X
 
 THE 
 
 POETICAL WORKS 
 
 OF 
 
 JOHN MILTON, 
 
 FROM THE TEXT OF 
 THE REV. HENRY JOHN TODD, M.A, 
 
 WITH 
 
 A CRITICAL ESSAY, 
 By J. AIKIN, M.D. 
 
 VOL. III. 
 
 lonDott : 
 
 fRINTED FOR J. JOHNSON, W. J. AND J. RICHARDSON, R. BAlDWlN, 
 OTRIDGE AND SON, NICHOLS AND SON", F. AND C. RIYTNGTON, 
 T. PAYNE, J. WALKER, WILKIE AND ROBINSON, W. LOWNDES, 
 SCATCHERD AND LETTERMAN, CLARKE AND SONS, J. NUNN, LONG- 
 MAN, HURST, REES, AND ORME, CADELL AND DAYIES, VERNOR, 
 HOOD AND SHARPE, E, JEFFEkV, J. MAW.MAN, J. CARPENTER, MAT- 
 THEWS AND LEIGH, AND J. HARRIS. 
 
 1808.
 
 .". inJ R. Baldwin, Printers, 
 .New Bridg-ftreet, London.
 
 CONTENTS TO VOLUME THIRD 
 
 Page 
 
 Paradise Regain' d, Book 1 1 
 
 II Q7 
 
 /// 51 
 
 IV. 73 
 
 Samson Agonistts 105 
 
 Comus, A Mask, 203
 
 T H E 
 
 FIRST BOOK 
 
 PARADISE REGAINS 
 
 '- OL. III.
 
 PARADISE REGAIN!). 
 
 BOOK I. 
 
 1 Who ere while the happy garden sung 
 
 By one man's disobedience lost, now sing 
 
 Recover' d Paradise to all mankind, 
 
 By one man's firm obedience fully tried 
 
 Through all temptation, and the Tempter foil'd 
 
 In all his wiles, defeated and repuls'd, 
 
 And Eden rais'd in the waste wilderness. 
 
 Thou Spirit, who ledst this glorious eremite 
 Into the desert, his victorious field, 
 Against the spiritual foe, and brought'st him thence 
 By proof the undoubted Son of God, inspire, 1 1 
 
 As thou art wont, my prompted song, else mute, 
 And bear, through highth or depth of Nature's bounds, 
 With prosperous wing full summ'd, to tell of deeds 
 Above heroick, though in secret done, 
 And unrecorded left through many an age j 
 
 b 2 Worthy
 
 4- PARADISE REGAIX'D. Book 1. 
 
 Worthy to have not remain'd so long unsung. 
 Now had the great Proclaimer, with a voice 
 More awful than the sound of trumpet, cried 
 Repentance, and Heaven's kingdom nigh at hand 20 
 To all baptis'd : to his great baptism flock'd 
 With awe the regions round, and with them came 
 From Nazareth the son of Joseph deem'd 
 To the flood Jordan ; came, as then obscure, 
 Unmark'd, unknown ; but him the Baptist soon 
 Descried, divinely warn'd, and witness bore 
 As to his worthier, and would have resign'd 
 To him his heavenly office - T nor was long 
 His witness unconrirm'd : on him baptis'd 
 Heaven open'd, and in likeness of a dove 30 
 
 The Spirit descended, while the Father's voice 
 From Heaven pronoune'd him his beloved Son. 
 That heard the Adversary, who, roving still 
 About the world, at that assembly fam'd 
 Would not be last, and, with the voice divine 
 Nigh thunder-struck, the exalted Man, to whom 
 Such high alte.it was given, a while survey'd 
 With wonder; then, with envy fraught and rage, 
 Hies to his place, nor rests, but in mid air 
 
 To
 
 Book I. PARADISE REGAIN'D. 5 
 
 To counsel summons all his mighty peers, 40 
 
 Within thick clouds and dark ten-fold involv'd, 
 A gloomy consistory ; and them amidst, 
 AV'ith looks aghast and sad, he thus bespake. 
 
 O ancient Powers of air, and this wide world, 
 (For much more willingly I mention air, 
 This our old conquest, than remember Hell, 
 Our hated habitation ;) well ye know 
 How many ages, as the years of men, 
 This universe we have possess'd, and rul'd, 
 In manner at our will, the affairs of earth, SO 
 
 Since Adam and his facile consort Eve 
 Lost Paradise, deceiv'd by me ; though since 
 With dread attending when that fatal wound 
 Shall be indicted by the seed of Eve 
 Upon my head : Long the decrees of Heaven 
 Delay, for longest time to him is short ; 
 And now, too soon for us, the circling hours 
 This dreaded time have compass'd, wherein we 
 Must bide the stroke of that long threaten'd wound, 
 (At least if so we can, and by the head oO 
 
 Broken be not intended all our power 
 To be infring'd, our freedom and our being, 
 
 k r, la
 
 6 PARADISE REGAIX'D. Book I. 
 
 Jn this fair empire won of earth and air;) 
 
 For tills ill news I bring, the Woman's Seed, 
 
 Destin'd to this, is late of Woman born : 
 
 His birth to our just fear gave no small cause ; 
 
 But his growth now to youth's full flow'r, displaying 
 
 All virtue, grace, and wisdom to achieve 
 
 Things highest, greatest, multiplies my fear. 
 
 Before him a great Prophet, to proclaim 7<> 
 
 Ilia coming, is sent harbinger, who all 
 
 Invites, and in the consecrated stream 
 
 Pretends to wash off sin, and fit them, so 
 
 Purified, to receive him pure, or rather 
 
 Tn do him honour as their king; all come, 
 
 And he himself among them was baptiz'd; 
 
 Not thence to be more pure, but to receive 
 
 '1 he testimony of Heaven, that who he is 
 
 Thencefordi the nations may not doubt; I saw 
 
 The prophet do him reverence j on him, rising SO 
 
 Out of the water, Heaven above the clouds 
 
 I nfold her crystal doors ; thence on his head 
 
 A perfect do\e uc-o-'id, what-e'er it meant, 
 
 Atiil <Hit et Heaven the -ovran voice I heard, 
 
 " 1 liia is nr> Sen bjlov'd, in him am pleas'd." 
 
 1X1 =
 
 Booh I. PARADISE REGAIN'D. 7 
 
 Mis mother then is mortal, but his Sire 
 
 He who obtains the monarchy of Heaven, 
 
 And what will he not do to advance his Son ? 
 
 His first-begot we know, and sore have felt, 
 
 When his fierce thunder drove us to the deep : QO 
 
 Who this is we must learn, for Man he seems 
 
 In all his lineaments, though in his face 
 
 The glimpses of his Father's glory shine. 
 
 Ye see our danger on the utmost edge 
 
 ( )f hazard, which admits no long debate, 
 
 But must with something sudden be oppos'd, 
 
 (Not force, but well couch'd fraud, well woven snares,) 
 
 Ere in the head of nations he appear, 
 
 Their king, their leader, and supreme on earth. 
 
 I , when no other durst, sole undertook 100 
 
 The dismal expedition to find out 
 
 And ruin Adam ; and the exploit perform'd 
 
 Successfully : a calmer voyage now 
 
 Will waft me; and the way, found prosperous once 
 
 Induces best to hope of like success. 
 
 FIc ended, and his words impression left 
 Of much amazement to the infernal crew, 
 Distracted and surpris'd with deep dismay 
 
 At
 
 8 PARADISE REGAIN'D. Book I. 
 
 At these sad tidings ; but no time was then 
 
 For long indulgence to their fears cr grief: 1 10 
 
 Unanimous they all commit the care 
 
 And management of this main enterprize 
 
 To him, their great dictator, whose attempt 
 
 At first against mankind so well had thriv'd 
 
 In Adam's overthrow, and led their march 
 
 From Hell's deep vaulted den to dwell in light, 
 
 Regents, and potentates, and kings, yea Gods 
 
 Of many a pleasant realm and province wide. 
 
 So to the coast of Jordan he directs 
 
 His easy steps, girded with snaky wiles, 120 
 
 Where he might likeliest find this new-declar'd, 
 
 This Man of men, attested Sou of God, 
 
 Temptation and all guile on him to try j 
 
 So to subvert whom he suspected rais'd 
 
 To end his reign on earth, so long enjoy'd : 
 
 But, contrary, unwecting he fulnll'd 
 
 The purpos'd counsel, pre-ordain'd and fix'd, 
 
 Of the Most High, who in full frequence bright 
 
 Of Angels, thus to Gabriel smiling spake. 
 
 Gabriel, this day by proof thou shalt behold, ISO 
 Thou and all Angels conversant on earth 
 
 With
 
 Bookl. PARADISE REGAIND. i) 
 
 With man or men's affairs, how I begin 
 
 To verify that solemn message, late 
 
 On which I sent thee to the Virgin pure 
 
 In Galilee, that she should bear a son, 
 
 Great in renown, and call'd the Son of God; 
 
 Then toldst her doubting how these things could be 
 
 To her a virgin, that on her should come 
 
 The Holy Ghost, and the power of the Highest 
 
 O'er-shadow her : this Man, born and now up-grown, 
 
 To show him worthy of his birth divine 141 
 
 And high prediction, henceforth I expose 
 
 To Satan ; let him tempt, and now assay 
 
 His utmost subtlety, because he boasts 
 
 And vaunts of his great cunning to the throng 
 
 Of his apostasy : he might have learnt 
 
 Less overweening, since he fail'd in Job, 
 
 Whose constant perseverance overcame 
 
 Whate'er his cruel malice could invent. 
 
 He now shall know I can produce a man 150 
 
 Of female seed, far abler to resist 
 
 All his solicitations, and at length 
 
 All his vast force, and drive him back to Hell ; 
 
 Winning, by conquest, what the first man lost, 
 
 By
 
 10 PARADISE REGAIXD. Book I. 
 
 By fallacy surpris'd. But first I mean 
 
 To exercise him in the wilderness ; 
 
 There he shall first lay down the rudiments 
 
 Of his great warfare, ere I send him forth 
 
 To conquer Sin and Death, the two grand foes, 
 
 By humiliation and strong sufferance : 100 
 
 His weakness shall o'ercome Satanick strength, 
 
 And all the w orkl, and mass of sinful flesh ; 
 
 That all the Angels and ethereal Powers, 
 
 The}- now, and Men hereafter, may discern, 
 
 From what consummate virtue I have chose 
 
 This perfect Man, by merit call'd my Son, 
 
 To earn salvation for the sons of men. 
 
 So spake the Eternal Father, and all Heaven 
 Admiring stood a space, then into hymns 
 Burst forth, and in celestial measures mov'd, 170 
 
 Circling the throne and singing, while the hand 
 Sung with the voice, and this the argument. 
 
 Victory and triumph to the Son of God 
 Now eniring his great duel, not of arms, 
 But to vanquish by wisdom hellish wiles ! 
 The Father knows the Son ; therefore secure 
 Ventures his filial virtue, though untried, 
 
 Aeainst
 
 Book I. PARADISE REGAINED. 11 
 
 Against whate'er may tempt, whate'er seduce, 
 Allure, or terrify, or undermine. 
 Ee frustrate all ye stratagems of Hell, 180 
 
 And, devilish machinations, come to nought. 
 
 So they in Heaven their odes and vigils tun d : 
 Mean while the Son of God, who yet some days 
 Lodg'd in Bethabara, where John baptiz/d, 
 Musing, and much revolving in his breast, 
 How best the mighty work he might begin 
 Of Saviour to mankiod, and which way first 
 Publish his God-like office now mature, 
 One day forth walk'd alone, the Spirit leading, 
 And his deep thoughts, the better to converse 1J)0 
 With solitude, till, far from track of men, 
 Thought following thought, and step by step led on, 
 lie enter' d now the bordering desert, wild, 
 And with dark shades and rocks environ'd round. 
 His holy meditations thus pursu'd. 
 
 O, what a multitude of thoughts at once 
 Awaken' d in me swarm, while 1 consider 
 What from within I feel myself, and hear 
 What from without comes often to my ears, 
 111 sorting with my present state compar'd ! '2(H) 
 
 Whui
 
 12 PARADISE REGAIN'D. Book I. 
 
 When I was yet a child, no childish play- 
 To me was pleasing ; all my mind was set 
 Serious to learn and know, and thence to do 
 What might be pablick good ; myself I thought 
 Born to that end, born to promote all truth, 
 All righteous things : therefore above my years, 
 The law of God I read, and found it sweet, 
 Made it my whole delight, and in it grew 
 To such perfection, that ere yet my age 
 Had measur'd twice six years, at our great feast 210 
 I went into the temple, there to hear 
 The teachers of our law, and to propose 
 What might improve my knowledge of their own ; 
 And was admir'd by all: yet this not all 
 To which ray spirit aspir'd 3 victorious deeds 
 Flam'd in my la-art, heroick acts; one while 
 To rescue Israel from the Roman yoke, 
 Then to subdue and quell, o'er all the earth. 
 Brute violence and proud tyrannick power, 
 Till truth v. ere freed, and equity restor'd: 2C0 
 
 Vet held it more humane, more heavenly, first 
 By winning words to conquer willing hearts, 
 And make persuasion do the work of fear; 
 
 At
 
 Book I. PARADISE REGAINED. {3 
 
 At least to try, and teach the erring soul, 
 Not wilfully mis-doing, but unware 
 Misled ; the stubborn only to subdue. 
 These growing thoughts my mother soon perceiving 
 By words at times cast forth, inly rejoic'd, 
 And said to me apart, " High are thy thoughts 
 O Son, but nourish them, and let them soar 230 
 
 To what highth sacred virtue and true worth 
 Can raise them, though above example high ; 
 By matchless deeds express thy matchless Sire, 
 For know, thou art no son of mortal man ; 
 Though men esteem thee low of parentage, 
 Thy father is the Eternal King who rules 
 All Heaven and Earth, Angels and Sons of men ; 
 A messenger from God foretold thy birth 
 Conceiv'd in me a virgin ; he foretold 
 Thou shouldst be great, and sit on David's throne, 
 And of thy kingdom there should be no end. 24-1 
 At thy nativity, a glorious quire 
 Of Angels, in the fields of Bethlehem, sung 
 To shepherds, watching at their folds by night, 
 And told them the Messiah now was born, 
 Where they might see him, and to thee they came, 
 vol. in. c Directed
 
 14 PARADISE REGAIND. Book I. 
 
 Directed .to the manger where thou lay'st. 
 
 For in the inn was left no better room; 
 
 A star, not seen before, in Heaven appearing 
 
 Guided the wise men thither from the east, 250 
 
 To honour thee with incense, myrrh, and gold; 
 
 By whose bright course led on they found the place, 
 
 Affirming it thy star, new graven in Heaven, 
 
 By which they knew the King of Israel born. 
 
 Just Simeon and prophetic Anna, warn'd 
 
 By vision, found thee in the temple, and spake 
 
 Before the altar and the vested priest, 
 
 Like things of thee to all that present stood." 
 
 This ha\ ing heard, straight I again revolv'd 
 
 The Law and Prophets, searching what was writ 
 
 Concerning die Messiah, to our scribes 2(1 
 
 Known partly, and soon found, of whom they spake 
 
 lam; this chiefly, that my way must lie 
 
 Hi rough many a hard assay, even to die death, 
 
 lire I the promis'd kingdom can attain, 
 
 Or work redemption for mankind, whose sins' 
 
 Fuil weight must be transfer' d upon my head. 
 
 Vet, neither thus dishearten'd or dismay'd, 
 
 The time prehVd J waited: when behold 
 
 The
 
 Booh I. PARADISE REGAIND. 15 
 
 The Baptist (of whose birth I oft had heard, 270 
 
 Not knew by sight) now come, who was to come 
 
 Before Messiah, and his way prepare ! 
 
 I, as all others, to his baptism came, 
 
 Which I believ'd was from above ; but he 
 
 Straight knew me, and with loudest voice proclaim' d 
 
 Me him (for it was shown him so from Heaven) 
 
 Me him, whose harbinger he was ; and first 
 
 Refus'd on me his baptism to confer, 
 
 As much his greater, and was hardly won : 
 
 But, as I rose out of the laving stream, 280 
 
 Heaven open'd her eternal doors, from whence 
 
 The Spirit descended on me like a dove, 
 
 And last, the sum of all, my Father's voice, 
 
 Audibly heard from Heaven, pronounc'd me his, 
 
 Me his beloved Son, in whom alone 
 
 He was well pleas'd ; by which I knew the time 
 
 Now full, that I no more should live obscure, 
 
 But openly begin, as best becomes 
 
 The authority which I derived from Heaven. 
 
 And now by some strong motion I am led 290 
 
 Into this wilderness, to what intent 
 
 I learn not yet ; perhaps I need not know ; 
 
 c 2 For
 
 16 PARADISE REGAIN'D. Booh 1. 
 
 For what concerns my knowledge God reveals. 
 So spake our Morning Star, then in his rise, 
 And, looking round, on every side beheld 
 A pathless desart, dusk with horrid shades ; 
 The way he came not having mark'd, return 
 Was difficult, by human steps untrod ; 
 And he still on was led, but with such thoughts 
 Accompanied of things past and to come 300 
 
 Lodg'd in his breast, as well might recommend 
 Such solitude before choicest society. 
 Full forty days he pass'd, whether on hill 
 Sometimes, anon in shady vale, each night 
 Under the covert of some ancient oak, 
 Or cedar to defend him from the dew, 
 ( )r harbour'd in one cave, is not reveal'd ; 
 Nor tasted human food, nor hunger felt 
 'Jill those days ended 5 hunger* d then at la.it 
 Among wild beasts : they at his sight grew mild, 310 
 Nor sleeping him nor waking harni'd ; his v. alk 
 The fiery Serpent fled, and noxious worm, 
 The lion and fierce tiger glar'd aloof 
 But now an aged man in rural weeds, 
 Following, as seem'd, the quest of some stray ewe, 
 
 Or
 
 Buukl. PARADISE REGAIND. 17 
 
 Or wither'd sticks to gather, which might serve 
 Against a winter's day, when winds blow keen, 
 To warm him wet return'd from field at eve, 
 He saw approach, who first with curious eye 319 
 Perus'd him, then with words thus utter'd spake. 
 
 Sir, what ill chance hath brought thee to this place 
 So far from path or road of men, who pass 
 In troop or caravan ? for single none 
 Durst ever, who return'd, and dropt not here 
 Hi-> carcass, pin'd with hunger and with drouth. 
 I ask the rather, and the more admire, 
 For that to me thou seem'st the Man, whom late 
 Our new baptizing Prophet at the ford 
 Of Jordan honour'd so, and call'd thee Son 
 Of God ; I saw and heard, for we sometimes, 330 
 Who dwell this wild, constrain'd by want, come forth 
 To town or village nigh, (nighest is far) 
 Where aught we hear, and curious are to hear, 
 What happens new ; fame also finds us out. 
 
 To whom the Son of God. Who brought me hither, 
 Will bring me hence ; no other guide I seek. 
 
 Bv miracle he may, replied the swain; 
 What other way I see not ; for we here 
 
 c 3 Live
 
 IS PARADISE REGAIN'D. Book I. 
 
 Live on tough roots and stubs, to thirst inur'd 
 
 More than the camel, and to drink go far, 3-iO 
 
 Men to much misery and hardship born : 
 
 But, if thou be the Son of God, command 
 
 That out of these hard stones be made thee bread, 
 
 So shalt thou save thyself, and us relieve 
 
 With ibod, whereof we wretched seldom taste. 
 
 He ended, and the Son of God replied. 
 Think' st thou such force in bread? Is it not written 
 (For I discern thee other than thou seem'st) 
 Man lives not by bread only, but each word 
 Proceeding from the mouth of God, who fed ;>j0 
 Our fathers here with manna ? In the mount 
 Moses was forty days, nor eat nor drank ; 
 And forty days Elijah, without food, 
 Wander'd this barren waste ; the same I now : 
 Why dost thou then suggest to me distrust, 
 Knowing who I am, as f know who thou art ? 
 
 "Whom thu> answer' d the Arch-Fiend, now undis- 
 gui.'d. 
 Tis trii" I :!'.n that Spirit unfortunate, 
 Who, lea ;ii'd with millions more in rash re\oh, 
 Kepi not m\ happy station, but was driven :)(>u 
 
 Wi-.I
 
 Book I. PARADISE REGAIN'D. 19 
 
 With them from bliss to the bottomless deep, 
 
 Yet to that hideous place not so confin'd 
 
 By rigour unconniving, but that oft, 
 
 Leaving my dolorous prison, I enjoy 
 
 Large liberty to round this globe of earth, 
 
 Or range in the air; nor from the Heaven of Heavens 
 
 Hath he excluded my resort sometimes. 
 
 1 came among the sons of God, when lie 
 
 Gave up into my hands Uzzean Job 
 
 To prove him, and illustrate his high worth ; 370 
 And, when to all his Angels he propos'd 
 
 To draw the proud king Ahab into fraud 
 
 That he might fall in Ramoth, they demurring, 
 
 I undertook that office, and the tongues 
 
 Of all his flattering prophets glibb'd with lies 
 
 To his destruction, as I had in charge ; 
 
 For what he bids I do. Though I have lost 
 
 Much lustre of my native brightness, lost 
 
 To be belov'd of God, I have not lost 
 
 To love, at least contemplate and admire, 380 
 
 What I see excellent in good, or fair, 
 
 Or virtuous, I should so have lost all sense : 
 
 What can be then less in me than desire
 
 20 PARADISE REGAIXD. Book I. 
 
 To see thee and approach thee, whom I know 
 
 Declar'd the Son of God, to hear attent 
 
 Thy wisdom, and behold thy Godlike deeds ? 
 
 Men generally think me much a foe 
 
 To all mankind : why should I r they to me 
 
 Never did wrong or violence ; by them 
 
 I lost not what I lost, rather by them 3f)0 
 
 I gain'd what I have gain'd, and with them dwell, 
 
 Copartner in these regions of the world, 
 
 [f not disposer : lend them oft my aid, 
 Oft my advice bv presages and signs, 
 And answers, oracles, portents, and dreams., 
 Whereby they may direct their future life. 
 Envy they say excites me, thus tu gain 
 Companions ot my misery and woe. 
 At hist it may be ; but long since with woe 
 Nearer acquainted, now 1 feel, by proof, 4-Oi) 
 
 That fellowship in pain divides not smart, 
 Nor lightens aught each man's peculiar load. 
 Small consolation then, were man adjuin'd : 
 This wounds me most, (what can it less'-) that Man, 
 Man lall'n shall be restur'd, I never more. 
 To whom our Saviour sternly thus replied. 
 
 Deservedly
 
 Book I. TARADISE REGAIN'D. 21 
 
 Deservedly thou griev'st, compos'd of lies 
 
 From the beginning, and in lies wilt end ; 
 
 Who boast'st release from Hell, and leave to come 
 
 Into the Heaven of Heavens : thou com'st indeed, 
 
 As a poor miserable captive thrall 411 
 
 Comes to the place where he before had sat 
 
 Among the prime in splendour, now depos'd, 
 
 Ejected, emptied, gaz'd, unpitied, shunn'd, 
 
 A spectacle of ruin, or of scorn, 
 
 To all the host of Heaven : the happy place 
 
 Imparts to thee no happiness, no joy, 
 
 Rather inflames thy torment ; representing 
 
 Lost bliss, to thee no more communicable, 
 
 So never more in Hell than when in Heaven. 420 
 
 But thou art serviceable to Heaven's King ! 
 
 Wilt thou impute to obedience what thy feai 
 
 Extorts, or pleasure to do ill excites ? 
 
 What but thy malice mov'd thee to misdeem 
 
 Of righteous Job, then cruelly to afflict him 
 
 With all inflictions ? but his patience won. 
 
 The other service was thy chosen task, 
 
 To be a liar in four hundred mouths ; 
 
 For lying is thy sustenance, thy food. 
 
 Yet
 
 22 PARADISE REGAIN'D. Book I. 
 
 Yet thou pretend'st to truth ; all oracles 430 
 
 By thee are given, and what confess'd more true 
 
 Among the nations ? that hath been thy craft, 
 
 By mixing somewhat true to vent more lies. 
 
 But what have been thy answers, what but dark, 
 
 Ambiguous, and with double sense deluding, 
 
 Which they who ask'd have seldom understood, 
 
 And, not well understood, as good not known ? 
 
 Who ever by consulting at thy shrine 
 
 Return'd the wiser, or the more instruct, 
 
 To fly or follow what concern'd him most, 440 
 
 And run not sooner to his fatal snare ? 
 
 For God hath justly given the nations up 
 
 To thy delusions } justly, since they fell 
 
 Idolatrous : but, when his purpose is 
 
 Among them to declare his providence 
 
 To thee not known, whence hast thou then thy truth, 
 
 But from him, or his Angels president 
 
 In every province r who, themselves disdaining 
 
 To approach thy temples, give thee in command 
 
 What to the smallest tittle thou shalt say 450 
 
 To thy adorers - thou, with trembling fear, 
 
 Ov like a fawning parasite, obey'st : 
 
 Then
 
 Book I. PARADISE REGAIN'D. 23 
 
 Then to thyself ascrib'st the truth foretold. 
 
 But this thy glory shall be soon retrench'd; 
 
 Ko more shalt thou by oracling abuse 
 
 The Gentiles ; henceforth oracles are ceas'd, 
 
 And thou no more with pomp and sacrifice 
 
 Shalt be inquir'd at Delpbos, or elsewhere ; 
 
 At least in vain, for they shall find thee mute. 
 
 God hath now sent his living oracle 46*0 
 
 Into the world to teach his final will, 
 
 And sends his Spirit of truth henceforth to dwell 
 
 In pious hearts, an inward oracle 
 
 To all truth requisite for men to know. 
 
 So spake our Saviour j but the subtle Fiend, 
 Though inly stung with anger and disdain, 
 Dissembled, and this answer smooth return'd. 
 
 Sharply thou hast insisted on rebuke, 
 And urg'd me hard with doings, which not will 
 But misery hath wrested from me : where 470 
 
 Easily canst thou find one miserable, 
 And not enforc'd oft-times to part from truth, 
 If it may stand him more in stead to lie, 
 Say and unsay, feign, flatter, or abjure ? 
 But thou art plac'd above me, thou art Lord; 
 
 From
 
 24 PARADISE REGAIN D. Book I. 
 
 From thee I can, and must, submiss, endure 
 Check cr reproof, and glad to "scape so quit. 
 Hard are the ways of truth, and rough to walk ; 
 Smooth on die tongue discours'd, pleasing to the ear, 
 And tuneable as sylvan pipe or song : 4S0 
 
 What wonder then if I delight to hear 
 Her dictates from thv mouth ? Most men admire 
 Virtue, who follow not her lore : permit me 
 
 To hear thee when I come, (since no man comes) 
 
 And talk at least, though I despair to attain. 
 
 Thy Father, who is holy, wise, and pure, 
 
 Surfers the hypocrite or atheous priest 
 
 To tread his sacred courts, and minister 
 
 About his altar, handling holy tiling-, 
 
 Praying; or vowi: e, and vouchsaf d his voice 4S^ 
 
 To Balaam reprobate, a prophet yet 
 
 Ins] ir'd : disdain not such access to me. 
 To whom our Saviour, with unalter'd brow : 
 
 Thy coming hither, though I know thy scope, 
 
 1 bid not, or forbid ; do as thou tind'st 
 
 Permission from above ; thou canst not more. 
 He a id,- i not : and Satan, bowing low 
 
 His gray dissimulation, disappear' d 
 
 Into
 
 Book I. PARADISE REGAIN'D. 25 
 
 Into thin air diffus'd : for now began 
 Night with her sullen wings to double-shade 500 
 
 The desart ; fowls in their clay nests were couch'd ; 
 And now wild beasts came forth the woods to roam. 
 
 THE END OF THE FIRST BOOK. 
 
 VOL, III.
 
 THE 
 
 SECOND BOOK 
 
 PARADISE REGAIN'D. 
 
 D 2
 
 PARADISE REGAIN'D. 
 
 BOOK II. 
 
 IV1EA.N while the new-baptiz'd, who yet remain'd 
 
 At Jordan with the Baptist, and had seen 
 
 Him whom they heard so late expressly call'd 
 
 Jesus Messiah, Son of God declar'd, 
 
 And on that high authority had believ'd, 
 
 And with him talk'd, and with him lodg'd; I mean 
 
 Andrew and Simon, famous after known, 
 
 With others though in Holy Writ not nam'd j 
 
 Now missing him, their joy so lately found, 
 
 (So lately found, and so abruptly gone,) 10 
 
 Began to doubt, and doubted many days, 
 
 And, as the days encreas'd, encreas'd their doubt : 
 
 Sometimes they thought lie might be only shown, 
 
 And for a time caught up to God, as once 
 
 Moses was in the mount, and missing long ; 
 
 And the great Thisbite, who on fiery wheels 
 
 d 3 Bode
 
 30 PARADISE REGAIN'D. Book II. 
 
 Rode up to Heaven, yet once again to come. 
 
 Therefore, as those young prophets then with care 
 
 Sought lost Elijah, so in each place these 
 
 Nigh to Bethabara, in Jericho 20 
 
 The city of palms, iEnon, and Salem old, 
 
 Machaerus, and each town or city wall'd 
 
 On this side the broad lake Genezaret, 
 
 Or in Persea ; but return' d in vain. 
 
 Then on the bank of Jordan, by a creek, 
 
 Where winds with reeds and osiers whispering play, 
 
 Plain fishermen, (no greater men them call) 
 
 Close in a cottage low together got, 
 
 Their unexpected loss and plaints out breath'd. 
 
 Alas, from what high hope to what relapse 30 
 
 Unlook'd for are we fall'n ! our eyes beheld 
 Messiah certainly now come, so long 
 Kxpected of our fathers ; we have heard 
 1 [is words, his wisdom full of grace and truth ; 
 Now, now, for sure, deliverance is at hand, 
 The kingdom shall to Israel be restore! : 
 Thus we rejoie'd, but soon our joy is turn'd 
 Into perplexity and new amaze : 
 !<>r whither i> he gone, what accident 
 
 Hath
 
 Booh II. PARADISE REGAIN'D. 31 
 
 Hath rapt him from us ! will he now retire 40 
 
 After appearance, and again prolong 
 
 Our expectation ? God of Israel, 
 
 Send thy Messiah forth, the time is come; 
 
 Behold the kings of the earth, how they oppress 
 
 Thy chosen ; to what highth their power unjust 
 
 They have exalted, and behind them cast 
 
 All fear of thee ; arise, and vindicate 
 
 Thy glory ; free thy people from their yoke. 
 
 But let us wait ; thus far he hath perform'd, 
 
 Sent his Anointed, and to us reveal'd him, 50 
 
 By his great Prophet, pointed at and shown 
 
 In publick, and with him we have convers'd; 
 
 Let us be glad of this, and all our fears 
 
 Lay on his Providence ; he will not fail, 
 
 Nor will withdraw him now, nor will recall, 
 
 Mock us with his blest sight, then snatch him hence j 
 
 Soon we shall see our PI ope, our Joy, return. 
 
 Thus they, out of their plaints, new hope resume 
 To find whom at the first they found unsought : 
 But, to his mother Mary, when she saw 60 
 
 Others return'd from Baptism, not her son, 
 Xor left at Jordan, tidings of him none, 
 
 Within
 
 32 PARADISE REGAIN'D. Book II. 
 
 Within her breast though calm, her breast though pure, 
 
 Motherly cares and fears got head, and rais'd 
 
 Some troubled thoughts, which she in sighs thus clad. 
 
 O, what avails me now that honour high 
 To have conceiv'd of God, or that salute, 
 " Hail highly favour'd, among women blest!" 
 While I to sorrows am no less advanc'd, 
 And fears as eminent, above the lot JO 
 
 Of other women, by the birth I bore ; 
 In such a season born, when scarce a shed 
 Could be obtain'd to shelter him or me 
 From the bleak air j a stable was our warmth, 
 A manger his ; yet soon enforc'd to fly 
 Thence into Egypt, till the murderous king 
 Were dead, who sought his life, and mis.-ing rill'd 
 With infant blood tiie streets of Bethlehem ; 
 From Egypt home return'd, in Nazareth 
 Hath been our dwelling many years ; his life SO 
 
 Private, unactive, calm, contemplative, 
 Little suspicious to any king ; but now, 
 Full grown to man, acknowledge, as I hear, 
 By John the Baptist, and in publick slunrn, 
 Son own'd from Heaven by his Father's vuicj ; 
 
 i louk'd
 
 Book II. PARADISE REGAIN'D. 33 
 
 I look'd for some great change ; to honour ? no, 
 But trouble, as old Simeon plain foretold, 
 That to the fall and rising he should be 
 Of many in Israel, and to a sign 
 Spoken against, that through my very soul SO 
 
 A sword shall pierce ; this is my favour'd lot, 
 My exaltation to afflictions high ; 
 Afflicted I may be, it seems, and blest ; 
 I will not argue that, nor will repine. 
 But where delays he now ? some great intent 
 Conceals him : when twelve years he scarce had seen, 
 I lost him, but so found, as well I saw 
 He could not lose himself; but went about 
 His Father's business ; what he meant I mus'd, 
 Since understand ; much more his absence now 100 
 Thus long to some great purpose he obscures. 
 But I to wait with patience am inur'd ; 
 My heart hath been a store-house long of things 
 And sayings laid up, portending strange events. 
 Thus Mary, pondering oft, and oft to mind 
 Recalling what remarkably had pass'd 
 Since first her salutation heard with thoughts 
 Meekly compos'd awaited the fulfilling : 
 
 The
 
 34 PARADISE REGAIN'D. Book II. 
 
 The while her son, tracing the desart wild, 
 Sole, but with holiest meditations fed, 1 10 
 
 Into himself descended, and at once 
 All his great work to come before him set} 
 How to begin, how to accomplish best 
 His end of being on earth, and mission high ; 
 For Satan, with sly preface to return, 
 Had left him vacant, and with speed was gone 
 Up to the middle region of thick air, 
 Where all his potentates in council sat ; 
 There, without sign of boast, or sign of joy, 
 Solicitous and blank, he thus began. ] 20 
 
 Princes, Heaven's ancient Sons, ethereal Thrones, 
 Demonian Spirits now, from the element 
 Each of his reign allotted, rightlier call'd 
 Powers of fire, air, water, and earth beneath, 
 (So may we hold our place and these mild seats 
 Without new trouble,) such an enemy 
 Is risen to invade us, who no less 
 Threatens than our expulsion down to Hell; 
 I, as I undertook, and with the vote 
 Consenting in full frequence was impower'd, 130 
 
 Have found him, view'd him, tasted him; but find 
 
 Far
 
 . I /' . /. 

