LINES FROM SAMSON AGONISTES
JOHN MILTON
These lines from Milton's great poetic drama describe the death of its hero Samson. He was a man of immense strength but had been take captive through the treachery of his wife by the philistines the deadly enemies of his race. As this passage describes he saved his people bu using his strength to kill the philistines leaders but in bringing down the roof of a great temple upon the heads of those assemble there he sacrificed
his own life at the same time.
He patient but undaunted where they led him,
Came to the place and what was set before him
Which without help of eyes might be assayed
To heave pull draw or break he still performed
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
For so from such as nearer stood we heard
As over tired to let him which when Samson
Felt in his arms with head a while inclined
And eyes fast fixed he stood as one who prayed
Or some great matter in his mind revolved
At last with head erect thus cried aloud
Hitherto lords what your commands imposed
I have performed as reason was obeying
Not without wonder or delight beheld
Now of my own accord such other trial
I mean to show you of my strength yet greater
As with amaze shall strike all who behold
This uttered straining all his nerves he bowed
As with force of winds and waters pent
When mountains tremble those two massy pillars
With horrible convulsion to and fro
He tugged he shook till down they came and drew
The whole roof after them with burst of thunder
Lords ladies captains counsellors or priests
Their choice nobility and flowers not only
Of this but each philistian city round
Met from all parts to solemnize this feat
Samson with these inmixed invitably
Pulled down the same destruction on himself.....
JOHN MILTON
These lines from Milton's great poetic drama describe the death of its hero Samson. He was a man of immense strength but had been take captive through the treachery of his wife by the philistines the deadly enemies of his race. As this passage describes he saved his people bu using his strength to kill the philistines leaders but in bringing down the roof of a great temple upon the heads of those assemble there he sacrificed
his own life at the same time.
He patient but undaunted where they led him,
Came to the place and what was set before him
Which without help of eyes might be assayed
To heave pull draw or break he still performed
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
For so from such as nearer stood we heard
As over tired to let him which when Samson
Felt in his arms with head a while inclined
And eyes fast fixed he stood as one who prayed
Or some great matter in his mind revolved
At last with head erect thus cried aloud
Hitherto lords what your commands imposed
I have performed as reason was obeying
Not without wonder or delight beheld
Now of my own accord such other trial
I mean to show you of my strength yet greater
As with amaze shall strike all who behold
This uttered straining all his nerves he bowed
As with force of winds and waters pent
When mountains tremble those two massy pillars
With horrible convulsion to and fro
He tugged he shook till down they came and drew
The whole roof after them with burst of thunder
Lords ladies captains counsellors or priests
Their choice nobility and flowers not only
Of this but each philistian city round
Met from all parts to solemnize this feat
Samson with these inmixed invitably
Pulled down the same destruction on himself.....
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