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July 2. 1^7° 




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PARADISE 



EGAIN 



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In IV S 00 I(S. 

To which is a tded 

SAMS OK AqO^ISTE- 



The Auth< 



JOHN MILT N 



LONDON, 

Wnted by 7- R& for j .^ • 

Mitre inFi beet, >Bm 

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PARADISE REGAIN'D, 

A P O E M. 



The Pirfl <BO0K z 




' V re while the happy Garden Tung, 

By one I!:..: is disobedience loll:, qow (ing 
Recover'd Parad: . .11 n nd, 

y one mans firm obedience folly tri'd 
Lhrough all temptation, and the Tempter foffj 
h all his wiles, defeated and repuls't, 
S'idEden ja&'d in thevaH Wiidcrncis. 

Thou Spirit who ledft this glorious Ercmit 



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In 










foto the Dcfcrt, his Vitorioi* FicUi 
-J MllK Spiritual Foe, wdbroughtftfomth 

By prorf the nadwted «. of God, iafptte, 

As rho» art wont, my prompted Songelfe mute 







Yaradife Regain cl. 

To him his Heavenly Office, nor was long 

His vvii uncemfirm'd : on him baptizd 

J kavenop d a and in likenefs of a Dove 
The Spirit, defcended, while the Fathers voice 



3 



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Andln^i- throughhighrhor <],pHi of t^uivcs ben-! From h,,,,^ pronounc 'd him !n:i bc!ovcd Son . 

With profperous wing full fumm'd to tell of dec* That heard the Adverfary, who roving (till 

Above I leroic, though in feeret dohe, About the world, at that aflembly fam d 

Antlunr led left through m. my an Age, Would not be lafr, and with tl. oice div l( 

Worthy t* have not re ii»'d fo long unfung. NighThundcr-ftmck, th' exalted man, to om 

Now hadthe | »t Proclaimer with a voice Such high atteft wasg-.vn, a while fur vey'd 

More awful then i he found of Trumpet, end With wonder, then with envy fraug /.c 

Repentaace, and Heavens Kingdom nigh at haai Flies to his place, nor refls, but in mid air 

To allBaptiz'd: to his great ftaptilm Hock a ToCouncel fummons all his mighty Peers, 

7iih aw the Regions round., and with them car Within thick Clouds and dark ten-fold involv ■ 



From oretk &e Son of JoJ deem'd 



A gloomy Confiftory '-, and them amidft 



To the Bood 'j.n-iw, came as thenobfeure, | With looks agaft and fad he thusbefpake. 
Unmarkt, unknown J but: him the Baptift foon O ancient Powers of Air and this wide world, 
Dcfctfd, divinely warn'd, and feitnefi bore For much more willingly I mention Air, 

As to his worthier, and would have retign'd This 0lu ' oM Compel*, then remember 1 I 

1 B 2 Our 





'an: fe Regahrd. e, 

Hi hto'our jnftfear ive no fmall caufe, 

bis growth now to youths Rill Hpwr, difpla; 

All ■■ ue, grace and orotoatchieve 



farad ffe Remind 
Curb, IfaabMonsweHyckoow 

How^nvA^ I be years of men, 

T ir !S lInivcrfcwchavcpo(rcft,a...ivul d 

* In manner at our will th'aflairs of Earth, jThingshighe \ multiplies my fear, 

Si. Adam and his facil confix '■ 

Loft Paradi fed- ■/d by mc, though fincc ■ ] •; . • /T1 ; ng; jef;, ; . ;:.■,.//.-. ., lKl ll 

With dreadatterading hen-tbat fetal wound fivites, and in the Conferral 
ShalibeioJ ! bj 1 -eked of/. 

a my bead, long tb< FHeav'n Purified to receive him pun ortather 

* 

ay, for lor , to him is Uhort 



.': tn a t Proj ' . top* 



'rctends towalhofffin, andfit tl 






Todo him honour as then Kin- all c 



'now 100 foonfor us the circling hours And he himfelf among them was baptiz d 

This dreaded time have compart, wherein wc Not thence to be more pore, to to r vc 

ft bide the ftroak of that long threatn'd wound, The teftimony of Heaven, that \ 



At leafl if 10 we can, and by the head 



[Thenceforth the Nations m onbt- rfaw 



Broken be not intended, ail onr power • Thc Prophet do hi m revere 

Tube infringed, our freedom and our bchig Out of the water, Hcaviiai iheClo Is 

In this Fair Empire won of Earth and Air; UnfoId hcr C^D* •' ■ !&«*« on his h 

ForthisiUn Tbrin^ the Womans feed A F erfe & *>ove <fc **,*** c-feit mcaritj 



1 ftin'd to this, is laic of woman b;>m, 



j^ d OUt of He ■■ ,: : ! ; • ] ' 





, ' Taradife Regain d. 

ThisismySonbciov'cI,inhimnmpIcasU 

His Mother then is mortal but his Sire, 
He who obtains the Monarchy of Heaven, 



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Taradife Regain d. ■ J 

Will waft mc; and the found pro!j ;s o: 

Induces beftro hope of like fuccefc. 

He ended, and his wo i impreffion left 



Andwbatwili he not do to advance his Son > of much amazement to th» infernal Crew, 



I 



lis firft-beeot we know, and fote havefeit, 



Dili v.ictcd and furpriz'd : i deep ' (may 



:- When his Serce thunder drove us to the deep* At thefe fad tidings; but no time then 



Who tins lswcmnftlearn, for man he feems 
In all his lineaments, though in his face 
The gKmpfes of his Fathers glory fliinc. 
Te fee (.un: danger on the ntmoft edge 






» For long indvii: ictut 1 grief J 

Unanimous they all commit the cafe 

Andrn gement of this main enter; ri/e 



Ofh; ard, which admits no long debate, Atfirftag aft mankind fo wdi h: id 

But ■••:(: with fbmcthing fuddenbe oppos'd, In Adam's overthrow, and ted thir r i 

Not force, but well couch't fraud, well woven (hart From Hell's deep-vaulted Den to dwell it, 



E're in the head of Nations he appear 



Regents and Potentates, and Kings, ye; 



Tl eir King, their Leader, and $upr earn on Earth. Of many a pfeafant Realm and Province wide. 



- f. when no other durft, fole undertook 



[ So to the Coafr of Jordan he directs 

acHis eaiiefreps , girded with fnaky wiles, 



The difmal expedition to find out 

And mine Adam, and the exploit period d , Wherete might iikcliefi: find this new-deekr'd, 

^^^H Tins man of men, ati : ■ d . c on of G, !, 

\V B4 T.-.:: 



5 a calmer voyage new 



'aradtJFKegain 
Teir tatiorrandanguilconhimtotr 

Sotofubvertwhomheful] ted rautf 

To co d}« S Ration Earth fo Jong enjoy-d; 

Bat contrary anweeting be folfiU'd 



'dradife Regain 

n( ; pi idiaion nccf ble ofc 

[ToS n 5 la : ta tempt aadw ay 

is utmoft fufatilr , ! ni he1 afh 

•And vaults o eat cunning to the thronj 



The purpos'd Counfel pre-, lam'dandfixt of his Apofrafie - tfgjbt to tit 

OfthemoftHigh, whoio lull frcqu nee bright |L{ ; v - tr : wccr , ,, fince be (ail'd in > 

cr ; ujto . We/ fipUing fpake. wh :on ftaat perfeverance overcame 

kid thisday by proof thou tbalt behold, « \v- h at e're his cruel malice coald invent. 



I ./;•.' 



Thou an \ all Angels converfant on Earth • 
With man or mens affairs, how I begin 
Pa irerific that • (bleat) i effage late. 
On which f fenttheetotheVii i pure 

In r. ./;/,-•, that (he fhouldbcav a Son 

Great in Re k& andcall'd the Son of God 5 By fallacy furpri/Al. Bnt-firftI m 

T; u!ir her doubting how thefe things could&To cxemfeium in the Wildernefs/, 



Henowiball knew I can proda eaman 

of. nakSeed, far abler to reSft 

All his ("; tations, and at length 

Ail ' : i v*& force, anddrn .-. \vn back to Hell, 

\\ . mingby Cooqueft what the firft man loft 



To her a Virgin* thai on her fliould come 



Thi re he (ball fir&lay down the rudiments 



The! yqho(t,andthepowerofthehfgheft Ofhi it warfare, ^re I fend him J b 

-n 1 c..n,0, whcr:i ; ; :,.:0, ! - nam ]nov, groW oconoucrSn.,1- I;.-., 

To ^himwcrthyofhisb:rth.c|^ ty B mi^tt,io, "^ " ^ " 



{lis 




x . Faradifc Regain d 

Hisweaknef* (hall o'recomc ittnlc ftrength 

.1 ; ,ll the ^-t>rl<! : , :uid m^H; of (inflilflHiu 

That nil the Aug' ; and SStm rial Powers, 






«/* Kegatn 

, fruftrate all ye ft* ms of Hell, 

And devilifb rflaebi come to nought. 

Sod- in Hcav'n their Odes andVr tun'd: 



They now, and men hereafter may difcern. Mean while ttetoatf God,* tfomeday* 

From what confummate venue 1 have chofc Lodg'dfe) B««M ■ Where 5«&« I s'd, 



XhK perfe&Man,bj meritcairdffiy Son, 
Toearn Salvation forth* Sons of men. 



kiufing afid much revolv in his bref r, 



Mow beft the mighty work he m gin 

Sofpakethe Eternal Father, and all Heaven Of Saviour to mankind, am Inch way firft 

Admiring ftood a (pace, then into Hymns . publim hi.s God 4*ike office now mature, 
[fft (r;;!h,nndin Celeftial meafiircs mov'd, One day forth wal.k'd alone, thcS; 

Coding the Throne and Singing, while the hand And his deep thoughts, t betterw eonverfe 

Sang •■ itfa the voice, and this the argument. With folitudc, till fir from track of men, 

Viftorv and Triumph to the Son of God Thought folli »wiag I nought, and ftep by ftep led on, 

Now entring his great due!, not of arms, He entred now the bordering Defert wild, 

But to vaiKjuifh by wifdom hellifh wiles. And with dark iliades and rocks environ'd round, 

Trie Father knows the Son 5 therefore fecure * iis holy Meditations thus peri u'd. 

Vena -his filial Vertue, though untri'd, 

fcgainfl w : ' re m .-y tempt, whate're feduce, Awakrfd in me fwarm, while I coniuh 



O what a multitude of thoughts at once 



Allure, or tc r/ifie. orui 



What from \ iiinl feel my fcl£ ai 

■ 



ft 



%i Yaradife K< tin I 

What fomwit&bat com© often to my cars, 

.clUforiing with my prcfentfratc enmpar'd. 
Whnilvvasyctachild, no chUdiili play 

To mc wasplealmg, all my mind was fa 
Serious to learn awl know, ami thence 10 do 



Fa life Regain (f, 
fubd eand< : >'rc aHthi h 

■ •• iojence and proud Tyranmck pow'r 3 

;;rrui re f)(.ecl,and equity rcftor'd : 

e| held it more humane, more heavenly fit ft 
\. iiifiir rds to conquer willing hearts, 






Wtomi tlKpJfeHsfcgoddi myfelfl thonghL ^ . ^^ ^ ^ rffarj 

Rom to thatenAhon, to promote all truth, , ^ ^ ^.^ ^ ^ . ^^ 

All righteous, hings: therefore above my years, ^ ^^ m , Moing) but unwarc 
The Law of God I read, and fouadit fweef, 



Made it my whole delight, and in it grew 
Tomchperrecrionjthat c'Ye yet my age 



Milled 5 the ftufaborn only to deftroy. 

rhefe growing thoughts my Mother foon perceiving 

By words at times call forth inly rcjo) c'd, 



« Had meaftir'd twice : years, at our great Feaft ^ c , fa y t{) mc apai ,^ high are chy thoughu 
I wentintothe Temple, thereto hear 0So , h h»tnouri& themand let them r 

The Teachers of our Law, and Copropofe fo t hlg h t h (acred vertue d true worth 
What might improve my knowledge or their OWB- anra ife them, though above example i b? 



.And was admir'dby all, yet this not all 



Bymatchlels Deeds exprefs thy matchle(s Site 



I owhiehmy Spirit afpir'dj victorious uceds ? or know, thou art no Son of mortal man, 
Flai t to my hear£ heroic aces, one while 

Tor; 112 tfyrf from the B • yol •- 

x 



Though men eiteem tli ow o! i ra g c : 

Thy Father is the Etc d King, who rules 



All 




Faradife Regain 



14 «»»— 7 o taradife Regain d. 1$ 

AllHe.ivenandEarth,AngeIsandSonsofnicn a ^ y yifion, found t! m the Temple, and (pake 

A meflen &offl Godforc-told thy birth ^fore ^ Ahar ;! , ;( . thc veiled P.- r, 



Concciv'd in me a Virgin, he fore-told 



ike things of tbea to all f.hatprefent. flood. 