 
 Book II. PARADISE REGAIN'D. 35 
 
 Far other labour to be undergone 
 
 Than when I dealt with Adam, first of Men, 
 
 Though Adam by his wife's allurement fell, 
 
 However to this Man inferiour far ; 
 
 If he be Man by mother's side, at least 
 
 With more than human gifts from Heaven adoru'd, 
 
 Perfections absolute, graces divine, 
 
 And amplitude of mind to greatest deeds. 
 
 Therefore I am return'd, lest confidence 140 
 
 Of my success with Eve in Paradise 
 
 Deceive ye to persuasion over-sure 
 
 Of like succeeding here ; I summon all 
 
 Fiather to be in readiness, with hand 
 
 Or council to assist ; lest I who erst 
 
 Thought none my equal, now be over-match' d. 
 
 So spake the old Serpent, doubting} and fro all 
 With clamour was assur'd their utmost aid 
 At his command ; when from amidst them rose 
 Belial, the dissolutest Spirit that fell, 150 
 
 The sensuallest, and, after Asmodai, 
 I he fleshliest Incubus, and thus advis'd. 
 
 Set women in his eye, and in ids walk, 
 Among daughters of men the fairest found : 
 
 Many
 
 36 PARADISE REGAIX'D. Book II. 
 
 Many are in each region passing fair 
 As the noon sky ; more like to Goddesses 
 Than mortal creatures, graceful and discreet, 
 Expert in amorous arts, enchanting tongues 
 Persuasive., virgin majesty with mild 
 And sweet allay'd, yet terrible to approach, lfjo 
 
 Skill'd to retire, and, in retiring, draw 
 Hearts after them tangled in amorous nets. 
 Such object hath the power to soften and tame 
 Severest temper, smooth the rugged' st brow, 
 Enerve, and v. ith voluptuous hope dissolve, 
 Draw out with credulous desire, and lead 
 At will the manliest, resolutest breast, 
 As the magnetic hardest iron draws. 
 Women, when nothing else, beguil'd the heart 
 Of wisest Solomon, and made him build, 170 
 
 And made him bow to the Gods of his wives. 
 To whom quick answer Satan thus return'd. 
 Belial,, in much uneven scale thou weigh'st 
 All others by thyself; because of old 
 Thou thyself" doat'dst on womankind, admiring 
 Their shape, their colour, and attractive grace, 
 None are, thou think'st, but taken with such toys. 
 
 Be! -e
 
 Book II. PARADISE REGAIN D. 37 
 
 Before the flood thou with thy lusty crew, 
 False titled sons of God, roaming the earth 
 Cast wanton eyes on the daughters of men, ] SO 
 
 And coupled with them, and begot a race. 
 Have we not seen, or by relation heard, 
 In courts and regal chambers how thou lurk'st, 
 In wood or grove, by mossy fountain side, 
 In valley or green meadow, to way-lay 
 Some beauty rare, Calisto, Clymene, 
 Daphne, or Semele, Antiopa, 
 Or Amymone, Syrinx, many more 
 Too long, then lay'st thy scapes on names ador'd, 
 Apollo, Neptune, Jupiter, or Pan, I0() 
 
 Satyr, or Faun, or Sylvan ? But these haunts 
 Delight not all ; among the sons of men, 
 How many have with a smile made small account 
 Of beauty and her lures, easily scorn'd 
 All her assaults, on worthier things intent ? 
 Remember that Pellean conqueror, 
 A youth, how all the beauties of the east 
 He slightly view'd, and slightly overpass'd ; 
 How he, surnam'd of Africa, dismissal, 
 In his prime youth, the fair Iberian maid. 200 
 
 vor,. in. ). For
 
 38 PARADISE REGAIND. Book IT. 
 
 For Solomon, he liv'd at ease, and full 
 
 Of honour, wealth, high fare, aim'd not beyond 
 
 Higher design than to enjoy his state ; 
 
 Thence w the bait of women lay expos"d : 
 
 But he, whom we attempt, is wiser far 
 
 Than Solomon, of mere exalted mind, 
 
 Made and set wholly on the accomplishment 
 
 Of greatest tilings ; what woman will you find, 
 
 Though of this age the wonder and the fame, 
 
 On whom his leisure v ill vouchsafe an eye 10 
 
 Of fond desire : or should she. confident, 
 
 As sitting queen ador'd on Beauty's throne, 
 
 Descend with all her winning charms begirt 
 
 To enamour, as the zone of Venus once 
 
 Wrought that effect on Jove, so fables tell ; 
 
 How would ne look from his majestick brow. 
 
 Seated as on the top of Virtue's hill, 
 
 Discountenance her despisd, and put to rout 
 
 All her array : her female pride deject, 
 
 Ur turn to reverent awe ! for beauty stands CJO 
 
 In the admiration only of weak minds 
 
 Led captive; cease to admire, and all her plumes 
 
 Fail flat, :.d ihrink into a trivial toy, 
 
 At
 
 Book II. PARADISE REGAIN'D. 39 
 
 At every sudden slighting quite abash'd. 
 
 Therefore with manlier objects we must try 
 
 His constancy ; with such as have more show 
 
 Of worth, of honour, glory, and popular praise 5 
 
 Rocks whereon greatest men have oftest wreck'd 5 
 
 Or that which only seems to satisfy 
 
 Lawful desires of nature, not beyond ; 230 
 
 And now I know he hungers, where no food 
 
 Is to be found, in the wide wilderness ; 
 
 The rest commit to me ; I shall let pass 
 
 No advantage, and his strength as oft assay. 
 
 He ceas'd, and heard their grant in loud acclaim ; 
 Then forthwith to him takes a chosen band 
 Of Spirits, likest to himself in guile, 
 To be at hand, and at his beck appear, 
 If cause were to unfold some active scene 
 Of various persons, each to know his part ; 2i0 
 
 Then to the desert takes with these his flight ; 
 Where, still from shade to shade, the Son of God 
 After forty days fasting had remain' d, 
 Now hungring first, and to himself thus said. 
 
 Where will this end ? four times ten days I've pass'd 
 E 2 Wandering
 
 4'~> 
 
 PARADISE REGAINED. Book II 
 
 Wandering '.his woody maze, and human food 
 
 X r tasted, nor had appetite : that tint 
 
 i' . \ir:_:e I imput< : t, or count pan 
 
 ( 'i v.: a: I suffer here ; if nature ::ved not. 
 
 Or God sup] . ;t nature without re] -" 
 
 1 h L'.gh needing, what praise is it t endure : 
 
 But now I feel I hunger, which de< lares 
 
 Nature hath need of what she as! - : yet God 
 
 Can satis:;, tliat need s >me other wav, 
 
 Th' ugh hunger -till remain : so i: remain 
 
 V. it] ut this he iy's wasting, I crntent me, 
 
 And from the sting of famine fear nc i. ;n ... 
 
 X r mind it, fed with better th _'.-. t) t tied 
 
 M hui ge-ri: g more t d my I . : - ii!. 
 
 It was the hour of :. : _:,:. wh< : ..- the S n J'.u 
 Coir.xui: d in siient waik, then i .': 1 him c .v. n 
 Under the h -pitable c vert ui:h 
 Ol trees thick inters ven -. there he *} pt, 
 And dream'd, as ap; etite is v. : t t i dream, 
 Ol meats and drinks, nature's refreshment sweet ; 
 
 thought, he by tlie bro k of Cht r th -' 
 And saw ;:. r..w; , .ith their i. : v beak,
 
 Book II. PARADISE REGAIN'D. 41 
 
 Food to Elijah bringing, even and morn, 
 
 Though ravenous, taught to abstain from what they 
 
 brought : 
 He saw the prophet also, how he fled 270 
 
 Into the desart, and how there he slept 
 Under a juniper ; then how awak'd 
 He found his supper on the coals prepar'd, 
 And by the Angel was bid rise and eat, 
 And eat the second time after repose, 
 The strength whereof sufiic'd him forty days 5 
 Sometime^ that with Elijah he partook, 
 Or as a guest with Daniel at his pulse. 
 Thus wore out night 5 and now the herald lark 
 Left his ground-nest, high towering to descry 230 
 The Morn's approach, and greet her with his song : 
 As light! v from his grassy couch up rose 
 Our Saviour, and found all was but a dream ; 
 Fasting he went to sleep, and fasting wak'd. 
 Up to a hill anon his steps he rear'd, 
 From whose high top to ken the prospect round, 
 If cottage were in view, sheep-cote, or herd} 
 but cottage, herd, or sheep-cote, none he saw, 
 Only in a bottom saw a pleasant grove, 
 
 1. 3 With
 
 [2 PARADISE REGAIN'D. Book II. 
 
 With chant of tuneful birds resounding loud : 290 
 
 Thither he bent his way, deterrain'd there 
 
 To rest at noon, and enter' d soon the shade 
 
 H'gh root "d, and walks beneath, and alleys brown, 
 
 That open'd in the midst a woody scene ; 
 
 Nature's own work it seem'd, Nature taught Art, 
 
 And, to a superstitious eye, the haunt 
 
 Of Wood-Gods and Wood-Nymphs : he view'd it 
 
 round, 
 When suddenly a man before him stood ; 
 Not rustic as before, but seemlier clad, 
 As one in city, or court, or palace bred, 300 
 
 And with fair speech these words to him address*d . 
 
 With granted leave officious I return, 
 But much more wonder that the Son of God 
 In this wild solitude so long should bide 
 Of all things destitute, and well I know, 
 Not without hunger. Others of some note. 
 As story tells, have trod this wilderness; 
 I he fugitive bond-woman, with her son 
 Out-cast Nebaioth, yet found here relief 
 By a providing Angel ; all the race 310 
 
 Of Israel here had famish'd, had not God 
 
 Rain'd
 
 Booh II. PARADISE REGAIN'D. 43 
 
 Rain'd from Heaven Manna; and that Prophet bold. 
 Native of Thebez, wandering here was fed 
 Twice by a voice inviting him to eat : 
 Of thee these forty days none hath regard, 
 Forty and more deserted here indeed. 
 
 To whom thu* Jesus. What conclud'st thou hence ? 
 They all had need ; I, as thou seest, have none. 
 
 How hast thou hunger then ? Satan replied. 
 Tell me, if food were now before thee set, 320 
 
 Would' st thou not eat ? Thereafter as I like 
 The giver, answer' d Jesus. Why should that 
 Cause thy refusal ? said the subtle Fiend. 
 Hast thou not risfht to all created things ? 
 Owe not all creatures by just right to thee 
 Duty and service, not to stay till bid, 
 But tender all their power ? Nor mention I 
 Meats by the Law unclean, or offer'd first 
 To idols, those young Daniel could refuse j 
 Nor proffer' d by an enemy, though who 330 
 
 Would scruple that, with want oppress'd ? Behold, 
 Nature asham'd, or, better to express, 
 Troubled, that thou should'st hunger, hath purvey'd 
 From all the elements her choicest store 
 
 To
 
 44 PARADISE REGAIN D. Book II. 
 
 To treat thee, as beseems, and, as her Lord, 
 With honour : only deign to sit and eat. 
 
 He spake no dream ; for as his words had end, 
 Our Saviour lifting up his eyes beheld, 
 In ample space under the broadest shade 
 A table richly spread, in regal mode, 340 
 
 With dishes pil'd, and meats of noblest sort 
 And savour ; beasts of chase, or fowl of game, 
 In pastry built, or from the spit, or boil'd, 
 Gm-amber-steam'd ; all fish, from sea or shore, 
 Freshet, or purling brook, of shell or tin, 
 And exqui^itest name, for which was drain'd 
 Puntus, and Lucrine bay, and Afric coast. 
 (Alas, how simple, to these cates compar'd, 
 Was that crude apple that diverted Eve !) 
 And at a stately side-board, by the wine 550 
 
 That fragrant smell diflus'd, in order stoi d 
 Tall -tripling youths rich clad, of fairer hue 
 lhan Gammed or I!) las; distant, more 
 I nder the trees now tripp'd, now solemn .-.to - 1, 
 Nymphs of Diana's train, and Xaiades 
 
 With 
 
 .4.t " (; n-r:.i:l-tr-sti/im'ii" Scented with amlvr^ris; ". -] < 
 ( ' luxji s in Mi'.u i:'s time.
 
 Look II. PARADISE REGAIN'D. 45 
 
 With fruits and flowers from Amaltliea's horn, 
 
 And ladies of the Hesperides, that seem'd 
 
 Fairer than feign'd of old, or fabled since 
 
 Of faery damsels, met in forest wide 
 
 By knights of Logres, or of Lyones, 36"0 
 
 Lancelot, or Pelleas, or Pellenore. 
 
 And all the while harmonious airs were heard 
 
 Of chiming strings, or charming pipes ; and winds 
 
 Of gentlest gale Arabian odours fann'd 
 
 From their soft wings, and Flora's earliest smells. 
 
 Such was the splendour ; and the Tempter now 
 
 His invitation earnestly renew'd. 
 
 What doubts the Son of God to sit and eat ? 
 These are not fruits forbidden ; no interdict 
 Defends the touching of these viands pure ; 370 
 
 Their taste no knowledge works, at least of evil, 
 But life preserves, destroys life's enemy, 
 Plunger, with sweet restorative delight. 
 All these are Spirits of air, and woods, and springs, 
 Thy gentle ministers, who come to pay 
 Thee homage, and acknowledge thee their Lord : 
 What doubt'st thou, Son of God? Sit down and eat. 
 
 To whom thus Jesus temperately replied. 
 
 Said'st
 
 16 PARADISE REGAIND. Book II, 
 
 Said'st thou not that to all things I had right? 
 
 And who withholds ray power that right to use ? 360 
 
 Shall I receive bv sift what of my own, 
 
 When and where likes me best, I can command ? 
 
 I can at will, doubt not, as soon as thou, 
 
 Command a table in this wilderness, 
 
 And call swift flights of Angels ministrant 
 
 Array'd in glory on my cup to attend : 
 
 Why shouldst thou then obtrude this diligence, 
 
 In vain, where no acceptance it can rind ? 
 
 And with my hunger what hast thou to do ? 
 
 Thy pompous delicacies I contemn, 30 
 
 And count thy specious gifts no gifts but guiles. 
 
 To whom thus ariswer'd Satan malecontent. 
 That I have also power to give, thou seest ; 
 It of that power 1 bring thee voluntary 
 What I might have best >\v'd on whom I pleas'd, 
 And rati.-, r opportunely in this place 
 Chose to impart to thy apparent need, 
 Why shouldst thou not accept it r but I see 
 What I can do or i iter is suspect ; 
 Of these things others quickly will depose, 400 
 
 Whose :odns have cam'd the far- let spoil. With that 
 
 Both
 
 Book II. PARADISE REGAIN'D. 47 
 
 Both table and provision vanish'd quite 
 With sound of harpies wings, and talons heard j 
 Only the importune Tempter still remain'd, 
 And with these words his temptation pursu'd. 
 By hunger, that each other creature tames, 
 Thou art not to be harm'd, therefore not mov'd ; 
 Thy temperance, invi ncible besides, 
 For no allurement yields to appetite, 
 And all thy heart is set on high designs, 410 
 
 High actions ; but wherewith to be achiev'd? 
 Great acts require great means of enterprize ; 
 Thou art unknown, unfriended, low of birth, 
 A carpenter thy father known, thyself 
 Bred up in poverty and straits at home, 
 Lost in a desert here and hunger-bit : 
 Which way, or from what hope, dost thou aspire 
 To greatness ? whence authority deriv'st ? 
 What followers, what retinue canst thou gain, 
 Or at thy heels the dizzy multitude, 420 
 
 Longer than thou canst feed them on thy cost ? 
 Money brings honour, friends, conquest, and realms : 
 What rais'd Antipater the Edomite, 
 And his son Herod plac'd on Judah's throne, 
 
 (Thy
 
 4S PARADISE REGAIX'D. Book II. 
 
 (Thy throne) but gold that got him puissant friends : 
 
 Therefore, if at great tilings thou would'st arrive, 
 
 Get riches first, get wealth, 2nd treasure heap, 
 
 Not dirncult, it" thou hearken to nie : 
 
 Riches are mine, fortune is in my hand : 
 
 They whom I favour thrive in wealth amain, 430 
 
 While virtue, valour, wisdom sit in want. 
 
 To whom thus Jesus patiently replied. 
 Yet wealth, without these three, is impotent 
 To gain dominion, or to keep it gain'd. 
 Witness th se ancient empires of the earth, 
 In highth of all their flowing wealth dissolv'd : 
 But men endued with these have eft attain'd 
 In lowest ; jvcrty to highest deeds: 
 Gidc :\ and Jephtha, and the shepherd lad, 
 Whose 1 rTVpring 1 n the thront of Judah sat 4-40 
 
 So manv a^ -. :.: .: shall yet regain 
 That -eat. and reign in I-rael witln ut en 1. 
 Ann ng the Heathen, (1 . througljout the world 
 To me is 11 : unkn .. wl ;.t hath I en ti >;ie 
 Worthv of memorial < a;>t tl member 
 
 Qtunriu-. F.-.bri ..-. Curius, Regulus ? 
 For I tsU-em ll. -e nam. - ( t ::: :. - ; ->r 
 
 Whc
 
 Book 11. PARADISE REGAIN D. KJ 
 
 Who could do mighty things, and could contemn 
 Riches though offer'd from the hand of kings. 
 And what in me seems wanting, but that I 4 jO 
 
 May also in this poverty as soon 
 Accomplish what they did, perhaps and more i 
 Extol not riches then," the toil of fools, 
 The wise man's cumbrance, if not snare ; more apt. 
 To slacken virtue, and abate her edge, 
 Than prompt her to do ought may merit praise. 
 What if with like aversion I reject 
 Riches and realms ? yet not, for that a crown, 
 Golden in show, is but a wreath of thorns, 
 Brings dangers, troubles, cares, and sleepless nights 
 To him who wears the regal diadem, 46 1 
 
 When on his shoulders each man's burden lies ; 
 For therein stands the office of a king, 
 His honour, virtue, merit, and chief praise, 
 That for the publick all this weight he bears. 
 Yet he, who reigns within himself, and rules 
 Passions, desires, and fears, is more a king ; 
 Which every wise and virtuous man attains : 
 And who attains not, ill aspires to rule 
 Cities of men, or headstrong multitudes, 470 
 
 vol.. it [. F Subjec:
 
 50 PARADISE REGAIN'D. Book IT. 
 
 Subject himself to anarchy within, 
 
 Or lawless passions in him which he serves. 
 
 But to guide nations in the way of truth 
 
 By saving doctrine, and from error lead 
 
 To know, and knowing worship God aright, 
 
 Is yet more kingly ; this attracts the soul, 
 
 Governs the inner man, the nobler part ; 
 
 That other o'er the body only reigns, 
 
 And oft by force, which, to a generous mind,, 
 
 So reigning, can be no sincere delight. -iSO 
 
 Besides, to give a kingdom hath been thought 
 
 Greater and nobler done, and to lay down 
 
 Far more magnanimous, than to assume. 
 
 Riches are needless then, both for themselves, 
 
 And for thy reason why they should be sought. 
 
 To gain a scepter, oftest better miss'd. 
 
 iJJK tNIJ OF THE SECOND BOOK,
 
 THE 
 
 THIRD BOOK 
 
 PARADISE REGALVD. 
 
 F 2
 
 PARADISE REGAIN'D. 
 
 BOOK III. 
 
 uO spake the Son of God ; and Satan stood 
 A while, as mute, confounded what to say, 
 What to reply, confuted, and convinced 
 Of his weak arguing, and fallacious drift -, 
 At length, collecting all his serpent wiles, 
 With soothing words renew' d, him thus accosts, 
 
 I see thou know'st what is of use to know, 
 What best to say canst say, to do canst do ; 
 Thy actions to thy words accord, thy words 
 To thy large heart give utterance due, thy heart 10 
 Contains of good, wise, just, the perfect shape. 
 Should kings and nations from thy mouth consult, 
 Thy counsel would be as the oracle 
 Urim and Thummim, those oraculous gems 
 On Aaron's breast ; or tongue of seers old 
 Infallible : or vvert thou sought to deeds 
 
 f 5 That
 
 54 PARADISE KEGAIN'D. Book III. 
 
 That might require the array of war, thy skill 
 Of conduct would be such, that all the world 
 Could not sustain thy prowess, or subsist 
 Jn battle, though against thy few in arms. 20 
 
 Tiiese God-like virtues wherefore dost thou hide. 
 Affecting private life, or more obscure 
 In savage wilderness ? wherefore deprive- 
 All earth her wonder at thy acts, thyself 
 The fame and glory, glory the reward 
 That sole excites to high attempts, the flame 
 Of most erected spirits, most temper d pure 
 Ethereal, who all pleasures else despise, 
 All treasures and all gain esteem as dross, 
 And dignities and powers all but the highest : .30 
 
 Thy years are ripe, and over-ripe ; the son 
 Of Macedonian Philip had ere these 
 "Won Asia, and the throne of Cyrus held 
 At his dispose j young Scipio had brought down 
 The Carthaginian pride ; young Pompey quelfd 
 The Pontic king, and in triumph had rode. 
 Yet vears, and to ripe years judgement mature, 
 Quench not the thirst of glory, but augment, 
 v.ivat Julius, whom now all the world admires, 
 
 The
 
 Book III. PARADISE REGAIND. 55 
 
 The more he grew in years, the more inflam'd 40 
 
 With glory, wept that he had liv'd so long 
 
 Inglorious : but thou yet art not too late. 
 To whom our Saviour calmly thus replied. 
 
 Thou neither dost persuade me to seek wealth 
 
 For empire's sake, nor empire to affect 
 
 For glory's sake, by all thy argument. 
 
 For what is glory but the blaze of fame, 
 
 The people's praise, if always praise unmix'd ? 
 
 And what the people but a herd confus'd, 
 
 A miscellaneous rabble, who extol 50 
 
 Things vulgar, and, well weigh'dj scarce worth the 
 praise ? 
 
 They praise, and they admire, they know not what, 
 
 And know not whom, but as one leads the other j 
 
 And what delight to be by such extoll'd, 
 
 To live upon their tongues and be their talk, 
 
 Of whom to be disprais'd were no small praise ? 
 
 His lot who dares be singularly good. 
 
 The intelligent among them and the wise 
 
 Are few, and glory scarce of few is rais'd. 
 
 This is true glory and renown, when God 
 
 Looking on the earth, with approbation marks 
 
 The
 
 56" PARADISE REGAIXD. Book III. 
 
 The just man, and divulges him through Heaven 
 
 To all his Angels, who with true applause 
 
 Recount his praises : thus he did to Job, 
 
 When, to extend his fame through Heaven and Earth, 
 
 As thou to thy reproach mav'st well remember, 
 
 He ask'd thee, " Hast thou seen my servant Job }" 
 
 Famous he was in Heaven, on Earth less known ; 
 
 Where glory is false glory, attributed 
 
 To things not glorious, men not worthy of fame. 70 
 
 They err. who count it glorious to subdue 
 
 By conquest far and wide, to over-run 
 
 Large countries, arid in field great battles win, 
 
 Great cities by assault : what do these worthies, 
 
 But rob and spoil, burn, slaughter, and ei -lave 
 
 Peaceable nations, neighbouring, or remote, 
 
 [Made captive, yet deserving freedom more 
 
 Than those their conquerors, who leave behind 
 
 Nothing but ruin wheresoe'er they rove, 
 
 And all the flourishing works of peace destrov ; 80 
 
 Then swell with pride, and must be titled Gods, 
 
 Great Benefactors of mankind, Deliverers, 
 
 Worshipt with temple, priest, and sacrifice ? 
 
 One is the son of Jove, of Mars die other ; 
 
 Till
 
 Book III. PARADISE REGAIN'D. 57 
 
 Till conqueror Death discover them scarce men, 
 Rolling in brutish vices and deform'd, 
 Violent or shameful death their due reward. 
 But if there be in glory ought of good, 
 It may by means far different be attain'd, 
 | Without ambition, war, or violence ; i>0 
 
 I By deeds of peace, by wisdom eminent, 
 By patience, temperance : I mention still 
 Him, whom thy wrongs, with saintly patience borne, 
 Made famous in a land and times obscure ; 
 Who names not now with honour patient Job ? 
 Poor Socrates, (who next more memorable ? ) 
 By what he taught, and suffer'd for so doing, 
 I For truth's sake suffering death, unjust, lives now 
 Equal in fame to proudest conquerors. 
 Yet if for fame and glory aught be done 100 
 
 Aught suffer'd) if young African for fame 
 His wasted country freed from Punic rage ; 
 The deed becomes unprais'd, the man at least, 
 And loses, though but verbal, his reward. 
 Shall I seek glory then, as vain men seek, 
 Oft not deserv'd ? I seek not mine, but his 
 Who sent me ; and thereby witness whence I am. 
 
 To
 
 38 PARADISE REGAIN'D. Booh III. 
 
 To whom the Tempter murmuring thus replied. 
 Think not so slight of glory: therein le3st 
 Resembling thy great Father : He seeks glory, 110 
 And for his glory all things made, all things 
 Orders and governs ; nor content in Heaven 
 By ail his Angels glorified, requires 
 Glory from men, from all men, good or bad, 
 Wise or unwise, no difference, no exemption ; 
 Above all sacrifice, or hallow'd gift, 
 Gl ry he re [uires, and glory he receives 
 Pr':m ; .5cu<:us from all nations, Jew, < r Greek, 
 Or barbarous, nor exception hath declar'd ; 
 Fr< m us, his foes p r >nounc"d, gloiy he exacts. ICO 
 
 To whom ur Savi mr fervently rep 
 And rea >n ; sirxe his Word .-.'.l thing- produe'd. 
 Th .-._'.; i hi rly ! t for gl ry as prime end, 
 Eur t - -.how f rtii his gcxiness, and impart 
 His i i i mmunic3l le t even.- soul 
 Fro '." : ; f ' 1. :n what could he less expect 
 Than _i ry md benedi. tion, that is, thanks, 
 'I he -!'._;. : -:. easiest, readiest recompence 
 i them wh c >uld return him nothing else, 
 And, :. t returning that, would likeliest render 130 
 
 Contempt
 
 '
 
 Book III. PARADISE REGAIN'D. 59 
 
 Contempt instead, dishonour, obloquy r 
 
 Hard recompence, unsuitable return 
 
 For so much good, so much beneficence ! 
 
 But why should Man seek glory, who of his own 
 
 Hath nothing, and to whom nothing belongs, 
 
 But condemnation, ignominy, and shame ? 
 
 Who, for so many benefits receiv'd, 
 
 Turn'd recreant to God, ingrate and false, 
 
 And so of all true good himself despoil'd, 
 
 Yet, sacrilegious, to himself would take 140 
 
 That which to God alone of right belongs : 
 
 Yet so much bounty is in God, such grace, 
 
 That who advance his glory, not their own. 
 
 Them he himself to glory will advance. 
 
 So spake the Son of God : and here a^ain 
 Satan had not to answer, but stood struck 
 With guilt of his own sin ; for he himself, 
 Insatiable of glory, had lost all, 
 Yet of another plea bethought him soon. 
 
 Of glory, as thou wilt, said he, so deem, 1 50 
 
 Worth or not worth the seeking, let it pass : 
 But to a kingdom thou art born, ordain'd 
 To sit upon thy father David's throne ; 
 
 By
 
 60 PARADISE REGAIN D. Book 111. 
 
 By mother's side thy father ; though thy right 
 Be now in powerful hands, that will not part 
 Easily from possession won with arms : 
 Judaea now and all the Promis'd Land, 
 . Reduc'd a province under Roman yoke, 
 Obeys Tiberius ; nor is always rul'd 
 With temperate sway; oft have they violated 16*0 
 The temple, oft the law, with foul affronts, 
 Abominations rather, as did once 
 Antiochus : and think'st thou to regain 
 Thy right, by sitting still, or thus retiring r 
 So did not Maccabeus : he indeed 
 Retir'd unto the desert, but with arms ; 
 And o'er a mighty king so oft prevail'd, 
 That by strong hand his family obtain'd, 
 Though priests, the crown, and David's throne usurp'd, 
 With Modin and her suburbs once c )ntent. 170 
 
 It" kingdom move thee not, let move thee zeal 
 And duty ; zeal and duty are not slow, 
 But on occasion's forelock watchful wait : 
 They themselves rather are occasion best ; 
 Zeal of thy father's house, duty to free 
 Thy country from her Heathen servitude ; 
 
 Sc
 
 Book III. PARADISE REGAIN D. 6'l 
 
 So shalt thou best fulfil, best verify 
 
 The Prophets old, who sung thy endless reign ; 
 
 The happier reign, the sooner it begins : \Ji) 
 
 Reign then ; what canst thou better do the while ? 
 
 To whom our Saviour answer thus return'd. 
 All things are best fulltil'd in their due time, 
 And time there is for all things, Truth hath said. 
 If of my reign prophetic Writ hath told, 
 That it shall never end, so, when begin, 
 The Father in his purpose hath decreed, 
 He in whose hand all times and seasons roll. 
 What if he hath decreed that I shall first 
 Be tried in humble state, and things adverse, 
 Bv tribulations, injurious, insults, lpO 
 
 Contempts, and scorns, and snares, and violence, 
 Suffering, abstaining, quietly expecting, 
 Without distrust or doubt, that he may know 
 What I can suffer, how obey ? Who best 
 Can suffer, best can do ; best reign, who first 
 Well hath obey'd ; just trial, ere I merit 
 My exaltation without change or end. 
 But what concerns it thee, when I begin 
 My everlasting kingdom - Why art thou 
 
 vol.. i ii. o Solicitous
 
 62 PARADISE REGAIN'D. Book III- 
 
 Solicitous ? What moves thy inquisition ? 200 
 
 Know'st thou not that my rising is thy fall, 
 And my promotion will be thy destruction ? 
 
 To whom the Tempter, inly rack'd, replied. 
 Let that come when it comes ; all hope is lost 
 Of my reception into grace : what worse ? 
 For where no hope is left, is left no fear: 
 If there be worse, the expectation more 
 Of worse torments me than the feeling can. 
 I would be at the worst : worst is my port, 
 My harbour, and my ultimate repose ; 210 
 
 The end I would attain, my final good. 
 My error was my error, and my crime 
 My crime; whatever, for itself condemn'dj 
 And will alike be punish'd, whether thou 
 Reign, or reign not ; though to that gentle brow 
 Willingly I could fly, and hope thy reign, 
 From that placid aspect and meek regard, 
 Ilather than aggravate my evil state, 
 Would stand between me and thy Father's ire, 
 (\\ hose ire 1 dread more than die tire of Hell) 220 
 A -.heller, and a kind of shading cool 
 InterpoMtiun, a^ a summer's cloud. 
 
 It
 
 Book III. PARADISE REGAIX'D. 63 
 
 If I then to the worst that can be haste, 
 
 Why move thy feet so slow to what is best, 
 
 Happiest, both to thyself and all the world, 
 
 That thou, who worthiest art, should'st be their king 3 
 
 Perhaps thou linger' st, in deep thoughts detain' d 
 
 Of the enterprize so hazardous and high ; 
 
 No wonder ; for, though in thee be united 
 
 What of perfection can in man be found, 230 
 
 Or human nature can receive, consider, 
 
 Thy life hath yet been private, most part spent. 
 
 At home, scarce view'd the Galilean towns, 
 
 And once a year Jerusalem, few days' 
 
 Short sojourn ; and what thence could'st thou observe J 
 
 The world thou hast not seen, much less her glory, 
 
 Empires, and monarchs, and their radiant courts, 
 
 Best school of best experience, quickest insight 
 
 In all things that to greatest actions lead. 
 
 The wisest, unexperienced, will be ever 2K> 
 
 Timorous and loth, with novice modesty, 
 
 (As he who, seeking asses, found a kingdom) 
 
 Irresolute, unhardy, unadventurous : 
 
 But I will bring thee where thou soon shalt quit 
 
 Those rudiments, and see before thine eyes 
 
 G 2 The
 
 6'4 PARADISE REGAIN'D. Book III. 
 
