Mortals that would follow me, END OF THE MASK. THE ARGUMENT. Samson made captive, blind, and now in the prison at Gaza, there to labour as in a common work-house, on a festival day, in the general cessation from labour, comes forth into the open air, to a place nigh, some-what retired, there to sit awhile and bemoan his condition. Where he happens at length to be visited by certain friends and equals of his tribe, which make the Chorus, who seek to comfort him what they can; then by his old father Manoah, who endeavors the like, and withal tells him his purpose to procure his liberty by ransom; lastly, that this feast was proclaimed by the Philistines as a day of thanksgiving for their deliverance from the hands of Samson, which yet more troubles him. Manoah then departs to prosecute his endeavour with the Philistian lords for Samson's redemption; who, in the meanwhile, is visited by other persons; and lastly by a public officer to require his coming to the feast before the lords and people, to play and show his strength in their presence; he at first refuses, dismissing the public officer with absolute denial to come; at length, persuaded inwardly that this was from God, he yields to go along with him, who came now the second time with great threatenings to fetch him; the Chorus yet remaining on the place, Manoah returns full of joyful hope, to procure erelong his son's deliverance: in the midst of which discourse a Hebrew comes in haste, confusedly at first, and afterwards more distinctly relating the catastrophe, what Samson had done to the Philistines, and by accident to himself; wherewith the tragedy SAMSON AGONISTES.* The Scene before the Prison in Gaza. Samson. A LITTLE onward lend thy guiding hand Unwholesome draught: but here I feel amends, To Dagon, their sea-idol, and forbid Their superstition yields me; hence with leave * Samson Agonistes, that is, Samson an Actor, Samson represented in a play. I From restless thoughts that like a deadly swarm His godlike presence, and from some great act Design'd for great exploits; if I must die To grind in brazen fetters under task With this heaven-gifted strength? O glorious strength Put to the labour of a beast, debas'd Lower than bondslave! Promise was that I By weakest subtleties, not made to rule, |