Concerning the Median, to our Scribes 

Known partly, and foon found of whom they fpake 



MoThouQioaBft begreafandfit tmVavid's Thr, ln , ],. lv ; nr he^ftndt I again r ■ -Iv'd 

And of thy Kingdom there fhould be no end, j- )|C f <awan cl Prophets, fearching what was writ 
At thy Nativity a glorious Quire 

Of Angels iathefields ©f Setkkfoa fang 
To Shepherds watching at their folds by night, [ a rn 5 this chiefly, that my way mult lie 
And told them the Mefiiah now was born, Through many a hard allay even to the death, 

Where they might fee hid, and to thee theyqf'rcl the promis'd Kingdom can attain, 
Directed to the Manger where thou lais't, Or work Redemption for mankind, whole tins 

For in the Inn was left no better room : Full weight mult be transferred upon my head 

A Star, not fi-en before in Heaven appearing fct neither thus dilhearm'd or difmay'd, 
350 Guided the Wife Men thither from the Eaft., The timcprefixtl waited, when behold 
To honour thee with inccnfe, Myrrh, andGoI^ rhe Bagtifl^of whofc birth I oft had beard, 
Bywhofe bright coatfe led on they found thep! Mot knew by fight) now come, who was to come 
Affirming it thy Star new grav'n in Heaven, Bcfore Mcffian and &S way prepare. 
By which they knew thee King of ifrael bom. Ias allothcfs t0 n»Baptifia ie :> 

Juft Simem and Prophetic Anna, warn'd ^ hich l bdie v ' d was from abo vc 3 but hc 



ra 1 1 








• Taradifc Regain d 

Strattknewme,anciwithloud ft voice pn 



Me him (for it was ffcew'nhim Co from [leave 
Me him vvhofc Harbinger he ■ a idfirft 
/ RefrVdonmeru Baprifm to confer, 

Av much his greater, andw hardly won ■ 



Taradifc Rcfjain'd. 

So (pake our Morning Star then in his rile, 




And looking round on every fide beheld 

A pathlefs Defcrt, dusk with horrid (hades 5 
The way he came not having mark'd, return 
Was difficulty by humane freps untrod s 
And he (Till on was led, but with fuch thoughts 
Accompanied of things paftandto come 
Lodg'd inhisbreft, as well might recommend 



Butaslrofe.out ofthelavingftr rain, 

ffeavenopen'dher e« .rnal dm . from whence. 

TheSprrii ' Ion me like a Do\ e, 

Andlufttl fura of all, my Father's voice, « , „ ,. r 1 r . • n.* • . 

Such Solitude before choicelt Society. 

Audib -/dfVomHeav'n, proao une'd mehis, ~ ., r , , -,, , , ,-m 

* - Full forty days he pafs d, whether on hill 

Me bis beloved Son* in whom alone c _ . . „ , , , „u 

' Sometimes, anon in ihady vale, each night 

Hew* ■ 11 pktfrf ih *»* X knew the time 1^^ the covert of fome ancient Oak, 
Nowf,IV ttoamor OkwUKMoUcui Or Cedar, to defend him from the de«r, 



Butopenlj in, as.lx becon; 



Or harbour' d in one Cave, isnotreveal'd 5 



The Authority whidi I deri f "d from Heaven. Nor tafted humane food, nor hunger felt 



Till thofe days ended, hunger *d then at laft: 
Among wild Bcafts : they at his light grew mild, 



fcjoAndnowby ; ; motion I am led 

fotothisWildei-uefetowiiatinterit 

I learnnotyet, ; •;: Inesdaoi knows Nor fleepinghim nor waking harm'd, his walk 

For what concerns my kuowk e GodrcveaJs. The fiery Serpent fled, and noxious Worm, 

• C Tl 



, g Taradife Regain 

The Lion and tierce Tiger glar'd doofi 

in Rural weeds, 



am 



a in 



To Town or Village nigh (nighefl: is far 



But now an aged man m K on « weeus, 

)!Jowbg,as(cem*d, the queft of fome ftray g„ Where ought we hear, and curious areto hear, 

: ■ , ; . d (licks to gather 5 which might f erve What happ'as new 5 Fame alfo finds us out. 

•aloft a Winters day when winds blow keen, To whom lnc Son of God.Who brought mehithcr 



r> wattn ntffi wet return'd ironi held at Eve, Wi]1 brin 8 me hcncc > no othcr Guide I *«&• 
. le . approach, who firft with curious eye B ? Miraclc he ma >'> *?*/<* the ***** 

■ ? is'd him, then with words thus utt'red (pake. What ° ther Way ' fcc 110t > for we hcrc 

Sii what ill chance hath brought thee to thispfc Live on tOUgh r °° tS «*&**> tothirfc inur'd 



c urfrom path or road of men, who pafs 
Troop or Caravan, for (ingle none 



no More then the Camel, and to drink go far, 
Men to much mifery and hardfhip born 



i\ a i_ .j.i . But if thou be the Son of Cod, Command 

)urft ever, who return d, and dropt not here _ ' ^ om " wuu 

HisCarcafi, pin'd with hunger and with drought 

I ask Lie rather, and the more admire, 

For that to me thou feem'ft the man. whom late 

Our new baptizing Prophet at the Ford 

jordw honoured fo, and caJl'd thee Son 



That outofthefehard (tones be made thee bread; 

So fhaltthou fave thy felf and us relieve 

With Food, whereof we wretched feldom tafte. 

He ended, and the Son of God reply 'd. 
Think'ftthou fuch force in Bread? is it not written 

3f 3ftd • f A, ax , n , ^ ForI difcern thcc olhcr then thou feem'ft ) 

^ s 1 faw and heard, for wefometiroes .. .. J 

WhhrWU *: u n Man lives notby Bread only, but each Word 

WUD dwell this wild, «iiftraiQ'dbywant,come foii Pr ,. ft : 

T( s«Fiocceding from the mouth of God; wholed 

C 2 Our 




so Taradifc Regain'd. 

Our Fathers here with Manna 3 in the Mount 

Mofeswsa forty days, nor eat nor drank, 
And forty days Eliah without food 
Wmdrcd this barren waftc, the fame I now: 







■■ Regain 

To prove him, and illuftrate his high worth =, 

And when to all his Angels hepropos'd 

To draw the proud King Ahub into fraud 

That he might fall in Ratnoth, they demurine, 

I undertook that office, and thetongues 



Whj doft thou then fuggeft to me diftruft, . Qf ^ hisflattering p rophcts gbbb'd with lyes 
nowingwbol am, as I know who thou art? T o his deftruclion, as I hadin charge. 

Whom thus anfwer'd th" Arch Fiend now und: : For what he bids 1 d $ though I have loft 

(guis; 



'Tis true, lam that Spirit unfortunate, 



Much luftre of my native brightnefs, loft 



Who Ieagu'd with millions more in rafh revolt I Xo be belov'd of God, I have not loft 



Kept not my happy Station, but was dri v'n 



So To love, at leaft contemplate and admire 



With them from blifs to the bottomlefs deep, What I fee excellent in good, or fair, 



Yet to that hideous place not fo confin'd 
By rigour unconniving, but that oft 
Leaving my dolorous Prifbn I enjoy 
1 ,arge liberty to round this GJobe of Earth, 



Or vertuous, I fhould fo have loft all fenfe. 
What can be then left in mc then defire 
To fee thee and approach thee, whom I know 
Declar'dthe Son of God, to hear art ent 



Or range in 1 h' Air, nor from the Heav'n of Heav'S Thy vvifdom, and behold thy God-like deeds > 



Hath he excluded my rcfort fometimes. 
I came among the Sons of God, when he 









Men generally think me much a foe 

To all mankind : why fhould I ? they to me 
I . C 3 New 



ive up into my hands Vzzcatr Job 



I 



Never did wrong or violence, by them 




From the beginning, and in lies wi It end 5 



^1 loft not what Iloft, rather by them 
r min'd what I have gain'd, and with them dwell Who boaft ' ft rclcafc from Hcl! > aild lcavC t0 C ° mC 
Copartner in thefe Regions of the World, 
If not difpofer h lend them oft my aid, 

Oft my advice by prelagesand figns, 
I And anfwers, oracles, portents and dreams, 
[ Wherbey they may direcl: their future life. 
i Envy they fay excites me, thus to gain 

Companions cf my mifery and wo. 

At firfl: it may be 5 but long fince with wo 
in* Never acquainted, now I feel by proof^ 

That felbwfhip in pain divides not fmart, 

Nor lightens aught each mans peculiar load. 

Small eonfoiation thcn,wcre Man adjoyn'd: 

This wounds me moil (what can it left) that Man, 



% Into the Heav'n of Heavens; thon corn'ft indeed. 
As a poor miferable captive thrall. 
Comes to the place where he before had fat 
Among the Prime in Splendour, now depos'd, 
Ejected, emptyed, gaz'd, unpityed, fhun'd, 
A fpedracle of ruin or of feorn 
To all the Hofl of Heaven; the happy place 
Imports to thee no happinefs,no joy, 
Rather inflames thy torment, reprcfentiag 
Loft bl if?, to thee no more communicable, 






Man f,HV ( (hall be rcftor/d, I never more. 

To whom our Saviour fteruly thus rtply'd. 
Dc.Wlly thou grievTr, compos'd of lyes 






*°So nevermore in Hell then when in Heaven. 
But thou art fcrviceablcto Heaven's King. 
Wilt thou impute to obedience what thy fear 
Extorts, orpleafureto do ill excites? 
What but thy malice mov'd thee tomill'ecm 
OfirghtcousjM, then cruelly to aillici: him 

Fro3 ^ Vit ^ a ^ ul ^' ,ons > l)ut his patience won > 

C 4 



The 




Para 




egaind. 




The other fcrvice was thy chofen task, 
To be a Iyer in four hundred mouths 5 
For lying is thy fuftenancc, thy food. 
n» Yet thou pretcnd'ft to truths all Oracles 
By thee are giv'n, and what confeft more true , W hattothefmaIleft tittle thou (halt fay 
Among the Nations? that haih been thy craft, Jothy Adofers . thou with trembling fear, 
By mixing fomewhattruc to vent morelyes. Qr Kkc a Fawning p ara fite obey 'ft* 
But what have been thy anfwers, what but dark Then to thy felf afcrib'ftthe truth fore-told. 
Ambiguous and with double fenfe deluding, But this thy g i ory fyft fo, f oon rc trench'd 5 
Which they who ask'd have feldom underftood, n more (halt thou by oracling abufe 
And not well underftood as good not known? The Gentiles 5 henceforth Oracles are cea ft, 




tgain'd. 

To thee not known, whence haft thou then thy truth, 

|But from him or his Angels Prefident 

In every Province, who themfelves difdaining 

To approach thy Temples, give thee in command 



Who ever by confuting at thy flirinc 
Return d the wifer, or the moreinftruct 



And thou no more with Pomp and Sacrifice 
. Shalt be enquir'dat Delphos or elfewhere, 



4<0 To flye or follow what concern'd him moft. At leaft in vain, for they (hall find thee mute, 



Andrunnotfooner to his fatal fnare? 

1 

For God hath juftly giv'n the Nations up 
To thy Deluflons 5 juftly, fincethey fell 
Idolatrous, but when his purpofe is 
Among them to declare his Provide 



ence 



, God hath now fent his living Oracle 
Into the World, to teach his final will. 

And fends his Spirit of Truth henceforth to dwell 
In pious Hearts, an inward Oracle 
To all truth requilite for men to know. 



1 



So 





*»#*» v»« 



rarmtje ixsgaii 

So fpakeour Saviour 5 but the fubtlc Ficq^ > h ea r thee when I come("fince no maa comes) 

Though inly flung with anger anddifdain, >n d talk at lcaft, though I defpair to attain. 
Difiembl'df, and this Anfwer fmooth returned hy Father, who is holy, wife and pure, 



Sharply thou haft infiftcdon rebuke, 



ufFers the Hypocrite or Athcous Prieft 



And urg'd me hard with doings, which not *o tread his Sacred Cou n s, and minifter 



But mifery hath refredfrom Die 5 where 
*7°EafiIy canftthou find one miferablc. 



kbout his Altar, handling holy things, 
'raying or vowing, and vouchfaf d his voice 



And not infore'd oft-times to part from 1 "o Balaam Reprobate, a Prophet yet 



If it may ftand him more in ftead to e 3 
Say and unfay, feign, flatter, or abjure? 



nfpir'd, difdain not fiich aceds to me. 

I To whom our Saviour with una! ter'd brow. 



But thou art plac't above me, thou art Lord $ fby coming hither, though I know thy fcope ; 



From thee I can and mufr lub/niG endure 



bid not or forbid 3 do as thou find'ft 



Check or reproof, and glad to fcape fo quit. >erm ' lffion from above $ *« ca ° ft not raore * 

Hard arc the ways of truth, and rough to walk, He added not 5 and Satan bowil * loW 

SmnntKftn»i«»««« jt n i r- . . lis cray diffimulation , difappear'd 

smooth on the tongue difcourft, pleafmg to the* 

A.AnHtim^kia » cm t^- „ nto thin Air difFus'd : for now began 

480 And tuneable as Silvan Pipe or Song 5 

Whit- m ^A .1. r, , ,- . ^ight with her lullen wine to double-fhadc 

wnat wonder then if I delight to hear ■ ' 

Hrr fftA»* p 1 ^ nc Dcfertj Fowls in thir clay nefts were couch't 5 

"u dilates from thy mouth > moft men admir; ' y 

Vevno \ c 11 ^ now w ^ Beaftscame forth the woods to roam. 