 The monarchies of the eardi, their pomp and state 3 
 
 Sufficient introduction to inform 
 
 Thee, of thyself so apt, in regal arts, 
 
 And regal mysteries, that thou may'st know 
 
 How best their opposition to withstand. 250 
 
 With that (such power was given him then) he took 
 The Son of God up to a mountain high. 
 It was a mountain at whose verdant feet 
 A spacious plain, out stretch'd in circuit wide, 
 Lay pleasant; from his side two rivers flow'd, 
 The one winding, the other straight, and left between 
 Fair champain with less rivers intervein'd, 
 Then meeting join'd their tribute to the sea : 
 Fertile of corn the glebe, of oil, and wine ; 25J) 
 
 With herds the pastures throng'd, with flocks the hills ; 
 Huge cities and high tower'd, that well might seem 
 The seats of mightiest monarchs ; and so large 
 The prospect was, that here and there was room 
 For barren desart, fountainless and dry. 
 To this high mountain top the Tempter brought 
 Our Saviour, and new train of words began. 
 
 Well have we speeded, and o'er hill and dale, 
 Forest and field ami flood, temples and towers, 
 
 Cut
 
 Book III. PARADISE REGAIXD. 65 
 
 Cut shorter many a league ; here thou behold'st 
 
 Assyria, and her empire's ancient bounds, 270 
 
 Arax.es and the Caspian lake ; thence on 
 
 As far as Indus east, Euphrates west, 
 
 And oft beyond : to south the Persian bay, 
 
 And, inaccessible, the Arabian drouth : 
 
 Here Nineveh, of length within her wall 
 
 Several days journey, built by Minus old, 
 
 Of that first golden monarchy the seat, 
 
 And seat of Salmanassar, whose success 
 
 Israel in long captivity still mourns $ 
 
 There Babylon, the wonder of all tongues, 280 
 
 As ancient, but rebuilt by him who twice 
 
 Judah and all thy father David's house 
 
 Led captive, and Jerusalem laid waste, 
 
 Till Cyrus vet them free ; Persepolis, 
 
 His city, there thou seest, and Bactra there ; 
 
 Ecbatana her structure vast there shows, 
 
 And Hecatompylos her hundred gates ; 
 
 There Suva by Choaspes, amber stream, 
 
 The drink of none but kings ; of later fame 
 
 Built by Emathian, or by Parthian hands, 200 
 
 The great Scleucia, Nisibis, and there 
 
 ( 3 ArLixata.
 
 66 PARADISE REGAIN'D. Book III. 
 
 Artaxata, Teredon, Ctesiphon, 
 
 Turning with easy eye, thou niay'st behold. 
 
 All these the Parthian, (now some ages past, 
 
 By great Arsaces led, M'ho founded first 
 
 That empire,) under his dominion holds, 
 
 From the luxurious kings of Antioch won. 
 
 And just in time thou com'st to have a view 
 
 Of his great power ; for now the Parthian king 
 
 In Ctesiphon hath gather'd all his host 300 
 
 Against the Scythian, whose incursions wild 
 
 1 lave wasted Sogdiana ; to her aid 
 
 lie marches now in haste 3 see, though from far, 
 
 His thousands, in what martial equipage 
 
 They i^.sue forth, steel bows and shafts their arms 
 
 ( )f equal dread in flight, or in pursuit ; 
 
 Ml horsemen, in which fight they most excel ; 
 
 See how in warlike muster they appear, 
 
 In rhombs, and wedges, and half-moons, and wings. 
 
 He look'd, and .saw what numbers numberless 
 The city gates out-pour'd, light armed troops 311 
 In coats of mail and military pride; 
 In mail their horses clad, yet fleet and strong, 
 I'rauncing their riders bore, the flower and choice 
 
 Of
 
 Book III. PARADISE REGAI\ T 'D. 67 
 
 Of many provinces from bound to bound ; 
 
 From Arachosia, from Candaor east, 
 
 And Margiana to the Hyrcanian cliffs 
 
 Of Caucasus, and dark Iberian dales, 
 
 From Atropatia and the neighbouring plains 
 
 ( )f Adiabene, Media, and the south 320 
 
 Of Susiana, to Balsara's haven. 
 
 He saw them in their forms of battle rang'd, 
 
 How quick they wheel'd, and flying behind them shot 
 
 Sharp sleet of arrowy showers against the face 
 
 Of their pursuers, and overcame by flight ; 
 
 The field all iron cast a gleaming brown : 
 
 Nor wanted clouds of foot, nor on each horn 
 
 Cuirassiers all in steel for standing fight, 
 
 Chariots, or elephants indors'd with towers 
 
 Of archers j nor of labouring pioneers 330 
 
 A multitude, with spades and axes arm'd 
 
 To lay hills plain, fell woods, or valleys fill, 
 
 Or where plain was raise hill, or overlay 
 
 With bridges rivers proud, as with a yoke ; 
 
 Mules after these, camels and dromedaries, 
 
 And waggons, fraught with utensils of war. 
 
 Such forces met not, nor so wide a camp. 
 
 When
 
 68 PARADISE REGAIND. Book III. 
 
 When Agrican with all his northern powers 
 
 Besieg'd Albracca, as romances tell, 
 
 The city of Gallaphrone, from whence to win 34-0 
 
 The fairest of her sex, Angelica, 
 
 His daughter, sought by many prowest knights, 
 
 Both Paynim, and the peers of Charlemain. 
 
 Such and so numerous was dieir chivalry : 
 
 At sight whereof the Fiend yet more presum'd, 
 
 And to our Saviour thus his words renew'd. 
 
 That thou may'st know I seek not to engage 
 Thy virtue, and not every way secure 
 On no slight grounds thy safety ; hear, and mark, 
 To what end I have brought thee hither, and shown 
 All this fair sight: Thy kingdom, though foretold o.j\ 
 By Prophet or by Angel, unless thou 
 Endeavour, as thy father David did, 
 Thou never shalt obtain ; prediction still 
 In all things, and all men, supposes means, 
 Without means us'd, what it predicts revokes. 
 But, say thou wert possess'd ot Davids throne, 
 F>v hee consent of all, none opposite, 
 Samaritan or Jew ; how could'st thou hope 
 Long to enjoy it, quiet and secure, C>hQ 
 
 Between
 
 Book III. PARADISE REGATN'D. 69 
 
 Between two such enclosing enemies 
 
 Roman and Parthian ? Therefore one of these 
 
 Thou must make sure thy own 5 the Parthian first 
 
 By my advice, as nearer, and of late 
 
 Found able by invasion to annoy 
 
 Thy country, and captive lead away her kings, 
 
 Antigonus, and old Hyrcanus, bound, 
 
 Maugre the Roman : It shall be my task 
 
 To render thee the Parthian at dispose, 36*9 
 
 Choose which thou wilt, by conquest or by league. 
 
 By him thou shalt regain, without him not, 
 
 That which alone can truly reinstall thee 
 
 In David's royal seat, his true successor, 
 
 Deliverance of thy brethren, those ten tribes, 
 
 Whose offspring in his territory yet serve, 
 
 In Habor, and among the Medes dispers'd ; 
 
 Ten sons of Jacob, two of Joseph, lost 
 
 Thus long from Israel, serving, as of old 
 
 Their fathers in the land of Egypt serv'd, 
 
 This offer sets before thee to deliver. 380 
 
 These if from servitude thou shak restore 
 
 To their inheritance, then, nor till then, 
 
 Thou on the throne of David in full glory, 
 
 From
 
 70 PARADISE REGAIN'D. Book III. 
 
 From Egypt to Euphrates, and beyond, 
 
 Shalt reign, and Rome or Caesar not need fear. 
 
 To whom our Saviour answer' d thus, unmov'd. 
 Much ostentation vain of fleshly arm, 
 And fragil arms, much instrument of war 
 Long in preparing, soon to nothing brought, 
 Before mine eyes thou hast set; and in my ear 3i)0 
 Vented much policy, and projects deep 
 Of enemies, of aids, battles and leagues, 
 Plausible to the world, to me worth nought. 
 Means I must use, thou say'st, prediction else 
 Will unpredict, and fail me of the throne : 
 My time, I told thee, (and that time for thee 
 Were better farthest off ) is not yet come ; 
 When that comes, think not thou to find me slack 
 On my part aught endeavouring, or to need 
 Thy politick maxims, or that cumbersome 400 
 
 Luggage of war there shown me, argument 
 Of human weakness rather than of strength. 
 My brethren, as thou enlist them, those ten tribes 
 I must deliver, it I mean to reign 
 David's true heir, and his full scepter sway 
 To just extent over all Israel's sons ; 
 
 But
 
 Book III. PARADISE REGAIN'D. 71 
 
 But whence to thee this zeal, where was it then 
 
 For Israel, or for David, or his throne, 
 
 When thou stood'st up his tempter to the pride 
 
 Of numb'ring Israel, which cost the lives 410 
 
 Of threescore and ten thousand Israelites 
 
 By three days pestilence ? such was thy zeal 
 
 To Israel then ; the same that now to me ! 
 
 As for those captive tribes, themselves were they 
 
 Who wrought their own captivity, fell off 
 
 From God to worship calves, the deities 
 
 Of Egypt, Baal next and Ashtaroth, 
 
 And all the idolatries of Heathen round, 
 
 Besides their other worse than heath'nish crimes ; 
 
 Nor in the land of their captivity 420 
 
 Humbled themselves, or penitent besought 
 
 The God of their forefathers; but so died 
 
 Impenitent, and left a race behind 
 
 Like to themselves, distinguishable scarce 
 
 From Gentiles, but by circumcision vain ; 
 
 And God with idols in their worship joind. 
 
 Should I of these the liberty regard, 
 
 Who, freed, as to their ancient patrimony, 
 
 Unhumbled, unrepentant, unreform'd, 
 
 Headlong
 
 72 PARADISE REGAIX'D. Book III. 
 
 Headlong would follow ; and to their Gods perhaps 
 
 Of Bethel and of Dan ? No ; let them serve 431 
 
 Their enemies, who serve idols with God. 
 
 Yet he at length, (time to himself best known,) 
 
 Remembering Abraham, by some wondrous call 
 
 May bring them back repentant and sincere, 
 
 And at their passing cleave the Assyrian flood, 
 
 While to their native land with joy they haste ; 
 
 As the Red Sea and Jordan once he cleft, 
 
 When to the Promis'd Land their fathers pass"d : 
 
 To his due time and providence I leave them. 440 
 
 So spake Israel's true king, and to the Fiend 
 Made answer meet, that made void all his wiles. 
 So fares it, when with truth falsehood contends. 
 
 tj;f. end of the Timtn hook
 
 THE 
 
 FOURTH BOOK 
 
 St 
 
 PARADISE REGAIN'D.
 
 PARADISE REGAIN'D. 
 
 BOOK IV. 
 
 X ERPLEX'D and troubled at his bad success 
 
 The Tempter stood, nor had what to reply, 
 
 Discover'd in his fraud, thrown from his hope 
 
 So oft, and the persuasive rhetorick 
 
 That sleek'd his tongue, and won so much on Eve, 
 
 So little here, nay lost ; but Eve was Eve ; 
 
 This far his over-match, who, self-deceiv : d 
 
 And rash, before-hand had no bet:er wcigh'd 
 
 The strength he was to cope with, or his own : 
 
 But as a man, who had been matchless held 10 
 
 In cunning, over-reach'd where least he thought, 
 
 To salve his credit, and for very spite, 
 
 Still will be tempting him who foils him still, 
 
 And never cease, though to his shame the more ; 
 
 Or as 'i swarm of flies in vintage time, 
 
 About the wine-press where sweet must is pour'd, 
 
 h 2 Bea
 
 76 PARADISE REGAIN'D. Biok 11'. 
 
 Eeat off, returns as oft with humming sound ; 
 
 Or surging waves against a solid rock, 
 
 Though all to shivers dash'd, the assault renew, 
 
 (Vain battery !) and in froth or bubbles end ; 20 
 
 So Satan, whom repulse upon repulse 
 
 Met ever, and to shameful silence brought, 
 
 Yet gives not o'er, though desperate of success, 
 
 And his vain importunity pursues. 
 
 He brought our Saviour to the western side 
 
 Of that high mountain, whence he might behold 
 
 Another plain, long, but in breadth not wide, 
 
 Wash'd by the southern sea, and, on the north, 
 
 To equal length back'd with a ridge of hills, 29 
 
 That screen'd the fruits of the earth, and seats of men, 
 
 From cold Septentrion blasts, thence in the midst 
 
 Divided by a river, of whose banks 
 
 On each side an imperial city stood, 
 
 With towers and temples proudly elevate 
 
 On seven small hills, with palaces adorn'd, 
 
 Porches, and theatres, baths, aqueducts, 
 
 Statues, and trophies, and triumphal arcs, 
 
 Gardens, and groves, presented to his eyes, 
 
 Above the highth of mountains interpos'd : 
 
 (By
 
 Book IF. PARADISE REGAIX'D. 77 
 
 (By what strange parallax, or optick skill 40 
 
 Of vision, multiplied through air, or glass 
 Of telescope, were curious to inquire :) 
 And now the Tempter thus his silence broke. 
 The city, which thou seest, no other deem 
 Than great and glorious Rome, queen of the earth, 
 So far renown'd, and with the spoils enrich'd 
 Of nations ; there the Capitol thou seest 
 Above the rest lifting his stately head 
 On the Tarpeian rock, her citadel 
 Impregnable j and there mount Palatine, 50 
 
 The imperial palace, compass huge, and high 
 The structure, skill of noblest architects, 
 With gilded battlements, conspicuous far, 
 Turrets, and terraces, and glittering spires : 
 Many a fair edifice besides, more like 
 Houses of Gods, (so well I have dispos'd 
 My aery microscope) thou may'st behold 
 Outside and inside both, pillars and roofts., 
 Carv'd work, the hand of fam'd artificers, 
 In cedar, marble, ivory, or gold. 00 
 
 Thence to the gates cast round thine eye, and set; 
 What conrlux issuing forth, or entering in, 
 
 >i 3 Praetors
 
 78 PARADISE REGAIN'D. Booh IV. 
 
 Praetors, proconsuls to their provinces 
 
 Hasting, or on return, in robes of state, 
 
 Lictors and rods, the ensigns of their power, 
 
 Legions and cohorts, turms of horse and wings : 
 
 Or embassies from regions far remote, 
 
 In various habits, on the Appian road, 
 
 Or on the Emilian, some from farthest south, 
 
 Syene, and where the shadow both way falls, 70 
 
 Meroe, Nilotic isle, and, more to west, 
 
 The realm of Bocchus to the Black-moor sea ; 
 
 From the Asian kings, and Parthian among these 5 
 
 From India and the golden Chersonese, 
 
 And utmost Indian isle Taprobane, 
 
 Dusk faces with white silken turbans wreath' d 5 
 
 From Gallia, Gades, and the British west ; 
 
 Germans, and Scythians, and Sarmatians, north 
 
 Beyond Danubius to the Tauric pool. 
 
 All nations now to Rome obedience pay, SO 
 
 To Home's great emperor, whose wide domain, 
 
 In ample territory, wealth, and power, 
 
 Civility of manners, arts and arms, 
 
 And long renown, thou justly may'st prefer 
 
 .Before (.he Parthian. These two thrones except, 
 
 The
 
 Book IV. PARADISE REGAIN'D. 79 
 
 The rest are barbarous, and scarce worth the sight, 
 
 Shar'd among petty kings too far remov'd ; 
 
 These having shown thee, I have shown thee all 
 
 The kingdoms of the world, and all their glory. 
 
 This emperor hath no son, and now is old, 90 
 
 Old and lascivious, and from Rome retir'd 
 
 To Capreae, an island small, but strong 
 
 On the Campanian shore, with purpose there 
 
 His horrid lusts in private to enjoy ; 
 
 Committing to a wicked favourite 
 
 All publick cares, and yet of him suspicion; 
 
 Hated of all, and hating. With what ease, 
 
 Endued with regal virtues, as thou art, 
 
 Appearing, and beginning noble deeds, 9& 
 
 Might' st thou expel this monster from his throne, 
 
 Now made a stye, and, in his place ascending, 
 
 A victor people free from servile yoke ! 
 
 And with my help thou may'st ; to me the power 
 
 Is given, and by that right I give it thee. 
 
 Aim therefore at no less than all the world 3 
 
 Aim at the highest, without the highest attain'd 
 
 Will be for thee no sitting, or not long, 
 
 On David's throne, be prophesied what will. 
 
 To
 
 80 PARADISE REGAIX'D. Book IV. 
 
 To whom the Son of God, unmov'd, replied. 
 Nor doth this grandeur and majestick show 110 
 
 Of luxury, though call'd magnificence, 
 More than of arms before, allure mine eye, 
 Much less my mind ; though thou should'st add to tell 
 Their sumptuous gluttonies, and gorgeous feasts 
 On citron tables or Atlantic stone, 
 (For I have also heard, perhaps have read,) 
 Their wines of Setia, Cales, and Falerne, 
 Chios, and Crete, aud how they quaff in gold, 
 Crystal, and myrvhine cups, emboss'd with gems 
 And studs of pearl ; to me should'st tell, who thirst 
 And hunger still. Then embassies thou show'st 121 
 From nations far and nigh : what honour that, 
 But tedious waste of time, to sit and hear 
 So many hollow compliments and lies, 
 ( Hulandiah flatteries - Then proceed'st to talk 
 Of the emperor, how easily subdued, 
 How gloriously ; I shall, thou say'st, expel 
 A brutish monster: wliat it I withal 
 Expel a Devil who first made him such ? 
 Let his tormenter conscience find him out ; 130 
 
 For hau 1 was not sent ; nor yet to free 
 
 That
 
 Book IF. PARADISE REGAIND. SJ 
 
 That people,, victor once, now vile and base ; 
 
 Deservedly made vassal ; who, once just, 
 
 Frugal, and mild, and temperate, conquer'd well. 
 
 But govern ill the nations under yoke, 
 
 Peeling their provinces, exhausted all 
 
 By lust and rapine ; first ambitious grown 
 
 Of triumph, that insulting vanity ; 
 
 Then cruel, by their sports to blood inur'd 
 
 Of fighting beasts, and men to beasts expos'd, 140 
 
 Luxurious by their wealth, and greedier still, 
 
 And from the daily scene effeminate. 
 
 What wise and valiant man would seek to free 
 
 These, thus degenerate, by themselves enslav'd. 
 
 Or could of inward slaves make outward free ? 
 
 Know therefore, when my season comes to sit 
 
 On David's throne, it shall be like a tree 
 
 Spreading and overshadowing all the earth j 
 
 Or as a stone shat shall to pieces dash 
 
 All monarchies besides throughout the world; 150 
 
 And of my kingdom there shall be no end : 
 
 Means there shall be to this, but what the means, 
 
 Is not for thee to know, nor me to tell. 
 
 To whom the Tempter, impudent, replied. 
 
 I see
 
 82 PARADISE REGAIN'D. Book IK 
 
 I see all offers made by me how slight 
 
 Thou valuest, because offer'd, and reject' st : 
 
 Nothing will please the difficult and nice, 
 
 Or nothing more than still to contradict : 
 
 On the other side know also thou, that I 
 
 On what I offer set as high esteem, 1 6Q 
 
 Nor what I part with mean to give for nought ; 
 
 All these, which in a moment thou behold'st, 
 
 The kingdoms of the world, to thee I give, 
 
 (For, given to me, I give to whom I please,) 
 
 No trifle ; yet with this reserve, not else, 
 
 On this condition, if thou wilt fall down. 
 
 And worship me as thy superiour lord, 
 
 (Easily done,) and hold them all of me - r 
 
 For what can less so great a gift deserve ? 
 
 Whom thus our Saviour answer'd with disdain. 
 I never iik'd thy talk, thy offers less; 171 
 
 Now both abhor, since thou hast dar'd to utter 
 The abominable terms, impious condition; 
 But I endure the time, till which expir'd 
 Thou hast permission on me. It is written, 
 The first of all commandments, Thou shalt worship 
 The Lord thy God, and only him shalt serve ; 
 
 And
 
 Hook IV. PARADISE REGAIN'D. S3 
 
 And dar'st thou to the Son of God propound 
 
 To worship thee accurs'd ? now more accurs'd 
 
 For this attempt, bolder than that on Eve, 180 
 
 And more blasphemous ; which expect to rue. 
 
 The kingdoms of the world to thee were given ? 
 
 Permitted rather, and by thee usurp' d ; 
 
 Other donation none thou canst produce : 
 
 If given, by whom but by the King of kings, 
 
 God over all supreme ? if given to thee, 
 
 By thee how fairly is the giver now 
 
 Repaid ! But gratitude in thee is lost 
 
 Long since. Wert thou so void of fear or shame, 
 
 As offer them to me, the Son of God ? 1Q0 
 
 To me my own, on such abhorred pact, 
 
 That 1 fall down and worship thee as God ? 
 
 Get thee behind me; plain thou now appear'st 
 
 That Evil one, Satan for ever damn'd. 
 
 To whom the Fiend, with fear abash'd, replied. 
 Be not so sore offended, Son of God, 
 Though sons of God both Angels are and Men, 
 If I, to try whether in higher bort 
 Than these thou bear'st that tide have propos'd 
 What both from Men and Angels I receive, 200 
 
 Tetrarchs
 
 84, PARADISE REGAIX'D. Book IV. 
 
 Tetrarchs of tire, air, flood, and on the earth. 
 
 Nations besides from all the quarter'd winds, 
 
 God of this world invok'd, and world beneath ; 
 
 Who then thou art, whose coming is foretold 
 
 To me so fatal, me it most concerns ; 
 
 The trial hath indamag'd thee no way, 
 
 Rather more honour left and more esteem : 
 
 Me nought advantag'd, missing what I aim'd. 
 
 Therefore let pass, as they are transitory, 
 
 The kingdoms of this world ; I shall no more 210 
 
 Advise thee ; gain them as thou canst, or not. 
 
 And thou thyself seem'st otherwise inclin'd 
 
 Than to a worldly crown j addicted more 
 
 To contemplation and profound dispute, 
 
 As by that early action may be judg"d, 
 
 "When, slipping from thy mother's eye, thou went'st 
 
 Alone into the temple : there was found 
 
 Among the gravest Rabbies, disputant 
 
 On poind and questions fitting Moses' chair 
 
 Teaching, not taught. The childhood shows the man. 
 
 As morning shows the day. Be famous then 221 
 
 By wisdom ; as thy empire must extend, 
 
 So let extend thy mind o'er all the world 
 
 In
 
 Book IV. PARADISE REGAIN'D. 85 
 
 In knowledge, all things in it comprehend. 
 All knowledge is not couch'd in Moses' law, 
 The Pentateuch, or what the Prophets wrote ; 
 The Gentiles also know, and write, and teach 
 To admiration, led by Nature's light ; 
 And with the Gentiles much thou must converse. 
 Ruling them by persuasion, as thou mean'st ; 230 
 Widiout their learning, how wilt thou with them, 
 Or they with thee, hold conversation meet ? 
 How wilt thou reason with them, how refute 
 Their idolisms, traditions, paradoxes ? 
 Error by his own arms is best evinc'd. 
 Look once more, ere we leave this specular mount 
 Westward, much nearer by southwest, behold 
 Where on the ^Egean shore a city stands 
 Built nobly, pure the air, and light the soil ; 
 Athens the eye of Greece, mother of arts 240 
 
 And eloquence, native to famous wits 
 Or hospitable, in her sweet recess. 
 City or suburban, studious walks and shades : 
 See there the olive grove of Academe, 
 Plato's retirement, where the Attic bird 
 Trills her thick-warbled notes the summer long j 
 vol. in, i There
 
 80 PARADISE REGAIN'D. Booh IF. 
 
 There flowery hill Hymettus, with the sound 
 
 Of bees' industrious murmur, oft invites 
 
 To studious musing; there llissus rolls 
 
 His whimpering stream : within the walls, then view 
 
 The schools of ancient sages ; his, who bred Q51 
 
 Great Alexander to subdue the world, 
 
 Lyceum there, and painted Stoa next : 
 
 There shalt thou hear and learn the secret power 
 
 Of harmony, in tones and numbers hit 
 
 By voice or hand ; and various-measur'd verse, 
 
 ^Eolian charms and Dorian lyric odes, 
 
 And his, who gave them breath, but higher sting, 
 
 Blind Melesigenes, thence Homer call'd, 
 
 Whose poem Phoebus challeng'd for his own. 200 
 
 Thence what the lofty grave tragedians taught 
 
 In Chorus or Iambic, teachers best 
 
 Of moral prudence, with delight receb'd 
 
 In brief sententious prec pts, while they treat 
 
 Ot fate, and chance, and ch.tnge in human life; 
 
 Iiiah actions, and high pa-sions best describing: 
 
 r i hence to the famous orators repair, 
 
 Those ancient, whose resistless eloquence 
 
 '> id led at v* ill th .' fi.'i a democratic.
 
 Book W. PARADISE RE GAIN'D. 87 
 
 Shook the arsenal, and fulmin'd over Greece, 270 
 
 To Macedon and Artaxerxes' throne : 
 
 To sage Philosophy next lend thine ear, 
 
 From Heaven descended to the low- rooft house 
 
 Of Socrates ; see there his tenement, 
 
 Whom well inspir'd the oracle pronoune'd 
 
 Wisest of men ; from whose mouth issued forth 
 
 Mellifluous streams, that water'd all the schools 
 
 Of Academics old and new, with those 
 
 Sirnam'd Peripatetics, and the sect 
 
 Epicurean, and the Stoic severe ; 280 
 
 These here revolve, or, as thou lik'st, at home,, 
 
 Till time mature thee to a kingdom's weight ; 
 
 These rules will render thee a king complete 
 
 Within thyself, much more with empire join'd. 
 
 To whom our Saviour sagely thus replied. 
 Think not but that I know these things, or think 
 I know them not ; not therefore am I short 
 Of knowing what I ought : he who receives 
 Light from above, from the fountain of light, 
 No other doctrine needs, though granted true ; 290 
 Bat these are false, or little else but dreams, 
 Conjectures, fancies, built on nothing firm. 
 
 i 2 The
 
 S8 TARAD1SE REGAIN'D. Book IV. 
 
 The first and wisest of them all profess"d 
 
 To know this only, that he nothing knew ; 
 
 The next to tabling fell, and smooth conceits ; 
 
 A third sort doubted all things, though plain sense j 
 
 Others in virtue plac'd felicity, 
 
 But virtue join'd with riches and long life ; 
 
 In corporal pleasure he, and careless ease ; 
 
 The Stoic last in philosophic pride, 300 
 
 By him call'd virtue ; and his virtuous man, 
 
 Wise, perfect in himself, and all possessing, 
 
 Equals to God, oft shames not to preler, 
 
 As fearing God nor man, contemning all 
 
 Wealth, pleasure, pain or torment, death and life, 
 
 Which, when he lists, he leaves, or boasts he can. 
 
 For all his tedious talk is but vain boast, 
 
 Or subtle shifts conviction to evade. 
 
 Alas ! what can they teach, and not mislead, 
 
 Ignorant of themselves, of God much more, 310 
 
 And how the world began, and how man fell 
 
 Degraded by himself, on grace depending ? 
 
 Much of the soul they talk, but all awry, 
 
 And in themselves seek virtue, and to themselves 
 
 All glory arrogate, to (iod give none- , 
 
 Rnther
 
 Book IV. PARADISE REGAIN'D. 89 
 
 Rather accuse him under usual names, 
 
 Fortune and Fate, as one regardless quite 
 
 Of mortal things. Who therefore seeks in these 
 
 True wisdom, finds her not ; or, by delusion, 
 
 Far worse, her false resemblance only meets, 320 
 
 An empty cloud. However many books, 
 
 Wise men have said, are wearisome ; who reads 
 
 Incessantly, and to his reading brings not 
 
 A spirit and judgment equal or superiour, 
 
 (And what he brings what needs he elsewhere seek?) 
 
 Uncertain and unsettled still remains, 
 
 Deep vers'd in books, and shallow in himself, 
 
 Crude or intoxicate, collecting toys, 
 
 And trifles for choice matters, worth a sponge ; 
 
 As children gathering pebbles on the shore. 330 
 
 Or, if I would delight my private hours 
 
 With musick or with poem, where, so soon 
 
 As in our native language, can I find 
 
 That solace r All our law and story strew' d 
 
 With hymns, our psalms with artful terms inserib'd. 
 
 Our Hebrew songs and harps, in Babylon 
 
 That pleas' d so well our victors' ear, declare 
 
 That rather Greece from us these arts deriv'd ;
 
 10 PARADISE REGAIN D. Book IV. 
 
 [11 imitated, while they loudest sing 
 
 Die vices of their Deities, and their own, 340 
 
 In fable, hymn, or song, so personating 
 
 Their Gods ridiculous, and themselves past shame. 
 
 Remove their swelling epithets, thick laid 
 
 As varnish on a harlot's cheek, the rest, 
 
 Thin sown with ought of profit or delight. 
 
 Will far be found unworthy to compare 
 
 With Sion's songs, to all true tastes excelling. 
 
 Where God is praia'd aright, and God-like men, 
 
 The Holiest of Hclies, and his Saints, 
 
 (Such are from God inspire!, not such from thee,) 
 
 I nless where moral virtue is expre.s'd 551 
 
 By light of Nature, nut in all quite lost. 
 
 Their orators thou then extoll'st, as those 
 
 The top ut eloquence, statists indeed, 
 
 And lmcr-, of their country, as may seem ; 
 
 Bur herein to our prophets far beneath, 
 
 As men divinely taught, and better teaching 
 
 The solid rules ol civil government, 
 
 In their majestick unaifected style, 
 
 Than all the oratory of Greece and Rome. 36*0 
 
 In them : - plainest taught, and easiest learnt, 
 
 W! at
 
 Book IV. PARADISE REGAIN'D. SI 
 
 What makes a nation happy, and keeps it so, 
 What ruins kingdoms, and lays cities flat } 
 These only with our law best form a king. 
 
 So spake the Son of God ; but Satan, now 
 Quite at a loss, (for all his darts were spent,) 
 Thus to our Saviour with stern brow replied. 
 
 Since neither wealth nor honour, arms nor arts, 
 Kingdom nor empire pleases thee, nor ought 
 By me propos'd in life contemplative, 370 
 
 Or active, tended on by glory or fame, 
 What dost thou in this world ? The wilderness 
 For thee is fittest place ; I found thee there, 
 And thither will return thee ; yet remember 
 What I foretel thee, soon thou shalt have cause 
 To wish thou never hadst rejected, thus 
 Nicely or cautiously, my offer' d aid, 
 Which would have set thee in short time with ease 
 On David's throne, or throne of all the world, 
 Now at full age, fulness of time, thy season, 380 
 When prophecies of thee are best fuliill'd. 
 Xow contrary, if I read ought in Heaven, 
 Or Heaven write ought of fate, by what the star 
 Voluminous, or single characters, 
 
 In
 
 92 PARADISE REGAINED. Book II ~. 
 
 In their conjunction met, give me to spell, 
 Sorrows, and labours, opposition, hate 
 Attends thee, scorns, reproaches, injuries, 
 Violence and stripes, and lastly cruel death ; 
 A kingdom they portend thee, but what kingdom, 
 Real or allegorick, I discern not, 390 
 
 Xor when ; eternal sure, as without end, 
 Without beginning ; for no date preiix'd 
 Directs me in the Starr}- rubrick set. 
 
 So saving he took (for still he knew his power 
 Not yet expird) and to the wilderness 
 Brought back the Son of God, and left him there, 
 Feigning to disappear. Darkness now rose, 
 As day-light sunk, and brought in lowering Night, 
 Her shadowy offspring, unsubstantial b ;:.. 
 Fri\atirn mere of light and absent day. 4 U 
 
 Our S v. i k, and with untroubled mind 
 
 After his aery jaunt, though hurried sore, 
 v and cold, Sett. Sk him to his rest, 
 V -. . under si-me i ncuurse ol shades, 
 Wl, -c brandling a: us thick intertwin'd might shield 
 From dews and damps 1 nigh: his shelter'd head ; 
 i .-. shelter'd, slept in vain ; tor at his he..,! 
 
 Th
 
 Book IV. PARADISE REGAIN'D. <)3 
 
 The Tempter watch'd, and soon with ugly dreams 
 
 Disturb' d his sleep. And either tropic now 409 
 
 'Gan thunder, and both ends of Heaven ; the clouds 
 
 From many a horrid rift abortive pour'd 
 
 Fierce rain with lightning mix'd, water with fire 
 
 In ruin reconcil'd : nor slept the winds 
 
 Within their stony caves, but rush'd abroad 
 
 From the four hinges of the world, and fell 
 
 On the vex'd wilderness, whose tallest pines, 
 
 Though rooted deep as high, and sturdiest oaks, 
 
 Bow'd their stiff necks, loaden with stormy blasts, 
 
 Or torn up sheer ill wast thou shrouded then, 
 
 O patient Son of God, yet only stood'st 420 
 
 Unshaken ! Nor yet stay'd the terror there, 
 
 Infernal ghosts, and hellish furies, round 
 
 Environ'd thee, some howl'd, some yell'd, some 
 
 shriek'd, 
 Some bent at thee their fiery darts while thou 
 Satst unappall'd in calm and sinless peace ! 
 Thus pass'd the night so foul, till Morning fair 
 Came forth, with pilgrim steps in amice gray j 
 Who with her radiant finger still'd the roar 
 Of thunder, chas'd the clouds, and laid the winds, 
 
 And
 
 94 PARADISE REGAIND. Book IP. 
 
 And grisly spectres, which the Fiend had rais'd 430 
 
 To tempt the Son of God with terrors dire. 
 
