Her harbinger, a damsel train behind; Than Dalila thy wife. SAMSON. My wife, my traitress, let her not come near me. 725 CHORUS. Yet on she moves, now stands and eyes thee fix'd, About t' have spoke, but now, with head declin'd Like a fair flow'r surcharg'd with dew, she weeps, And words address'd seem into tears dissolv'd, Wetting the borders of her silken veil: But now again she makes address to speak. DALILA. With doubtful feet and wavering resolution See Drayton, Polyolb. s. xx. vol. iv. p. 1042. and Borde's Dietarie of Health, ch. viii. ed. 1542. Compare Howell's Letters, (Let. dat. 1629.) vol. i. sect. 5. As 'mongst all flowres the rose excells, As amber 'mongst the fragrant'st smells. See also A Poem Royal, 1641. ibid. And Jonson's Cynth. Rev. a. v. s. 4. And in the Winter's Tale, a. iv. s. 3. -necklace-amber Perfume for a lady's chamber. 726. Yet on she moves, &c.] Like Ismene in the Antigone of Sophocles, ver. 532. Και μην προ πυλων ἡδ' Ισμηνη Τεγγουσ' ευωπα παρειαν. 730 Mr. Jortin and Mr. Thyer both concurred in the same observation, and therefore it is more likely to be true. 729. And words address'd &c.] This verse is printed imperfect in most of the editions, And words address'd seem tears dissolv'd, that being wanted which is in the first edition, And words address'd seem into tears dissolv'd. Mr. Jortin conjectured it should be so read, without seeing the first edition. The scene between Samson and 732. With doubtful feet &c.] Dalila is drawn up with great judgment, and particular beauty. One cannot conceive a more artful, soft, and persuasive eloquence than that which is put into the mouth of Dalila, nor is the part I came, still dreading thy displeasure, Samson, I cannot but acknowledge; yet if tears My penance hath not slacken'd, though my pardon To lighten what thou suffer'st, and appease Out, out hyæna; these are thy wonted arts, of Samson less to be admired for that stern and resolute firmness which runs through it. What also gives both parts a great additional beauty is their forming so fine a contrast to each other. Thyer. 748. Out, out hyana;] The hyæna is a creature somewhat like a wolf, and is said to imitate a human voice so artfully as to draw people to it, and then devour them. So Solinus, the transcriber of Pliny, cap. 27. Multa de ea mira: primum quod 735 740 745 750 sequitur stabula pastorum, et auditu assiduo addiscit vocamen, quod exprimere possit imitatione vocis humanæ, ut in hominem astu accitum nocte sæviat. A celebrated tragic writer makes use of the same comparison. Orphan, act ii. 'Tis thus the false hyæna makes her moan, To draw the pitying traveller to her Confess, and promise wonders in her change, Her husband, how far urg'd his patience bears, Are drawn to wear out miserable days, Yet hear me, Samson; not that I endeavour To lessen or extenuate my offence, 755 760 765 But that on th' other side if it be weigh'd By' itself, with aggravations not surcharged, 770 Or else with just allowance counterpois'd, I may, if possible, thy pardon find The easier towards me, or thy hatred less. To publish them, both common female faults: For importunity, that is for nought, 775 Wherein consisted all thy strength and safety? 780 Nor should'st thou have trusted that to woman's frailty: Ere I to thee, thou to thyself wast cruel. Let weakness then with weakness come to parle 785 Thine forgive mine; that men may censure thine More strength from me than in thyself was found. In human hearts, nor less in mine tow'rds thee, Of fancy, fear'd lest one day thou would'st leave me 790 795 800 805 810 These reasons in love's law have past for good, Be not unlike all others, not austere If thou in strength all mortals dost exceed, SAMSON. How cunningly the sorceress displays Her own transgressions, to upbraid me mine! That malice not repentance brought thee hither, appears: I gave, thou say'st, th' example, By this I led the way; bitter reproach, but true; I to myself was false ere thou to me; 815 820 825 Take to thy wicked deed; which when thou see'st 830 Thou wilt renounce thy seeking, and much rather way To raise in me inexpiable hate, 835 |