«we> who follow not her lore j permit mc The find of th Ffrfi B00& 






US 




' : ■ .-. : . ■ . ■ : 





Faradife Regain d. 

nd as the days increas'd, increas'd thir doubt 



2 9 



Sometimes they thought he might be only (hewn, 
PARADISE REGAI J*l\ ndfor a timecaughtup to God, as once 

—^Mojes was in the Mount, and miffing long j 



The Second *B K. ^ nd the s reat: rhisl) ' ltc wno on My whcels 

ilode up to Heaven, yet once again to come 



therefore as thofe young Prophets then with care 
A/CEan while the new-baptiz*d,whoyetren$ought loR Eliab, foin each place thefe 

At Jordan with the Baptift, and had f eei Miglito Bethabara-, mjerk* 
Him whom they heard Co late exprefly call'd fheCity of Palms, &nm, and Salem Old, 



Jefus Mefliah Son of God declar'd, 



%la.ch£rus smd each Town or City wall'd 



And on that high Authority had believ'd, On this fide the broad lake Genezaret, 

And with him talkt, and with him lodg'd, ImeaP 1 ' ^Ferea 3 but retnrn'd in vain. 

Andrew and simon^ famous after known ^hen on tnc bank o^Jonla^ by a Creek : 

With others though in Holy Writ not nam'd, ^ here winds withr\eeds,and Ofiers whifp'ring play 

Now miffing him thir joy fo lately found, >lain Fiftermen, no greater men them call, 

loSdatcly found, and fo abruptly gone, " lore in a Co «age low together got 

Began to doubt, and doubted many clays, rhir unex P e &ed log and plaints outbreath'd. 

Mas, fri 



om what high hope to whatrelapfe 



Un 



50 Faradife Regained. Paradifc Regain d. 

Unlook'd for are we fall'n, our eyes beheld Bent his Anointed, and to us reveal'd him, 
Meffiah certainly now come, Co long By his great Prophet, pointed at and fhown 3 

Expected of our Fathers 5 we ha ve heard fa p K 3 and with him we have con vers'd 5 
His words, his wifdom full of grace and truth ^ c : us oeglad of thttj and all our fears 
Now, now, for fure, deliverance is at hand, My « n his Providence 5 he will not fail 
The Kingdom (hall to Tfiael be reftor'd ; Nor will withdraw him now, nor will recall, 

Thus we rejoye'd, but foon our joy is turn'd ^ odt us with his bIcft % nt > &en fnatc.h him hence. 
Into perplexity and new amaze : Sooi. Oiall fee our hope, our joy return. 

For whither is he gone, what accident 'stliey out of their plaints new hoperefume 

Hath, rapt him from us > will he now retire Fo ' lnd whom at the firft thc y found unfought : 



After appearance, and again prolong 
Our expectation > God ofiftael, 



3ut to his Mother Moy when flbe faw 
hth rs return'dfrom Baptifm, not her Son, 



Send thy Meffiah forth, the time is come 5 ^° r left at ^'^ **»■ of hira none 5 
Behold the Kings of the Earth how they opp/^" hcrbre ^ thou ghcalm;herbreft though pure, 
Thy chofen, to what highth thir pow r unjuft ^^ *** *** fea " S ot head > ^d rais'd 
They have exalted, and behind them caft ^ ***** th ° UghtS > which fi,e in W" *8l C&J d. 



Allfear of thee, arife and vindicate 



O what avails me now that honour high 



Thy Glory, f recthy peoplefrom thiryoke, > 0iaima ^**^<^*to* 

Butletuswai t5 thusfarhe hath perform d ? ^ ehl ^*^4«*»™wai blefr; 



Wiile 




H 



3 2 



Taradife Regain d. 
While I tomorrows am no lefs advanc't, 

?0 And fears as eminent, above the lot 

Of other women, by the birth I borr ? 
fn fecfa a fcafon born when fcarce a Shed 




Faradife Regain'd, 

That to the Hill and rifing he fhoukl be 

Of many in Ifr.id, and to a fign 

Spoken againlr, that through my very Soul 

A fvvdrd (ball pierce, this is my favour'd Io 



My Exaltation to A filiation: high 



Could be obtained to dicker him or me 

Fromthe bleakair 3 aStablewas our warmth, Afflicted! iSayfce, it feemfc and b left 5 

A Manger his, yet foon enforc't to flye j vvi]] no , nrguc ^ nor win repinc> 

Thence into Egjfp, till the Murd'rous King g ut v/here ( { days hc H/V ? fome g .. cat y^g 

Were dead, who fought his life, and miffing fill'd Conceals him: when ;.\ elvc years he fcarce had 

C ice; 

, I loft him, but fo found, as well I law ^ * 



With Infant blood the ftrcets of Bethlehem 
From Egypt home return d, in Nazareth 



"He could notlofe hirafelfj but went about 



1 

eo Hath been our dwelling many years, his life His Father's bufineG 3 what lie meant I mus'd, 



Private, unacYive, calm, contemplative, 
Little (ufpicious to any King; but now 



Since imderftarui; much more his abfeucenow 
ThusJong to fome great purpofehe obfeures. 



Full grown to Man, acknowledg'd, as I hear. But I to wait with patience am inur'd 5 
By Jtf/jfftheBaptift, and inpublick fhown, M >' hcart hathbeenaftore-houfc long of thin fe ; 
Sonown'dfrom Heaven by his Father's voice; And ^> r i"gslaid up, portending ftrangc events, 
I look't for fome great change 3 to Honour ? no, L nus Mir J' pondering oft, and oft to mind 
But trouble, as old Simeon plain fore-told, lec '^ng what rcmarkab! v had pafsct 

1 A*-* 



Sinctf 



. tatadifetegah I 

inc.: firflher Salutation heard, with thoughts 
Mcck ly composed awaited the fulfilling : 

II0 Thc while her Son tracing the Defcrt vvil 

So lebut«rithbolieftMecfitattOnsfed, 

Intohimfclf defended, sad at once 



■ 



Taradife Regain a. 
Without new trouble 5 fuch an Enemy 

s ris'n to invade iis, whonolefs 
Threat'nsour expulfion down to Heil 5 

Las f undertook, and with the vote 



4 



3? 



All his great w 



;orktoeome before hita fet 3 f^"*^ hi fell frequence was fmpowr'd, 



How to begin, how to accomplish beft 

His end of being on Earth, and million high : 

or Satan with flyc preface to return 
Had left him vacant, and with fpeed was goa 
lipto the middle Region of thick Air, 

■ 

ere all his Potentates in Council fate ■-, 

1 1 jyc\ thout fign of boaft, ot (ignbf joy 3 

Solicitous and blank he thus began. 



Have found him, view'H him, tafrcd him, but find 

Far other labour to be undergon 

Then when I dealt with Adam firft of Men, 



Princes, Heavens antics Sons,/EthcrealThro5 v , P 

5 -1 nerefore 1 1 



Though Adate by his Wives allurement fell 
However to this Man inferior far, 

Tfhe be Man by Mothers /Idea; teaff; ' 

With more then humane gifts from Heaven adorn'i 

Perfections abfolutc, Graces divine, 

And amplitude of tnmd to greateft Deeds. 



Demoniau Spirits now, from the Element 



amreturn'd, left confidence 



_. . rL . OFm y r « : ccefswith£^inParadife 

Each of his teign allotted, rightlter call'd, rweivn^ r „ 

n b .^^^^yefoperrwaGonover-rure 

Po'wers of Fire, Air, Water, and Earth beneath, ^p,.,- 

, .. , , ir UMlfcefircceccfln g^re5irummonaH 

> may wcho dour place and thefe mild feats *. , ■ . 

Wi* l0bc In radmeft with hand 

D 1 



' 



^ taradife Rtgain'd. Varadife Regam'd. 

Or counfel to affift j left I who erfl: Scverefc temper, fmooth the ruggedTt b row, 

Thought none my equal, now be over-match'd, Encrve, and with voluptuous hope diflb! vc. 

Sofpakc the old Serpent doubting, andfromall Draw out with credulous dcllre, and lead 
With clamour was aflur'd thirutmoftaid I At will themanlicfr, rcfohitcfl brcfr, 

At his command 3 when from amidfl them rofe As the Magnetic hardeft Iron draws. 

Women, when nothing clfc, begnil'd the heart 
"Of wifefr Solomon, and made him build, 



^Belial thediflolutcft Spirit that fell, 
The renfuallefr, and after Apfiodai 
The flemliefl: Incubus, and thus advis'd. 

Set women in his eye and in his walk, 

Among daughters of men the fairefl: found $ 

Many are in each Region paflmg fair 

As the noon Skie 5 more like to Goddcflcs 

tm w ,r> n i raw Tliirfliapc, thir colour, and a; tr. iye orscc 

Then Mortal CreatureSj graceful and ducreef, 3 UR :'" ,U ' 

r . . . , None arc, thou thiukTt, but t, a whh fuch tovs 

Expert in amorous Arts, enchanting tongues > »cu wimiutn rojs, 

Perfwailve, Virgin majefty with mild 

y And fwcetallny'd, yet terrible to approach, 

Skill'd to retire, and in retiring draw 

Hearts after them tangl'd in Amorous Nets. 



And made him bow to the Gods of his Wiw. 

To whom quick anfwer Satan thus return'd. 
BcU.d 3 in much uneven fealethouwci h'ft 
All others by thy felf; became of old 

Thouthy (elfdoat'ftou womankind, admiring 



Such obJe& hath the power to foft'n and tame 



Sev( 



Before the Flood thou withthvluftv Crew 

Falle titl'd Soma? God, roam in- tbc&fth 

5 o Cafl wanton eyes on the daughters of men, 

Andcoupl'dwiduhem^ndLe^raraee. 

Havewenotlun,orbyrd on kc L 

P 3. 



In 



?3 



Taradife K airid, 



', ■ 



In Courts md R gal Chambershow thou lurk n. 
In Wood or Grove by moflic Fountain 6de, 

In Valley or Green Meadow to way-lay 

Some beauty rare, Calip, Clymcnc^ 

* 

* 

OtAm) mne. Sjnit •••-.•• laoy more 

olongjthcn lay 'ft thy fcapesoa names* Ior'4 

^^i Uo 3 h "Jupiter, or r.?//, 

Satyr, or Fa' \ or Silvan? Buttheii haunts 
Delight not all 5 among the Sons ol Men, 



Taradifc Regain 
Of honour, wealth, high fare, aim'd notbeyc 

Higher defign (hen to enjoy his State $ 

Thence to the bait of Women lay expos 'd ; 

Jim he whom\ ittemptii wtfcr&r 

Then sofomon, of more exalt'. < I r I, 
Made and fct wholly on thcaccomphi 
Of greateft thingsjwhat woman will you find, 
•| Though of this Age the w idera fame 

m° On whom his Icifurc will vouch'. 
Of fond defire ? or fbould (he a 






Howmany have with a uaile made final! account A a+* ~r\ i m • -i-u 

■ • As fitting Queen ador d on I uttes I I 

Of : tuty and her lures., eafilyicora'd 
All her aflaults, on worthier things intent? 



P. ememberthat i" an Conguerour, 

A youth, m ail ti tiesof theEaft 

■ 



Deleend with all her winning charm be r 

J To enamour, as the Zone of /./: e 

I Wrought that effect on ;/u u fo Fablt 
How would one look fi on; ; - [ajeftickbi 



Heflig^tlyYiew^andflightlyoyer-pafs'ds Seatedasoa tfcetopofVen . 



Powheefirnarn'dof^/J-^di&ifs'd 
< ii!:is prime youth the &itlkr& 



wmaid 



'.' ' ' ' - liv'd at eafe, and fulJ 



Difcount'uanceherdefpis'd, and put to rout 

I All her array i her female pride dei , 

' urnto vcvcientawe? fbrBeau 
\ & I 







i ¥ or ad if c Regain d. 

In the admiration only of weak minds 

Led captive; ceafe to admire, andall hcrPl lmi 



pall fiat and ihrink into a trivial toy, 
At every fudden flightim* raitc abafht: 
Therefore with manlier obje&SWC mufttry 
Jlisconftancy, with fuch as have more Chew 



¥aradife Regain d. 
Of various perfbns each to know his part* 

•Then 10 the Defert takes with thefe his flight % 

■ 

'Where ftill from made to fljadc theSon -f God 

After forty daysfaftiug had remain d, 

Now hungring firit, and to himfelf thus :. 

I Wherewill this end '• four rimes ten days f fea^c 



Of worth, ofhononr, glory, andpopular praifej Wan dring this woody mrz^r.dhumar. bod 
Rocks whereon greateft men have oftelr wreck% or ta(lc d 3 nor had appc tire 5 that Faft 
Or that which only fecms to Katisfie I 

•.a Lawful defires of Nature, not beyond. 



To Vertue 1 imprjte not, or. count part 
Of what I fuller here 5 if Nature need not, 



- 



Andnow I I: now he hungers where no food Q r God fuppoje Nature without repift 



Is to be found, in the wide Wilderncfsj 
Therefr commit to me, I (hall let pafs 



Though needing;, what pratfe is it to endure? 
But now I feel I hunger, which declares. 



No advantage, and hisftrength as oftaflay. Nature hath need of what fhe asks ; yet God 
Heceasvl, ; ■ = heard thir grant in loud accIaifflCanfatisfie that need fome other way, 
hcofoitl with io him takes a chofen band Though hunger frill remain tfok remain 

: 

Without this bodies wailing, I content mc, 



in guile 



Of Spirits Pkeft to himfelf 

To be at han J, and at his beck appear, 

teufe wew to unfold fome active Seer 



cene 



■ 



• * 



And fromthe lYv..- ; of Famine fear > harm. 

Nor mind ir 3 fed with better thoughts that feed 
I ' Mee 



4 2 



Taramfe K again* d. 




Mce hungring more to do my Fathers will. 




.£. 



* Tvf (ra trie r . 
h r as r, eft with fat hispul . 