 And now the sun with more effectual beams 
 
 Had chear'd the face of earth, and dried the wet 
 
 From drooping plant, or dropping tree; the birds, 
 
 Who all things now behold more fresh and green, 
 
 After a night of storm so ruinous, 
 
 Clear'd up their choicest notes in bush and spray, 
 
 To gratulate the sweet return of morn ; 
 
 Nor yet, amidst this joy and brightest morn, 
 
 Was absent, after all his mischief done, 440 
 
 The Prince of darkness, glad would also seem 
 
 Of this fair change, and to our Saviour came ; 
 
 Yet with no new device, (they all were spent,) 
 
 Rather by this his last affront resolv'd, 
 
 Desperate of better course to vent his rage, 
 
 And mad despite to be so oft repell'd. 
 
 Him walking on a sunny hill he found, 
 
 Back'd on the north and wesi by a thick wood ; 
 
 Out of the wood he starts in wonted shape, 
 
 And in a careless mood thus to him said 450 
 
 Fair morning vet betides thee, Son of God, 
 After a dismal night ; I heard the wrack 
 
 A j
 
 Book IF. PARADISE REGAIN'D. 95 
 
 As earth and sky would mingle ; but myself 
 
 Was distant ; and these flaws, though mortals fear them 
 
 As dangerous to the pillar'd frame of Heaven, 
 
 Or to the earth's dark basis underneath, 
 
 Are to the main as inconsiderable, 
 
 And harmless, if not wholesome, as a sneeze 
 
 To man's less universe, and soon are gone ; 
 
 Yet as being oft times noxious where they light 46*0 
 
 On man, beast, plant, wasteful and turbulent, 
 
 Like turbulencies in the affairs of men, 
 
 Over whose heads they roar, and seem to point, 
 
 They oft fore-signify and threaten ill : 
 
 This tempest at this desart most was bent ; 
 
 Of men at thee, for only thou here dwell'st. 
 
 Did I not tell thee, if thou didst reject 
 
 The perfect season offer' d with my aid 
 
 To win thy destin'd seat, but wilt prolong 
 
 All to the push of fate, pursue thy way 4?0 
 
 Of gaining David's throne, no man knows when, 
 
 For both the when and how is no where told ? 
 
 Thou shall be what thou art ordain'd, no d iubt ; 
 
 For Angels have proclaim' d it, but concealing 
 
 The time and means. Each act is rightliest done, 
 
 Not
 
 96 PARADISE REGAIN'D. Book IV. 
 
 Not when it must, but when it may be best: 
 
 If thou observe not this, be sure to find, 
 
 What I foretold thee, many a hard assay 
 
 Of dangers, and adversities, and pains, 
 
 Ere thou of Israel's scepter get fast hold ; 480 
 
 Whereof this ominous night, that clos'd thee round, 
 
 So many terrors, voices, prodigies 
 
 May warn thee, as a sure fore-going sign. 
 
 So talk'd he, while the Son of God went on 
 And stay'd not, but in brief him answer'd thus. 
 
 Me worse than wet thou find'st not ; other harm 
 Those terrors, which thou speak'st of, did me none ; 
 1 never fear'd they could, though noising loud 
 And threatning nigh ; what they can do as signs 
 Betokening, or ill boding, I contemn 490 
 
 As false portents, not sent from God, but thee ; 
 Who, knowing I shall reign past thy preventing, 
 Obtrud'st thy otfer'd aid, that I, accepting, 
 At least might seem to hold all power of thee, 
 Ambitious Spirit ! and wouldst be thought my God; 
 And storm'st refus'd, thinking to terrify 
 Me to thy will ! desist, (thou art discern'd, 
 \i;d toil'st in vain,) nor me in vain molest. 
 
 To
 
 Book IV. PARADISE REGAIN'D. 07 
 
 To whom the Fiend, now swoln with rage replied. 
 Then hear, O Son of David, Virgin-born, 500 
 
 For Son of God to me is yet in doubt ; 
 Of the Messiah I had heard foretold 
 By all the Prophets ; of thy birth at length, 
 Announc'd by Gabriel, with the first I knew. 
 And of the angelick song in Bethlehem field, 
 On thy birth-night that sung thee Saviour born. 
 From that time seldom have I ceas'd to eye 
 Thy infaney, thy childhood, and thy youth, 
 Thy manhood last, though yet in private bred ; 
 Till at the ford of Jordan, whither all 510 
 
 Flock to the Baptist, I, among the rest, 
 (Though not to be baptiz'd,) by voice from Heaven 
 Heard thee pronounc'd the Son of God belov'd. 
 Thenceforth I thought thee worth my nearer view 
 And narrower scrutiny, that I might learn 
 In what degree or meaning thou art call'd 
 The Son of God ; which bears no single sense. 
 The Son of God 1 also am, or was ; 
 And if 1 was, I am ; relation stands ; 
 All men are Sons of God ; yet thee I thought 5Q0 
 In some respect far higher so declar'd. 
 
 vol. in. k Therefore
 
 9$ PARADISE REGAIN'D. Book IV. 
 
 Therefore I watch'd thy footsteps from that houi, 
 
 And follow'd thee still on to this waste wild ; 
 
 Where by all best conjectures, I collect 
 
 Thou art to be ray fatal enemy : 
 
 Good reason then, if I before-hand seek 
 
 To understand my adversary, who 
 
 And what he is; his wisdom, power, intent; 
 
 By pari or composition, trace or league, 
 
 To win him, or win from him what I can : 530 
 
 And opportunity I here have had 
 
 To try thee, sift thee, and confess have found thee 
 
 Proof against all temptation, as a rock 
 
 Of adamant, and, as a center, firm ; 
 
 To the utmost of mere man both wise and good, 
 
 X t more ; for honours, riches, kingdoms, glory, 
 
 Have been before contemn' d, and may again. 
 
 Therefore, to know what more thou art than Man, 
 
 Worth naming Son of God by voice from Heaven, 
 
 Another method I must now begin. 5-*0 
 
 So saying he caught him up, and, without wing 
 
 Oi hippogrif, bore through the air sublime, 
 
 Over the wilderness and o'er the plain ; 
 
 Till underneath them fair Jerusalem, 
 
 '1 he
 
 DooklV. PARADISE REGAINED. 09 
 
 The holy city, lifted high her towers, 
 
 And higher yet the glorious temple rear'd 
 
 Her pile, far off appearing like a mount 
 
 Of alabaster, topt with golden spires : 
 
 There, on the highest pinnacle, he set 
 
 The Son of God; and added thus in scorn. 550 
 
 There stand, if thou wilt stand ; to stand upright 
 Will ask thee skill ; 1 to thy Father's house 
 Have brought thee, and highest plac'd: highest is best: 
 Xow show thy progeny ; if not to stand, 
 Cast thyself down ; safely, if Son of God : 
 For it is written, ' - He will give command 
 " Concerning thee to his Angels, in their hands 
 " They shall up lift thee, lest at any time 
 " Thou chance to dash thy foot against a stone." 
 
 To whom thus Jesus : Also it is written, 560 
 
 " Tempt not the Lord thy God." He said, and stood: 
 Rut Satan, smitten with amazement, fell. 
 As when Earth's son Antaeus (to compare 
 Small things with greatest) in Irassa strove 
 With Jove's Alcides, and oft foil'd, still rose, 
 Receiving from his mother Earth new strength, 
 Fresh from his fall, and fiercer grapple join'd, 
 
 K 2 Throttled
 
 100 PARADISE REGAIND. Book IV. 
 
 Throttled at length in the air, expired and fell ; 
 
 So, after many a foil, the Tempter proud, 
 
 Renewing fresh assaults, amidst his pride, J70 
 
 Fell whence he stood to see his victor fall: 
 
 And as that Theban monster, that propos'd 
 
 Her riddle, and him who solv'd it not devonr'd, 
 
 That once found out and solv'd, for grief and spite 
 
 Cast herself headlong from th' Ismenian steep ; 
 
 So, struck with dread and anguish, fell the Fiend.. 
 
 And to his crew, that sat consulting, brought 
 
 (Joyless triumphals of his hop'd success,; 
 
 Ruin, and desperation, and dismay, 
 
 Who durst so proudly tempt the Son of God. 580 
 
 So Satan fell ; and straight a fiery globe 
 
 Of Angels on full sail of wing flew nigh, 
 
 Who on their plumy vans receiv'd him soft 
 
 From his uneasy station, and upbore, 
 
 As on a floating couch, through the blithe air : 
 
 Then, in a flowery valley, set him down 
 
 On a green bank, and set before him spread 
 
 A table of celestial food, divine, 
 
 Ambrosial fruits, fetch 'd from the tree of life, 
 
 And, from the fount of life, ambrosial drink, 590 
 
 r -
 
 A,'., ,.;/ '..// , s/ /,/;>,
 
 Book IK PARADISE REGAIND. 10 3. 
 
 That soon refresh'd him wearied, and repair'd 
 What hunger, if aught hunger, had impair'd, 
 Or thirst; and, as he fed, angelick quires 
 Sung heavenly anthems of his victory 
 Over Temptation, and the Tempter proud. 
 
 True image of the Father ; whether thron'd 
 In the bosom of bliss, and light of light 
 Conceiving, or, remote from Heaven, enshrin'd 
 In fleshly tabernacle, and human form, 
 Wandering the wilderness ; whatever place, 6oQ 
 
 Habit, or taste, or motion, still expressing 
 The Son of God, with God-like force endued. 
 Against the attempter of thy Father's throne^ 
 And thief of Paradise ! Him long of old 
 Thou didst debel, and down from Heaven cast 
 With all his army, now thou hast aveng'd 
 Supplanted Adam, and by vanquishing 
 Temptation, hast regain'd lost Paradise, 
 And frustrated the conquest fraudulent. 
 He never more henceforth will dare set foot 010 
 
 In Paradise to tempt ; his snares are broke : 
 
 or though that seat of earthly bliss be fail'd, 
 A fairer Paradise is founded now 
 
 K 3 K>r
 
 102 PARADISE REGAIN'D. Book IK 
 
 For Adam and his chosen sons, whom thou, 
 
 A Saviour, art come down to re-install 
 
 Where they shall dwell secure, when time shall be, 
 
 Of Tempter and temptation without fear. 
 
 But thou, infernal Serpent ! shalt not long 
 
 Rule in the clouds ; like an autumnal star, 
 
 Or lightning, thou shalt fall from Heaven, trod down 
 
 Under his feet : for proof, ere this thou feel'st 621 
 
 Thy wound, (yet not thy last and deadliest wound,) 
 
 By this repulse receiv'd, and hold'st in Hell 
 
 No triumph : in all her gates Abaddon rues 
 
 Thy bold attempt. Hereafter learn with awe 
 
 To dread the Son of God : He, all unarm'd, 
 
 Shall chace thee, with the terror of his voice, 
 
 From thy demoniac holds, possession foul, 
 
 Thee and thy legions ; yelling they shall fly, 
 
 And beg to hide them in a herd of swine, 630 
 
 Lest he command them down into the deep, 
 
 Bound, and to torment sent before their time. 
 
 Hail, Son of the Most High, heir of both worlds^ 
 
 Queller of Satan. On thy glorious work 
 
 Nov.' enter ; and begin to save mankind. 
 
 Thus
 
 Book IV. PARADISE REGAIN'D. 103 
 
 Thus they the Son of God, our Saviour meek, 
 Sung victor, and, from heavenly feast refresh'd, 
 Brought on his way with joy ; he, unobserv'd. 
 Home to his mother's house private return'd, 639 
 
 Till END.
 
 SAMSON AGON1STES, 
 
 A 
 DRAMATIC POEM. 
 
 Aristot. Poet. Cap. 6. 
 
 Tgayxha f;u(n; 'Sr^x^im; rvuiaw;, &C. 
 
 Fragcedia est imitatio actionis seriae, &c. per misericordiam el 
 rnetum Dcrficiens taliurn affectuum lustrationern.
 
 OF THAT SORT OF DRAMATIC POEM WHICH IS 
 CALLED TRAGEDY. 
 
 TRAGEDY, as it was anciently compos'd, hath 
 been ever held the gravest, moralest, and most pro- 
 fitable of all other poems : therefore said by Aristotle 
 to be of power by raising pity and fear, or terror, to 
 purge the mind of those and such like passions, that 
 is, to temper and reduce them toju.it measure with a 
 kind of delight, stirr'd up by reading or seeing those 
 passions well imitated. Nor is Nature wanting in her 
 own effects to make good his assertion : for so in physic 
 things of melancholic hue and quality are us"d against 
 melancholy, sour against sour, salt to remove salt 
 humours. Hence philosophers and other gravest 
 wi iters, as Cicero, Plutarch, and others, frequently 
 cite out of tragic poet.-., both to adorn and illustrate 
 their discourse. The Apostle Paul himself thought 
 it not unworthy to insert* a verse of Euripides into 
 the text of Holy Scripture, 1 Cor. XV. 33. and 
 Paraeus, commenting on the Fevelation, divides the 
 whole book, as a tragedy, into acts distinguish' d each 
 by a chorus of heavenly harpings and song between. 
 Heretofore men in highest dignity have labour' d not a 
 
 little 
 
 * The verse here quoted is " E\il a mmunications corrupt 
 good maaners."
 
 L 108 ] 
 
 little to be thought able to compose a tragedy. Of 
 that honour Dionysius the elder was no less ambitious, 
 than before, of his attaining to the tyranny. Augustus 
 Caesar also had begun his Ajax, but unable, to please 
 his own judgment with what he had begun, left it 
 unfinish'd. Seneca, the philosopher, is by some thought 
 the author of those tragedies (at least the best of diem) 
 that go under that name. Gregory Xazianzen, a 
 Father of the Church, thought it not unbeseeming the 
 sanctity of his person to write a tragedy, which is in- 
 titled Christ Suffering. This is mention'd to vindicate 
 tragedy from the small esteem, or rather infamy, 
 which in the account of many it undergoes at this day 
 withothei common interludes 3 happening through the 
 poet's error of intermixing comic stuff with tragic 
 sadness and gravity ; or introducing trivial and vulgar 
 persons, which by all Judicious hath been counted 
 absurd ; and brought in without discretion, corruptly 
 to gratify the people. And though ancient tragedy 
 u>e no prologue, yet using sometimes, in case of self- 
 defence, or explanation, that which Martial calls an 
 epistle; in behalf of tins tragedy coming forth after 
 the ancient manner, much different from what among 
 us passes for best, thus much before-hand may be 
 enUded ; that churns is here introdue'd after the 
 Greek manner, not ancient only but modern, and 
 still in uve among the Italians. In the modeling 
 
 therefore
 
 [ lop j 
 
 therefore of this poem, with good reason, the Ancients 
 and Italians are rather follow'd, as of much more 
 authority and fame. The measure of verse used in the 
 chorus is of all sorts, call'd by the Greeks Monostro- 
 phic, or rather Apolelymenon, without regard had to 
 Strophe, Antistrophe, or Epod, which were a kind of 
 stanzas framed only for the musick, then used with 
 the chorus that sung ; not essential to the poem, and 
 therefore not material ; or, being divided into stanzas 
 or pauses, they may be call'd Allaeostropha. Division 
 into act and scene referring chiefly to the stage (to 
 which this work never was intended) is here omitted. 
 It suffices if the whole drama be found not produced 
 beyond the fifth act. Of the stile and uniformity, and 
 that commonly call'd the plot, whether intricate or 
 explicit, which is nothing indeed but such oeconomy, 
 or disposition of the fable, as may stand best with veri- 
 similitude and decorum ; they only will best judge 
 who are not unacquainted with /Eschylus, Sophocles, 
 and Euripides, the three tragic poets unequal'd yet by 
 any, and the best rule to all who endeavour to write 
 tragedy, The circumscription of time, wherein the 
 whole drama begins and ends, is according to ancient 
 rule, and best example, within the space of '2 hours. 
 
 THE
 
 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 (lay, in the general cessation from labour, 
 comes forth into the open air, to a place nigh, some- 
 what retir'd, thire to sit a while and bemom his 
 condition. White he happens at length to be visited 
 by cert din friends and equals of his tribe, which 
 make the Chorus, nho seek to comfort him :Jiat they 
 can : then by his old Hither Manoah, who endeavours 
 the like, and withal tells him his purpose to procure 
 his liberty by ransom ; lastly, that this feast was 
 proclaim' d bv the Philistines as a dan of thanksgiving 
 fur their deliverance from the hands nf Samson, 
 which yet more troubles him. ^Ianuah then depart* 
 to prosecute his en ieavour with the Philistine lords lor 
 ^ams<m's ndtmption ; who in the mean whiL is 
 -. ,\, ; .'r d I h it 'n r / enuns : and lastly by a publick ofucer 
 to require his coming to the feast before the lord* 
 and pt '/(, .'/ pnty or show his strength in thcii 
 ,, reduce: he at first refuse*, dismissing the publick 
 
 otiit i :
 
 [ 111 ] 
 
 officer with absolute denial to come ; at length, per- 
 suaded inwardly that this was from God, he yields 
 to go along with him, who came now the second time 
 with great threatnings to fetch him : The Chorus yet 
 remaining on the place, Manoah returns full of joyful 
 hope, to procure ere long his son's deliverance : in the 
 midst of which discourse an Hebrew comes in haste, 
 confusedly atfrst, and afterward more distinctly re- 
 lating tlie catastrophe, what Samson had done to the 
 Philistines, and by accident to himself; wherewith 
 the tragedy ends. 
 
 i <' THE
 
 THE PERSONS. 
 
 Samson. 
 
 Man oak, the Father of Samson. 
 
 Da li la, his Wife. 
 
 Ha ra i'ii a of Gath. 
 
 Publick Officer. 
 
 Messenger. 
 
 Chorus of Danites. 
 
 The Scene before the Prison in Gaza.
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 
 
 SAMSON. 
 
 xx Little onward lend thy guiding hand 
 To these dark steps, a little further on ; 
 For yonder bank hath choice of sun or shade : 
 There I am wont to sit, when any chance 
 Relieves me from my task of servile toil, 
 Daily in the common prison else enjoin'd me, 
 Where I, a prisoner chain'd, scarce freely draw 
 The air imprison'd also, close and damp, 
 Unwholesome draught : but here I feel amends, 
 
 The breath of Pleaven fresh blowing, pure and sweet, 
 
 With day-spring born; here leave me to respire. U 
 
 This day a solemn feast the people hold 
 
 To Dagon their sea-idol, and forbid 
 
 Laborious works ; unwillingly this rest 
 
 Their superstition yields me ; hence with leave 
 
 Retiring from the popular noise, I seek 
 
 l 3 This
 
 114 SAMSON AGOXISTES. 
 
 This unfrequented place to rind some ease. 
 
 Ease to the body some, none to the mind 
 
 From restless thoughts, that, like a deadly swarm 
 
 Of hornets arm'd, no sooner found alone, 20 
 
 But rush upon me thronging, and present 
 
 Times past, what once I was, and what am now. 
 
 O, wherefore was my birth from Heaven foretold 
 
 Twice by an Angel, who at last in sight 
 
 Of both my parents all in flames ascended 
 
 From off the altar, where an offering burn'd, 
 
 As in a fiery column charioting 
 
 His god-like presence, and from some great act 
 
 Or benefit reveal'd to Abraham's race ? 
 
 Why was my breeding order' d and prescrib'd :'.<' 
 
 As of a person separate to God, 
 
 Design'd for great exploits ; if I must die 
 
 Betray'd, captiv'd, and both my eyes put out, 
 
 Made of my enemies the scorn and gaze ; 
 
 To grind in bra/en fetters under ta*k 
 
 With this Heaven-gifted strength 5 O glorious strength 
 
 Put to the labour of a beast, debas'd 
 
 Lower than bond-sla\e! Promise was that I 
 
 Should Israel from Philistian yoke delher ; 
 
 A 4.
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 115 
 
 Ask for this great deliverer now, and find him 40 
 
 Eyeless in Gaza at the mill with slaves, 
 
 Himself in bonds under Philistian yoke : 
 
 Yet stay, let me not rashly call in doubt 
 
 Divine prediction ; what if all foretold 
 
 Had been fulfill'd but through mine own default, 
 
 Whom have I to complain of but myself ? 
 
 Who this high gift of strength committed to me, 
 
 In what part lodg'd, how easily bereft me, 
 Under the seal of silence could not keep, 
 
 But weakly to a woman must reveal it, 50 
 
 O'ercome with importunity and tears. 
 
 O impotence of mind, in body strong ! 
 
 But what is strength without a double share 
 
 Of wisdom ? vast, unwieldy, burdensome. 
 
 Proudly secure, yet liable to fall 
 
 By weakest subtleties, not made to rule, 
 
 But to subserve where wisdom bears command ! 
 
 God, when he gave me strength, to show withal 
 
 How slight the gift was, hung it in my hair. 
 
 But peace ! I must not quarrel with the will 60 
 
 Of highest dispensation, which herein 
 
 Haply had ends above my reach to know: 
 
 Suffices
 
 116" SAMSON AGONISTES. 
 
 Suffices that to me strength is my bane, 
 
 And proves the source of all my miseries ; 
 
 So many, and so huge, that each apart 
 
 Would ask a life to wail ; but chief of all, 
 
 O loss of sight, of thee I most complain ! 
 
 Blind among enemies, O worse than chains, 
 
 Dungeon, or beggery, or decrepit age ! 
 
 Light, the prime work of God, to me is extinct, 70 
 
 And all her various objects of delight 
 
 Annull'd, which might in part my grief have eas'd, 
 
 Inferiour to the vilest now become 
 
 Of man or worm ; the vilest here excel me ; 
 
 They creep, yet see ; I, dark in light, expos'd 
 
 To daily fraud, contempt, abuse, and wron^r, 
 
 Within doors, or without, still as a fool, 
 
 In power of others, never in my own ; 
 
 Scarce halt" I seem to live, dead more than half 
 
 O dark, dark, ci. ; rk, amid the blaze of noon, SO 
 
 Irrecoverablv dark, total eclipse 
 
 Without all hope of day ! 
 
 O rir-^t created Beam, and thou great Word, 
 
 " Let there bv light, and light was over all ; " 
 
 Why am I thus bcreav d thy prime decree ? 
 
 The
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 117 
 
 The sun to me is dark 
 
 And silent as the moon, 
 
 When she deserts the night 
 
 Hid in her vacant interlunar cave. 
 
 Since light so necessary is to life, Otf 
 
 And almost life itself, if it be true 
 
 That light is in the soul, 
 
 She all in every part ; why was the sight 
 
 To such a tender ball as the eye conhn'd, 
 
 So obvious and so easy to be quench'd ? 
 
 And not, as feeling, through all parts diffus'd, 
 
 That she might look at will through every pore ? 
 
 Then had I not been thus exil'd from light, 
 
 As in the land of darkness, yet in light, 
 
 To live a life half dead, a living death, 100 
 
 And buried ; but, O yet more miserable ! 
 
 Myself, my sepulchre, a moving grave, 
 
 Buried, yet not exempt, 
 
 By privilege of death and burial, 
 
 From worst of other evils, pains and wrongs ; 
 
 But made hereby obnoxious more 
 
 To all the miseries of life, 
 
 Life in captivity 
 
 Among
 
 US SAMSON AGOXISTES. 
 
 Among inhuman foes. 
 
 But who are these : for with joint pace I hear 1 10 
 
 The tread of many feet steering this way ; 
 
 Ferhaps my enemies, who come to stare 
 
 At my affliction, and perhaps to insult, 
 
 Their daily practice to afflict me more. 
 
 [Enter~\ chorus. 
 
 This, this is he , softly a while, 
 Let us net break in upon him ; 
 O change beyond report, thought or belief! 
 See how he lies at random, carelessly dilfus'd, 
 With languish'd head unpropt, 
 
 As one past hope, abandon'd, 120 
 
 And by himself given over ; 
 In slavish habit, ill-ritted weeds 
 O'er-worn and soil'd ; 
 
 Or do my eyes misrepresent? Can this be he, 
 That heroic, that renown'd, 
 
 Irresistible Samson f whom unarm'd 
 
 No strength of man, or fiercest wild Ixast, could 
 withstand ; 
 
 Who tore die lion, as the lion tears the kid ; 
 
 Ran
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 119 
 
 Han on embattled armies clad in iron ; 
 
 And, weaponless himself, 130 
 
 Made arms ridiculous, useless the forgery 
 
 Of brazen shield and spear, the hammer'd cuirass, 
 
 Chaly'bean temper' d steel, and frock of mail 
 
 Adamantean proof; 
 
 But safest he who stood aloof, 
 
 When insupportably his foot advanc'd, 
 
 In scorn of their proud arms and warlike tools, 
 
 Spurn'd them to death by troops. The bold Ascalonite 
 
 Fled from his lion ramp ; old warriours turn'd 
 
 Their plated backs under his heel : 
 
 Or, groveling soil'd their crested helmets in the dust, 
 
 Then with what trivial weapon came to hand, 
 
 The jaw of a dead ass, his sword of bone, 
 
 A thousand fore-skins fell, the flower of Palestine, 
 
 In Ramath-lechi, famous to this day. 
 
 Then by main force pull'd up, and on his shoulders 
 
 bore 
 The gates of Azza, post, and massy bar, 
 Up to the hill by Hebron, seat of giants old, 
 Xo journey of a sabbath-day, and loaded so; 
 J, ike whom the Gentiles feign to bear up Heaven. 
 
 Wlii. 1.
 
 120 SAMSON AGOXISTES. 
 
 Which shall I first bewail, 151 
 
 Thy bondage or lost sight, 
 Prison within prison 
 Inseparably dark ? 
 
 Thou art become (O worst imprisonment!) 
 The dungeon of thyself: thy soul, 
 (Which men enjoying sight oft without cause com- 
 plain) 
 Imprison'd now indeed, 
 In real darkness of the boclv dwells, 
 Shut up from outward light 1(j0 
 
 To incorporate with gloomy night ; 
 For inward light, alas ! 
 Tuts firth no visual beam. 
 O mirror of our tickle state, 
 Since man on earth unparallel'd ! 
 The rarer thy example stands, 
 By how much from the top of wonderous gloiy, 
 Strongest of mortal men, 
 
 To lowest pitch of abject fortune thou art fall n. 
 For him I reckon not in high estate 170 
 
 Whom lonp; descent of birth, 
 Or the sphere of fortune, raises ; 
 
 But
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 121 
 
 But thee whose strength, while virtue was her mate, 
 Might have subdued the earth. 
 Universally crovvn'd with highest praises. 
 
 SAMSON. 
 
 I hear the sound of words ; their sense the an 
 Dissolves unjointed ere it reach my ear. 
 
 Fie speaks, let us draw nigh. Matchless in might, 
 The glory late of Israel, now the grief ; 
 We come, thy friends and neighbours not unknown, 
 From Eshtaol and Zora's fruitful vale, 181 
 
 To visit or bewail thee ; or, if better, 
 Counsel or consolation we may bring, 
 Salve to thy sores ; apt words have power to swage 
 The tumours of a troubled mind, 
 And are as balm to fester' d wounds. 
 
 Your coming, Friends, revives me ; tor I learn 
 Now of my own experience, not by talk, 
 Flow counterfeit a coin they are who friends 
 Bear in their superscription, (of the most liK* 
 
 VOL. HI. M I Would
 
 122 SAMSON AGONISTES. 
 
 I would be understood) in prosperous days 
 
 They swarm , but in adverse withdraw their head., 
 
 Not to be found, though sought. Ye see, O Friends, 
 
 How many evils have enclos'd me round ; 
 
 Yet that which was the worst now least afflicts me, 
 
 Blindness 3 for had I sight, confus'd with shame, 
 
 How could I once look up, or heave the head, 
 
 Who, like a foolish pilot, have shipwreck' d 
 
 My vessel trusted to me from above, 
 
 Gloriously rigg'd ; and for a word, a tear, 200 
 
 Fool ! have divulg'd the secret gift of God 
 
 To a deceitful woman ? tell me, Friends, 
 
 Am I not sung and proverb'd for a fool 
 
 In every street ? do they not say, how well 
 
 x\re come upon him his deserts r yet why ? 
 
 Immeasurable strength they might behold 
 
 In me, of wisdom nothing more than mean ; 
 
 This with the other should, at least, have pair'd. 
 
 These two proportion'd ill drove me transverse. 
 
 c Hours. 
 
 Fax not divine disposal ; wisest men 210 
 
 i iu\e trii'd, and by Lad women been deceiv'dj 
 
 And
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 123 
 
 And shall again, pretend they ne'er so wise. 
 Deject not then so overmuch thyself, 
 Who hast of sorrow thy full load besides ; 
 Yet truth to say, I oft have heard men wonder 
 Why thou shouldst wed Philistian women rather 
 Than of thine own tribe fairer, or as fair, 
 At least of thy own nation, and as noble. 
 
 SAMSON. 
 
 The first I saw at Timna, and she pleas'd 
 Me, not my parents, that I sought to wed 220 
 
 The daughter of an infidel : they knew not 
 That what I motion'd was of God ; I knew 
 From intimate impulse, and therefore urg'd 
 The marriage on ; that by occasion hence 
 I might begin Israel's deliverance, 
 The work to which I was divinely call'd. 
 She proving false, the next I took to wife 
 (O that I never had ! fond wish too late,) 
 Was in the vale of Sorec, Dalila, 
 That specious monster, my accomplish'd snare. 230 
 I thought it lawful from my former act, 
 And the same end ; still watching to oppress 
 
 m 2 Israel's
 
 124 SAMSON AGOXI5TE5. 
 
 Israel's oppressors : of what now I suffer 
 
 She was not the prime canse, but I myself, 
 
 Who vanquish'd with a peal of words i O weakness ! ) 
 
 Gave up my fort of silence to a woman. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 In seeking just occasion to provoke 
 The Philistine, thy country's enemy, 
 rh )u never wast remiss, I bear thee witness : 
 Vet hracl still serves with all his sons. 240 
 
 s a m s o x . 
 
 That fault I take not on me, but transfer 
 On Israel's governor?, and heads of tribes, 
 Who seeing those great acts, which God had done 
 Singly by me against their conquerors 
 Acknowledg'd not, or net at ail c< nsider'd, 
 Deliverance ofrer'd : I on the oilier side 
 I"- In am' in u to commend my i 
 The deeds themselves, though mute, spoke loud the 
 
 doer. 
 But they persisted den', and would not seem 2+9 
 T i i unt them tilings \v rth n tice. till it length 
 Their lordi die 1'i ilUtine-. with gather'd powers 
 
 Enter'J
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 126 
 
 Enter'd Judea seeking me, who then 
 
 Safe to the rock of Etham was retir'd ; 
 
 Not flying, but fore-casting in what place 
 
 To set upon them, what advantag'd best : 
 
 Mean while the men of Judah, to prevent 
 
 The harass of their land, beset me round ; 
 
 I willingly on some conditions came 
 
 Into their hands, and they as gladly yield me 
 
 To the uncircumcis'd a welcome prey, 26*0 
 
 Bound with two cords ; but cords to me were threads 
 
 Touch' d with the flame : on their whole host I flew 
 
 Unarm'd, and with a trivial weapon fell'd 
 
 Their choicest youth ; they only liv'd who fled. 
 
 Had Judah that day join'd, or one whole tribe, 
 
 They had by tills possess' d the towers of Gath, 
 
 And lorded over them whom they now serve : 
 
 But what more oft, in nations grown corrupt, 
 
 And by their vices brought to servitude, 
 
 Than to love bondage more than liberty, 270 
 
 Bondage with ease than strenuous liberty ; 
 
 And to despise, or envy, or suspect 
 
 Whom God hath of his special favour rais'd 
 
 U 3 As
 
 126 SAMSON A.GONISTES. 
 
 As iheir deliverer > if he aught begin, 
 How frequent to desert him, and at last 
 To heap ingratitude on worthiest deeds ? 
 
 CHORL'S. 
 
 Thy words to my remembrance bring 
 How Succoth and the fort of Penuel 
 Their great deliverer contemn'd, 
 The matchless Gideon, in pursuit 2S0 
 
 Of Madian and her vanquished kings : 
 And how ingrateful Ephraim 
 Had dealt with Jephtha, who by argument, 
 Not worse than by his shield and spear, 
 Defended Israel from the Ammonite, 
 Had not his prowess quell'd their pride 
 In that sore battle, when so many died 
 Without reprieve adjudsr'd to death, 
 For want of well pronouncing Shibboleth 
 
 s a m soy, 
 Of such examples add me to the roll ; 2.00 
 
 Me easily indeed mine may neglect, 
 Bik Gad's propos'd deliverance not o.
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 127 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Just are the ways of God, 
 And justifiable to Men ; 
 Unless there be who think not God at all : 
 If any be, they walk obscure ; 
 For of such doctrine never was there school, 
 But the heart of the fool, 
 And no man therein doctor but himself. 299 
 
 Yet more there be, who doubt his ways not just, 
 As to his own edicts found contradicting, 
 Then give the reins to wandering thought, 
 Regardless of his glory's diminution ; 
 Till, by their own perplexities involv'd, 
 They ravel more, still less resolv'd, 
 
 But never find self-satisfying solution. 
 
