to make me traitor to myself. Yet the fourth time, 393 00:42:31.960 --> 00:42:39.599 when mustering all her wiles with blandish'd parleys, feminine assaults 394 00:42:40.079 --> 00:42:46.599 tongue batteries, she surceas'd not day nor night to storm me, 395 00:42:47.119 --> 00:42:53.760 over watch'd and wearied out. At times when men seek 396 00:42:54.039 --> 00:43:02.719 most repose and rest, I yielded and unlock'd all my heart, who, 397 00:43:02.760 --> 00:43:08.159 with a grain of manhood, well resolved might easily have 398 00:43:08.400 --> 00:43:15.199 shook off all her snares, But foul effeminacy help me 399 00:43:15.400 --> 00:43:22.480 yoked her bond slave oh indignity, a blot to honor 400 00:43:22.599 --> 00:43:31.159 and religion. Servile mind rewarded well with servile punishment. The 401 00:43:31.440 --> 00:43:36.760