RMlfi ft* tf ^^ nthasth *^fr hugw0 re out night, and now the Herald Lark 

Commun'din fileot walk, then laid him down Lcfthis gro^d-oeft, Mgh towrmg to defery 
Under the hofpitabk covert nigh rhc fflorm approach, and greet her with htf Sopg i 

Or Trees thick interwoven there he flept, Asligh tIyiiom hisgralTy Couch uprofe 
AnddreamU as appetiteis wontto dream, p ur Saviour, and found all v, but a dream, 
Of meats and drinks Natures refrefli Fatting he went to flecp, and fa: ing wak'd. 

1 Dthougk. he; teBrookof ftoodtlpto ahill anon his ftepsherear'4 

And irit! • ■ From whofe high top token the pro^eft round, 

fie md Aioui. If Cottage were in view, Sheep-cote or Herd 5 

T. ■ ■ .>m what-But Cottage, Herd or Sheep-cote none he faw, 

talfbhoM .! ^ Only in a bottom (aw aplcafaut Grove, 



Into the D ' . ,-, there he flept 

Under. rj then how awakt. 



VVithchaunt of tuneful Birds refbundii load :, 
Thither he bent his way, determin'd there 



1 efbui ppero» thecoaJs prepar'di. To reft at noon, and entr'dfoon the (hade 



the Angel was bid rift andeat, 
eatthefecond time after r< ofe 5 



High roqft and walks beneath^ and alleys !■■■ 
That open'oUn the midft a wood* S nc. 



^eftrength whereof fuffie'd him forty days SViriires <^n WM*Hfc -•• arc taught 
nvedmesdMt! ith £/i ^hepartook, A nc!toaSuj itiou eycthchauai ^ 



44 Faradife Regain 

Of Wood-Gods and Wood-Nymphs 5 he 

When fuddenJy a man before hirn (rood, 



*, '. 



'orty 



Wan 

more defertcd 



iere indeed 



To whom thus Jefus;what conclud'ft thou hence) 



Not ruftic as before, but fecmiier clad, 

_ n 1 t t rhev all had need, I as thou feed have none. 

ic As one in City, or Court, or Palace bred, * ncy 

.„.„ , , /» j.i- . How haft thou hunger then? Satan reply 'd, 

Andwithfairfpeechthefc words to him add* 



Tell me if Food were now before thecfet, 
Would'ft thou not eat? Thereafter as I like 
rhc rivet, anfwer'djefus. Why Ihould that 



With granted leave officious I return, 
But much more wonder that the Son of God 
In this wild folitudc Co long fliould bide 
Of all things deftitute, and well I know. 
Not without hunger. Others of fome note, 
As (lory tells, have trod this Wildernefs 5 
The Fugitive Bond-woman with her Son 
Out caft K?h.iioth yet found he relief 
910 By a providing Angel 5 all the race 
Of IJrael hsiehad famifh'dL had not God »,,„«..,, *- , , . 

7 Nor prolier d by an Enemy, though who 

Rain'd from Heaven Manna, and that ProphetW ould fcTuple ^ with want op P reft > behold 
Native of rheks wandring here was fed Nature ^ m% QV better to cxprcfSf 

1 wice by a voice inviting him to cat. Troubl'd that thou fhonldft hunger, hath purvey 'd 



Caufcthyfefufal, faidthe fubtle Fiend, 
Haft thou not right to all Created things, 
Owe not all Creatures by jull right to thee 
Duty and Service, nor to fray till bid, 

But tender all their power? nor mention I 

Meats by the Law unclean, or ofTcr'd fir ft 
To Idols, thofe young David could refute 3 



Of thec theft forty days none hath regard, From all the Elements herchoiccft (lore 






To 






4<$ htedifi Regain' cf. 

To treat thee as b< is, and as her Lord 
With honour, only deign to lit and cat. 



Faradife K tin m 

fnder the Trees now tri p*d, novi i ftood 

lymphs of Diafta stsaia 3 and ;V; Us 



*7 



He (pake no dream, (bras his words hadc n ,j_ yj tn f ru ii tnrJ flowers Maltha's horn, 



Our Saviour lifting up his eyes beheld 



LndLad of th* Hejperides, tha 



- 

In ample Space under the broadcR fhade foirerthen feign'dof old, or fabJ'd f : 



*• A Table richly fprcd, in regal mode, 



if Fairy Damfelsmetin Foreftwi 



VViihdiihc.s-piird. and meats of noblefc fort >Y Knights of Lagres, or of L$on 

■ 

And favour, BeafTs of chafe, or Fowl of game, Jncetot or vdlcas. or Pe&*a* 9 

fa paftry built, or from the (pit, brboyl'd, M all the while Farmomous Airs were heard 

Oris-amber-freanYd 5 allFifh &omSeaor$horcp fchimill 8 fh ' n ' of charming pi] md winds 

foefiiet,or purling Brook, of fhell or fin, )f gentled 4vtta» odors fana'd 

And cxquiluefc name, for which wasdrain'd ' rora th «* Swings, and fWs earlieftfinelk 

Vmtus and £*»•««. Bay, :m d A f rjc Coaft. uch was tbc s P lcndour > ; - nd the Tempter now 



Alas how fimplc, to thefe Gates compared, ^ invitation ««^ »e*U 



Was that crude Apple that diverted ft* ! What d ° UbtS the Son of God to ft and c -' t ? 

'AndataffatelyHde-boardbythewine ' hefeare a<* Fruitsforbiddc,,, nointerdift 

That fragrant finell difTusU in order (rood ******* ***«« *** viands r „re 9 

Tall (Tripling youths richclad,„f fairer hew hirtaftc "^H™»;,„ hair of evil, 

^eo o^ or %MiftaQt morc . h '* ***** defcoys life's enemy, 



r dt?t c*< 



r. 

!■■■■■■ 



g Faradfte Kt^. ... 

1, *#ith fweet relative delight. fxradifi Rtgatfd: A9 

nui,fe J , . ... . TO whom thus anfwcr'd Satan malecontcnt: 

All thefe ate Spirits of Air, and Woods, and! . , r r 

AU lh ' ' That I have alio power to give thou fecir, 

Thv gentle Minifters come to pay 

1 n > » " |f f t hat pow r I bring thee voluntary 

Thre honaze, arid acknowledge thee thir L^ | ' , 

1 Qee no 6 ' ! What I might havebeftow'd on whom I pleas'd* 

What c!oMbt'!lt:io'--. Son of God >. (it down and k , , , . .. , 

wvmi uu ■ And rather opportunely m this place 

Trtwhom thusTeiilS temperately reply'd: M r . i 

townomwwj i 7i/. chofeto impart to thy apparent need, 

^flid'ft thounot that tdali things I had right? .... n . , a . . . , , r 

Miauuiuuu d o Why ftouJdftthounot aceeptit? but llee 

* And who withholds my pow'r that right tout Whatlcandoor bffet isfi.lre^ 



Shall I receive by gift what of my own 



t * 

Of thefe things others quickly will difpofe 



Whenand where likes rne Deft, I can command* Whofe pains :have earn'd the far fet fpoil. With that 
lean at will, doubt not, aflbon as thou, Bt)th Tableand Proviilou vaniuYd quite 

Command a Table in this Wildernefs, With found of Harpies wings, and Talons heard 5 

And call fwift flights of Angels miniftrant Only the importune Tempter (till remain'd , 
Array'd in Glory on my cup to attend : And with thefe words his temptation ptu fu'd. 

Why fhouldft thou then obtrude this diligence, By hunger, that each other Creature tames, 
In vain, where no acceptance it can find, Thou art not to be harm'd, therefore not rnoVd 5 
And with my hunger what haft thou to do ? ■ rn >' tem pcfance invincible belides, 

^H ■ or no allurement yields to appetite, 



89e Thy pompous Delicacies I contemn, 

And count thy fpecious gifts no gifts but guile* W allth >' beat is feton high dcGgns, 

£- 



Higfc 



Paradife Regdia'd. 






ind. 



^ t-«#-w v ---o | Paradife Regain 

High actions 3 but wherewith to be atchiev'dv -, Thcy whom I favour thrive in wcaJjhamain : 

Great afts require great means of enterprife, whi , e virtuCj Valour, Wifdom lit in want. 



Thoa art unknown, unfriended, low of birth, 
A Carpenter thy Father known, thy felf 
Bred up in poverty and freights at home \ 
Loft in a Defcrthere and hunger-bit: 



To whom thus Jefus patiently rcply'd 5 
fct Wealth iviih W theft three is impotent 
To gaia dominion or to Ilfep it gain'd. 

Witnefithoiennticnt Empires QftheEaitfo, 



Which way or from what hdpedoft thouafpirc Inhighth afallthir ['owing .. ihh diiTolv'd : 



To greatnefs? whence Authority deriv'ft, 






But men endu'd withthefe have oft attai 



What Followers, what Retinue canft thou gain, in loweft: poverty to higheft deeds 5 



4»Or at thy heels the dizzy Multitude, 



Gideon and Jephtha^nd the Shepherd lad. 



Longer then thou canft: feed them on thy coll: ) «<• WhofcofT-fpring on the Throne oV'Judd fat 

1 

Money brings Honour, Friends, Conqueft, mi So m ™Y Ages, and (hall yet regain 

(Real: 
What rais'd M-t/paterthe Edomite, 



And his Son J/«Wplac'd on Judas Throne; 
(Thythrone)hutgold that got him puiflant frier 



That feat, and reign in ijrael without end. 

. „ i 

Among the Heathen, (for throughout the World" 

* 

Tome is not unknown what hath been done 



Therefore, if at great things thou wouldfr arriit Worthy of Memorial) canft thou net remember 
Get Riches firft, get Wealth, and Treafurc he^f ££?***»* NM&u, Cn< iks, Reguim .<? 



Not difficult, if thou hearken to me, 
Riches arc mine, Fortune is in my hand J 






For Icfteemthofc names of men fo poor 
Who could do mighty things, and could 

E * 



contemn 



Rich 




w And what in me feems wanting, but that I 
May alfo in this poverty as Coon 



Paradifej Regain d. 

Which every wife and vcrtuous man attains : 
And who attainsnot, illafpirestorule 
f Cities of men, orhead-frrong Multitudes, 



■ 

Accomplifti what they did, perhaps and more > Subject hfm&ftO Anarchy within, 

« 4 m ri 



Extol not Riches then, the toy 1 of Fools, 



Orlawldspaffions in him which he fcrves. 



The wifemans cumbrance if not fnare, more ap; Butto guide Nations inthc way of truth 
To flacken Virtue, and abate her edge. By Hiving Doctrine, and from crrour lead 

Then prompt her to do aught may merit praifo To know, and knowing worfhip God aright, 
What if with Iikcaverfion I reject Is yet more Kingly, this attracts the Soul, 

Riches and Realms 3 yet not for that a Crown, Governs the inner man, the nobler part, 

Golden in fhew, is but a wreath of thorns, Tnat other o're the body only reigns, 

4* Brings dangers, troubles, cares, and fleeplefsnigb AniIof " t °y force, which to a generous mind 

To him who wears the Regal Diadem, }9So r cigningcanbe no finccre delight. 

When on his fhouldcrs each mans burden lies j MJ esto give a Kingdom hath been thought 

For therein ftand* theoffice of a King, 



His Honour, Vcrtue, Merit and chief Praife, 
Thar for the Publick all this weight he bears. 
Yet he who reigns within himfclf, and rules 
P..frions,Cefiies, and Fears, is more a King; 



Greater and nobler done, and to lay down 
Far more magnanimous, then to aflame. 



VVi 



Riches are needled then, bothfcc themfelves, 
And for thy reafon why they fiiould be (bug! 

Togain a Scepter, ofteft better adfi't. 

The ibid of the Second j>o ( J^ 



m, 



S3 










54 






f T aradij e &eg<*w 

ShouM Kings and Nations from thy 



mouth confult 



Thy Counfcl would be as the Oracle 



** ^ ^ wm and Thnmnnm, thoie oraculous gems 

PARADISE REGAIN T) 0n Am & breaft : or tongue of Seers old 

I infallible 5 or wcrt thou fought to deeds 



K. 



f~> (pake the Son of God, and Satan flood 
i while as mute confounded what to fay, 
reply, confuted and convinc't 
•f his weak arguing, and fallacious drift 5 

At length collecting all his Serpent wiles, 



Could not tuftsin thy Prowers, or fublift 

In battel, though aga'mfc thy few in arms. 

Thcfe Cod-like Vermes wherefore c!oft ihxi hide 

AfR cling private life, or more obfeuve 

Fn favage Wildernefs, wherefore deprive 

All Earth her wonder at thy afts, thy fcM 



W i 1 h toothing words renew'd, h i m th us accoftj, Thc famc nnd glory, gl° r y tnc reward 



I iee thou kaow'ft what is of ufe to know, 
Whatbefh< ycaoft fay, todocanftdoj 



That fole excites to high attempts the fame 
Of moft erected Spirits, mod temper'd pure 



Thy aftioai to thy words accord., thv words ^^erialjWhoallpleafuEescKe defpife, 

J 
ttothylargeheart give utterance due, ihylu-nu AU "Nuresaud all gain efteera as <bo$, 



• ins ofgoodjwife juft 3 the perfect: ftiape. 

■ - - $! 



* And dignities and powers all but thehiaheft : ' 

1 ' 



T 



5 



ifiradije Regain d. 



Thy years nrc rife, and over-ripe, the Son. 
Q{ Uiccdonia,: rhilip had e're thefe 
Won AU and the Throne of Cyrus held 
At his diipofc, young Scipio had brought do*,, 
The C&rtUgimm pride, young r<?»//>cy qudj^ 
The Vofitic King and in triumph had rode. 