 As if they would confine the Interminable, 
 
 And tie him to his own prescript, 
 
 Who made our laws to bind us, not himself, 
 
 And hath full right to exempt 310 
 
 Whom so it pleases him by choice 
 
 From national obstriction, without taint 
 
 Of sin, or legal debt ; 
 
 For
 
 12S SAMSON AGOXISTES. 
 
 por with his own laws he can best dispense. 
 
 He would not else, who never wanted means, 
 Xor in respect of the enemy just cause, 
 To set his people free, 
 Have prompted this heroic Nazarite, 
 Against his vow of strictest purity, 
 To seek in marriage that fallacious bride, 320 
 
 Unclean, unchaste. 
 
 Down, reason, then; at least vain reasonings, down ; 
 Though reason here aver, 
 That moral verdict quits her of unclean : 
 Unchaste was subsequent, her stain not his. 
 
 But see here comes thy reverend Sire 
 With careful step, locks white as down, 
 Old Manoah : Advise 
 Forthwith how thou oughtst to receive him. 
 
 SAMSOX. 
 
 Av me ! another inward grief, awak'd 530 
 
 With mention of that name, renews the assault. 
 
 -M A >" A H . 
 
 Brethren and men of Dan, for such ye seem, 
 Though in this uncouth place ; if old respect, 
 
 As
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 129 
 
 As I suppose, towards your once gloried friend, 
 My son, now captive, hither hath inform'd 
 Your younger feet, while mine cast back with age 
 Come lagging after ; say if he be here. 
 
 chorus. 
 As signal now in low dejected state, 
 As erst in highest, behold him were he lies. 
 
 MANOAH. 
 
 O miserable change ; is this the man, 340 
 
 That invincible Samson, far renown'd, 
 The dread of Israel's foes, who with a strength 
 Equivalent to Angels walk'd their streets, 
 None offering fight ; who single combatant 
 Duel'd their armies rank'd in proud array, 
 Himself an army, now unequal match 
 To save himself against a coward arm'd 
 At one spear's length. O ever-failing trust 
 In mortal strength ! and oh what not in man 
 Deceivable and vain ? Nay, what thing good 350 
 Pray'd for, but often proves our woe, our bane ? 
 I pray'd for children, and thought barrenness 
 In wedlock a reproach ; I gain'd a son, 
 
 And
 
 130 SAMSON AGOXISTES. 
 
 And such a son as all men hail'd me happy ; 
 
 Who would be now a father in my stead r 
 
 O wherefore did God grant me mv request, 
 
 And as a blessing with such pomp adorn'd ? 
 
 Why are his gifts desirable, to tempt 
 
 Our earnest prayers, then, given with solemn hand 
 
 As graces, draw a scorpion's tail behind 360 
 
 Eor this did the Angel twice descend ? for this 
 
 Ordain'd thy nurture holy, as of a plant 
 
 Select, and sacred, glorious for a while, 
 
 The miracle of men ; then in an hour 
 
 Ensnar'd, assaulted, overcome, led bound, 
 
 Thy foes' derision, captive, poor, and blind, 
 
 Into a dungeon thrust, to work with slaves ? 
 
 Alas methinks whom God hath chosen once 
 
 To worthiest deeds, if he through frailty err, 
 
 He should net so o'erwhelm, and as a thrall 370 
 
 Subject him to so foul indignities, 
 
 Ee it but for honour's sake of former deeds. 
 
 S A M s X . 
 
 Appoint not heavenly disposition, Father ; 
 
 Nothing 
 373. " Arpw.-.t not heavenly disposition,*' Arraign no: 
 ummon not tc ar.swer.
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 131 
 
 Nothing of all these evils hath befall'n me 
 
 But justly ; I myself have brought them on, 
 
 Sole author I, sole cause : if aught seem vile, 
 
 As vile hath been my folly, who have profan'd 
 
 The mystery of God given me under pledge 
 
 Of vow, and have betray'd it to a woman, 
 
 A Canaanite, my faithless enemy. 380 
 
 This well I knew, nor was at all surpris'd, 
 
 But warn'd by oft experience : did not she 
 
 Of Timna first betray me, and reveal 
 
 The secret wrested from me in her highth 
 
 Of nuptial love profess'd, carrying it straight 
 
 To them who had corrupted her, my spies, 
 
 And rivals ? In this other was there found 
 
 More faith, who also in her prime of love, 
 
 Spousal embraces, vitiated with gold, 
 
 Though otfer'd only, by the scent conceivd 3Q0 
 
 Her spurious first-born, treason against me ? 
 
 Thrice she assay'd with flattering prayers and sighs, 
 
 And amorous reproaches, to win from me 
 
 My capital secret, in what part my strength 
 
 Lay stor'd, in what part summ'd, that she might know ; 
 
 Thrice I deluded her, and turn'd to sport 
 
 Her
 
 132 SAMSON AGONISTES. 
 
 Her importunity, each time perceiving 
 
 How openly, and with what impudence 
 
 She purpos d to betray me, and (which was worse 
 
 Than undissembled hate) with what contempt 400 
 
 She sought to make me traitor to myself j 
 
 Yet the fourth time, when, mustering all her wiles, 
 
 With blandish' d parlies, feminine assaults, 
 
 Tongue-batteries, she surceas'd not day nor night 
 
 To storm me over-watch'd, and wearied out, 
 
 At times when men seek most repose and rest, 
 
 1 yielded, and unlock'd her all my heart, 
 
 Who, with a grain of manhood well resolv'd. 
 
 Might easily have shook off all her snares : 
 
 But foul effeminacy held me yok'd 410 
 
 Her bond-slave ; O indignity, O blot 
 
 To honour and religion ! servile mind 
 
 Rewarded well with servile punishment ! 
 
 The base degree to which I now am fall n, 
 
 These rags, this grinding is not yet so base 
 
 As was my former servitude, ignoble, 
 
 Unmanly, ignominious, infamuus, 
 
 True slavery, and that blindness worse than this, 
 
 That saw not how de gene- lately J serv'd. 
 
 M A S O AM.
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 133 
 
 MAVOAIT, 
 
 I cannot praise thy marriage choices, Son, 420 
 Rather approv'd them not ; but thou didst plead 
 Divine impulsion prompting how they might'st 
 Find .some occasion to infest our foes. 
 I state not that ; this I am sure, our foes 
 Found soon occadon thereby to make thee 
 Their captive, and their triumph : thou the soonei 
 Temptation found'st, or over-potent charms 
 To violate the sacred trust of silence 
 Deposited within thee ; which to have kept 
 Tacit, was in thy power : true ; and thou bear'st 4-30 
 Enough, and more, the burden of that fault ; 
 Bitterly hast thou paid, and still art paying 
 That rigid score. A worse thing yet remains, 
 This day the Philistines a popular feast. 
 Here celebrate in Gaza ; and proclaim 
 Great pump, and sacrifice, and praises loud 
 To Dagon, as their God who hath deliver' d 
 Thee, Samson, bound and blind into their hands, 
 Them out of thine, who slew'st them many a slain. 
 So Dagon shall be magnified, and God, -110 
 
 Bes'u; , whom is no God, compar'd with idols, 
 
 vol. i; i. N Disglorilied,
 
 134 SAMSON AGONISTES. 
 
 Disglorified, blasphem'd, and had in scorn 
 By the idolatrous rout amidst their wine ; 
 Which to have come to pass by means of thee, 
 Samson, of all thy sufferings think the heaviest, 
 Of all reproach the most with shame that ever 
 Could ha\ e befall' n thee and thy father's house. 
 
 SAMSON". 
 
 Father, 1 do acknowledge and confess 
 That I this honour, I this pomp, have brought 
 To Dagon, and advanc'd his praises high 450 
 
 Among the Heathen round ; to God have brought 
 Dishonour, obloquy, and op'd the mouths 
 Of idolists, and atheists ; have brought scandal 
 To Israel, diffidence of God, and doubt 
 In feeble hearts, propense enough before 
 To waver, or fall oil and join with idols ; 
 Which is my chief affliction, shame and sorrow, 
 The anguish of my soul, that sutlers not 
 Mine eye to harbour sleep,. or thoughts to rest. 
 'J his only hope relieves me, that the strife 4()0 
 
 With me hath end ; all the contest is now 
 "iwixt God and Dfgon : Dagon hath presuni'd, 
 
 Ah-
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 1:35 
 
 Me overthrown, to enter lists with God, 
 
 His deity comparing and preferring 
 
 Before the God of Abraham. He, be sure, 
 
 Will not connive, or linger, thus pruvok'd, 
 
 But will arise and his great name assert : 
 
 Dagon must stoop, and shall ere long receive 
 
 Such a discomfit, as shall quite despoil him 
 
 Of all these boasted trophies won on me, 4-70 
 
 And with confusion blank his worshippers. 
 
 M A S A II . 
 
 With cause this hope relieves thee, and these words 
 I as a prophecy receive ; for God, 
 Nothing more certain, will not long defer 
 To vindicate the glory of his name 
 Against all competition, nor will long 
 Endure it doubtful whether God be Lor.!, 
 Or Dagon. But for thee what shall be d ;ne '. 
 Thou must not, in the mean while here forgot. 
 Lie in this miserable loathsome plight, 4S0 
 
 Neglected. I already have made way 
 To some Philistian lords, with whom to treat 
 About thy ransom : well they may by this 
 
 s Have
 
 136 SAMSON AGOXISTES. 
 
 Have satisfied their utmost cf revenge 
 
 Ey pains and slaveries, worse than death inflicted 
 
 On thee, who now no more canst do them harm. 
 
 SAMSON. 
 
 Spare that proposal, Fadier ; -pare the trouble 
 Of that solicitation ; let me here, 
 As I deserve, pay on my punishment ,; 
 And expiate,, if possible, my crime, 490 
 
 Shameful garrulity. To have reveal' d 
 Secrets of men, the secrets of a friend, 
 How heinous had the fact been, how deserving 
 C ntempt, and scorn of all, to be excluded 
 All friend-hip, and avoided as a blab, 
 The mark of fool -et on his front 
 But I God's c< unsel have not kept, his holy secret 
 Pre-umptu u-lv have publi-h'd, impiouslv, 
 \Y< akly at lea-t, and shamefully : a -in 
 That Gentiles in their parables condemn 5(0 
 
 To their abyss and horrid pain- connVd. 
 
 M.1NO.UI. 
 
 Be penitent, and for thy fault contrite, 
 But act not in thy own allliction, Son: 
 
 E ;-
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. \37 
 
 Repent the sin ; but if the punishment 
 
 Thou canst avoid, self-preservation bids ; 
 
 Or the execution leave to high disposal, 
 
 And let another hand, not thine, exact 
 
 Thy penal Forfeit from thyself 5 perhaps 
 
 God will relent, and quit thee all his debt ; 
 
 Who ever more approves and more accepts ; 510 
 
 (Best pleas' d with humble and filial submission) 
 
 Him, who, imploring mercy, sues for life, 
 
 Than who, self-rigorous, chooses death as due; 
 
 Which argues over-just, and self-displeas'd 
 
 For self-offence, more than for God offended. 
 
 Reject not then what offer'd means ; who knows 
 
 But God hath set before us, to return thee 
 
 Home to thy country and his sacred house, 
 
 Where thou mayst bring thy offerings, to avert 
 
 His further ire, with prayers and vows renew'd ; 5'20 
 
 SAMSON". 
 
 His pardon 1 implore ; but as for life, 
 To what end should I seek it ? when in strength 
 All mortals I exceli'd, and great in hopes 
 With youthful courage and magnanimous thoughts 
 
 k 3 Of
 
 138 SAMSON AGONISTES. 
 
 Of birth from Heaven foretold, and high exploits, 
 
 Full of divine instinct, after some proof 
 
 Of acts indeed herokk, far beyond 
 
 The sons of Anak, famous now and blaz'd, 
 
 Fearless of danger, like a petty God 
 
 I walk'd about admir'd of all and dreaded 530 
 
 On hostile ground, none daring my affront. 
 
 Then swoH'n with pride into the snare I fell 
 
 Of fair fallacious looks, venereal trains, 
 
 Soften'd with pleasure and voluptuous life ; 
 
 At length to lay my head and hallow'd pledge 
 
 Of all my strength in the lascivious lap 
 
 ( )f a deceitful concubine, who shore me 
 
 Like a tame wether, all my precious fleece, 
 
 Then turn'd me out ridiculous, despoil'd, 
 
 Shaven, and disarm' d among mine enemies. 540 
 
 CHORl'S. 
 
 Desire of wine and all delicious drinks, 
 Which many a famous warrior overturns, 
 Thou couldst repress; nor did the dancing ruby 
 Sparkling, out-pour'd, the flavour, or the smell. 
 
 
 
 ' ; ' ' \ i - hi ng niv '//; out" to frout or face ir.c >n 
 
 :. !:-.(r.
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 139 
 
 Or taste that chears the heart of Gods and men, 
 Allure thee from the cool crystalline stream. 
 
 SAMSON'. 
 
 Wherever fountain or fresh current flow'd 
 Against the eastern ray, translucent, pure 
 With touch ethereal of Heaven's fiery rod, 
 I drank, from the clear milky juice allaying 550 
 
 Thirst, and refresh'd ; nor envied them the grape 
 Whose heads that turbulent liquor fills with fumes. 
 
 chorus. 
 O madness, to think use of strongest wines 
 And strongest drinks our chief support of health, 
 When God with these forbidden made choice to rear 
 His mighty champion, strong above compare. 
 Whose drink was only from the liquid brook. 
 
 SAM sox. 
 But what avail'd this temperance, not complete 
 Against another object more enticing ? 
 What boots it at one gate to make defence, 5(50 
 
 And at another to let in the foe, 
 Effeminately vanquish' d ? by which means, 
 
 Now
 
 140 SAMSON AGOXISTES. 
 
 Now blind, dishearten'd, shanVd, dishonour'd, quell u, 
 
 To what can I be useful, wherein serve 
 
 My nation, and the work from Heaven impos'd, 
 
 But to sit idle on die houshold hearth, 
 
 A burdenous drone ; to visitants a gaze, 
 
 Or pitied object, these redundant leeks 
 
 Robustious to no purpose clustering down, 
 
 Vain monument of strength ; till length of years 
 
 And sedentary numbness craze my limbs 57 I 
 
 To a contemptible old age obscure ? 
 
 Here rather let me drudge and earn my bread; 
 
 Till vermin or die drarl' of senile food 
 
 Consume me, and oft-invocated death 
 
 Hasten the welcome end of all my pains. 
 
 ka.voah. 
 
 \\ m ;;.,.: : en serve the Philistines with iL.t g.it 
 Which was e: -sly given thee to anno) man : 
 Hctti ' at h< me lie bed-rid, nut only idle, 
 I. :'. -. unemploy'd, with age outv. urn. J8U 
 
 Rut Ln i. v ho cans u .: fountain at thy prayer 
 i tin en gi Hind ; - spring, thy thirst u aL_y 
 
 After ti. Lrunt of battle, can as i_a.-y 
 
 C.-.v.-r
 
 SAMSON AGOXISTES. 141 
 
 Cause light again within thy eyes to spring, 
 Wherewith to serve him better than thou hast; 
 And I persuade me so; why else this strength 
 Miraculous yet remaining in those locks ? 
 His might continues in thee not for nought, 
 Nor shall his wondrous gifts be frustrate thus. 
 
 SAM SOX. 
 
 All otherwise to me my thoughts portend, 5Q0 
 
 That these dark orbs no more shall treat with light, 
 Nor the other light of life continue long, 
 But yield to double darkness nigh at hand : 
 So much I feel my genial spirits droop, 
 My hopes all flat, Nature within me seems 
 In all her functions weary of herself, 
 My race of glory run, and race of shame, 
 And I shall shortly be with them that rest. 
 
 mako.a /r. 
 
 Believe not these suggestions, which proceed 
 From anguish of the mind and humours black, 6"00 
 That mingle with thy fancy. I however 
 Must not omit a father's timely care 
 To prosecute the means of thy deliverance 
 
 By
 
 142 SAMSON AGONISTES. 
 
 By ransom, or how else : mean while be calm, 
 And healing words from these thy friends admit. 
 
 O that Torment should not be confin'd 
 To the body's wounds and sores, 
 With maladies innumerable 
 In heart, head, breast, and reins ; 
 But must secret passage rind 01U 
 
 To the inmost mind, 
 There exercise all his fierce accidents, 
 And on her purest spirits prev, 
 A', on entrails, joints, and limbs, 
 With answerable pains, but more intense, 
 Though void of corporal sense. 
 
 My griefs not only pain me 
 As a lingering disease, 
 But rinding no redress, ferment and rage, 
 Nor less than wounds immedicable 6'20 
 
 Rankle, and fester, and gangrene, 
 T< - i lai k mi >rtiricati< :i. 
 
 Thi tight-., mv tormentor-, arm'd with deadly stings, 
 Mangle my apprehensive tendered parts, 
 
 Exasperate,
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. U3 
 
 Exasperate, exulcerate, and raise 
 
 Dire inflammation, which no cooling herb 
 
 Or medicinal liquor can asswage, 
 
 Nor breath of vernal air from snowy Alp. 
 
 Sleep hath forsook and given me o'er 
 
 To death's benumming opium as my only cure : 6'30 
 
 Thence faintings, swoonings cf despair, 
 
 And sense of Heaven's desertion. 
 
 J was his nursling once, and choice delight, 
 Tlis destin'd from the womb, 
 Promis'd by heavenly message twice descending. 
 Under his special eye 
 
 Abstemious 1 grew up, and thriv'd amain ; 
 He led me on to mightiest deeds, 
 Above the nerve of mortal arm, 
 
 Against the uncircumcis'd, our enemies . 6+0 
 
 But now hath cast me off as never known, 
 And to those cruel enemies, 
 Whom I by his appointment had provok'd, 
 Left me all helpless with the irreparable loss 
 Of sight, reserv'd alive to be repeated 
 The subject of their cruelty or scorn. 
 Nor am I in the list of them that hope : 
 
 Hcpc-kfis
 
 Ui SAMSON AGOXISTES. 
 
 Hopeless are alJ my e\ ils, all remediless ; 
 This one prayer yet remains, might I be heard. 
 No long petition, speedy death. 650 
 
 The clove of all my miseries, and the balm. 
 
 tn or is. 
 
 Many art the savings of the wise, 
 In ancient and in modern books inroll'd, 
 Extolling patience as the truest fortitude ; 
 And to die bearing well of all calamities, 
 All chances incident to man's frail life, 
 Consolitaries writ 
 
 With studied argument, and much persuasion sought 
 Lenient of grief and anxious thought : 
 But with the afflicted in his pangs their scund GoO 
 Little prevail-, or rather seems a tune 
 Har^h, and of < ;: -- mant mood from his complaint : 
 t ule>s lie tl el v : ran 
 
 -.' urce i t ie:i-ulation from ah ive, 
 Secret ivfiv-hings that repair his strength. 
 An i taint-] . ; hits up! : !. 
 
 ( i ! of our f.ah -- I is in tn ' 
 
 '} i. ii . u ti . ards him v. iih ha; I so \aii --^. 
 
 Or
 
 SAMSON AGONISTLS. 145 
 
 Or might I say contrarious, 
 
 Temper' st thy providence through his short course, 
 
 Not evenly, as thou rulest 671 
 
 The angelick orders, and inferiour creatures mute. 
 
 Irrational and brute. 
 
 Nor do I name of men the common rout, 
 
 That wandering loose about 
 
 Grow up and perish, as the summer fly, 
 
 Heads without name no more remember'd, 
 
 But such as thou hast solemnly elected, 
 
 With gifts and graces eminently adorn'd, 
 
 To some great work, thy glory, 680 
 
 A.nd people's safety, which in part they effect : 
 
 Yet toward these thus dignified, thou oft, 
 
 Amidst their highth of noon, 
 
 Changest thy countenance, and thy hand, with no 
 
 regard 
 Of highest favours past 
 From thee on them, or them to thee of service. 
 
 Nor only dotli degrade them, or remit 
 To life obscur'd, which were a fair dismission, 
 But throw'st them lower than thou didst exalt them 
 high, 
 
 vol. in. o Unseemly
 
 lib SAM SOX AGOXISTES. 
 
 Unseemly falls in human eye, 690 
 
 Too grievous for the trespass or omission j 
 
 Oft leav'st them to the hostile sword 
 
 Of Heathen and profane, their carcases 
 
 To dogs and : wis a prev, or else captiv"dj 
 
 Or to the un u-t tribunals, under change of times, 
 
 And condemnati .. .: the ingrateful multitude. 
 
 If the-e they -c~pe, perhaps in p iverty 
 
 With sickness a:.;, disease thou b w st them down, 
 
 Painful diseases and aeform'd, 
 
 In crude old age ; 7^0 
 
 Though ;: t diss rdinate, yet cau-eless suffering 
 
 The punishment ot dissolute days : in line. 
 
 Just, er unjust, alike seem miseral ie, 
 
 For oft alike be th a me to e\ :1 end. 
 
 So deal not wiin this once thy gi rious champion. 
 The image of thy strengi.il, and u: ghty minister. 
 "What do I beg L '' hast th a Leah already 
 B. : l-J him in tJ i= ,un calamit is, and tarn 
 His labours, idr ;h a canst, to peaceful e:ia. 
 
 But who is this, w] at tnii z ol st_a jr land "10 
 Female of .-a it -. lis, 
 luat jj Oeuecrt -j ' r:.a'.e, and -'.;'', 
 
 Comes
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 147 
 
 Comes this way sailing 
 
 Like a stately ship 
 
 Of Tarsus, bound for the isles 
 
 Of Javan or Gadire 
 
 With all her bravery on, and tackle trim, 
 
 Sails fill'd, and streamers waving, 
 
 Courted by all the winds that hold them play, 
 
 An amber scent of odorous perfume 720 
 
 Her harbinger, a damsel train behind ; 
 
 Some rich Philistian matron she may seem, 
 
 And now at nearer view, no other certain 
 
 Than Dalila thy Wife. 
 
 SAMSON. 
 
 My Wife ! my Traitress, let her not come near me. 
 
 caoitus. 
 Yet on she moves, now stands and eyes thee nVd, 
 About to have spoke, but now, with head declln'd, 
 Like a fair flower surcharg'd with dew, she weeps, 
 And words address'd seem into tears dissolv'd, 
 Wetting the borders of her silken veil : 730 
 
 But uow again she makes address to speak.
 
 US SAMSON AGOXISTES. 
 
 DALILA, 
 
 With doubtful feet and wavering resolution 
 I came, still dreading thy displeasure, Samson, 
 Which to have merited, without excuse, 
 I cannot but acknowledge ; vet. if tears 
 May expiate (though the fact more evil drew 
 In the perverse event than I foresaw) 
 My penance hath not slacken'd, though my pardon 
 No way assur'd. But conjugal affection 
 Prevailing over fear, and timorous doubt, J-iO 
 
 Hath led me on desirous to behold 
 Once more thy face, and know of thy estate, 
 If aught in my ability may serve 
 To lighten what thou suffer'st, and appease 
 Thy mind with what amends is in my power, 
 Though late, vet in some part to recompence 
 My ra-h, but more unfortunate, misdeed, 
 
 SAMSON. 
 
 Out, out Hyaena ! these are thy wonted arts, 
 And arts of every woman false like thee, 
 To break all faith, all vows, deceive, betray, 750 
 1 hen as rept ntant to submit, beseech. 
 
 And
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. US 
 
 And reconcilement move with feign'd remorse, 
 
 Confess, and promise wonders in her change ; 
 
 Not truly penitent, but chief to try 
 
 Her husband, how far urg'd his patience bears, 
 
 His virtue or weakness which way to assail : 
 
 Then with more cautious and instructed skill 
 
 Again transgresses, and again submits ; 
 
 That wisest and best men, full oft beguil'd, 
 
 With goodness principled not to reject 76*0 
 
 The penitent, bat ever to forgive, 
 
 Are drawn to wear out miserable days, 
 
 Entangled with a pois'nous bosom snake, 
 
 If not by quick destruction soon cut off 
 
 As I by thee, to ages an example. 
 
 DALILA. 
 
 Yet h^ar me, Samson ; not that I endeavour 
 To lessen or extenuate my offence, 
 But that on the other side, if it be weigh'd 
 B;/ itself, with aggravations not surcharg'd, 
 Or else with just allowance counterpois'd, 770 
 
 I may, if possible, thy pardon hud 
 The easier towards me, or thy hatred les . 
 
 o 3 First
 
 150 SAMSON AGOXISTES. 
 
 First granting, as I do, it was a weakness 
 In me, but incident to all our sex, 
 Curiosity, inquisitive, importune 
 Of secrets, then with like infirmity 
 To publish them, both common female faults : 
 Was it not weakness also to make known 
 For importunity, that is for nought, 
 Wherein consisted all thy strength and safety ? 7 SO 
 To what I did thou showd'st me first the way. 
 But I to enemies reveal'd, and should not: 
 Nor should'st thou have trusted that to woman's frailty : 
 Fre I to thee, thou to thyself wast cruel. 
 Let weakness then with weakness come to parle, 
 So near related, or the same of kind, 
 Thine forgive mine ; that men may censure thine 
 The gentler, if severely thou exact not 
 More strength from me, than in thyself was found. 
 And what if love, which thou interpret' st hate, 7. c )^ 
 The jealousy of love, powerful of sway 
 fn human hearts, nor less in mind towards thee, 
 Caus'd what 1 did : 1 saw thee mutable 
 ( >t fancy, kar'd lest one day thou would" st leave me 
 A- hei at Timna, sought bv ai! means therefore 
 
 How
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 151 
 
 How to endear, and hold thee to me firmest : 
 
 No better way I saw than by importuning 
 
 To learn thy secrets, get into my power 
 
 Thy key of strength and safety : thou wilt say, 
 
 Why then reveal d ? I was assur'd by those 800 
 
 Who tempted me, that nothing was design'd 
 
 Against thee but safe custody, and hold : 
 
 That made for me ; I knew that liberty 
 
 Would draw thee forth to perilous enterprises, 
 
 While I at home sat full of cares and fears, 
 
 Wailing thy absence in my widow'd bed ; 
 
 Here I should still enjoy thee, day and night, 
 
 Mine and love's prisoner, not the Philistines', 
 
 Whole to myself, unhazarded abroad, 
 
 Fearless at home of partners in my love. 810 
 
 These reasons in love's law have past for good, 
 
 Though fond and reasonless to some perhaps ; 
 
 And love hath oft, well meaning, wrought much woe, 
 
 Yet always pity or pardon hath obtain'd. 
 
 .Be not unlike all others, not austere 
 
 As thou art strong, inflexible as steel. 
 
 It thou in strength all mortals dost exceed, 
 
 In uncompassionate anger do not so. 
 
 SAMSON.
 
 152 SAMSON AGOXISTES. 
 
 S A M SON. 
 
 How cunningly the sorceress displays 
 Her own transgressions, to upbraid me mine ! SQO 
 That malice, not repentance, brought thee hither, 
 By this appears : I gave, thou say'st, the example, 
 I led the way : bitter reproach, but true ; 
 I to myself was talse ere thou to me ; 
 Such pardon therefore as I give mv folly, 
 Take to thy wicked deed : which when thou seest 
 Impartial, self-severe, inexorable, 
 Tlmu wilt renounce thy s-t-king, and much rather 
 Cunfess it feign'd: Weakness is thy excuse, 
 And I believe it ; weakness to resist 830 
 
 Fhilistian gold : It" weakness may excuse, 
 What murderer, what traitor, parricide, 
 I; ccstuous, -acrilegious, but may plead it ? 
 All wi( kecln =s : - weakness : that plea therefore 
 "With God or .Man will eain thee no rem:--: n. 
 Em i- i iotr .'.. 1 thee ; call it furious rage 
 Ti); ui-t'y thy lu-t : love seeks to have ! >ve : 
 Mv 1 \ e huw could'st \h \\] pe, who to'k'st the way 
 '1 r-e hi me inexpiable hate . 
 
 Knowing,
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 153 
 
 Knowing, as needs I must, by thee betray'd ? 840 
 In vain thou striv'st to cover shame with shame, 
 Or by evasions thy crime uncover' st more. 
 
 Since thou determin'st weakness for no plea 
 In man or woman, though to thy own condemning, 
 Here what assaults I had, what snares besides, 
 What sieges girt me round, ere I consented 5 
 Which might have aw'd the best resolv'd of men, 
 The constantest, to have yielded without blame, 
 It was not gold, as to my charge thou lay'st, 
 1'hat wrought with me : thou know'st the magistrates 
 And princes of my country came in person, 851 
 
 Solicited, commanded, threaten' d, urg'd, 
 Adjur'd by all the bonds of civil duty 
 And of religion, press'd how just it was, 
 How honourable, how glorious to entrap 
 A common enemy, who had destroy'd 
 Such numbers of our nation : and the priest 
 Was not behind, but ever at my ear, 
 Preaching how meritorious with the Gods 
 It would be to ensnare an irreligious S6*0 
 
 Dishonourer
 
 154 SAMSON AGOXISTES. 
 
 Dishonourer of Dagon : what had I 
 
 To oppose against such powerful arguments ? 
 
 Only my love of thee held long debate, 
 
 And combated in silence all these reasons 
 
 With hard contest : at length that grounded maxim, 
 
 So rife and celebrated in the mouths 
 
 Of wisest men, that to the public good 
 
 Private respects must yield, with grave authority 
 
 Took full possession of me, and prevail' d j 
 
 Virtue, as I thought, truth, duty, so enjoining. 870 
 
 SAMSON. 
 
 I thought where all thy circling wilds would end ; 
 In feign' d religion, smooth hypocrisy ! 
 But had thy love, still odiously pretended, 
 Been, as it ought, sincere, it would have taught diee 
 Far other reasonings, brought forth odier deeds. 
 !.''(. fore all the daughters of my tribe 
 And oi my nation, chose thee from among 
 My enemies, lov'd thee, as too well thou knew'st, 
 Too well : unhosonfd all my secrets to thee, 
 Not i if levity, but over-power'd 880 
 
 By thy request, who <.uuld deny thee nothing 3 
 
 Yet
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 155 
 
 Yet now am judg'd an enemy. Why then 
 
 Did'st thou at first receive me for thy husband, 
 
 Then, as since then, thy country's foe profess'd ? 
 
 Being once a wife, for me thou wast to leave 
 
 Parents and country ; nor was I their subject, 
 
 Nor under their protection but my own, 
 
 Thou mine, not theirs : if aught against my life 
 
 Thy country sought of thee, it sought unjustly, 
 
 Against the law of nature, law of nations ; 890 
 
 No more thy country, but an impious crew 
 
 Of men conspiring to uphold their state 
 
 By worse than hostile deeds, violating the ends 
 
 For which our country is a name so dear ; 
 
 Not therefore to be obey'd. But zeal mov'd thee ; 
 
 To please thy Gods thou didst it ; Gods, unable 
 
 To acquit themselves and prosecute their foes 
 
 But by ungodly deeds, the contradiction 
 
 Of their own deity, Gods cannot be ; 
 
 Le^s therefore to be pleas'd, obey'd, or fear'd. 900 
 
 These false pretexts and varnish' d colours tailing, 
 
 Bare in thy guilt, how foul must thou appear !
 
 150 SAMSON AGONISTES. 
 
 DA LI LA. 
 
 In argument with men a woman ever 
 Goes by the worse, whatever be her cause. 
 
 samso x . 
 
 For want of words no doubt, or lack of breath j 
 Witness when I was worried with thy peals. 
 
 I was a fool, too rash, and quite mistaken 
 Tn what I thought would have succeeded best. 
 Lot me obtain forgiveness of thee, Samson ; 
 Afford me place to show what recompence 91 1 -' 
 
 Towards thee I intend for what I have misdone, 
 Misguided ; only what remains past cure 
 Bear not too sensibly, nor still insist 
 To afflict thyself in vain : though sight be lost, 
 Life yet hath many solaces, enjoy'd 
 Where other senses want not their delights 
 At home in leisure and domestick ease, 
 Exempt from many a care and chance, to which 
 Eye-sight exposes daily men abroad, 
 
 T to
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 157 
 
 1 to the Lords will intercede, not doubting 920 
 
 Their favourable ear, that I may fetch thee 
 From forth this loathsome prison-house, to abide 
 With me, where my redoubled love and care 
 With nursing diligence, to me glad office, 
 May ever tend about thee to old age 
 With all things grateful chear'd, and so supplied, 
 That what by me thou hast lost thou least shalt miss. 
 
 SAM SOX. 
 
 Xo, no; of my condition take no care; 
 It fits not ; thou and I long since are twain ; 
 Nor think me so unwary or accurs'd, Q30 
 
 To bring my feet again into the snare 
 Where once I have been caught ; I know thy trains, 
 Though dearly to my cost, thy gins, and toils; 
 Thy lair inchanted cup, and warbling charms 
 No more on me have power; their force is null'd; 
 So much of adder's wisdom I have learn'd 
 To fence my ear against thy sorceries. 
 If in my flower of youth and strength, when all men 
 Lov'd, honour'd, fear'd me, thou alone could'sthate me 
 Thy husband, slight me, sell me, and forego me ; 940 
 VOL. in. p How
 
 IjS SAMSON AGOXISTES. 
 
 How wouldst thou use me now, blind, and thereby 
 
 Deceivable, in most tilings as a child 
 
 Helpless, thence easily contemn'd, and scorn'd, 
 
 And last neglected ? How would'st thou insult, 
 
 When I mu^t live uxorious to thy will 
 
 In perfect thraldom, how again betray me, 
 
 Bearing my words and doings to the Lords 
 
 To gloss upon, and, censuring, frown or smile ? 
 
 This jail I count the house of liberty 949 
 
 To thine, who.-e doors my feet shall never enter. 
 
 DA LI LA. 
 
 Let me approach at least, and touch thy hand. 
 
 SAMSON. 
 
 Not for thy life, lest fierce remembrance wake 
 My sudden rage to tear thee joint by joint. 
 At distance 1 forgive thee ; go with that ; 
 Bewail thy falsehood, and the pious works 
 It hath brought forth to make th.ee memorable 
 Among illustri< us women, faithful wives ! 
 ( .'herish thy hasten'd widowhood with the gold 
 Ul matrimonial treason! ~o farewell. 
 
 V A L I L A .
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 159 
 
 D A L I L A . 
 
 1 see tiiou art implacable, more deaf ,9'JO 
 
 To prayers, than winds and seas; yet winds to seas 
 Are reconcil'd at length, and sea to shore : 
 Thy anger, unappeasable, still rages, 
 Eternal tempest, never to be calm'd. 
 Why do I humble thus myself, and, suing 
 For peace, reap nothing but repulse and hate ? 
 Bid go with evil omen, and the brand 
 Of infamy upon my name denounced r 
 To mix with thy concernments I desist 
 Henceforth, nor too much disapprove my own. 970 
 Fame, if not double-fac'd, is double-mouth'd, 
 And with contrary blast proclaims most deeds ; 
 On both his wings, one black, the other white, 
 Bears greatest names in his wild aery flight. 
 My name perhaps among the circumcis'd 
 In Dan, in Judah, and the bordering tribes, 
 To all posterity may stand defam'd, 
 With malediction mentioned, and the blot 
 Of falsehood most unconjugal traduc'd. 
 But, in my country, where I most desire, 9S0 
 
 In
 
 K'O SAM SOX AGON I ST E 
 
 In Ecron, Gaza, Asdod, ami in Gnth, 
 i shall be nam'd among the famousesi 
 Of women. sung a: solemn festivals 
 Living and ue; 
 
 Her country I 
 
 to save 
 
 a nerce 
 
 over, rr.o 
 
 V-n^ 
 
 Above the faith of wedlock-bands ; mv torn 
 
 With odours visited and annual flowers : 
 
 Not less renown'd than in mount Ephraim 
 
 Jael, who with inhospitable gaiie 
 
 Smote Sisera sleeping, through the temples 
 
 Nor shall I count it heinous to enjoy 
 
 The public marks of honour and reward, 
 
 Conferr'd upon me, for the piety 
 
 Which to mv countn' I wasjudg'd to have : 
 
 At this whoever envies ur repines, 
 
 I leave him to his lut, and like mv uv.n. 
 
 <)Ql 
 
 c no RU-. 
 She's g' :.e, a manifest serpent by her stin 
 Disccver'd in the end, till now c nceai'd. 
 
 
 & \ M "ON. 
 
 G i sent i.er to debase me, 
 ." :.hv who comm.tted 
 
 in, o 
 1
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. \G\ 
 
 To such a viper his most sacred trust 
 Of secresy, my safety, and my life. 
 
 CIIORL'S. 
 
 Yet beauty, though injurious, hath strange power, 
 After offence returning, to regain 
 Love once possess'd, nor can be easily 
 Repuls'd, without much inward passion felt 
 And secret sting of amorous remorse. 
 
 SAMSOX. 
 
 Love-quarrels oft in pleasing concord endj 
 Not wedlock-treachery endang'ring life. 
 
 chorus. 
 
 It is not virtue, wisdom, valour, wit, 1010 
 
 Strength, comeliness of shape, or amplest merit 
 That woman's love can win or long inherit 5 
 But what it is, hard is to say, 
 Harder to hit, 
 
 (Which way soever men refer it) 
 Much like thy riddle, Samson, in one day 
 Or seven, though one should musing sit. 
 
 If any of these, or all, the Timnian bride 
 
 v 3 Had
 
 \62 SAMSON AGONISTES. 
 
 Had not so soon preferr'd 
 
 Thy paranymph, worthless to thee compar'd, 1020 
 
 Successor in thy bed, 
 
 Nor both so loosly disallied 
 
 Their nuptials., nor this last so treacherously 
 
 Had shorn the fatal harvest of thy head. 
 
 Is it for that such outward ornament 
 
 Wa> lavhh'd en their sex, that inward gifts 
 
 Were left for haste uurinish'd. judgment scant, 
 
 Capacity not rais'd to apprehend 
 
 Or value what is best 
 
 In choice, but oftest to affect the wrong 1(30 
 
 Or was too much of self-love mix'd, 
 
 Of constancy no root infix'd, 
 
 That either the)' love n (thing, or not long - 
 
 Whate'er it be, to wisest m< n and best 
 Set ming at first all heavenly under virgin veil. 
 Soft, modest, meek, demure, 
 < li i e j jin'd, the contrary -he proves, a thorn 
 [;,!< -tine, far within defensive arms 
 A ' le::\ inc niisi hief, in liis way to virtue 
 A !m.-.-m a. i turbi lent, or bv he! iii ;v.;.- U'4*' 
 
 \):..\ - l.un :i\\ r. 
 
 \Y
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 163 
 
 With dotage, and his sense deprav'd 
 To folly and shameful deeds which ruin ends. 
 What pilot so expert but needs must wreck 
 [mbark'd with such a steers-mate at the helm ? 
 
 Favour' d of Heaven, who finds 
 One virtuous, rarely found, 
 That in domestick good combines : 
 Happy that house ! his way to peace is smooth : 
 But virtue which breaks through all opposition, 1050 
 And all temptation can remove, 
 Most shines, and most is acceptable above. 
 
 Therefore God's universal law 
 Gave to the man despotick power 
 Over his female in due awe, 
 Nor from that right to part an hour, 
 Smile she or lour : 
 So shall he least confusion draw 
 On his whole life, not sway'd 
 By female usurpation, or dismay'd. lOO'O 
 
 Eat had we best retire ? I see a storm. 
 
 SAMSON. 
 
 Fair days have oft contracted wind and rain, 
 
 chorus.
 
 iO: SAM SOX AGOX1STES. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 But this another kind of tempest brings. 
 
 SAMS N" . 
 
 Be less abstruse, my riddling days are past. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Look now for no inchanting voice, nor fear 
 The bait of honied words: a rougher tongue 
 Draws hitherward ; I know him by his stride, 
 The giant Harapha of Gath, his look 
 Haughty as is his pile high-built and proud. 
 Comes he in peace ? what wind hath blown him hither 
 I le-s conjecture than when first I saw 1071 
 
 The sumptuous Dalila floating this way : 
 His habit carries peace, his brow defiance. 
 
 SAMSON". 
 
 Or peace or not, alike to me he comes. 
 
 CIIORVS. 
 
 His fraught we s on shall know, he now arrive-, 
 
 i! a :i \ru a. 
 [ v::.- >,'. Samson, to condole thy chance. 
 
 A =
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. lG5 
 
 As these perhaps, yet wish it had not been, 
 
 Though for no friendly intent. I am of Gath ; 
 
 Mm call me Harapha, of stock renown'd 
 
 As Og, or Anak, and the Emims old 1080 
 
 That Kiriathaim held ; thou know'st me now 
 
 If thou at all art known. Much I have heard 
 
 Of thy prodigious might and feats performed, 
 
 Incredible to me, in this displeas'd, 
 
 That I was never present on the place 
 
 Of those encounters, where we might have tried 
 
 Each other's force in camp or listed field ; 
 
 And now am come to see of whom such noise 
 
 Hath walk'd about, and each limb to survey, 
 
 If thy appearance answer loud report. 1090 
 
 SAMSON', 
 
 The way to know were not to see but taste. 
 
 ha ra r>t( A. 
 Dost thou already single me ? I thought 
 Gyves and the mill had tam'd thee. O that fortune 
 Had brought me to the field, where thou art fiim'd 
 To have wrought such wonders with an ass's jaw ; 
 1 should ha\ e forc'd thee soon with other arms, 
 
 Or
 
 166' SAMSON AGONISTES. 
 
 Or left thy carcass where the ass lay thrown : 
 
 So had the glory of prowess been recover' d 
 
 To Palestine., won by a Philistine, 1099 
 
 From the unforeskin'd race, of whom thou bear'st 
 
 The highest name for valiant acts ; that honour 
 
 Certain to have won by mortal duel from thee, 
 
 I lose, prevented by thy eyes put out. 
 
 SAMSON". 
 
 Boast not of what thou would'st have done, but do 
 What then then would'st ; thou seest it in thy hand, 
 
 HARAPHA. 
 
 To combat with a blind man I disdain, 
 And thou hast need much washing to be touch'd. 
 
 s A m s o v . 
 
 Such usage as your honourable lords 
 Afford me, assassinated and betray'd, 
 Who durst not witli their whole united jxjwers 1110 
 In fight withstand me single and unarm'd, 
 Nor in the house with chamber-ambushes 
 Close-banded durst attack me, no, not sleeping, 
 1 Til they had hir'd a woman with their gold 
 
 Breaking
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 167 
 
 Breaking her marriage- faith to circumvent me. 
 Therefore, without feign'd shifts, let be assign'd 
 Some narrow place enclos'd, where sight may give thee, 
 Or rather flight, no great advantage on me ; 
 Then put on all thy gorgeous arms, thy helmet 
 And brigandine of brass, thy broad habergeon, 1120 
 Vant-brace and greves, and gauntlet, add thy spear, 
 A weaver's beam, and seven-times-folded shield, 
 I only with an oaken start will meet thee, 
 And raise such outcries on thy clatter' d iron, 
 Which lung shall not withhold me from thy head, 
 That in a little time, while breath remains thee, 
 Thou oft shah wish thyself at Gath, to boast 
 Again in safety what thou wouldst have done 
 To Samson, but shalt never see Gath more. 
 
 HAUAPHA. 
 
 Thou durst not thus disparage glorious arms, 
 Which greatest heroes have in battle worn, 1 131 
 
 Their ornament and safety, had not spells 
 \::d black inchantments, some magician's art, 
 \rm'd thee or charm' d thee strong, which thou from 
 Heaven 
 
 Feiem'.lsr
 
 lbs SAMSON AGONISTES. 
 
 Feign'dst at thy birth, was given thee in thy hair, 
 Where strength can least abide, though all thy hairs 
 Were bristles rang'd like those that ridge the back 
 Of chaf ' d wild boars, or ruffled porcupines. 
 
 SAMS X . 
 
 I know no spells, use no forbidden arts ; 
 My trust is in the living God, who gave me 1140 
 
 At my nativity this strength, dirlus'd 
 No less through all my sinews, joints and bones, 
 Than thine, while I preserved these locks unshorn, 
 The pledge of my unviolated vow. 
 For proof hereof, if Dagon be thy God, 
 Go to his temple, invocate his aid 
 With solemnest devotion, spread before him 
 How highly it concerns his glory now 
 To frustrate and dissolve these magick spells, 
 Which I to be the power of Israel's God 1 loU 
 
 Avow, and challenge Dagon to the test, 
 Offering to combat thee his champion bold, 
 With die utmost of Ins Godhead seconded : 
 Then thou -halt see, or rather, to thy sorrow, 
 Soon feel, whose God is strongest, thine or mine. 
 
 II A HA P II a .
 
 SAMSON AGOMSTE3. l6y 
 
 II A 11 AT II A. 
 
 Presume not on thy God, whute'er he be; 
 Thee he regards not, owns not, hath eat otf 
 Quite from his people, and deliver' d up 
 Into thy enemies 1 hand, permitted them 1 1 .5!) 
 
 To put out both thine eyes, and fetter' d send thee 
 Into the common prison, there to grind 
 Among the slaves and asses thy comrades, 
 As good for nothing else: no better sen ice 
 With those thy boi-if rous locks, no worthy match 
 For valour to assail, nor by the sword 
 Of noble warrior, so to stain his honour, 
 but by the barber's razor best subdued. 
 
 SA MS0X. 
 
 All these indignities, for such they are 
 From thine, these evils I deserve, and more. 
 Acknowledge them from God inflicted on me 1 170 
 Justly, yet despair not of his final pardon 
 Whose ear is ever open, and his eye 
 Gracious to re-admit the suppliant : 
 In confidence whereof I once again 
 Defy thee to the trial of mortal light, 
 
 vol.. in. q By
 
 IT SAMSON AGONISTES 
 
 By combat to decide whose God is God. 
 Thine or whom I with Israel's sons adore. 
 
 KARA PHA. 
 
 Fair honour that thou dost thy God, in trusting 
 He will accept thee to defend his cause, 
 A Murderer, a Revolter, and a Robber! 1180 
 
 S A M - O X . 
 
 Tongue-doughty Giant, how dost thou prove me 
 
 these ? 
 
 HARA ril A. 
 
 Is not thy nation subject to our lords ? 
 Their magistrates confess'd it, when they took thee 
 As a league -breaker, and deliver' d bound 
 Into cur bands : for hadst thou not committed 
 Xotcrious murder on those thirty men 
 At Ascalon, who never did thee harm, 
 Tl en like a rubber -tripp'dst them of their robes ; 
 The Philistines, when thou hadst broke the league, 
 
 Went up v. ith armed powers thee only seeking, 1 lp/> 
 
 10 others did nu violence nor spoil. 
 
 SAMSON. 
 
 '\mnng the daughters ot" the Philistine* 
 
 I chosr
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 3?i 
 
 I chose a wife, which argued me no foe 3 
 
 And in your city held rny nuptial feast : 
 
 But your ill-meaning politician lords 
 
 Under pretence of bridal friends and guests, 
 
 Appointed to await me thirty spies, 
 
 Who, threatning cruel death, constrain'd the bride 
 
 To wring from me, and tell to them, rny secret, 
 
 That solv'd the riddle which I had propos'd. 12uU 
 
 When I perceiv'd all set on enmity, 
 
 As on my enemies, wherever chane'd, 
 
 I ua'd hostility, and took their spoil, 
 
 To pay my underminers in their coin. 
 
 My nation was subjected to your lords. 
 
 It was the force of conquest; force with force 
 
 Is well ejected when the conquer d can. 
 
 But I, a private person, whom my country 
 
 As a league-breaker gave up bound, presum'd 
 
 Single rebellion, and did hostile acts. 1210 
 
 I was no private, but a person rais'd 
 
 With strength sufficient and command from Heaven 
 
 To free my country ; if their servile minds 
 
 Me, their deliverer sent, would not receive, 
 
 But to their masters gave me up for nought, 
 
 q 2 The
 
 172 SAMSON AGOXISTES. 
 
 The unworthicr theyj whence to this day they serve. 
 
 I was to do my part from Heaven assign'd, 
 And had perfcrm'd it, if my known offence 
 ] I..C. not disabled me. not ail your force: 
 "Ihese shifts refuted, answer thy appellant, 12*0 
 
 Though by his blindness mahn'd for high attempts, 
 Who now dehes thee thrice to single fight, 
 As a petty enterprise of small enforce. 
 
 II A 11 A PH A. 
 
 With thee ! a man condemn'd, a slave enroll'd, 
 Due bv the law to capital punishment f 
 To fight with thee no man of arms will deign. 
 
 bAMSON . 
 
 Cam'st thou for this, vain boaster, to survey me, 
 To descant on my strength, and give thy verdict ? 
 
 Come nearer; part not hence so slight inform' d ; 
 But take good heed my hand survey not th.ee. 1 ~00 
 
 II All A PH A. 
 
 O Baal-zebub ! can my ears unus'd 
 Hear these dishonours, and not render death ?
 
 SAMSON AGONISTE3. 1TJ 
 
 SAMSON". 
 
 No man withholds thee, nothing from thy hand 
 Fear I incurable ; bring up thy van, 
 My heels are fetter'd, but my fist is free. 
 
 HARAPHA. 
 
 This insolence other kind of answer fits. 
 
 SAMSON". 
 
 Go baffled coward ! lest I run upon thee, 
 Though in these chains, bulk without spirit vast, 
 And with one buffet lay thy structure low, 
 Or swing thee in the air, then dash thee down 1240 
 To the hazard of thy brains and shatter' d sides. 
 
 II A R A P H A . 
 
 l)y Astaroth, ere lung thou shalt lament 
 The^e braveries, in irons loaden on thee. [Ej.tt, 1 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 I lis giantship is gone somewhat crest-fallen, 
 Stalking with less unconscionable strides, 
 And lower looks, but in a sultry chalt . 
 
 O 3 SAMSON .
 
 174 SAMSON AGOXISTES. 
 
 SAM- V . 
 
 I dread him not, nor all his sciant-brood, 
 Though fame divulge him father of rive sons, 
 Ah of gigantick size, Goliah chief. 
 
 CHOKU&. 
 
 He will directly to the lord?. I fear, 1250 
 
 And with malicious counsel stir them \:p 
 Some way or other yet further t ) afflict thee. 
 
 s A MSOK. 
 
 He must allege a me cause, and offer' d fight 
 Will not dare mention, lest a question rise 
 "\\ hether he durst accept die offer or not: 
 A:. d, that he i urst n< t. plain enough appear'd. 
 Much more affliction than alrc-adv felt 
 Iney can:: : well impose, n r 1 sustain ; 
 Ii they intend advantage of my labours, 1259 
 
 The work of many hand-, which earns my keeping 
 With nc -mall : : tit daily tu my owners. 
 R .: c me :...: v. ill, my dcadli st fx.- w ill pr ' 
 Mv -; ei ii _.>: i;'.< :.d. . ath tu lid me Ik nee ; 
 1 :. . ' : ; :...; i.- :. . v--_ tu me the btt. 
 
 Y-
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. l?j 
 
 Yet so it may foil out, because their end 
 Is hate, not help to me, it may with mine 
 Draw their own ruin who attempt the deed. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Oh how comely it is, and how reviving 
 To the spirits of just men long oppress'd ! 
 When God into the hands of their deliverer 1270 
 Puts invincible might 
 
 To quell the mighty of the earth, the oppressor, 
 The brute and boisterous force of violent men 
 Hardy and industrious to support 
 Tyrannic power, but raging to pursue 
 The righteous and all such as honour truth j 
 He all their ammunition 
 And feats of war defeats, 
 With plain heroick magnitude of mind 
 And celestial vigour arm'd, 1280 
 
 Their armories and magazines contemns, 
 Renders them useless ; while 
 With winged expedition, 
 Swift as the lightning glance, he executes 
 1 lis errand on the wicked, who surpris'd 
 
 Lose
 
 iTo SAMSON AGONISTES. 
 
 Lose their defence, distracted and amaz'd. 
 
 But patience is more oft the exercise 
 Of saints, the trial of their fortitude, 
 Making them each his own deliverer, 
 And victor over all 1290 
 
 That tyranny or fortune can inflict. 
 Either of these is in thy lot, 
 Samson, with might endued 
 Above the sons of men ; but sight bereav'd 
 May chance to number thee with those 
 Whom patience finally must crown. 
 
 This idol's day hath been to thee no day of rest. 
 Labouring thy mind 
 More than the working day thy hands. 
 And yet perhaps more trouble is behind, 1300 
 
 For I descrv this way 
 Some other tending ; in his hand 
 A scepter or quaint staff he bears, 
 Comes on amain, speed in his look. 
 By his habit I discern him now 
 A public Officer, and now at hand; 
 His message will be short and voluble 
 
 OIHCJ.H.
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 17? 
 
 O F I I ( I. K . 
 
 Hebrews, the prisoner Samson here I seek. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 His manacles remark him, there he sits, 
 
 OFFTC FR. 
 
 Samson, to thee our lords thus bid me say ; 1310 
 This day to Dagon is a solemn feast, 
 With sacrifices, triumph, pomp, and games ; 
 Thy strength they know surpassing human rate, 
 And now some public proof thereof require 
 To honour this great feast, and great assembly ; 
 Rise therefore with all speed, and come along, 
 Where I will see thee hearten'd, and fresh clad, 
 To appear as fits before the illustrious lords. 
 
 SAM sox. 
 
 Thou know'st I am an Hebrew, therefore tell them, 
 Our Law forbids at their religious rites 1320 
 
 My presence ; for that cause I cannot come. 
 
 OFFICER. 
 
 This answer, be assur'd, will not content them. 
 
 SAMSON.
 
 178 SAMSON AGONISTES. 
 
 S A M S N . 
 
 Have they not sword-players, and every son 
 Of gymnic artists, wrestlers, riders, runners, 
 Juglers and dancers, antics, mummers, mimics. 
 But they must pick me out, with shackles tir"d. 
 And over-labour'd at their public mill 
 To make them sport with blind activity ? 
 Do they not seek occasion of new quarrels 
 On my refusal to distress me more, 1350 
 
 Or make a game of my calamities x r 
 Return the way thou cam'st, I will not come. 
 
 OFFICER. 
 
 Regard thyself ; this will offend them highly. 
 
 SAMSON. 
 
 Myself? my conscience, and internal peace. 
 Can they think me so broken, so debas'd 
 With corporal servitude, that my mind ever 
 Will condescend to such absurd commands ? 
 Although their drudge, to be their fool or jester, 
 And in my midst of sorrow and heart-grief 1339 
 
 To show them feats, and play before their God, 
 
 The
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. l? f J 
 
 The worst of all indignities, yet on me 
 
 Join'd with extreme contempt ? I will not come. 
 
 OFFICER. 
 
 My message was impos'd on me with speed, 
 Brooks no delay : is this thy resolution ? 
 
 SAMSON . 
 
 So take it with what speed thy message needs. 
 
 OFFICER. 
 
 1 am sorry what this stoutness will produce. [Exit.} 
 
 SAMSOX. 
 
 Perhaps thou shalt have cause to sorrow indeed, 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Consider, Samson ; matters now are strain'd 
 Up to the highth, whether to hold or break : 
 He's gone, and who knows how he -may report 1350 
 Thy words by adding fuel to the flame ? 
 Expect anotlier message more imperious, 
 More lordly thundering than thou well wilt bear, 
 
 SAMSOX. 
 
 Shall I abuse this consecrated gift 
 
 Of
 
 ISO SAMSON AGOXISTES. 
 
 Of strength, again returning with my hair 
 
 After my great transgression, so requite 
 
 Favour renew'd, and add a greater sin 
 
 By prostituting holy things to idols 3 
 
 A Xazarite in place abominable 
 
 Vaunting my strength in honour to their Dagon ? 
 
 Besides, how vile, contemptible, ridiculous, 13ol 
 
 What act more execrably unclean, profane ? 
 
 QUOIU'S. 
 
 Yet with this strength thou serv'st the Philistines. 
 Idolatrous, uncircumcis'd, unclean. 
 
 SA MSON". 
 
 Xot in the : r idol-worship, but by labour 
 Honest and lawful to deserve my f d 
 Of tliose, who have me in their civil power. 
 
 c Hours. 
 Where the heart joins not, outward acts derile not. 
 
 s IM<U\, 
 
 Where outward f-rce c n-trains, ;1 > sentence holds. 
 But w ho o ':;strain-> me to the temple of Dag >n, 
 \ dragging ? the I'hilistian lords command. 1 571 
 
 ( ' mmands
 
 SAMSON AGON1STES. 1S1 
 
 Commands are no constraints. If I obey them,. 
 
 I do it freely, venturing to displease 
 
 God for the fear of Man, and Man prefer, 
 
 Set God behind : which in his jealousy 
 
 Shall never, unrepented, find forgiveness. 
 
 Yet that he may dispense with me, or thee, 
 
 Present in temples at idolatrous rites 
 
 Fr some important cause, thou need'st not doubt. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 How thou wilt here come off' surmounts my reach, 
 
 SAMSOV. 
 
 Be of good courage, I begin to feel 13S1 
 
 Some rousing motions in me, which dispose 
 To something extraordinary my thoughts. 
 I with this messenger will go along, 
 Nothing to do,, be sure, that may dishonour 
 Our Law, or stain my vow of Nazarite. 
 It' there be ought of presage in the mind, 
 This day will be remarkable in my life 
 By some great act, or of my days the last. 1389 
 
 cuo pars. 
 In time thou hast resolv'd, the man returns. 
 
 V( JL. HI. K OFFICJEU.
 
 ISC SAMSON AGOXISTES. 
 
 on ICER. 
 
 Samson, this second message from our lords 
 To thee I am bid say. Art thou our slave, 
 Our captive, at the public mill our drudge, 
 And darst thou at our sending and command 
 Dispute thy coming? come without delay ; 
 Or we shall find such engines to assail 
 And hamper thee, as thou shalt come of force, 
 1 hough thou wert firmlier fasten'd than a rock. 
 
 S A M S O X . 
 
 I could be well content to try their art, 
 Which to no few of them would prove pernicious. 
 Vet, knowing their advantages too many, 1401 
 
 Because they -hall not trail me through their streets 
 Like a wild beast, I am content to go. 
 Master^' commands come v. ith a power resistless 
 To such as owe them absolute subjection ; 
 And for a life who will not change his purpose ? 
 i So mutable are all the ways of men) 
 Vet this be sure, in nothing to comply 
 Scandalous uv forbidden in our La'.'.".
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 1S^ 
 
 OFFICER. 
 
 I praise thy resolution : doff these links : 14-1 
 
 By this compliance thou wilt win the lords 
 To favour, and perhaps to set thee free. 
 
 s A M SON'. 
 
 Brethren f rrewel ; your company along 
 I will not wish, lest it perhaps offend them 
 To see me girt with friends ; and how the sight 
 Of me, as of a common enemy, 
 So dreaded once, may now exasperate them, 
 I know not : lords are lordliest in their wine j 
 And the well-feasted priest then soonest fir'd 
 With zeal, if aught religion seem concern'd ; 142t) 
 No less die people, on their holy-days, 
 Impetuous, insolent, unquenchable : 
 Happen what may, of me expect to hear 
 Nothing dishonourable, impure, unworthy 
 Our God, our Law, my Nation, or myself, 
 The last of me or no I cannot warrant. [Exit.] 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Go, and the Holy One 
 Of Israel be thy guide 
 
 r 2 To
 
 !S4 SAM SOX AGOXISTES. 
 
 To what may serve his glory best, and spread his name 
 
 Great among the Heathen round ; 1430 
 
 bend thee the Angel of thy birth, to stand 
 
 Fast by thy side, who from thy father's field 
 
 Rode up in flames after his message told 
 
 Of thy conception, and be now a shield 
 
 Of fire ; that Spirit that first rush'd en thee 
 
 In the camp of Dan 
 
 Be efficacious in thee now at need. 
 
 For never was from Heaven imparted 
 
 Measure of strength so great to mortal seed, 
 
 As in thy wondrous actions hath been seen. 1440 
 
 Eut wherefore comes old Manoah in such haste 
 
 With youthful steps ? much livelier than ere while 
 
 He seems : supposing here to find his son, 
 
 Or of him bringing to us some glad news ? 
 
 M.A NOAH. 
 
 Peace with you, Brethren ; my inducement hither 
 Was not at present here to find my son, 
 By order of the lords new parted hence 
 To come and play before them at their feast. 
 I heard all as I came, the city rings, 
 
 And
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. ISj 
 
 And numbers thither flock : I had no will, 14-50 
 
 Lest I should see him fore'd to tilings unseemly. 
 But that, which mov'd my coming now, was chiefly 
 To give ye part with me what hope I have 
 With good success to work his liberty. 
 
 CIIOUO'S. 
 
 That hope would much rejoice us to partake 
 With thee 3 say, reverend Sire, we thirst to hear. 
 
 M A X O A H . 
 
 I have attempted one by one the lords 
 Either at home, or through the high street passing, 
 With supplication prone and father's tears, 
 To accept of ransom for my son their prisoner, li60 
 Some much averse I found and wondrous harsh, 
 Contemptuous, proud, set on revenge and spite ; 
 That part most reverenc d Dagon and his priests : 
 Others more moderate seeming, but their aim 
 Private reward, for which bodi God and State 
 They easily would set to sale : a third 
 More generous far and civil, who confess' d 
 They had enough reveng'd ; having redue'd 
 Their foe to misery beneadi their fears, 
 
 r 3 The
 
 ISO SAMSON AGONISTES. 
 
 The rest was magnanimity to remit, 1470 
 
 If some convenient ransom were propos'd. 
 What noise or shout was that ? it tore the sky. 
 
 CHORL'3. 
 
 Doubtless the people shouting to behold 
 Their once great dread, captive, and blind before them, 
 Or at some proof of strength before them shown. 
 
 M AN OAH. 
 
 His ransom, if my whole inheritance 
 May compass it, shall willingly be paid 
 And number' d down : much rather I shall choose 
 To live the poorest in my tribe, than richest, 
 And he in that calamitous prison left. 1480 
 
 No, I am fix'd not to part hence without him. 
 For his redemption all my patrimony, 
 If need be, I am ready to forego 
 And quit : not wanting him, I shall want nothing. 
 
 rn ones. 
 fathers are wont to lay up for their ons, 
 Thou for thy son art bent to lay out all : 
 Sons wont to nurse their parents in old age. 
 
 Th,u
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 187 
 
 Thou in old age car'st how to nurse thy son, 
 Made older than thy age through eye-sight lust, 
 
 MANOAH. 
 
 It shall be my delight to tend his eyes, 1490 
 
 And view him sitting in the house, ennobled 
 With all those high exploits by him achiev'd, 
 And on his shoulders waving down those locks 
 That of a nation arm'd the strength contain' d : 
 And I persuade me, God had not permitted 
 His strength again to grow up witii his hair 
 Garrison' d round about him like a camp 
 Of faithful soldiery, were not his purpose 
 To use him further yet in some great service, 
 Not to sit idle with so great a gift 1500 
 
 Useless, and thence ridiculous about him. 
 And since his strength with eye-sight was not lost, 
 God will restore hirc.3 ye-sight to his strength. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Thy hopes are not ill founded nor seem vain 
 Of his delivery, and thy joy thereon 
 Cunceiv'd, agreeable to a father's love, 
 In both which we, as next, participate, 
 
 MA "NOAH.
 
 18S SAMSON AGOXISTES. 
 
 MANOAH. 
 
 I know your friendly minds and O what noise ! 
 Mercv of Heaven, what hideous noise was that ! 
 Horribly loud, unlike the former si. our. 1510 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Noise call you it or universal groan, 
 As if the whole inhabitation perish'd ! 
 Blood, death, and deathful deeds 3re in that nctse, 
 Ruin, destruction at the utmost point. 
 
 MAKOAH. 
 
 Of ruin indeed methought I heard the noise : 
 Oh ! it continues, they have slain my son. 
 
 chorus. 
 Thy son is rather slaying them ; that outcry 
 From slaughter of one foe couklnot ascend. 
 
 M A K A H . 
 
 Some di ? mal accident it needs must be; 
 What thai] we do, stay here or run and see ? \520 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Ec-t keep together here, lest running thither 
 
 We
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES, ISO 
 
 We unawares run into danger's mouth. 
 
 This evil on the Philistines is fall'n j 
 
 From whom could else a general cry be heard ? 
 
 The sufferers then will scarce molest us here j 
 
 From other hands we need not much to fear. 
 
 What if, his eye-sight (for to Israel's God 
 
 Nothing is hard) by miracle restor'd, 
 
 He now be dealing dole among his foes, 
 
 And over heaps of slaughter' d walk his way ? 1530 
 
 MA NOAH. 
 
 That were a joy presumptuous to be thought. 
 
 en on us. 
 Yet God hath wrought things as incredible 
 For his people of old ; what hinders now ? 
 
 m a u o A II . 
 He can, I know, but doubt to think he will ; 
 Yet hope would fain subscribe, and tempts belief, 
 A little stay will bring some notice hither. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Of good or bad so great, of bad the sooner ; 
 For evil news rides post, while good news bates. 
 
 And
 
 lco SAMSON AGOXISTES. 
 
 And to our wish I see one hither speeding, 
 
 An Hebrew, as I guess, and of our tribe. 1540 
 
 MESSENGER. 
 
 O whither shall I ran, or which way fly 
 The sight of this so horrid spectacle, 
 Which erst my eyes beheld and yet behold ? 
 For dire imagination still pursues me. 
 But providence or instinct of nature seems, 
 Or reason though disturb'd, and scarce consulted, 
 To have guided me aright, I know not how, 
 To thee first, reverend Manoah, and to these 
 My countrymen, whom here I knew remaining, 
 As at some distance from the place of horrour, 1550 
 So in the sad event too much concenfd. 
 
 M A N A H . 
 
 The accident was loud, and here before thee 
 With rueful cry, yet what it was we hear not ; 
 No preface needs, thou seest we long to know. 
 
 MESSENGER. 
 
 It would burst forth, but I recover breath 
 And sense distract, to know well what I utter. 
 
 MAXOAll
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 191 
 
 MA NOAH. 
 
 Tell us the sum, the circumstance defer. 
 
 MESSENGER. 
 
 Gaza yet stands, but all her sons are fall'n, 
 All in a moment overwhelm'd and fall'n. 
 
 MANOAII. 
 
 Sad, but thou know'st to Israelites not saddest 
 The desolation of a hostile city. 156 1 
 
 MESSESG F. II. 
 
 Feed on that first ; there may in grief be surfeit. 
 
 MA NO A II, 
 
 Relate by whom. 
 
 MESSENGER. 
 
 By Samson. 
 
 M A N O A II . 
 
 That still lessens 
 The sorrow, and converts it nigh to joy. 
 
 M ESSEN GER. 
 