. 'aradif* Regained, 

h mifcellaneous rabble, who extol p ^.^ 

Things vulgar, 8c wellweigh'd, fcarce worth the 
They praife and they admire they know not what* 
And know not whom, but as one leads the other 5 
And what delight to be by fiich extoll'd, 
To live upon thir tongues and be thirtalk, 



4? 



Yet years, and to ripe years judgment mature. „ , , Jr ■ .1 c 11 ;r„> 

} ' * J ° ^ ofwhomtobedifpraisdwerenofmallpraile? 

Qucnchnotthcthirft of glory, but augment. „• , , 1 1 e 1 1 1 

"- © /' & uu h, s jot who dares be fingularly good, •, 

Great lulius. whom now all the world admires *•«•• *.ir t 1 1 *r 

J 5 mt > Th intelligent among them and the wife 

The more he grew in years, the more inliara'd at j 1 r rf • •,, 

' »m«uim Are Few, and glory fcarce of few is raisd. 

With glorv, wept that he had liv'dfo lone tu; •, * „„ i„,. . j 1 ^ j 

f1 J r p Ihisis true glory and renown, when God 

Inglorious: but thou yetart not too late. Lookjngon ^ cEmh> with approbationm3rlfI 

To whom our Saviour ealmly thusrcplyU The j„ft man,and divulges him through Heaven 
Thou neither dolt perfwade meto feek wealth To all his Angel., who with true applaufe 



For Empires fake, nor Empire to affect 
For glories fhke by all thy argument. 



Recount hispraifes; thus he did to Job., 

W'hcn tocxtendhis fame through Heaven Sc Earth, 



Fqrwhat it glory but the blaze of fame, As thou to thy rcproaci may ft wejl remember, 

The people praife, ifahvnvs praife unmixi> Hcask'd.thcr, baftthonfeenmy fervant>/,> 
! ' ! « hai Che people bur • herd confus'd, pmousfc was in Heaven, on Earth lets known ■ 



Where 




$8 



faradife Kegam'd. 



~fara$f* Regain'd. 

But if there be in glory aught: of good, 



59 



in'd 



g> 



Where glory b &lfe jtorf a attributed 

[To things notglorious, men not worthy tfft^ ^ ftr different be attain 
Theyerrwho count it glorious to fubdue J^ ^.^ war> or violence 5 
By Conqueft far and wide, to over-run '■ ^ of ^^ by wifdorn cm i„ent, 

Large Countries, and infield great Battels^ B tiencc , temperance h I mention ftill 
Great Cities by alTauk : what do thefe Woi^ whom thy wrongs with Saintly patience bom. 
But rob and fpoil, burn, (laughter, and enflavc Made famous in a Land and times obfeure* 
Peaceable Nations, neighbouring, or remote, who names not novv with honour patient Job ? 
Made Captive, yet deferring freedom more p o0r 9mm ( w ho next more memorable?) 
Thenthofethir Conqucrours, who leave behia By w hat he taughtand fuffer'd for fodoin 
Tvxhhigbut ruin wherefoe're they rove, p or trut hs fake fufTering death unjuft, lives now 
* And all the flourifhing works of peace deftroj Equa j •„, fa m w proudeft Conqucrours. 
Thenfwell withpride, andmuft be titl'dGofi^Yetif for fame and glory aught be done, 
Great Benefactors of mankind, Deliverers, Aught fuflcr'd 5 if young African for fame 
VVormip't with Temple, Prieft and Sacrifice; His wafted Country freed from Tunic rage, 
One is the Son of Jove, of Atars the other, The deed becomes unprais'd, the man at leafr 
Till Conqucrour Death difcover them fearer And ] (b, though but verbal, his reward. 
R owling in brutifh vices, and deform'd, ? hal1 J && glory then, as vain men feek 
Violent or fhameful death thir due reward. °* not ddcrv'd ? I feek not mine, but his 




1 



J 



1^ fdradife Regatn>d, fr 

WhoCcnt m andthcreby witnefs whc 0c J ParacUfe K e g ain<d. 

To whom the Tempter murmuring t | 1Us r r rcely* of whom What could he iefsexpecr. 
Think not fo (Tight of glory 5 therein I ea [} then glory and benediction, that is thanks, 
*«IlcfernbJing thy greatFather : hefeeksg] 0f fhe flighted, eafieft, rcadicft recompence 

Andfot his glory all things made, all things ' rom thcm whocolI ' d «ttrn him nothing elfe, 

ind not returning chat would iikclieft render 



€ 



Orders and governs, nor content inHeavea 
By all his Angels glorifi'd, requires 



:ontemptinftcadj difhonour, obloquy? 



Glory from men, from all men good or bad, *"* rccom P cnce > unfutabIc rcturr > 
Wifeorunwir^nodifTcrenc^noexemptioni ^ fomuc,, S ood > fo much beneficence. 

Above all Sacrifice, or hallow'd gift ' lUt Why ^ man f * ek 8 Ior >' ? who of his °*« 

*. , • j , , . * a *h notlnng, and to whom nothing belones 

Glory he requires, and glory he receives 

r, t t „xr • T *ut condemnation, ignominy, and fhame? 

Promiicuous from all Nations, Jew, or Greek 

,J Vho for fo many benefits rcceiv'd 
Or Barbarous, nor exception hath dcclar'di r . 1 

f urn d recreant to God, ingrate and falfe, 

»• From us his foes pronounc't eloryhc exafts. ' , r en 

t b >i cxaw ' md fo of all true good himfelfdefpoil'd, 

To whom our Saviour fervently rcplyU ^ ^.^ ^ ^^ ^ 
Andreafon 5 fince bis word all things product hat which to God alone of right belongs* 
Though chiefly not forglory asprimeend, r« fo much bounty is inCod, fuch grace, 



But to (hew forth his goodncls, and impart That who advance his glory 5 notthir own, 
His go.odcommunica.blc to. every foul r*hem he himfelf to glory will advance. 



So 



faradife Regain d. 



v- 



faradife Regain 



irid* 



61 



on 



fGod^ andhcreagai d ^ _.^ by fitting ftill or thus retiring.' 



So did not Jmkdm t he indeed 
Renr'duntotheDefer^butwkhnrms 

An d o-rt a mighty King fo oft prevail^ 



4* 

So fpake the S 
S a .n had not to anfwer, but ftood fnuck 

Wuhg uiltofhisownfin,fi>rhcInm(clf 

liable of glory had loft all, ^ 

y ct of mother Plea bethought bim foon. Thatby fe^ hand hi. Family obtain d, 

* Ofg lorya.thouwilt } n,dhc 3 fodecm, Though Pr iefts 3 the Crown, and »^J£^ 

Worth or not worth tlic fecking, let it pafs j Wkh Modin and her Suburbs cnee content. 

But to a Kingdom thou art born, ordain'd , f K j ng dom move thee not, let move thee Zeal, 

To fit upon thy Father David's Throne 5 An d Duty 5 Zeal and Duty are not flow h 
By Mothers fide thy Father, though thy right b uC onOccafions forelock watchful wait. 

Be now in powerful hands, that will not part They themfelves rather are occafion bell, 



Eafily from poiTeffion won with arms j 
Jadta now and all the promis'dland 



Zeal of thy Fathers houfe. Duty to free 
Thy Country from her Heathen fervitudc 5 



Rcduc't a Province under Roman yoke, So (halt thou beft fullfil, be ft verifie 



Obeys Tiberius 5 nor is always rul'd 



The Prophets old, who fungthy endlefs raign, 



^ With temperate (way 5 oft have they violatd The happier raign the (boner it begins, 



The Temple, oft the Lawwithfoul affront:, 'lUign then; what canft thou better do the while? 

T° whom our Saviour anfwer thus return d. 
All things ar j belt. fullfil'd mth*r due time, 



Abominations rather, as did once 



AMiochus : and thinks thou to regau: 



And 



6jl TaradifeRtgain'd. 

And time there is for all things, Truth hath f a j c i, 
If of my raign Prophetic Writ hath told, 
That it flialJ never end, fo when begin 
The Father in his purpofe hath decreed, 
He in whofe hand all time's and fealbmrouh 
Whatif he hath decreed that I fliall firft 
Be try "d in humble (fate, and things adverfe 




Taraclife Regain d» 
And my promotion will be thy deftruction ? 

To whom the Tempter inly rackt reply W. 

Let that come when it comes} all hope is loir: 

Of my reception into grace} what worfc? 

For where no hope is left, is left no fear } 

If there be worfc, the expectation more 

- 

'Of worfc torments me then the feeling: cad* 



«* 



' iraBy tribulations, injuries, infults, . ,,, . « n . 

J f would be at the worn 5 word is my Port, 

Contempts, and fcorns, and (bares, and violent 1 * u -1 j 1 • r 

13 ' lulCDC i» My harbour and my ultimate rcpofc, 

Suffering, abflaining, quietly expecting Thc end r Vvouk] ^ my ^ goodi 
Without diftruft or doubt, that he may know My error was my error, and my crime 

Whatl can fuffer, how obey > who beft My crime 3 whatever for it felf condemn d ; 

Can fuffer, beft candor belt reign, who firft And will alike be puniuYd} whether thou 

Well hath obey 'd 3 jufttryal e'relmerit Raign or raign not} though to that gentle brotv 

My exaltation without change or end, Willingly { could flye, and hope thy raign, 

But what concerns it thee when I begin * tom && placid afpeer and meek regard, 



My everlafting Kingdom, why art thou 
kiaSollicitous, what moves thy inquifitioni 



Rather then aggravate my evil irate, 
Would fhnd between :v. c and thy Fathers 



Know'ft thou not that my rifing is thy &ft J h ° fc lre l drGad more then the fire of HeJ I ) 



A 



£ faradife Rcgaitt'd. 

r A (belter and a kind of fliading cool 
Interpolation, as a fummers cloud. 
If I then to the worft that can be haft, 
Why move thy feet fo flew to what is heft 




faradife Regain' d. 
frhe wifeftj unexperienc'r, will be evef 
Timorous and loth, with novice modefty, 
('As he who fceking A Acs found a Kingdom) 
Jrrcfolutc, ulihardy, unadventrous : 



<7 



Happieft both to thy felf and all the world, , ,>«.«. 

* r jjutl will bring thee where thou loon Inalt quit- 

That thou who worthieft art Qiould'ft be thirl; ... >„ , r ,. 

Thofe rudiments, and fee before thine eyes 

Perhaps thou linger' ft in deep thoughts detail .. .. r , « , .- ? a * 

* & b " a The Monarchies of the Earth, thir pomp and ftate.. 

Of the enterprize fo hazardous and high; ,. . . , «. . c . 

b Sufficient mtrodu&ion to inform 

Nowonder, for though in thee be united Thcc , ofthy(1 : irfonrr? - mrcgal Arts , . 
•>• What of perfccTioncan in man be found, ^ r<#] ^^^ . ^ ^ ^ know 

Or human nature can receive, confider How bcft thch . oprofition to wilh ft and . 

Thy life hath yet been private, moft part fpe-it Wlth that ^ fuch powcr was ^ him the ,^ he 

At home, fcarce view'd the Gallikan Towia, The Son of God up to a Mountain high. ^ 



And once a year JtrttfiUm* few days 



It was a Mountain at whole verdant feet 



1 * 

Short fojourn jand what thence could'ft thoyo^A fpatious plain out ftrctch't in circuit wide 
The world thou haft not feen, muchlefs btffLay plcafant} from his fide two rivers flow'd, 
Empires, and Monarch?, and thir radiant Crfh' one winding, the other ftrait and left bet weeii 
Beft fchool of beft experience, quickeltin #™ Champainwiili fe&rlvett inttrveind, 

In all things that to greatct actions lead. Thcn m #*H m™ to tribute to the Sea * 

b h s * a Fen 





Fertil 



corn 



far* 

the 



the 



am 

oyl and wine. 



res throng'd, with 




flock 



*aradife Regain] 

And feat of S 'aim an afar, whofe fuccefs 

rfrael'iti long captivity (till mourns 5 



•••With he 

Hag e Cm nnd high tovvr'd, that well migfctf Th«e Mfete the wonder of all tongues, 

The feat* of mighrieft Monarchy and fo lag, 'A' *<*<«*' but «** "* hira «*• •*• 

The Profpeclw., thatherc andtherc w** 7« Wa " da " "* ^ **» ** 

,. - . r 1 j Led captive, and lemftlcm laid wade. 

For barren defert fountainlcfs and dry. * J ■> waicc > 

. . *p t , Till C/r;// fct them free 5 rerf-polis 
To this high mountain top the Tempter broug s J t 

. - ,. His City there thou feed, and Battra there; 

Our Saviour, and new train or words began, 

. , , ...... ,,, Bcbataaa her ftrufturc vaft there (hews, 

1 Well have wefpeeded, and o re hillandaak, 

And Hecdtompyhs her hirodcrd gates, 
Forcft and field, and flood, Temples and Tow; 

i here Sufi by cUifpcs, amber ftrcam, 
Cutfliorter many a league j here thoubcnolo. _...,. 

ine drink or none but Kings} of later fame 
^fe'4 and her Empires antient bounds, 
"^ Bl »'t by Emath/an, or by /Wj/\/« hands, 

WAraxcs and the C<*fc« lake, thence on > T k«« *«i .*,.*, 

y/ The great ffeftnti^ N//7i/V, and there 

As far as jWkj Eafh Euphrates Well, .. t _ . _ - . 

r drtaxata, Teredo//, Teftphon, 

And oft beyond 3 to South the rerfian Bay, -r • _„.„# „„ r . >n , , , . 

1 ' . nrning with eafie eye thou may ft behold. 

And inaeeeffible the Arabian drouth : AI1 lhcfe ^ ^ . ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ 

HcvcNincvce, of length within her wall B y great ^fi«/ led, who founded firft 

Several days journey, built by Ninus old, That Empire, under hi* dominion hold. 
Oft&fc&ft golden Monarchy the featj 






F 



from 






in 



luxurious Kir 



Antioch won 



ardi 



am 



from Ar/tchojta, fromCW.wr Eaft, 
And juft in time thou com'ft to have n view ^ ^.^ ro the ^^ dffi 

Of his great power ; for now the VmhUn ^ oUMafit , and dark tkritn date, 



7« 



In Ctcfiphon hath gathcr'd all his Hoft 






From Atrophia and the neighbouring plaint 



... Againft the Scythhn, whofe IhoUrfions wild of M „ tk „ c> Mcll .,, and the South 



Hare wafted Sogdhivii^ to her aid 






L Qtsufiana to Ealfuras hav'n. 



He inarches now in baft? fee, though from far, H efawthemin thir forms of battel! rangd, 
Histhoufands, in what martial equipage How quick thcy w heel'd,and flying behind thcmQiot 

They iflue forth, Steel Bows, and Shafts their an Sharp fleet of arrowiefhower agaiafttbe race 



Of equal dread in flight, or in purfuit* 



Ofthirpurfucrs, and overcame by flight 3 



All Horfemen, in which fight they moft excel? The field all ironcaft a gleaming browr,. 



Sec how in warlike mufter thcy appear, 



Nor wanted clouds of foot, nor on each to 1 ■ . ■ . 



In Rhombs and wedges, and half moons, andwi: Cuiraffiers all in (led for ftandffie ggfoi 

He look't and Caw what numbers numberltfj Chariots or Elephants endorfc with Towers 

.roThe. City gates out povvr'd, light armed Troop Cf Archers, nor of labouring Pioncrs 

In coats of Mail and military pride 5 «' A multitude with Spades and Axe. arm'd 

In Mail thir horfes clad, ycf fleet mid (hong, To lay hillsplain, fell woods, or vallcyshU 

Praunciiig their riders bore, the (lower andeb Or where plain was raifehill, or over-lay 

Of many Provinces from bound to bound 5 With bridges rivers proud, as with a yoke J 

f: F 4 



\ fule* 



I 



^HHSHRf, Camels and Dromedaries 
Waggons fraught with tltenfils of ^ar. 
Such forces met not, nor fo wide a camp, 
When Jerk- an with all his Northern powers r l »* /rr«i r , ~. 

3 * cn But. fay thou wer t poflefs d of David's Throne 



taradife. Regained. 

Thou never (halt obtain 5 prediction ftill 

In all things, and all men, fuppofes means, 

Without means us'd, what it predicts revokes, 



73 



# 



Befieg'd Albracca, as Romances tell 5 
The City of Galbphrove, from thence to win 
B «*The fiircfrofher Sex Auoclka 



By frceconfiajl of all, none oppofite, 



Long to enjoy It quiet and fecure, " 
His daughter, fought by many Proweft Knights : between two fuch enclofing enemies 



hope 




Both Taynint) and the Peers of Charlcwanc. 
Such and fo numerous was thir Chivalries 



Roman and F.irlhiau} therefore one offhefc 
Thou mult makefure thy own, the r.*r/A/j» firfV 



«o; 



Atfight whereof the Fiend yet more prefum'd, By my advice, as nearer andoflate 
And to our Saviour thus his words renew'd. Found able by invaflon to annoy 

1 hat thou may'ftknowl feck not to engage Thy country, and captive lead away her Kiivgs 
Thy Vcrtue, and not every way fecure Autism* a " (1 *M Hyrcimts bound, 

On no Hight grounds thy fafety 5 hear, and mark Maugrcthe R mmf • a fball be my task 
To what end f have brought thee hither and (b« To render ^thee the Tirthum at difpofe* 
AH this fair light 5 thy Kingdom though foretold CIuifc which thou wilt by conqueft or by league. 

% Prophet or by Angel, unlds thoJ "" ' " " " " 

Endeavour, asthy Father David did, 



Tfc 



«Byh«m thou (halt regain, without him not. 
That which alone can truly reinftall thee 



In 



'aradife Regain' d. 



74 

In David* royal Teat, his true Succeflbur, 
Deliverance of thy brethren, thofe ten Trii 
VVhofc offering in his Territory yet fery* 





faradife 

\ of enemies, of aids, battels and leagues 



°'\ pi au fible to the world, to me worth naught 
Mcanslmu ft ufe thou fay 'ft, prediction clfc 



■ 



In Habor, And among the Media difpers't, vn , jri c \ -r-, 

ian & ' will unprcchel: and fail me of the Throne: 



Ten Sons of Jacob, two ofjofeph loft 



Thus long from Jfiaclj ferving as of old 
Thir Fathers in the land of 'Egypt ferv'd, 
This offer fcts before thee to deliver. 
* lo Th«fciffromfcrvitude thou flylt reftore 
To thir inheritance, then, nor till then, 
Thou on the Throne of David in full glory, 
From Egypt to Euphrates &n& beyond 




My time I told thee, (and that time for thee 
Were better fartheft off) is no yet comes 
When that comes think not thou tofindme Hack 
I On my part aught endeavouring, or to need 
I Thy politic maxims, or that cumberfome 
vt Luggage of war there fliewn me, argument 
I Of human weaknefs rather then of ftrencrth. 



^^^H My brethren, as thou call 'ft them ; thofe Ten Tribes 

Shalt raign, and Rome or Cs.far not need fear. [ muft deliver, if I mean to raign 

To whom our Saviour anfwer'd thus unrnov Davids tree heir, and his full Sc-. rer fway 
Much oftcntation vain of flefhly arm, 



^H lojuft extent over all ifraeli- So :< 

And fragile arms, much inftrument of war But whence to thee this zeal 3 where was it then 

Long in preparing, foon *o nothing brought, For j/W, or fur David 9 or his Throne 

Before mine eyes thou haft fet 5 and in my car When thou ftood'ft u s Tc le 



•,o Vented much policy, and projects deep 



Ofnymbring / '. . hic'i cc th: 13 • 







_£ Faradife K egaitfd. 

♦'•Of thrcefcore and ten thoufind ifiaelite. 




By three days Pcftilencc > fuch was thy zeal H' ! follow 3 and to thir Gods perhap. 



t\KA ' 



■ 



To I fad then, the dime that now to mc. 

As for thofc captive Tribes, themfclvcs weretk Thir c 

Who wrought their own captivity, fell ofT Tel :i 

from God to worfliip Calves, the Deities 

Of Fgypt, Baal next and 4ji)tarotb> 

And all the Idolatries of Heathen round, 

Bcfides thir other worfe then hcathenifh crimes j 

Nor in the land of their captivity 

4t# Hu m bl ed t hem felves, or penitent befought. 

The God of their fore-fathers; butfo dy'd 
Impenitent, and left a race behind 
Like to themfclvcs, diftinguifliablc fcarce 
FromGcntilsjbutby Circumcifion vain, 
And God with Idols in their w-orfliip joy n'd. 
Should T of thefe the liberty regard, 
Who freed, as to their anticnt Patrimony, 
"Vlnhumbl'd, unrepentant, unrcform'd, 



• ' dun) no, let them fervc 
who fervc Idols with God. 
rth, time to himfclf beft known, 
ogjjjcm Abraham by fome wond'rous call 

May''!' 1 m back repentant and finccre, 

And at thei • ling cleave the Jfffyritm flood, 
While to thei .itiveland with joy they haft. 
As the Re % nd Jordan once he cleft, 
When to '-omis'd land thir Fathers paiYd -, 

To his due i: « and providence I leave them. 
«• So fpake Ijhci's true King, and to the Fiend 
Madeani'wcr meet, that made void all his wiles. 
So fare, it when with truth falfliood contends. 



7hz End of th 'thtrd B^k; 



7* 





faradife Regain d. 

I'd falve his credit, and for very fpighc 



n 



■^ 



Ǥ^####^W^W ''V Wf>$$ Still willbe tempting hirn whofoylshim (till, 

And never ceafe, though to hisfhame the more j 

PARADISE REGAlNi't 0rasarvvarmofHicsinviBtagctimC3 

About the wine-prefs where fweet mouft is powr'd, 



K Heat off, returns as oft with humming found j 
Or furging waves againft a folid rock, 
Tlioughall to fhivers dauYt,thcaffaulr renew, 
Erplex'd ant' iroubl'd at his bad fuccefs • \ ain battry, and in froth or bubbles end ; 
TheTcmptc; ^^o-a, doj had what to rep bSatan, whom repulfc upon repulfc 
Difcovcr'd in his I -own from his hope, ' let ever 5 and to Ihameful (ilencc brought. 




So oft, and the pci ■ -Rhetoric 



Vet gives not ore though defperate offuccefs. 



. That fleck' t his to , and won lb much on / : uJ his vain importunity purfucs. 
So little here, nay loir 5 but Eve was Eve, He brought our Saviour to the wefcern fide 

This far his over-match, who felf deceiv'd Of that high mountain, whence he might behold 

■ 

And rath, before-hand had no better weight Another plain, long but in bredth not wide 5 

The ftrcngth he was to cope with, or his own : ^V*afli*ci by the Southern Sea, and on the North 

"But as a man who had been matchlefs held To ec 3 ua l length back'd with a ridge of hills 

In cunning, over-reach't where teafthcthoug&v *"<*«'<! the fruits of the earth and iwts of m 

ir... 



en 
From 



Paradife Remind 



g Taradife Regain d. 

From cold <«**«» bte»% thence in the ^ ^^Ue, and .here Mount vd*H*i 

Dm dcd by a river, of whole banks Thc ,t» P «i8lPalace > C« n pafs huge, »d high 

On eachfide m Imperial C.ty (teod, ^ ^.^ ^ rf ^ft ^.^ 

With Towers and Tempks proudly c-levnte „,„,, ,,,,,,„, batt , cmcnts , ^^ , j; . 

On (even toll Hills, with Palaces adoro'd, m ,„,, Tm ^ ^ ^^ ^ 

Porches and Theatre,, Baths, Aqucdufc, ' ^ , &jt Ed ,, ;cc ^ , ; . . 

Statuesand Trophees, and Triumphal Are,, Hm , ( . sof Gods(fo v ,, d! , 1; ,, v ^^ 

Gardens and Groves prefentedto his eyes, 
Above the highrh of Mountains interpos'd* 
^By what ftrangc ParalJax or Optic skill 

* 

Of \-ifion muitiplyed through air, orglaft 
Of Tclefcope. were curious to enquire : 



8 




[ My Aerie Microfcope) tta fl 1 may 'ir behold 
: Outfideand infideboth, Pillars and roofs 
I Carv'd work, the hand of fam'd Artificers 
tj In Ced.ir, Marble, Ivory or Cold. 
; Thence tothc gatescaft round thine eve, aad fi 



And now the Tempter thus his filence broke. What conflux iiliung forth, or cntrins b, 

The City which thou feeft no other deem p rctor , 3 n r0 co;ifuls to , fc Provinccs 
Then great andglorious Rome, Queen of the E: Haftingor on return, in robe, of States 



So far renown'd, and with the fpoils enricht 
Of Nations 5 there the Capitol thou feeft 
Above the reft lifting his (lately head 
On the TaqtUv rock, iier Cittadd 






Lifters and rods the cnfigns'of thir power, 
Legions and Cohorts, turmesof horic andwings : 
°r Embafli - s from Region* tar remou: 
" ! various habits on the Mas road, 



Q 



Of 






'aradife Regaitfd. 



82 Faradife Regain d. 

Or on the MmiUan, fomc from farthe(t South, J 6—" ** $3 

wtfm. andwtere Aeflwdow both way fall s , ThcTehavingnMnvnthec, Ihavefhewntheeall 

JM, N/tofc We, tad more to Weft, The Kingdoms of the world, *, all chlr g , ory> 

The Realm of mdm to the Black-moor Sci . < ;Tfe ^P™*^ " S ""= •« nowb >d, 

Fromthe^» Kingsand Uribm among , htf( . a"*"*"* 1 *"* and *» *- kW 

3 To Cd/w,* a n Iflandfma 1 1 but ft rontr 

From India and the golden Cherfeuefi, uron & 

rt j it, ,- rn *-- 1 Onthettw^wwafliore, with purpofe there: 

And atmoft imli.w Iiie Tapw&a#e 9 l r "*** 

• His horrid Infrs in private to enjov, 

Dusk races with white iilkcn I urbants wrcath'u: . 

Committing to a wicked Favourite 
From Gte£$4 GWtv, and the Brittij!) Weft, 

... . kt , lAUpublickcare^andyctofymKiifpicbm 

Germans and Scythians, and Sarmatiatis North 



Beyond Datmlius to the T auric Poo!. 
£e AIl Nations now to JZomk obedience pay, 



Hated of 511, and hating 5 with what cafe 
Indu'd with Regal Vertucsas thou art 



~ „ , „ Appearing, and beginning noble deed* 

I o &«*> s great Emperour, whole wide domain „., .. , , n ., 

r „ , ~ ■ , Vhghtfbhou expel this monftcr from his Throae 

In ample 1 crntory, wealth and power, M . n ° ' 

Now made a fry e, and \n his place afcend.ng 



A viclor, people free from I civile yoke > 



Civility of Manners, Arts, and Arms, 

And long Renown thou juflly may 'ft prefer A nA „ • , , , 

n r t lth m >' hel P tho " may'ft 5 to me the ro- ci 

^forether^/,;.,;;;thefetwoThronesexcc P t, j sg - ' } metne r o,„i 

-IVr-fl li -t g,Vcn ' and by that right r give it thee, 

ineidrarebarbarons, and (carce worihthc tyfe Aim**, r 

Q , ,, , ' m thert 'forc at no left then ail tfaeworid, 

5>iaj d among petty Kings too far remov'd 3 Aim it ft- t* . A ^ . , 

ft * k thc hgheft, frithoai the higbefl torn' d 

G a Wi li 



g* Taradife Regain d. 