 Ah ! Manoah, I refrain too suddenly 
 To utter what will come at last too soon ; 
 
 f.cst
 
 192 SAMSON AGONISTES. 
 
 Lest evil tidings with too rude irruption 
 Hitting thy aged ear should pierce too deep. 
 
 MA NO A II. 
 
 Suspense in news is torture, speak them out. 
 
 MESSENGER. 
 
 Take then the worst in brief. Samson is dead. 
 
 MAN O All. 
 
 The worst indeed, O all my hope's defeated 1 57 1 
 To free him hence ! but death, who c ets all free 
 Hath paid his ransom now and full discharge. 
 What windy joy this day had I conceiv'd 
 Hopeful of his deliver}*, which now proves 
 Abortive as the first-bom bloom of spring 
 Nipt with the lagging rear of winter's frost ! 
 "i et ere I give the reins to grief, say first, 
 How died he : death to life is crown or shame. 
 All by him fell, thou say'stj by whom fell lie? 1.JS0 
 "\\ hat glorious hand gave Samson his death's wound ? 
 
 X E S < E N E 11 . 
 
 Unwounded cf Ids enemies he fell. 
 
 :: a no a h.
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. P> 
 
 M A N A II . 
 
 Wearied with slaughter then or how ? explain. 
 
 MESSENGER. 
 
 By his own hands. 
 
 M a N o a h . 
 
 Self-violence r what cause 
 Brought him so soon at variance with himself 
 Among his foes ? 
 
 MESSENGER. 
 
 Inevitable cause 
 At once both to destroy , and be destroy'd ; 
 The edifice, where all were met to see him. 
 Upon their heads and on his own he pull'd. 
 
 M A NOAH. 
 
 O lastly over-strong against thyself! 1590 
 
 A dreadful way thou took'st to thy revenge. 
 More than enough we know ; but while things yet 
 Are in confusion, give us, if thou canst, 
 Eye-witness of what first or last was done, 
 Relation more particular and distinct. 
 
 VOL. III. S MESSENGER.
 
 1<H SAMSON AGONISTES. 
 
 M EbsEXGER. 
 
 Occasions drew me early to this city ; 
 And as the gates I enter* d with sun-rise, 
 The morning trumpets festival proclaim'd 
 Through each high-street : little I had dispatch'd, 
 When all abroad was rumour'd that this day l6C0 
 Samson should be brought forth, to show die people 
 Proof of Ids mighty strength in feats and games ; 
 I sorrow'd at his captive state, but minded 
 Not to be absent at that spectacle. 
 The building was a spacious theatre 
 Half-round on two main pillars vaulted high, 
 With seats where all the lords, and each degree 
 Of sort, might sit in order to behold ; 
 The other -id^ was '-pen. where the throng 
 On banks and sc.dhlis under sky might stand , 10 10 
 I among ti ese . lu.,: . . 3 eu:viV stood. 
 The feast and noon grew high, and sacrifice 
 1 L.a nii'd ti ir '. .. is v. kh unrth, high chear, and wine, 
 V.'luii to ti. 'ir sp its they tmn'd. Immediately 
 W. - Sanw n as a pub'ick servant brought, 
 In their state livery cia.i ; be lore him ripe* 
 
 \!
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 195 
 
 And timbrels, on each side went armed guards. 
 
 Both horse and foot, before him and behind 
 
 Archers, and slingers, cataphracts and spears. 
 
 At sight of him the people with a shout 16Q0 
 
 Rifted the air, clamouring their God with praise, 
 
 Who had made their dreadful enemy their thrall. 
 
 He patient, but undaunted, where they led him, 
 
 Came to the place ; and what was set before him, 
 
 Which without help of eye might be assay' d, 
 
 To heave, pull, draw, or break, he still perform'*! 
 
 All with incredible, stupendous force ; 
 
 None daring to appear antagonist. 
 
 At length for intermission sake they led him 
 
 Between the pillars ; he his guide requested 1630 
 
 (For so from such as nearer stood we heard) 
 
 As over-tir'd to let him lean a while 
 
 With both his arms on those two massy pillars, 
 
 That to the arched roof gave main support. 
 
 He, unsuspicious, led him ; which when Samson 
 
 Felt in his arms, with head a while inclin'd, 
 
 And eyes fast fix'd he stood, as one who pray'd, 
 
 Or some great matter in his mind revolv'd : 
 
 At last with head erect thus cried aloud, 
 
 s 2 " Hitherto,
 
 1Q6 SAM SOX AGOXISTES. 
 
 " Hitherto, Lords,, what your commands impos'd 
 ' 1 have perform'd, as reason was, obeying, l6il 
 " Xot without wonder or delight beheld : 
 ' Now of my own accord such other trial 
 I mean to shew yon of my strength, yet greater ; 
 " xis with amaze shall strike all who behold." 
 This utter"d, straining all his nerves he bow'd, 
 As with the force of winds and waters pent, 
 When mountains tremble, those two massy pillars 
 With horrible convulsion to and fro lt>49 
 
 He tugg'd. he shook, till down they came and drew 
 The whole roof after them, with burst of thunder 
 Upon the heads of all who sat beneath, 
 Lords, ladies, captains, counsellors, or priests, 
 Their choice nobility and flower, not only 
 Of this but each Philistian city round, 
 Met from all p.ms to solemnize this feast. 
 Samson, with these immix'd, inevitably 
 Pull'd down the same destruction on himself; 
 The vulgar only 'scap'd who st<,od without. 
 
 O dearly -bought revenge, yet glorious ! l6of> 
 
 Livii:*
 
 /,v..v /;i,u ,./o 
 
 
 />... , / 
 
 <//,-//./ -. /- i
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 197 
 
 Living or dying thou hast fulfill'd 
 
 The work for which thou wast foretold 
 
 To Israel, and now ly'st victorious 
 
 Among thy slain self-kill'd, 
 
 Not willingly, but tangled in the fold 
 
 Of dire necessity, whose law in death conjoin'd 
 
 Thee with thy slaughter'd foes, in number more 
 
 Than all thy life hath slain before. 
 
 1 SEMicaoutrs. 
 
 While their hearts were jocund and sublime, 
 Drunk with idolatry, drunk with wine, l67G 
 
 And fat regorg'd of bulls and goats, 
 Chaunting their idol, and preferring 
 Before our living Dread who dwells 
 In Silo, his bright sanctuary : 
 Among them he a spirit of phrenzy sent, 
 Who hurt their minds, 
 And urg'd them on with mad desire 
 To call in haste for their destroyer ; 
 They only set on sport and play 
 
 Unweetingly importuii'd 16'80 
 
 Their own destruction to come speedy upon them. 
 
 so So
 
 198 SAMSON AGONISTE8. 
 
 So fond are mortal men, 
 
 Fall'n into wrath divine, 
 
 As their own ruin on themselves to invite, 
 
 Insensate left, or to sense reprobate, 
 
 And with blindness internal struck. 
 
 2 SEMrCHORUS. 
 
 But he, though blind of sight, 
 Despis'd and thought extinguished quite, 
 With inward eyes illuminated, 
 
 His fiery virtue rous'd \6Q0 
 
 From under ashes into sudden flame, 
 And as an evening dragon came, 
 Assailant on the perched roosts, 
 And nests in order rang'd 
 Of tame villatic fowl ; but as an eagle 
 His cloudless thunder bolted on their heads. 
 So virtue, given for lost, 
 Depivss'd, and overthrown, as seem'd, 
 Like that self-begotten bird 
 
 In the Arabian woods embost, T/OO 
 
 That no second knows nor third, 
 And lay ere while a holocaust, 
 
 From
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 1$9 
 
 From out her ashy womb now teem'd, 
 Revives, reflourishes, then vigourous most 
 When most unactive deem'd, 
 And though her body die, her fame survives 
 A secular bird ages of lives. 
 
 MAXOAII. 
 
 Come, come ; no time for lamentation now, 
 Nor much more cause ; Samson hath quit himself 
 Like Samson, and heroickly hath finish' d 1710 
 
 A life heroick, on his enemies 
 Fully reveng'd, 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 j 
 And, which is best and happiest yet, all this 
 With God not parted from him, as was fear'd, 
 But favouring and assisting to the end. 1720 
 
 Nothing is here for tears, nothing to wail 
 Or knock the breast ; no weakness, no contempt, 
 
 Dispraise
 
 200 SAMSON AGONISTES. 
 
 Dispraise, or blame ; nothing but well and fair 
 
 And what may quiet us in a dealh so noble. 
 
 Let us go find the body where it lies 
 
 Soak'd 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, 1?30 
 
 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 enroll'd 
 
 In copious legend, or sweet lyrick song. 
 
 Thither shall all the valiant youth resort, 
 
 And from his memory inflame their breasts 
 
 To matchless valour, and adventures high : 17-10 
 
 The virgins also shall, on feastful days, 
 
 Visit his tomb with flowers, only bewailing 
 
 His lot unfortunate in nuptial choice, 
 
 From whence captivity and loss of eyes. 
 
 en onus.
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 201 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 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 dismist, 
 And calm of mind all passion spent.
 
 M A S K 
 
 PRESENTED AT 
 
 LUDLOW-CASTLE, l634; 
 
 BEFORE 
 
 THE EARL OF BRI DC EWATER, 
 THEN PRESIDENT OF WALES.
 
 [ 204 ] 
 
 The Mask was presented in l6"34, and consequently 
 in the 26th year of our author's age. In the title 
 page of the first edition printed in 1637, it is said 
 that it was presented on Michaelmas night, and 
 there was this motto, 
 
 Ehai quid volui misero mihi ! jloribus austrum 
 Perditus 
 
 In this edition, and in that of Milton's poems in 
 Uii5, there was prefixed to the Mask the following 
 dedication. 
 
 To the Rigat Honourable Joiin t Lord Viscount 
 Brackly son and heir apparent to the Earl of 
 
 BlUDGEWATER, SfC. 
 
 My Lord, 
 THIS poem, which received its first occasion of 
 birth from yourself and others of your noble family, 
 and much honour from your own person in the per- 
 formance, now returns again to make a final dedica- 
 tion of itself to you. Although not openly acknow- 
 ledged by the author, yet it is a legitimate offspring, 
 so lovely, and so much desired, that the often copy- 
 ing of it hath tired my pen to give my several friends 
 satisfaction, and brought me to a necessity of pro- 
 ducing it to the pubiick view; and now to offer it up 
 in .ill rightful devotion to those fair hopes, and rare 
 
 endowments
 
 [ 203 J 
 
 endowments of your much promising youth, which 
 give a full assurance, to all that know you, of a 
 future excellence. Live, sweet Lord, to he the honour 
 of your name, and receive this as your own, from 
 the hands of him, who hath by many favours been 
 long obliged to your most honoured parents, and as 
 in this represeiuati.ni your attendant Thyrsis, so now 
 in all real expression 
 
 Your faithful and most 
 
 humble Servant, 
 
 H. LA WES. 
 
 THJ:
 
 THE PERSONS. 
 
 The Attendant Spirit, afterwards in the habit of 
 Thyrsis. 
 
 Com us with his crew. 
 The Lady. 
 First Brother. 
 Second Brother. 
 S a b ii i x a the Nymph. 
 
 The chief Persons, who presented, wore. 
 
 The Lord Brack ey. 
 
 Mr. Thomas Egerton his brother. 
 
 The Lady Alice Euerton.
 
 C O M U S, 
 
 A 
 
 M ASK. 
 
 The first .scene discovers a ziild wood. 
 The Attendant Spirit descends or enters, 
 
 IjEFORE the starry threshold of Jove's court 
 
 My mansion is, where those immortal shapes 
 
 Of bright aereal Spirits live inspher'd 
 
 In regions mild of calm and serene air, 
 
 Above the smoke and stir of this dim spot, 
 
 Which men call Earth; and, with low thoughted care 
 
 Confin'd, and pester'd in this pin-fold here, 
 
 Strive to keep up a frail and feverish being, 
 
 Unmindful of the crown that Virtue gives, 
 
 After this mortal change, to her true servants, 10 
 
 Amongst the enthron'd Gods on sainted seats. 
 
 Yet some there be, that by due steps aspire 
 
 To lay their just hands on that golden key, 
 
 t 2 That
 
 208 COMUS, A MASK. 
 
 That opes the palace of Eternity : 
 To such my errand is ; and but for such, 
 f would not soil these pure ambrosial weeds 
 \\ ith the rank vapours of this sin-worn mould. 
 But to my task. Neptune, besides the sway 
 Of every salt flood, and each ebbing stream, 
 Took in by lot 'twixt high and nether Jove 20 
 
 Imperial rule of all the sea-girt isles, 
 That, like to rich and various gems, inlay 
 The unadorned bosom of the deep, 
 Which he, to grace his tributary Gods, 
 By course commits to several government, 
 And gives them leave to wear their sapphire crowns, 
 And wield their little tridents : but this isle, 
 The greatest and the best of all the main, 
 He quarters to his blue-hair' d deities ; 
 And all this tract that fronts the falling sun 30 
 
 A noble Peer of mickle trust and power 
 lias in his charge, with temper'd awe to guide 
 An old and haughty nation, proud in arms : 
 Where his fair offspring, nurs'd in princely lore, 
 Arc coining to attend their father's state, 
 And new-entrusted scepter ; but their way 
 
 I -
 
 COM US, A MASK. 209 
 
 Lies through the perplex'd paths of this drear wood, 
 
 The nodding horrour of whose shady brows 
 
 Threats the forlorn and wand'ring passenger; 
 
 And here their tender age might suffer peril, 40 
 
 But that by quick command from sovran Jove 
 
 I was dispatch' d for their defence and guard : 
 
 And listen why : for I will tell you now 
 
 What never yet was heard in tale or song, 
 
 From old or modern bard, in hall or bower. 
 
 Bacchus, that first from out the purple grape 
 Crush'd the sweet poison of misused wine, 
 After the Tuscan mariners transform'd, 
 Coasting the Tyrrhene shore, as the winds listed, 
 On Circe's island fell : (Who knows not Circe 50 
 The daughter of the Sun ? whose charmed cup 
 Whoever tasted, lost his upright shape, 
 And downward fell into a groveling swine) 
 This Nymph that gaz'd upon his clustring locks 
 With ivy berries wreath'd, and his bliihe youth, 
 Had by him, ere he parted thence, a son 
 Much like his father, but his mother more, 
 Whom therefore she brought up, and Comus nam'd : 
 Who ripe, and frolick of his fall grown age, 
 
 t d Rovinii
 
 210 COMUS, A MASK. 
 
 Roving the Celtic and Iberian fields, 6*0 
 
 At last betakes him to this ominous wood ; 
 
 And, in thick shelter of black shades imbowr'd 
 
 Excels his mother at her mighty art, 
 
 Offering to every weary traveller 
 
 His orient liquor in a crystal glass, 
 
 To quench the drouth of Phoebus; which as they taste, 
 
 (For most do taste through fond intemperate thirst) 
 
 Soon as the potion vvoiks, their human countenance, 
 
 The express resemblance of the Gods, is chang'd 
 
 Into some brutish form of wolf, or bear, 70 
 
 Or ounce, or tiger, hog, or bearded goat. 
 
 All other parts remaining as they were ; 
 
 And they, so perfect is their misery, 
 
 Not otice perceive their foul disfigurement, 
 
 But boast themselves more comely than before, 
 
 And all their friends and native home forget, 
 
 To roll with pleasure in a sensual stye. 
 
 Therefore when any, favour'd of high Jove, 
 
 Chances to pass through this adventurous glade, 
 
 Swift as the sparkle of a glancing star SO 
 
 i shoot from Heaven, to give him safe convoy, 
 
 As now [ do Rut first I must put off 
 
 These
 
 COMUS, A MASK. 2U 
 
 These my sky robes spun out of Iris' woof, 
 
 And take the weeds and likeness of a swain, 
 
 That to the sen ice of this house belongs, 
 
 Who with his soft pipe, and smooth-dittied song, 
 
 Well knows to still die wild winds when they roar, 
 
 And hush the waving woods ; nor of less faith, 
 
 And in this office of his mountain watch 
 
 Likeliest, and nearest to the present aid go 
 
 Of this occasion. But I hear the tread 
 
 Of hateful steps ; I must be viewless now. 
 
 Cumus enters with a charming-rod in one hand, his 
 glass in the other ; with him a rout of monsters, 
 headed tike sundry sorts of wild beasts, bat otherwise 
 like, men and women, their apparel glistering ; they 
 come in making a riotous and unruly noise, with 
 torches in their hands. 
 
 The star, that bids the shepherd fold, 
 Now the top of Heaven doth hold ; 
 And the gilded car of day 
 His glowing axle doth allay
 
 2J2 COMUS, A MASK. 
 
 In the steep Atlantic stream ; 
 
 And the slope sun his upward beam 
 
 Shoots against the dusky pole, 
 
 Pacing toward the other goal 100 
 
 Of his chamber in the East. 
 
 Mean while welcome Joy, and Feast, 
 
 Midnight Shout, and Revelry, 
 
 Tipsy Dance, and Jollity. 
 
 Braid your locks with rosy twine, 
 
 Dropping odours, dropping wine. 
 
 Rigour now is gone to bed, 
 
 And Advice with scrupulous head, 
 
 Strict Age and sour Severity, 
 
 With their grave saws, in slumber lie. J 10 
 
 We, that are of purer lire, 
 
 Imitate the starry quire, 
 
 Who, in their nightly watchful spheres, 
 
 Lead in swift round the months and years. 
 
 The sounds and seas, with all their finny drove. 
 
 Now to (he moon in wavering morrice move; 
 
 And, on the tawny sands and shelves, 
 
 Trip the pert faeries and the dapper elves. 
 
 By dimpled brook and fountain brim,
 
 COMUS, A MASK. 213 
 
 The Wood-Nymphs, deck'd with daisies trim, 120 
 
 Their merry wakes and pastimes keep 5 
 
 What hath night to do with sleep ? 
 
 Night hath better sweets to prove ; 
 
 Venus now wakes, and wakens Love. 
 
 Come, let us our rites begin; 
 
 'Tis only day-light that makes sin, 
 
 Which these dun shades will ne'er report. 
 
 Hail, Goddess of nocturnal sport, 
 
 Dark-veil' d Cotytto ! to whom the secret flame 
 
 Of mid-night torches burns ; mysterious dame, 130 
 
 That ne'er art call'd, but when the dragon womb 
 
 Of Stygian darkness spets her thickest gloom, 
 
 And makes one blot of all the air j 
 
 Stay thy cloudy ebon chair, 
 
 Wherein thou rid'st with Herat', and befriend 
 
 Us thy vow'd priests, till utmost end 
 
 Of all thy clues be done, and none left out ; 
 
 Ere the blabbing eastern scout, 
 
 The nice morn, on the Indian steep 
 
 From her cabin'd loophole peep, 140 
 
 And to the tell-tale sun descry 
 
 Our conceal'd solemnity. 
 
 Come ,
 
 214 COMUS, A MASK. 
 
 Come, knit hands, and beat the ground 
 In a light fantastic round. 
 
 {The Measure.) 
 
 Ereak off, break off, I feel the different pace 
 
 Of some chaste footing near about this ground. 
 
 Run to your shrouds, within these brakes and trees -, 
 
 Our number may affright : Some virgin sure 
 
 (For so I can distinguish by mine art) 
 
 Benighted in these woods. Now to my charms, 150 
 
 And to my wily trains ; I shall ere long 
 
 Be well-stock'd with as fair a herd as graz'd 
 
 About my mother Circe. Thus I hurl 
 
 JMy dazzling spells into the spungy air, 
 
 Of power to cheat the eye with blear illusion, 
 
 And give it false presentments, lest the place 
 
 And my quaint habits breed astonishment, 
 
 And put the damsel to suspicious flight; 
 
 Which must: not be, for that's against my course ; 
 
 I, under fair pretence of friendly ends, lo"0 
 
 And well plac'd words of glozing courtesy 
 
 Baited with reasons not implausible, 
 
 Wind me into the easy-hearted man, 
 
 And
 
 COMUS, A MASK. 215 
 
 And hug him into snares. When once her eye 
 Hath met the virtue of this magic dust, 
 I shall appear some harmless villager, 
 Whom thrift keeps up about his country gear. 
 But here she comes ; 1 fairly step aside, 
 And hearken, if I may, her business here. 
 
 {The Lady enters.) 
 
 This way the noise was, if mine ear be true, 170 
 
 My best guide now : Methought it was the sound 
 
 Of riot and ill-manag'd merriment, 
 
 Such as a jocund flute, or gamesome pipe, 
 
 Stirs up among the loose unlettered hinds ; 
 
 When for their teeming locks, and granges full, 
 
 In wanton dance they praise the bounteous Pan, 
 
 And thank the Gods amiss. I should be loth 
 
 To meet the rudeness, and swill'd insolence, 
 
 Of such late wassailers ; yet () ! where else 
 
 Shall I inform my unacquainted feet ISO 
 
 In the blind mazes of this tangled wood? 
 
 My Brothers, when they saw me wearied out 
 
 With this long way, resolving here to lodge 
 
 1 7nder the spreading favour of these pines, 
 
 Stent.
 
 216 COM US, A MASK. 
 
 Stept, as they said, to the next thicket side, 
 
 To bring me berries, or such cooling fruit 
 
 As the kind hospitable woods provide. 
 
 They left me then, when the gray hooded Even, 
 
 Like a sad votarist in palmer's weed, 189 
 
 Rose from the hindmost wheels of Phoebus' wain. 
 
 But where they are, and why they came not back, 
 
 Is now the labour of my thoughts; 'tis likeliest 
 
 They had engag'd their wandering steps too far ; 
 
 And envious darkness, ere they could return, 
 
 Had stole them from me : else, O thievish Night, 
 
 Why should' st thou, but for some felonious end, 
 
 In thy dark lantern thus close up the stars 
 
 That nature hung in Heaven, and fill'd their lamps 
 
 With everlasting oil, to give due light 
 
 1 o the misled and lonely traveller ? 200 
 
 This is the place, as well as I may guess, 
 
 Whence even now the tumult of loud mirth 
 
 Was rife, and perfect in my listening ear 5 
 
 Yet nought but single darkness do I find, 
 
 What might this be ? A thousand fantasies 
 
 Hegin to throng into my memory, 
 
 Of calling shapes, and beckoning shadows dire, 
 
 And
 
 COM US, A MASK. 21? 
 
 And aery tongues, that syllable men's names, 
 On sands, and shores, and desert wildernesses. 
 These thoughts may startle well, but not astound, 
 The virtuous mind, that ever walks attended 21 1 
 
 By a strong siding champion, Conscience. 
 
 welcome pure-ey'd Faith, white-handed Hope, 
 Thou hovering Angel, girt with golden wings, 
 And thou, unblemish'd form of Chastity ! 
 
 1 see ye visibly, and now believe 
 
 That He, the Supreme Good, to whom all things iil 
 
 Are but as slavish officers of vengeance, 
 
 Would send a glistering guardian, if need were, 
 
 To keep my life and honour unassail'd. 220 
 
 Was I deeeiv'd, or did a sable cloud 
 
 Turn forth her silver lining on the night ? 
 
 I did not err, there does a sable cloud 
 
 Turn forth her silver lining on the night, 
 
 And casts a gleam over this tufted gro\ e : 
 
 I cannot halloo to my Brothers, but 
 
 Such noise as I can make to be heard farthest 
 
 I'll venture; for my new enliven' d spirits 
 
 Prompt me ; and they perhaps are not far oil'. 
 
 vol. in. i SOX (Jr.
 
 218 COMUS, A MASK. 
 
 SONG. 
 
 OWEET Echo, sweetest Nymph, that liv'st unseen 
 Within thy aery shell, 231 
 
 By slow Meander's margent green, 
 And in the violet-embroider' d vale, 
 
 Where the love-lorn nightingale 
 Nightly to thee her sad song mourneth well ; 
 Canst thou net tell me of a gentle pair 
 That likest thy Narcissus are ? 
 
 O, if thou have 
 Hid them in some flowery cave, 
 Tell me but where, 
 Sweet queen of parly, daughter of the sphere! 
 So may' st thou be translated to the skies, 
 And give resounding grace to all Heaven's harmonies. 
 
 Enter com us. 
 
 Can any mortal mixture of earth's mould 
 Hn .1 1:0 such <1\\ ine enchanting ravishment ? 
 Sine >.ov. eth.'ng holv lodges in that breast, 
 And with these raptures moves the vocal air 
 To testily his hidden ri sidence : 
 llov sweet!) did they float upon the wings 
 
 or
 
 COM US, A MASK. 210 
 
 Of silence, through the empty-vaulted night, 250 
 
 At every fall smoothing the raven down 
 
 Of darkness, till it smil'd ! I have oft heard 
 
 My mother Circe with the Sirens three, 
 
 Amidst the flowery-kirtled Xaiades 
 
 Culling their potent herbs, and baleful drag- ; 
 
 Who, as they sung, would take the prison' d soul, 
 
 And lap it in Elysium ; Scylla wept, 
 
 And chid her barking waves into attention, 
 
 And fell Charybdis murmur d soft applause : 
 
 Yet they in pleasing slumber lull'd the sense, 2(JQ 
 
 And in *weet madness robb'd it of itself; 
 
 But such a sacred, and home-felt delight, 
 
 Such sober certainty of waking bliss, 
 
 I never heard till now. I'll speak to her, 
 
 And she shall be my queen. Hail foreign wonder ! 
 
 Whom certain these rough shades did never breed. 
 
 Unless the Goddess that in rural shrine 
 
 Dwell' st here with Pan, or Silvan ; by blest song 
 
 Forbidding every bleak unkindly fog 26*9 
 
 To touch the prosperous growth of this tall wood. 
 
 U 2 LADY.
 
 220 COM US, A MASK. 
 
 LADY. 
 
 Nay, gentle Shepherd, ill is lost that praise, 
 That is address'd to unattending ears ; 
 Not any boast of skill, but extreme shift 
 How to regain my sever' d company, 
 Compell'd me to awake the courteous Echo 
 To give me answer from her mossy couch. 
 
 COM US. 
 
 What chance, good Lady, hath bereft you thus ' 
 
 LA L)V. 
 
 Dim darkness, and this leafy labyrinth, 
 
 COM US. 
 
 Could that divide you from near-ushering guides } 
 
 L A I) Y . 
 
 They left me weary on a grassy turf. 2S0 
 
 COM US. 
 
 By filshood, or discourtesy, or why ; 
 
 I, A i) v . 
 
 To seek i' the valley sonic cool friendly spring. 
 
 COM US.
 
 COM US, A MASK. 2Q1 
 
 COM US. 
 
 And left your fair side all unguarded, Lady ? 
 
 LADY. 
 
 They were but twain, and purpos'd quick return. 
 
 COM US. 
 
 Perhaps fore-stalling night prevented them. 
 
 LADY. 
 
 How easy my misfortune is to hit ! 
 
 COMUS. 
 
 Imports their loss, beside the present need ? 
 
 LADY. 
 
 No less than if I should my Brothers lose. 
 
 com us. 
 Wore they of manly prime, or youthful bloom s 
 
 LADY. 
 
 As smooth as Hebe's their unrazofd lips. 2$0 
 
 COM US. 
 
 Two such I saw, what time the labour' d ox. 
 In his loose traces from the furrow came, 
 
 v 3 And
 
 222 COM US, A MASK. 
 
 And the sw'mk'd hedger at his supper sat ; 
 
 I saw them under a green mantling vine 
 
 That crawls along the side of yon small hill, 
 
 Plucking ripe clusters from the tender shoots ; 
 
 .Their port was more than human, as they stood : 
 
 I took it for a faery vision 
 
 Of some gay creatures of the element, 
 
 That in the colours of the rainbow live, 300 
 
 And play i' the plighted clouds. I was aw-struck, 
 
 And, as I past, I worshipt ; if those you seek, 
 
 It were a journey like the path to Heaven, 
 
 To help you find them. 
 
 LADY. 
 
 Gentle Villager, 
 What readiest way would bring me to that place "- 
 
 COM US. 
 
 Due west it rises from this shrubby point. 
 
 L ADV. 
 
 To find out that, good Shepherd, I suppose, 
 in Mich a scant allowance or star-light, 
 Would overtask the best land-pilot's art, 
 \\ ithout the sure guess of well-practis'd feet. 310 
 
 COM r^.
 
 COM US, A MASK. 2*23 
 
 COM US. 
 
 I know each lane, and every alley green, 
 Dingle, or bushy dell of this wild wood, 
 And every bosky bourn from side to side, 
 My daily walks and ancient neighbourhood ; 
 And if your stray-attendance be yet lodg'd, 
 Or shroud within these limits, I shall know 
 Ere morrow wake, or the low-roosted lark 
 From her thatcht pallat rouse ; if otherwise, 
 I can conduct you, Lady, to a low 
 But loyal cottage, where you may be safe 320 
 
 Till further quest. 
 
 LADY. 
 
 Shepherd, I take thy word, 
 And trust thy honest offer' d courtesy, 
 Which oft is sooner found in lowly sheds 
 With smoky rafters, than in tap'stry halls 
 And courts of princes, where it first was nam'd, 
 And yet is most pretended : In a place 
 Less warranted than this, or less secure, 
 I cannot be, that I should fear to change it, 
 
 Eye 
 313. " bosky bourn" woody stream,
 
 224- COMUS, A MASK. 
 
 Eye me, blest Providence, and square my trial 
 To my proportion'd strength. Shepherd, lead on. 330 
 
 [Exeunt.] 
 The two Brothers. 
 
 ELDER BROTHER. 
 
 Unmufne, ye faint Stars ; and thou, fair Moon, 
 That wont'st to love the traveller's benizon, 
 Stoop thy pale visage through an amber cloud, 
 And disinherit Chaos, that reigns here 
 In double night of darkness and of shades ; 
 Or, if your influence be quite damm'd up 
 With black usurping mists, some gentle taper, 
 Though a rush-candle from the wicker hole 
 Of sume clay habitation, visit us 
 With thy long levell'd rule of streaming light; 310 
 And thou shalt be our star of Arcady, 
 Or Tynan Cynosure. 
 
 SECOND BROTHER. 
 
 Or, if our eyes 
 Be barr'd that happiness, might we but hear 
 The folded flocks penn'd in their watled cotes, 
 
 Or 
 
 3ii. " Star ol Arcady, or Tyriun Cynosure" Greater or 
 Bear.
 
 COMUS, A MASK. 225 
 
 Or sound of pastoral reed with oaten stops, 
 
 Or whistle from the lodge, or village cock 
 
 Count the night watches to his feathery dames, 
 
 'Twould be some solace yet, some little cheering 
 
 Jn this close dungeon of innumerous boughs. 
 
 But O that hapless virgin, our lost Sister ! 350 
 
 Where may she wander now, whither betake her 
 
 From the chill dew, amongst rude burs and thistles ? 
 
 Perhaps some cold bank is her bolster now, 
 
 Or 'gainst the rugged bark of some broad elm 
 
 Leans her unpillow'd head, fraught with sad fears. 
 
 What, if in wild amazement, and affright, 
 
 Or, while we speak, within the direful grasp 
 
 Of savage hunger, or of savage heat ? 
 
 LLDER BROTH Lit. 
 
 Peace, Brother ; be not over-exquisite 
 To cast the fashion of uncertain evils : S60 
 
 For grant they be so, while they rest unknown, 
 What need a man forestall his date of grief, 
 And run to meet what he would most avoid ? 
 Or if they be but false alarms of tear, 
 How bitter is such self-delusion ? 
 
 I do
 
 226" COMUS, A MASK. 
 
 I do not think my Sister so to seek, 
 
 Or so unprincipled in Virtue's book, 
 
 And the sweet peace that goodness bosoms ever, 
 
 As that the single want of light and noise 
 
 (Not being in danger, as I trust she is not) 370 
 
 Could stir the constant mood of her calm thoughts, 
 
 And put them into mis-becoming plight. 
 
 Virtue could see to do what Virtue would 
 
 By her own radiant light, though sun and moon 
 
 Were in the flat sea sunk. And Wisdom's self 
 
 Oft seeks to sweet retired solitude ; 
 
 Where, with her best nurse, Contemplation 
 
 She plumes her feathers, and lets grow her wings, 
 
 That in the various bustle of resort 
 
 Were all too ruffled, and sometimes impair'd. 3S0 
 
 He that has light within his own clear breast 
 
 May sit. i' the center, and enjoy bright day: 
 
 But he, that hides a dark soul and foul thoughts, 
 
 Benighted walks under the mid-day sun j 
 
 Himself is his own dungeon. 
 
 SECOND BROTHER. 
 
 Tis most true, 
 
 That
 
 COMUS, A MASK. 227 
 
 That musing Meditation most affects 
 
 The pensive secrecy of desart cell, 
 
 Far from the chearful haunt of men and herds, 
 
 And sits as safe as in a senate-house ; 
 For who would rob a hermit of his weeds, 300 
 
 His few books, or his beads, or maple dish, 
 Or do his gray hairs any violence ? 
 But beauty, like the fair Hesperian tree 
 Laden with blooming gold, had need the guard 
 Of dragon-watch with unenchanted eye, 
 To save her blossoms, and defend her fruit, 
 From the rash hand of bold Incontinence. 
 You may as well spread out the unsunn'd heaps 
 Of misers' treasure by an out-law's den, 
 And tell me it is safe, as bid me hope 400 
 
 Danger will wink on Opportunity, 
 And let a single helpless maiden pass 
 Uninjur'd in this wild sui rounding waste. 
 Of night, or loneliness, it recks me not ; 
 I fear the dread events that dog them both, 
 Lest some ill- greeting touch attempt the person 
 f our unowned Sister.
 