Will be for thee no fitting, or not long 




Taradife Kegain'd. 
Of the Emperour, how cafily fubdu'd, 




85 



On DMzdd's Throne, be propheci'd what will, Hovv g Iorioufly 5 ! BttD ' thou %^ ex P c! 
To whom the Son of God unmov'd reply* A brutifc monfter : what if I withal 

Expel a Devil who firft made him fucli ? 
TLethis tormenter Confcicnce find him out,; 



:io Nor doth this grandeur and majeftic fhow 
Of luxury, though call'd magnificence, 



For him I was not feat, nor yet to free 



More then of arms before, allure mine eye, 

Much Icfs my mind; though thou fliouid'/hKldto; Thntpcoplc viftor oncc-.uov. v,!, an dL , ; 

Thir fumptuous gluttonies, and gorgeous felts DcCaved] y *** "**> "*" nnce ' ivSt > 

Ou CMron tables or ^/,„„', ftouc 5 | *"*& "* ""^ ^ "■»«* ceroid v, c 

/-it -Tt \r 1 r 1 But govern ill the Nations under yoke 

(For I have al/o heard, perhaps have read) wucrjoa^, 

Peeling thir Provinces, exhaufted all 



Tfn tr wines of Setia, Caks 9 and Fakrm 






By Iuft and rapine 5 fir ft ambitious gtm 



c;.:os and Cmt } and how they qua/Tin Cold, 

rwfc,i„ >t i- • , „ Of triumph that infulting vanity* 

Cryftaiandfl jrrrhme cup imbo&'d with Ger 



1 And finds of Pearl, to me fbottld'ft tell whothii 



Then cruel, by thir fports to blood cm 



An/U,„ n „ a ,/VM . « , «. ^ 0f fighting beaftsj, and men to beaftsexpos'd 

Andhungernih: then Embaffics thou flicw'ft . V 

Prn«M « r , • Luxutious by thir wealth, and m ■ I H, 

ftom Nations far and aigb 5 what honour thai Alr 

Pl1 ,, r ». n „ Andfrom the daily Scene effeminate, 

Buttccuou-; wad of time to fir and hear W| . 

c n m , ,, n llat Wife and valiantman would feck to fi 

&& many hollow complements and lies, TI r , 

n „!.,, ia B . in eicthu8 degenerate, by them .' res enfla\ d 

Oudandifaeattenes? then proceed'ft to talk e ' ' G ; 



%6 



Taradife Regain' d. 




Cr could of inward flavcs make outward ft 
Know therefore when my fcafon conies to fit 
On David's Throne, it fiiall belike a tree 
Spreading and ovcr-fliadowing all the Earth 

Or as a ftoncthat fbaJJ to pieces dafli 

rainw u- l rj i Eafilydone, ai I hold them all of me; 

?>• All Monarchies befides throughout the world 

» For what can fefifogre i " leferve? 



Taradife Regain d. 
For giv'nto mc, T give to whom 1 pleafe, 

Mo trifle 5 yet with this refer ve, not elfe a 

On thiscondition, if thou wilt fall down, 

And worfhipmeas thy fwpcrior Lord, 



8 



And of my Kingdom there (hall be no end ; 

%,,„.,, ' \tp Whom thus our S - ■• < r ■• \ ,.:..u v.rU'tn 

Means there (hall be to this, but what the „» , ...... .. , 



Isnotfor theetoknow, nor me to tell. 

To whom the Tempter impudent repli'd. 
1 fee all offers made by me how flight 
Thou vaip-ft, becaufeoffcr'd, nndrejectft: 
Nothing will pleafethe difficultandnicc, 
Or nothing more then ftill to contradict; 
On the other fide know alfo thou, tfaat| 
^OnwhntlofTcrfctashighefreem, 






I never Iik'd thy talk, thy fers leQ 3 

Now both abhor, fince thou haftdar'd to attei 

The abominable terms, impious condition 5 

Butl endure the time, till which cxpir'd, 

Thou haft pcrmiflion on mc. ft is written 

The firft of all Commandments, Thou fhalt worlhit 

The Lord thy God, and only him (halt fei ve 5 

And dar'ft thou to the Son of God propound 

1 worflup thee accur/t, now more aceurft 



M nr . 1 r "«*«»!' uiL-cdLtrui it, now more accur. 

Norwhatlpartvvithmeantogivefornat^l^ * For this a«*mn, 1 m . . 

Ail the!, u-.„,k ; UCmpt bo,dcr thcn that 0n f c 



^thefe which in a moment thou behold'ir, 
T^ Kingdoms of the world totheclgiv,;, 



And more blafphemous? which expert© rue. 

r *he Kingdoms of the world to theeweregh'Oj 

G 4 Pei 



gg Tar.idiCc Regain d. 

Permitted rather, and by thee ufurp't, 
Other donation none thou can ft produce j 
Jfgiven, by whom but by the King of Kings, 
Cod overall fuprcmc ? if giv'n to thee s 
By thec how fairly is the Giver now- 
Repaid ? But gratitude in thee is loft 




Faradifc Regain'd. 
pjations befides ftojn all the quartcr'd winds, 

God of tliis world invok't and world beneath ; 

Who then thou art,whofe coming is foretold 

«j" mefo fatal, me it mod concerns. 

The tryal hath indamag'dthceno way, 

' Rather more honour left and more cfreern-, 



8 



9 



Longfince. Wert thou fo void of fear orflhan^ Me naught ad vantag'd, fluffing vfozt I aimU 



f *° As offer them to me the Son of God, 
To me my own, on fuch abhorred pacr. 
That f fall down and worfhip thee as God } 



Therefore let pafs, as they are traniitory, 
The Kingdoms of this worlds 1 fh all no- more 

* 

* 

Acivifc thee, gain them as thou canfr, or not. 



Petthee behind me; plainthou now appear'ft »• And thou thy fclffecm'ftothcrwifr inclin'd 
That Evil one, Satan for ever damn 'd. I Then to a worldly Crown, addicted more 

To whom the Fiend writ] i fear abafht reply tt To contemplation and profound difput c, 



• < 



Be no: (b fore offended. Son of God s 



As by that early action may bejudg'd 



Though Sons of God both Angels are and Men, When flipping from thy Mothers eye thou went'ft 



If I to try whether in higher fort 



Alone into the Temple ; there was found 



Then theft thou bear'ft that tide, have propos : d Among thegraveft Kabbies dtfputant 



• What both fmm Men and An [slreceive, 



Oapobtsand queftfons fitting Mofes Chair, 



retrains gffire 9 air ? floods and onthe earth . Aching uqttaughtjtbe childhood &ewfl th 










Taradife Regained, 




. . n . . D r Taradife Retain d. 

As mornme; mcu\s the day. Be famous, f 

. . r . . r . hca ,//,„/ the eye oftfrwe, Mother of Arts 




*' 



By wifefom 5 as thy Empire muft extend 
if So let extend thy mind ore nil the World 
In knowledge, al! things in it comprehend 
All knowledge is not couch i in Sfyfis Law 



And Eloquence, native to famous wits 
Or liofpitablc, in her fwca reeefs, 
^Cityor Suburban, ftudious walks and fhades? 
Sec there the Olive Grove of Academe, 



e Pentateuch or what the ProDln^c 

r ,Itcs wrote, fhto's retirement, where the Attic Bird 



TfaoOwtifcr Stfoknow, and write, a IK I teach 
To admiration, led by Natures light 5 



Trills her thick-warbl'd notes the fiimmer long, 
There flowrie hill Hymettiix with the found 



And with the Cent He 1 mnrh »»,„. n ; 

1 n ldoun,l, ft converfi Of Bees induftrions murmur oft invites 

Ruhngthem by perfwafioa astfaou mea„^ To ft udio « s nmfing; there gfr roul. 

Or tfa n ' r Carmng h0VV WiIUh0U With ** His whifpering ttrcam; wuh.nthcwallsthcn view 
r cywtth thee hold convention meet ? The fchools of nntient Sages; hisu-hobrcd 
^ ow wi t thou reafon w ith them, how refute Great Alexander to iiibduc the world, 



mrldoUGm, Tradition Pmdomt 

Error by hi, wn arms i.beftevinc'r. 
Look 



)^ Lyceum there, and painted mi next : 

There tho\i fhalt hear and learn the fecrct power 



° rc wc icavc this ipecular Mo. Of harmony in tones and number 'hit 

war ,rnuch nearer b y South weft, behold % voice or hand, and vanom-mcaiur d vcrfe, 

1Cre m the Mg*m (bote a City Ihnds ^Whanns and B*rfc» lyric Odea, 

Q0 ^ pure the air, andJighc thefoO, Aadhis^ho gave then breath, but higher fa* 

/* " * blind 



92 



Paraehfe R 



c Kegain'd. 



Blind A fckjigctics thence Homer call'd, 




Paradife* Regain d. 



WhoCe Poem rha>l,»s challenged for his ^ L Aca demics 

Thence what the lofty grave Tragcedia ns t% sirna m'd Peripatetics, and the Sect l 

In C/-OT/ oxUmlic, teachers bed: * fmurcith ancJ thc ***** fevcrc § 

"•Of moral prudence, with delight receiv'd Thefc here revolve, or, asthou likTt, .it home 
In brief fententious precepts, whilcthey treat ^ i!I timc niaturcthceto a Kingdom's waight ; 
Of fate, and chance, and change in human life. bThefe rules will render thee a King compleat 

High actions, and high paffions beft defcribin Within thy fclf ' much more wit!l Em P ire joyaU 
Thence to the fimous Orators repair, ■ To whom our Saviour fkfgttly thus repliU 

Thofe antienr, whofe refTftJefs eloquence Think aot L)llt tnat * know thc!c thin ^ (J1 tttok 

Wielded at Will that fierce Democratic J kn0W t{iem not 5 not ther '- forc am * tnor t 

Shook the Arfcnal and fulmin'd over Greece 0f kncm ' i:, S whal [ au S nt : hc who rcc <-'ives 

ToMacedon^ and jfrtaxerxes Throne * Light from above, from the fountain of light, 
To %e Philofophy next lend thine ear, ---.-• — 

S ;«From Heaven defcended to the low-roofi houfc Butthefc arC falfe > ° dkd€ rfftlw * *""* 

Ofsecratet, fee there his Tenement Conjectures, fancies, built onnothing iirm. 

Whom well inipir'd the Oraclepronounc'd " Thefcft ^ wifeftof thcmallprofcfi'd 

Wifcft °Fmcn 5 frotn whofe niouth i/Iii'd forth ^ )kllow this "^ that he nothing knew , 
^dclhffuousftrcamcr-hnf,^, ■ , ,, , n ■ Thenc >-t to tabling fell and Imooth conceits, 

"camsroat water d all the fchools 

T A third fort doubted a!l things, though plain fence? 

Others 



No other doctrine needs, though granted trues 




£4 Taradife Kegain'd. 

Others in vcrtuc plac'dfl-Iicir-y, 

But vcrtuc joyn'd with riches ami ionp |jf 
In corporal picafure he, andcarclefs eafr 
Thc Stoic Jaft: in Philofophic pride 
By him call'd vcrtuc 5 and his vcrtuousma n 
Wife, pcrfedin himfclf, and all pofleffi„ g 
JM Equal to God, oftfhamesnot to prefer 
As fearing God nor man, contemning all 




Paradife Kegain'd. 
Rather accufe him under ufual name.-, 

Fortune and Fate, as one rcgardiefs quite 
Ofmortal thing*. Who therefore fecks in thefc 
True wifdom, ivu\s her not, or by dclufion 
Far worfc, her falfc refemblancc only meets, 
An empty cloud. However many books 
Wife men have (aid are wearifom 5 who reads 
hnccfiandy, and to his reading brings not 



95 



Wealth, pleafure, pain or torment, death andlif, A fpirit and judgment equal or fcperfc* 

Which when he lifts, he leaves, or boafts he c a » 5 (And what he brings, what need, he el 1 ewhere feek) 



For all his tedious talk is but vain boaft, 
Or fubtlefhifts conviction to evade 



Uncertain and unfettl'd frill remain^ 
Dcc F verft in books and ikillow in himfclf, 



Alas what can they teach, nnd not miflead J Crude <>* intoxicate, collecting toys, 

Ignorant of themfeives, of God much more, And ««* for choice matters, wortfi a fpunge 5 

And how the World began, and how man fell Ai CI "Mrcn gathering pbles on the fliore. 

Degraded by himfelf, on grace depending? 0r ifl W0llId delight my private hours 

"•Much of the Soul they talk, but all awric, With KhClc « with Poem, where ib foot, 
And in themfeives feek vcrtue, and to themfelrci ; ' As ln our **&* Language can I find 

A11 Z lor y arrogate, toCod give none, r *mfoIace } All our Law andStory ftrew'd 

KM Witl 



96 







Parad/fc Regain' d. 