 22S COMUS, A MASK. 
 
 ELDER BROTHER. 
 
 I do not, brother, 
 Infer, as if I thought my sister's state 
 Secure, without all doubt, or controversy : 
 Yet where an equal poise of hope and fear 410 
 
 Does arbitrate the event, my nature is 
 That I incline to hope, rather than fear, 
 And gladly banish squint suspicion. 
 My Sister is not so defenceless left 
 As you imagine ; she has a hidden strength 
 Which you remember not. 
 
 SECOXD BROTHER. 
 
 What hidden strength, 
 Unless the strength ot Heaven, if you mean that ? 
 
 ELDER BROTHER. 
 
 f mean that too, but. yet a hidden strength, 
 Which, if Heaven gave it, may be term'd her own: 
 Tis Chastity, my lb-other, Chastity: 420 
 
 She, that has that, is clad in complete steel ; 
 And, like a quiver'd nymph with arrows keen, 
 May trace huge forests, and unharbour'd heaths, 
 
 Infamous
 
 COMUS, A MASK. 229 
 
 infamous hills, and sandy perilous wilds; 
 Where, through the sacred rays of Chastity, 
 No savage fierce, bandite, or mountaineer 
 Will dare to soil her virgin purity : 
 Yea there, where very Desolation dwells 
 By grots and caverns shagg'd with horrid shades, 
 She may pass on with unblench'd majesty, 430 
 
 Be it not done in pride, or in presumption. 
 Some say, no evil thing that walks by night 
 In fog, or fire, by lake, or moorish fen, 
 Blue meager hag, or stubborn unlaid ghost, 
 That breaks his magic chains at Curfeu time, 
 No goblin, or swart faery of the mine, 
 Hadi hurtful power o'er true Virginity. 
 Do ye believe me yet, or shall 1 call 
 Antiquity from the old schools of Greece 
 To testify the arms of Chastity ? 440 
 
 Hence had the huntress Dian her dread bow, 
 Fair silver- shafted queen, for ever chaste, 
 Wherewith she tam'd the brinded lioness 
 And spotted mountain pard, but set at nought 
 The frivolous bolt of Cupid ; gods and men 
 Fear'd her stern frown, and she was queen o' th' woods. 
 vol. in. x What
 
 230 COMUS, A MASK. 
 
 What was that snaky-headed Gorgon shield, 
 
 That wise Minerva wore, unconquer'd virgin, 
 
 Wherewith she freez'd her foes to congeal'd stone, 
 
 But rigid looks of chaste austerity, 4-50 
 
 And noble grace, that dash'd brute violence 
 
 With sudden adoration and blank awe ? 
 
 So dear to Heaven is saintly Chastity, 
 
 That, when a soul is found sincerely so, 
 
 A thousand liveried Angels lackey her, 
 
 Driving far off each thing of sin and guilt ; 
 
 And, in clear dream, and solemn vision, 
 
 Tell her of things that no gross ear can hear ; 
 
 Till oft converse with heavenly habitants 
 
 Begin to cast a beam on the outward shape, 46\) 
 
 The unpolluted temple of the mind, 
 
 And turns it by degrees to the soul's essence, 
 
 Till all be made immortal : But when Lust, 
 
 By unchaste looks, loose gestures, and foul talk, 
 
 But most by lend and lavish act of sin, 
 
 Lets in defilement to the inward parts, 
 
 The soul grows clotted by contagion, 
 
 Imbodies, and imbrutes, till she quite lose 
 
 The divine property of her first being. 
 
 Such
 
 COMUS, A MASK. 231 
 
 Such are those thick and gloomy shadows damp, 4~0 
 Oft seen in charnel vaults and sepulchres 
 Lingering, and sitting by a new made grave, 
 As loath to leave the body that it lov'd, 
 And link'd itself by carnal sensuality 
 To a degenerate and degraded state. 
 
 SECOND BROTHER. 
 
 How charming is divine Philosophy ! 
 Not harsh, and crabbed, as dull fools suppose. 
 But musical as is Apollo's lute, 
 And a perpetual feast of nectar d sweets, 
 Where no crude surfeit reigns. 
 
 ELDER BROTHER. 
 
 List, list ; I hear 
 Some far orf halloo break the silent air. 481 
 
 SECOND BROTHER. 
 
 Methought so too 3 what should it be ? 
 
 ELDER BROTHER. 
 
 For certain 
 Either some one like us night-founder' d here, 
 Or else some neighbour wood-man, or, at worst, 
 Some roving robber calling to his fellows. 
 
 K '2 SECOX ii
 
 2S2 COM US, A MASK, 
 
 SECOND BROTHER. 
 
 Heaven keep my Sister. Again, again, and near ! 
 Eest draw, and stand upon our guard. 
 
 ELDER BROTHER. 
 
 I'll halloo j 
 If he be friendly, he comes well ; if not, 
 Defence is a good cause, and Heaven be for us. 
 
 Enter the attendant Spirit, habited like a shepherd. 
 
 That halloo I should know ; what are you ? speak ; 
 Come not too near, you fall on iron stakes else. 491 
 
 SPIRIT. 
 
 What voice is that ? my young Lord ? speak again. 
 
 SECOND BROTHER. 
 
 O brother, 'tis my father's shepherd, sure. 
 
 ELDER BROTH ER. 
 
 Thyrsis ? whose artful strains have oft delay'd 
 The huddling brook to hear his madrigal, 
 And sweeten' d every muskrosc of the dale. 
 How cam'st thou here, good swain r hath any ram 
 
 Slint
 
 COM US, A MASK. 233 
 
 Slipt from the fold, or young kid lost his dam, 
 Or straggling weather the pent flock forsook ? 
 How could'st thou find this dark sequester'd nook ? 
 
 SPIRIT. 
 
 O my lov'd master's heir, and his next joy, 501 
 I came not here on such a trivial toy 
 As a stray'd ewe, or to pursue the stealth 
 Of pilfering wolf ; not all the fleecy wealth 
 That doth enrich these downs, is worth a thought 
 To this my errand, and the care it brought. 
 Rut, O my virgin Lady, where is she ? 
 How chance she is not in your company ? 
 
 ELDER BROTHER. 
 
 To tell thee sadly, Shepherd, without blame, 
 Or our neglect, we lost her as we came. 510 
 
 SPIRIT. 
 
 Ay me unhappy ! then my fears are true. 
 
 EEDIiR BROTHER. 
 
 What tears, good Thyrsis : Pr'ythee briefly shew. 
 
 SIM HIT. 
 
 I'll tell ye ; 'tis not vain or fabulous, 
 
 x .3 (Though
 
 234 COMUS, A MASK. 
 
 (Though so esteem' d by shallow ignorance) 
 
 What the sage poets, taught by the heavenly Muse, 
 
 Stoned of old in high immortal verse, 
 
 Of dire chimeras, and enchanted isles, 
 
 And rifted rocks whose entrance leads to Hell ; 
 
 For such there be, but unbelief is blind. 
 
 Within the navel of this hideous wood, 520 
 
 Immur'd in cypress shades a sorcerer dwells, 
 Of Bacchus and of Circe born, great Comus, 
 Deep skill'd in all his mother's witcheries ; 
 And here to every thirsty wanderer 
 By sly enticement gives his baneful cup, 
 With many murmurs mix'd, whose pleasing poison 
 The visage quite transforms of him that drinks, 
 And the inglorious likeness of a beast 
 Fixes instead, unmolding reason's mintage 
 Character' d in the face ; this have I learnt 530 
 
 Tending my flocks hard by i' the hilly crofts, 
 That brow this bottom glade ; whence night by night 
 He and his monstrous rout are heard to howl 
 Like stabled wolves, or tigers at their prey, 
 Doing abhorred rites to Hecate 
 fn their obscured haunts of inmost bowers. 
 
 Yet
 
 COM US, A MASK. 235 
 
 Yet have they many baits, and guileful spells, 
 
 To inveigle and invite the unwary sense 
 
 Of them that pass unvveeting by the way. 
 
 This evening late, by then the chewing flocks 540 
 
 Had ta'en their supper on the savory herb 
 
 Of knot-grass dew-besprent, and were in fold, 
 
 I sat me down to watch upon a bank 
 
 With ivy canopied, and interwove 
 
 With flaunting honey-suckle, and began, 
 
 Wrapt in a pleasing fit of melancholy, 
 
 To meditate my rural minstrelsy, 
 
 Till Fancy had her fill ; but ere a close 
 
 The wonted roar was up amidst the woods, 
 
 And fill'd the air with barbarous dissonance j 550 
 
 At which I ceas'd, and listen' d them a while, 
 
 Till an unusual stop of sudden silence 
 
 Gave respit to the drousy flighted steeds, 
 
 That draw the litter of close-curtain' d Sleep ; 
 
 At last a soft and solemn breathing sound 
 
 Rose like a steam of rich distill' d perfumes. 
 
 And stole upon the air, that even Silence 
 
 Was took ere she was ware, and wish'd she might 
 
 Deny her nature, and be never more, 
 
 Still
 
 23b" COMUS, A MASK. 
 
 Still to be so displac'd. I was all ear, 56*0 
 
 And took in strains that might create a soul 
 
 Under the ribs of Death : but O ! ere long 
 
 Too well I did perceive it was the voice 
 
 Of my most honour' d Lady, your dear Sister. 
 
 Amaz'd I stood, harrow'd with grief and feaj, 
 
 And, O poor hapless nightingale, thought I, 
 
 How sweet thou sing'st, how near the deadly snare ! 
 
 Then down the lawns I ran with headlong haste, 
 
 Through paths and turnings often trod by day, 
 
 Till guided by mine ear I found the place, 570 
 
 Where that damn'd wisard, hid in sly disguise 
 
 (For so by certain signs I knew) had met 
 
 Already, ere my best speed could prevent, 
 
 The aidless innocent Lady, his wish'd prey 3 
 
 Who gently ask'd if he had seen such two, 
 
 Supposing him some neighbour villager. 
 
 Longer I durst not stay, but soon 1 guess' d 
 
 Ye were the two she meant ; with that I sprung 
 
 Into swift flight, till I had found you here, 
 
 But further know I not. 
 
 SECOND BROTHER. 
 
 O night and shades ! 
 
 How
 
 COM US, A MASK. 237 
 
 How are ye join' d with Hell in triple knot, 581 
 
 Against the unarmed weakness of one virgin, 
 Alone, and helpless ! Is this the confidence 
 Yon gave me, Brother ? 
 
 ELDEU BROTHER. 
 
 Yes, and keep it still ; 
 Lean on it safely ; not a period 
 Shall be unsaid for me : against the threats 
 Of malice, or of sorcery, or that power 
 Which erring men call Chance, this I hold firm, 
 Virtue may be assaifd, but never hurt, 
 Surpris'd by unjust force, but not enthrall'd ; 590 
 
 Yea, even that, which mischief meant most harm, 
 Shall in the happy trial prove most glory : 
 But evil on itself shall back recoil, 
 And mix. no more with goodness ; when at last 
 Gather' d like scum, and settled to itself, 
 It shall be in eternal restless change 
 Self-fed, and self-consumed : if this fail, 
 The pillar' d firmament is rottenness, 
 And earth's base built on stubble. But come, let's on. 
 Against the opposing will and arm of Heaven 6*00 
 
 May
 
 ?38 COMUS, A MASK. 
 
 May never this just sword be lifted up ; 
 
 But for that damn'd magician, let him be girt 
 
 With all the grisly legions that troop 
 
 Under the sooty flag of Acheron, 
 
 Harpyes and Hydras, or all the monstrous forms 
 
 'Twixt Africa and Ind, I'll find him out, 
 
 And force him to restore his purchase back, 
 
 Or drag him by the carls to a foul death, 
 
 Curs'd as his life. 
 
 SPIRIT. 
 
 Alas ! good venturous Youth, 
 I love thy courage yet, and bold emprise ; 6l0 
 
 But here thy sword can do thee little stead ; 
 Far other arms, and other weapons must 
 Be those, that quell the might of hellish charms : 
 He with his bare wand can unthread thy joints, 
 And crumble all thy sinews. 
 
 ELDER Bit OTHER. 
 
 "Why pr'ythee, Shepherd, 
 How durst thou then thyself approach so near, 
 As to make this relation ? 
 
 SPIRIT:
 
 COMUS, A MASK. 239 
 
 Care, and utmost shifts 
 How to secure the Lady from surprisal, 
 Brought to my mind a certain shepherd lad, 
 Of small regard to see to, yet well skill'd 620 
 
 In every virtuous plant, and healing herb, 
 That spreads her verdant leaf to the morning ray : 
 He lov'd me well, and oft would beg me sing 5 
 Which when I did, he on the tender grass 
 Would sit, and hearken even to ecstacy, 
 And in requital ope his leathern scrip, 
 And show me simples of a thousand names, 
 Telling their strange and vigorous faculties : 
 Amongst the rest a small unsightly root, 
 But of divine effect, he cull'd me out; 6j() 
 
 The leaf was darkish, and had prickles on it, 
 But in another country, as he said, 
 Bore a bright golden flower, but not in this soil : 
 Unknown, and like esteem'd, and the dull swain 
 Treads on it daily with his clouted shoon : 
 And yet more med'cinal is it than that Moly 
 That Hermes once to wise Ulysses gave; 
 
 He
 
 240 COMUS, A MASK. 
 
 He call'd it Hsemony, and gave it me, 
 
 And bad me keep it as of sovran use 
 
 'Gainst all enchantments, mildew blast, or damp, 
 
 Or ghastly furies' apparition. G-il 
 
 I purs'd it up, but little reckoning made, 
 
 Till now that this extremity compell'd : 
 
 But now I find it true; for by this means 
 
 I knew the foul inchanter though disguis'd, 
 
 Enter d the very lime-twigs of his spells, 
 
 And yet came oil": if you have this about you, 
 
 (As I will give you when we go) you may 
 
 Boldly assault the necromancer's hall ; 
 
 Where if he be, with dauntless hardihood, 650 
 
 And brandish'd blade, rush on him ; break his glass, 
 
 And shed the luscious liquor on the ground, 
 
 But seise his wand 3 though he and his curs'd crew 
 
 Fierce sign of battle make, and menace high, 
 
 Or like the sons ui' Vulcan vomit smoke, 
 
 Yet will they soon retire, if he but shrink. 
 
 ELDER EH OTHER. 
 
 Thyrsis, lead on apace, I'll follow thee; 
 And some good Angel bear a shield before us. 
 
 The
 
 COM US, A MASK. 241 
 
 The scc?ie changes to a stately palace, set out with 
 all manner of deliciousness : soft musick, tables spread 
 with all dainties. Comus appears with his rabble, 
 and the Lady set in an enchanted chair to whom he 
 offers his glass, which she puts by, and goes about 
 to rise. 
 
 Nay, Lady, sit j if I but wave this wand, 
 Your nerves are all chain' d up in alabaster, 660 
 
 And you a statue, or, as Daphne was, 
 Root-bound that fled Apollo. 
 
 LADY. 
 
 Fool, do not boast, 
 Thou canst not touch the freedom of my mind 
 With all thy charms, although this corporal rind 
 Thou hast immanacled, while Heaven sees good. 
 
 COMUS. 
 
 Why are you vext, Lady ? why do you frown ? 
 Here dwell no frowns, nor anger ; from these gates 
 Sorrow flies far : See, here be all the pleasures, 
 
 vol. in. y That
 
 242 COMUS, A MASK. 
 
 That fancy can beget on youthful thoughts, 
 
 When the fresh blood grows lively, and returns 
 
 33risk as the April buds in primrose-season. 
 
 And first, behold this cordial julep here, 
 
 That flames, and dances in his crystal bounds, 
 
 With spirits of balm, and fragrant syrups mix'd : 
 
 Not that Nepenthes, which the wife of Thone 
 
 In Egypt gave to Jove-born Helena, 
 
 Is of such power to stir up joy as this, 
 
 To life so friendly, or so cool to thirst. 
 
 Why should you be so cruel to yourself, 
 
 And to those dainty limbs, which Nature lent 
 
 For gentle usage and soft delicacy ? 
 
 But you invert the covenants of her trust, 
 
 And harshly deal, like an ill borrower, 
 
 With that which you receiv'd on other terms ; 
 
 Scorning the unexempt condition 
 
 By which all mortal frailty must subsist, 
 
 Refreshment after toil, ease after pain, 
 
 That have been tir'd all day without repast, 
 
 And timely rest have wanted ; but, fair Virgin, 
 
 This will restore all soon.
 
 COMUS, A MASK. 2-t3 
 
 LADY. 
 
 'Twill not, false traitor ! 
 'Twill not restore the truth and honest)', 69 1 
 
 That thou hast banish' d from thy tongue with lies. 
 Was this the cottage, and the safe abode 
 Thou toldst me of? What grim aspects are these, 
 These ugly-headed monsters ? Mercy guard me ! 
 Hence with thy brew'd enchantments, foul deceiver ; 
 Hast thou betray' d my credulous innocence 
 With visor'd falshood, and base forgery ? 
 And would'st thou seek again to trap me here 
 With liquorish bails, fit to insnare a brute ? 700 
 
 Were it a draft for Juno when she banquets, 
 I would not taste thy treasonous offer 5 none 
 But such as are good men can give good things; 
 And that, which is not good, is not delicious 
 To a well-govern'd and wise appetite. 
 
 COM US. 
 
 O foolishness of men ! that lend their ears 
 To those budge doctors of the Stoick fur, 
 And fetch their precepts from the Cynick tub, 
 Praising the lean and sallow Abstinence. 
 
 Y 2 Wherefore
 
 544 COMUS, A MASK. 
 
 Wherefore did Nature pour her bounties forth, 710 
 With such a full and unwithdrawing hand, 
 Covering the earth with odours, fruits, and flocks, 
 Thronging the seas with spawn innumerable, 
 But all to please and sate the curious taste ? 
 And set to work millions of spinning worms, 
 That in their green shops weave the smooth-hair'd silk, 
 To deck her sons ; and, that no corner might 
 Be vacant of her plenty, in her own loins 
 She hutcht the all-worshipt ore, and precious gems 
 To store her children with : If all the world 720 
 
 Should in pet of temperance feed on pulse, 
 Drink the clear stream, and nothing wear but frieze, 
 The All-giver would beunthank'd, would be unprais'd, 
 Not half his riches known, and yet despis'd, 
 And we should serve him as a grudging master, 
 As a penurious niggard of his wealth ; 
 And live like Nature's bastards, not her sons, 
 Who would be quite surcharg'd with her own weight, 
 A.nd strangled with her waste fertility; 
 The earth cumber'd, and the wing'd air dark'd with 
 plumes, 730 
 
 The herds would over-multitude their lords, 
 
 The
 
 COM US, A MASK. 245 
 
 The sea o'erfraught would swell, and the unsought 
 
 diamonds 
 Would so emblaze the forehead of the deep,, 
 And so bestud with stars, that they below 
 Would grow inur'd to light, and come at last 
 To gaze upon the sun with shameless brows. 
 List Lady ; be not coy, and be not cosen'd 
 With that same vaunted name, Virginity. 
 Beauty is Nature's coin, must not be hoarded, 
 But must be current ; and the good thereof 740 
 
 Consists in mutual and partaken bliss, 
 Unsavory in the enjoyment of itself ; 
 If you let slip time, like a neglected rose 
 It withers on the stalk with languish'd head. 
 Beauty is Nature's brag, and must be shown 
 In courts, at feasts, and high solemnities, 
 Where most may wonder at the workmanship ; 
 ft is for homely features to keep home, 
 They had their name thence ; coarse complexions, 
 And cheeks of sorry grain, will serve to ply 750 
 
 The sampler, and to tease the huswife's wool. 
 What need a vermeil-tinctur'd lip for that, 
 Love-darting eyes, or tresses like the morn ? 
 
 v 3 There
 
 240 COM US, A MASK. 
 
 There was another meaning in these gifts ; 
 
 Think what, and be advis'd ; you are but young yet. 
 
 L a d x . 
 
 I had not thought to have unlock'd my lips 
 In this unhallow'd air, but that this juggler 
 Would think to charm my judgement, as mine eyes, 
 Obtruding false rules prank'd in reason's garb. 
 I hate when Vice can bolt her arguments, 760 
 
 And Virtue has no tongue to check her pride. 
 Impostor ! do not charge most innocent Nature, 
 As if she would her children should be riotous 
 With her abundance ; she, good cateress, 
 Means her provision only to the good, 
 That live according to her sober laws, 
 And holy dictate of spare Temperance : 
 If every just man, that now pines with want, 
 Had but a moderate and beseeming share 
 Of that which lewdly-pamper'd Luxury 77<.' 
 
 Now heaps upon some few with vast excess, 
 Nature's full blessings would he well dispens'd 
 In unsupertiuous even proportion, 
 And she no whit incumber'd with her store ; 
 
 And
 
 COM US, A MASK. 24-7 
 
 And then the Giver would be better thank'd, 
 His praise due paid : for swinish Gluttony 
 Ne'er looks to Heaven amidst his gorgeous feast, 
 But with besotted base ingratitude 
 CiamSj and blasphemes his Feeder. Shall I go on ? 
 Or have I said enough ? To him that dares 780 
 
 Arm his profane tongue with contemptuous words 
 Against the sun-clad Power of Chastity, 
 Fain would I something say, yet to what end r 
 Thou hast nor ear, nor soul, to apprehend 
 The sublime notion, and high mystery, 
 That must be utter' d to unfold the sage 
 And serious doctrine of Virginity, 
 And thou art worthy that thou shouldst not know 
 More happiness than this thy present lot. 
 Enjoy your dear wit, and gay rhetorick, 7.90 
 
 That hath so well been taught her dazzling fence, 
 Thou art not fit to hear thyself convinc'd ; 
 Yet, should I try, the uncontrolled worth 
 Of this pure cause would kindle my rapt spirits 
 To such a flame of sacred vehemence, 
 That dumb things would be mov'd to sympathize, 
 And the brute Earth would lend her nerves, and shake, 
 
 Till
 
 248 COM US, A MASK. 
 
 Till all thy raagick structures, rear'd so high, 
 Were shatter d into heaps o'er thy false head. 
 
 com us. 
 
 She fables not, I feel that I do fear SCO 
 
 Her words set off by some superiour power ; 
 And though not mortal, yet a cold shuddering dew 
 Dips me all o'er, as when the wrath of Jove 
 Speaks thunder, and the chains of Erebus, 
 To some of Saturn's crew. I must dissemble, 
 And try her yet more strongly. Come, no more ; 
 This is mere moral babble, and direct 
 Against the canon laws of our foundation ; 
 I must not suffer this ; yet 'tis but the lees 
 And settlings of a melancholy blood : 810 
 
 But this will cure all straight ; one sip of this 
 Will bathe the drooping spirits in delight 
 Beyond the bliss of dreams. Be wise, and taste. 
 
 The Brothers rush in ~j.it h swords drawn, wrest his glass 
 out of his hand, and break it against the ground; 
 his rout make sign of resistance, but are all driven 
 in : The Attendant Spirit comes in.
 
 COM US, A MASK. 24}) 
 
 SPIRIT. 
 
 What, have you let the false enchanter scape ? 
 (J ye mistook, ye should have snatcht his wand 
 And bound him fast ; without his rod revers'd, 
 And backward mutters of dissevering power, 
 We cannot free the Lady that sits here 
 In stony fetters fix'd, and motionless : 
 Yet stay, be not disturb' d ; now I bethink me, 820 
 Some other means I have which may be us'd, 
 "Which once of Meliboeus old 1 learnt, 
 The soothest shepherd that e'er pip'd on plains. 
 
 There is a gentle Nymph not far from hence, 
 That with moist curb sways the smooth Severn stream, 
 Sabrina is her name, a virgin pure; 
 Whilom she was the daughter of Locrine, 
 That had the scepter from his lather Brute. 
 She, guiltless damsel, dying the mad pursuit 
 Of her enraged stepdame Guendolen, S30 
 
 Commended her fair innocence to the flood, 
 That staid her flight with his cross-flowing course. 
 The Water-Nymphs, that in the bottom pjay'd, 
 Held up their pearled wrists, and took her in, 
 
 Bearing
 
 250 COM US, A MASK. 
 
 Bearing her straight to aged Nereus' hill ; 
 
 Who, piteous of her woes, rear'd her lank head. 
 
 And gave her to his daughters to imbathe 
 
 In nectar' d lavers, strew'd with asphodel; 
 
 And through the porch and inlet of each sense 
 
 Dropt in ambrosial oils, till she reviv'd, 840 
 
 And underwent a quick immortal change, 
 
 Made Goddess of the river : still she retains 
 
 Her maiden gentleness, and oft at eve 
 
 Visits the herds along the twilight meadows, 
 
 Helping all urchin blasts, and ill-luck signs 
 
 That the shrewd meddling elfe delights to make, 
 
 Which she with precious vial'd liquors heals ; 
 
 For which the shepherds at their festivals 
 
 Carol her goodness loud iu rustick lays, 8VJ 
 
 And throw sweet garland wreaths into her stream 
 
 Of pansies, pinks, and gaudy daffodils, 
 
 And, as the old swain said, she can unlock 
 
 The clasping charm, and thaw the Humming spell, 
 
 If she be right invok'd in warbled song ; 
 
 For maidenhood she loves, and will be swift 
 
 To aid a virgin, such as was herself, 
 
 In
 
 COMUS, A MASK. 251 
 
 In hard-besetting need} this will I try, 
 And add the power of some adjuring verse. 
 
 SONG. 
 
 Sabrina fair, 
 
 Listen where thou art sitting 86*0 
 
 Under the glassy, cool, translucent wave, 
 
 In twisted braids of lilies knitting 
 The loose train of thy amber-dropping hair ; 
 
 Listen for dear honour's sake, 
 
 Goddess of the silver lake, 
 Listen and save. 
 
 Listen, and appear to us, 
 
 In name of great Oceanus ; 
 
 By the earth-shaking Neptune's mace, 
 
 And Tethys' grave majestick pace, 870 
 
 By hoary Nereus wrinkled look, 
 
 And the Carpathian wizard's hook, 
 
 By scaly Triton's winding shell, 
 
 And old sooth-saying Glaucus' spell, 
 
 By Leucothea's lovely hands, 
 
 And her son that rules the strands, 
 
 By Thetis' tinsel-slipper'd feet, 
 
 And the songs of Syrens sweet. 
 
 By
 
 252 COMUS, A MASK. 
 
 By dead Parthenope's dear tomb, 
 
 And fair Ligea's golden comb, 880 
 
 Wherewith she sits on diamond rocks, 
 
 Sleeking her soft alluring locks ; 
 
 By all the Nymphs that nightly dance 
 
 Upon thy streams with wily glance, 
 
 Rise, rise, and heave thy rosy head 
 
 From thy coral-paven bed, 
 
 And bridle in thy headlong wave, 
 
 Till thou our summons answer'd have. 
 
 Listen, and save. 
 
 Sab iu\ a rises, attended by icatev-nymphs, and sings. 
 
 By the rushy-fringed bank, S^O 
 
 Where grows the willow, and the osier dank, 
 
 My sliding chariot stays, 
 Thick set with agat, and the azurn sheen 
 Of turkis blue, and emrald green, 
 That in the channel strays ; 
 Whilst from off the waters fleet 
 Thus I set my printless feet 
 O'er the cowslip's velvet head, 
 That bends not as I tread ; 
 
 Gerytle
 
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 / J.u, r'j ,/. '/; ,:,./,, ,/< . . :.,/,;,/,./.
 
 COM US, A MASK. 253 
 
 Gentle Swain, at thy request 900 
 
 I am here. 
 
 .SPIRIT. 
 
 Goddess dear. 
 We implore thy powerful hand 
 To undo the charmed band 
 Of true virgin here distrest, 
 Through the force, and through the wile, 
 Of unblest enchanter vile. 
 
 s A B R 1 n a . 
 
 Shepherd, 'tis my office best 
 To help insnared chastity : 
 
 Brightest Lady, look on me ; 910 
 
 Thus I sprinkle on thy breast 
 Drops, that from my fountain pure 
 1 have kept, of precious cure j 
 Thrice upon thy finger's tip, 
 Thrice upon thy rubied lip : 
 Next this marble venom' d seat, 
 Smear'd with gums of glutinous heat, 
 [ touch with chaste palms moist and cold : 
 Now the spell hath lost his hold ; 
 
 vol , in. r And
 
 25i COMUS, A MASK. 
 
 And 1 must haste ere morning hour 920 
 
 To wait in Amphitrite's bower. 
 
 Sabrina descends, and the Lady rises out of her seat. 
 
 SPIRIT. 
 
 Virgin, daughter of Locrine 
 Sprung of old Anchises' line, 
 May thy brimmed waves for this 
 Their full tribute never miss 
 From a thousand petty rills, 
 That tumble down the snowy hills : 
 Summer drouth, or singed air 
 Never scorch thy tresses fair, 
 
 Nor wet October's torrent flood 930 
 
 Thy molten crystal fill with mud ; 
 May thy billows roll ashore 
 The beryl, and the golden ore ; 
 May thy lofty head be crown' d 
 With many a tower and terrace round, 
 And here and there thy banks upon 
 With groves of myrrhe, and cinnamon. 
 
 Come, Lady, while Heaven lends us grace. 
 Let us fly this cursed place. 
 
 Lest
 
 COMUS, A MASK. 255 
 
 Lest the sorcerer us entice 9^0 
 
 With some other new device. 
 
 Not a waste, or needless sound, 
 
 Till we come to holier ground ; 
 
 I shall be your faithful guide 
 
 Through this gloomy covert wide., 
 
 And not many furlongs thence 
 
 Is your Father's residence, 
 
 Where this night are met in state 
 
 Many a friend to gratulate 
 
 His wish'd presence ; and beside, 950 
 
 All the swains that near abide, 
 
 With jigs and rural dance resort ; 
 
 We shall catch them at their sport, 
 
 And our sudden coming there 
 
 Will double all their mirth and chear ; 
 
 Come let us haste, the stars grow high, 
 
 But night sits monarch yet in the mid sky. 
 
 The Scene changes, presenting Ludlow town and the 
 President's cattle; then come in country dancers, 
 after them the Attendant Spirit, with the two 
 Brothers and the Lady. 
 
 7, 2 SONG,
 
 256 COM US, A MASK, 
 
 SONG. 
 
 STIRIT. 
 
 Back, Shepherds, back, enough your play, 
 
 Till next sun-shine holiday ; 
 
 Here be, without duck or nod, $60 
 
 Other trippings to be trod 
 
 Of lighter toes, and such court guise 
 
 As Mercury did first devise, 
 
 With the mincing Dryades, 
 
 On the lawns, and on the leas. 
 
 This second Sung presents them to their Father and 
 Mother. 
 
 Noble Lord, and Lady bright, 
 I have brought ye new delight ; 
 I fere behold so goodly grown 
 Three fair branches of your own ; 
 Heaven hath timely tried their youth, 970 
 
 Their faith, their patience, and their truth, 
 And sent them here through hard assays 
 With a crown of deathless praise,
 
 COMUS, A MASK. 
 
 To triumph in victorious dance 
 O'er sensual Folly, and Intemperance. 
 
 The dances [being] ended, the Spirit epiloguizes. 
 
 SPIRIT. 
 
 To the ocean now I fly, 
 And those happy climes that lie 
 Where day never shuts his eye, 
 Up in the broad fields of the sky : 
 There I suck the liquid air 
 All amidst the gardens fair 
 Of Hesperus, and his daughters three 
 That sing about the golden tree : 
 Along the crisped shades and bowers 
 Revels the spruce and jocund Spring ; 
 The Graces, and the rosy-bosom' d Hours, 
 Thither all their bounties bring ; 
 That there eternal Summer dwells, 
 And West- Winds, with musky wing, 
 About the cedarn alleys fling 
 Nard and Cassia's balmy smells. 
 Iris there with humid bow 
 Waters the odorous banks, that blow
 
 258 COMUS, A MASK. 
 
 Flowers of more mingled hue 
 Than her purfled scarf can shew, 
 And drenches with Elysian dew 
 (List, mortals, if your ears be true) 
 Beds of hyacinth and roses, 
 
 Where young Adonis oft reposes, 
 Waxing well of his deep wound 1000 
 
 In slumber soft, and on the ground 
 Sadly sits the Assyrian queen ; 
 But far above in spangled sheen 
 Celestial Cupid, her fam'd son, cuivane'd, 
 Holds his dear Psyche sweet entrane'd, 
 After her wandering labours long, 
 Till free consent the Gods among 
 Make her his eternal bride, 
 And from her fair unspotted side 
 
 Two blissful twins are to be born, 1010 
 
 Youth and Joy : so Jove hath sworn. 
 But now my task is smoothly done, 
 I can fly, or I can run, 
 Quickly to the green earth's end, 
 Where the bow'd welkin slow doth bend; 
 And from thence can soar as soon 
 To the corners of the moon.
 
 COMUS, A MASK. 259 
 
 Mortals that would follow me, 
 Love Virtue ; she alone is free : 
 
 She can teach ye how to clime 1020 
 
 Higher than the sphery chime -, 
 Or if Virtue feeble were, 
 Heaven itself would stoop to her. 
 
 THE ZyVt OF THE THIRD VOLUME. 
 
 .a;! R. Baldwin, Prinfeis, 
 Ni:w Bridge-street, London.
 
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