* 

Faradife R cgaind. 






' . - 11 )hc top of Eloquence, Statiffe indeed 

Our Hebrew Songs and Harps inBahyhn I r , • ^ 

' AiiJIovcrsofthirCounrry.asmayfcemi 

That picas d to Well Our Victors ear, dccl-ir* 

^ . * Jre Bur herein to our Prophets Far beneath 

Toatrataer Greece from usthefe Arts deih •* 

m . ■ , , If , , ,„ r • < As men divinely taugfet, a «d better teachini 

III imitated, while they loudeirhng - "* 



Tiie vices of thir Deities, and thir own 
In Fable, Hymn, or Song, fo perforating 



The (olid rules of Civil Govefpffoent 
j : , thir majeftic uttaffedfed (tile 

h Then all the Oratory of Greece and Rome. 



Thir Gods ridiculous, and themielves Daft fl*. r i • i • n. 

vespam, a . ; Jn them is plameft taught, arideafieft lea 



*» Remove their swelling Epithetes thick laid 
As varniih on a Harlots cheek, the reft 



rnt, 



What make; a Midori happy, and keeps it gjg 
h What ruins Kingdoms, and lays Cities gat 



Thin fown with aught of pmfit or delight, Thefe ,, !y w ,th j*. !.,„■ beft form .tfj 

Will far be found unworthy to compare 



| Sofpake the Son of God 5 but Satan now 

With *** fbngs, to all true tafts excelling, Quite at a lofs, for all his darts were (pent, 
WhereGod isprais'd aright, and Godlike** Thus to our Saviour with ilcrn brow reply 'd. 



The Holieft of Holies, and hisSaints; 



Since neither wealth, nor honour, u 



.1 



■ 



■ ■ 



Such arefromCod infpii-J, not fuch from thee' ' Kingdom nor Empire P leafes thee, nor aught 



ms nor arts v 



25 



Uolefi where moral vertue is exprefs't 
By light of Nature not in all quite loir; 



Thir Orators thou then extoll'fL asthofe ^ hac d <>ft thun. 



E 7 aepropos'din life contemplative, 
0r ^ivc, tended on by glory, or fame, 






- 

in this World? the Wildenvi 







99 




oQ faradifc Regained* 

'" M or the< is fitteft place, I found theethere, 
Andthith -will return thee, yet remember 

What r foretell thee, fbonthou malt have<w 
To \ ' Juki never badft rejected ihus 

* 

Nicely or cautioufly my oticr'd aid, 

Which wouldhavefet thee in Hunt time withcafc " '""" "^ m UDQ ' "" l ^fthiathi rej 

^n r^, ; ^ Throne; or Throne ofall the work! '^g nin g t0 difa PP«r. D . , ro ^ 

Now at full age, gdaefi oftime, thyfeafoa, ' • As d ^" , ^ htfun ^ :,,: ' ^oughi i„[ .... ilL . ni . 

When Prophclicv of thee arc beft follfillU HcrftadowyofT-fpfing nnf u bftantial both, 



to**^ Regain d. 
Without beginning? for rio date prefect 
0iredsmcin the Starry Rubric flit, 
| - , faying fat took (for ftitf he knewfcispow 
| tfotyeti *pir*d) and to rfai WMcrv :; 
i ■ .. i back the Son* ol God, , | f c f cn 



1 



w contrary, if J read aught m Heaven, 



Privation mecr of light and abfent day. 



.OrHenrnwrueau^htofFatc^ywhattheStan °" r SaV '° Ur mcck anchvii] ""-'ouhrd i „,n^ 

After his aerie Jaunt, though hurried fore. 



, Hungry and cold be* him to his reft, 
j Wherever, under foroe coneouffe of fbades 

V ' : ° fc branc hin| ;rfrn»thicfc fotettwfod might On 



Vok^inous, or Single char. .r S , 

ft th< w conjunction met, give me to (pell, 

Sorr ow ' s , and Ifl] .:rs ; o r?0 | Ui011 j iatCj 

A^^^ee^corn^reproache injuries, 

VK>!cneea:KM:ripes 5 andlail)verueIde.uh h< ' ""^ ^-1- of night h.ihelt. : , he. 1, 

^^theypo^^^^^^ % ^ te -i'^.nv, I ,f,ath ii l,,; 

vca! or Allegoric I difcera not ne X eni P ter watch'd, and foon with uj ■!. ., 

irvhcfcccet \r itre . , .!' . D, fturb l d his deep 5 and either Tropic now 

■ U:U -- as wi -tend, , • Ginr , , ' 

VVm- '"^^^andbothcndsofHcav^theaoudb 

B* Froj 




Fierce rain with lightning mixt, water with fire 
« ls ]'n ruincrcconcil'd: nor flcpt the winds 
Wuhinthir fto.iy caves, but rufh'd abroad 
From the four hinges of the world, and fell 
On the vcxt YVildcrnels, whofc tailed Pines 



Paradife Regam'd. jQY 

Andgrifly Spcclrcs, which the Fiend fed r ,h'd 
To temptthe Son of God with terrors dire. 
And now the Sun with more cflcclual beams 
,,H..d chenr-ci *• ** of Earth, and dry'd tilc r , ct 
From drooping P !ant,or dropping tree ; .he bir,K: 
Who alhhings now behold more frcW; :-rec 



Though rooted deep as high, and fturdieft Oab After a night of dorm fo tubm^ 

Bow 'd their StifTnccks, loadc n with ftormy bla^ Cicar'd up their choiceft note, in bufh and inray 

r torn up ftcer : ill waft thou Girouded then, To gratulatc the fwect return of mom • 



O patient Son of God, yet only floodft 
Unlhakcn ; nor yetfeaid the terror there. 

Infernal Ghofo, and ffeliifl} Furies, round 

r • ,, , .. ', (Oiriek 

4.o Environ d thee, feme hovvl'd, fome yell'd, fomc 



Nor yet amidft this joy and brigfcteft sacra 

Wasabfcnt, after all his mifchicf done, 

The Prince of darkncG, glad would al!b feem 

Of this fur change, and to our Saviour came, 



Some bent at thee thir fiery darts, while thou ' ° Yct with no new device, they al! were fpettt, 



Sat'ftunappaird in calm and dnlcfs peace. 



Rather by this his lafr affront refdv'd 



T:. n pafs'dthe night fo foul rill luorningfaiF ! Def P«*eof better courfe, to vm his : ;-, 
Cameforri with Pilgrim fteps in amice grays And mad ^pigkto be fcoft repelfV, 

Wnowitb her radiant finger ftill'd the roar Him diking 0n , Sunny ;,;;; ; . . ^^ 

B ^'dontheNonIr..d\.-.;;by:Ml 'wood; 



Oi thunder, ckas'dthe clouds, aad laid the whA 






On 



102 Pafadife Regained. 

Out of the v < odhe frartsin won!;.! fbapej 

And in a careh i- mood thus to him (aid. 
Fair naming yrr betides thee Son of q 0c j 

After a di/mai nights I heard the rack 

'As Earth and Skic would mmi-lc 3 but my u \c 





Taradifi K.gaind. 
The perfet feafon offer*d with my aid 

To win thy deftindkor, but wile r r (; !ong 

Mltolhcpuffion'ni^jHiliiethy^y 

Of gaining DtvicCs Throne no man knows w!u 



Io 3 



Wasd.ihn^ndthe^.v.th-,,;,,^,,. I ^^^^^^^^^^ 
Asdangerons toward ^of Heaven <( "™" ^ "*" *»« «*** «»<* * I 

Prro the Earths dark balls underneath;, 



Are torhc main as inconfiderablc, 

Andharmie& holiom, as a (nceze 

Tomans Je£* amvcrfe 3 and ibon are gone 3 
Yet as being oft times r :ious where the? fid 
On naa^beaftplant.waiyy and turbulent, 

. ■ 

Like rurbuienco , o.,n,:oFmcn 
-Over whole he. .....,,, , ;;n d feem topoi 

They oft fcre-%nh3e and threaten ill; 
T; ' :T!: " -^- tbi s J efert mofl: was bent? 
! ' n ■ *«&&i 00J3 thouhen dwell'4 

pid Inot tell thee, if thou dm reject 

■ 




For Angels haVeproe!aim-dit,bae<^ rc c a K B2 

Thctimeam! means reach act is rrghf fcftfa^ 

Not when if mufr, but when it may bebeft. 
If thou obferve not this, be hire to find. 
What [foretold thee, many a h«da% | 

Of dangers, and advermies and pafrjs 5 

E'rethou of -jprnft Scepter getfcft hold? 

Whereof this ominous night that clos'd ii.ee round. 
So many terrors, voices, prodigies 

^%warnthee,asafurek;re-^ointo o 

So tailed he, vvhile:!-' S >nofG ' .. itoa 
Andftaklnot, bi; i n brk-; ? him anfwer'dthu . 
Mccwovfe then wet thoufiod'ftn . $ other harm 




Paradife Regain' d. 

* 



> 



Faradife Regained. 



'^4 . .. . 

Thofe terrors which thou fpeak'ft o£ dj c ] n „, 

nevc,r, 1 ,J ! / 1 evcouK! ; ho,,!,noi ( ;, 1 „ llr | i " : Ontbybif«h-mght,.i«r Bn g , hce ^.^ ^ 

Aadtiu^nmgoigh; what they can do* a, ! F«" n,hatdB * Wd '" ,, *»« >«M» eye 



.05 



Betok'aing, or ill bodingj r contemn 

As fr.lfe portents, not tent from God, but the 

Who knowing r Ihallrnig,, p*ft&£ pre venting 

fOb£ru«thyoffef'dai4 thatl accepting 



Th y infancy, thy childhood, and thy youth 
Thy manhood h,ft, though yetin privatc-brcd* 
| Till at the Ford of Jordan whither all 
Flock'd to the Bnprifr, I among the reft 



a. 7 n ■ • r ' , ! Though not to be BaptVd bv «»&•- « 

A:ica/l- mi g:.ilcem to hold all power of thee i m Heav ' a 

a~lv /-•• ' s'-IIe.ird theepronoune'd the Son of f^,n i . , 

Ambitious tpmt, and wouldft he thought mv r j WwU 

, ^ r ,„ g " my C °4 Thenceforth I thought thee worth n 

And Qonn'ft refosU thinking to ,-,,-,;,;„ 8 U 01 th m >' «<*** rie W 



/u ' d ftornVtfreliis'd, thinking to terrifia 

* 

Meetoth } -wij!5dc!i(t 5 thounrtd,fe-n'd 

A^toil'fHnyai^noi me in vaia moleft. 



And narrower Scrutiny, that I might learn 
In what degree or meaning thou artcall'd 



Tovlinmtl p- 4 r * ThcSon ofCo ^ which bears no Hi^le fl^cc ; 



™'S<'ncfC,,, i51a , ; ,. [md(|it) 

0f*e%<&i,lfaave heard foretold 

Wfe.ftoptawtf. ..■ bird, atlength 

/: ' !o ' "•••■'■ : ^ 1: ^""n S iu£,/,7^fi, ! j ) 

; J 






HXlwmlam relation Hands 5 
AH men are Sons of Cod* yet thee I thought 
In fomc refpea far higher fo deelarU 
jTbereforel watcifd thy footfreps from that hour, 

-^^^llow'dtheeft.IIontothiswaitwilds 

' Vh ^% allbeft conjectures r collect 
I Thou 



-1 




1 06 Varjdifc K eg, tin 'd. 

Thou art «obcmy fatal enemy. 
Good rcafon th-iu il I befort hand fc c r 



«"* 






Faradife 



1 07 




s 



To llflder/kmd my Advcrfary. who 
And whnr licis; his wifdom., power, i„ (c 
Bypari, or compofoion, truce, w i Ci1glJe 
To win him, or win fi 1 >m him what I can 
An J opportunity | here hare had 
To try thee, G&ihce, and cnntcCs have f 0lln(1 
-Proof agamfrafl temptation ks aroek 

Of Adamant, and as a Center, firm 






Till underneath them &ir Jemfakm, 
The *y^«T?fted high te Xiwpw^ 

And higher yet rhc^rMun,, Temple re ,,,- d 
Hcrp.Ie^aro/iapperu-ingiikeaMonnt: 

OfAMbafter, top'twuhColden^^j 

There on the htghcfr Pin.iclehe f« ' 

The Son of God s and add.-d thus i n feom : 

Will ask thcc5kill f J t0 thy ). ;tlherg hQ , !fc 



- rm $s»Have brought thee, and hiffhi«*r«w . -. ». 

Totheutmodofmeermanborhvr j v -. ^^^^^h^tfti,^ 

" n b0thu " ilc **8*L iNowlhewthy Progetm if-*^^ 



No,^e fo r Honour, a Ichc , KingdomM . ^ ^^ ^ ^ 

^^^4--^. rnr^wr.en, He , d: givc C()mmaiul ' 

Concerning thce tohi, Angels, in thir hands 



Thcref jrc toknowwhar more thou art then 






;- ' :: he cagfe , lim up> and with(M]| „,, To vvhom ^ ^ __ ^ ^ ^ ^ .^ 



^"^M^*.**, E ^-..fini 1V; nv, tllanTOmtyi 



As 



1 08 Taradifc R tgain V/. 

;ft As when Earths Son Ant&ns (to compare 

Small things ivithgrcatcft) in /r./^i drove 





P4rjaKr/c Regain^. 
OfAog^on&H fill of wing flc W „i g jj 9 



With jfiww ^AvWr.r,and oft foil'd foil rofe P VVho on thcir piuniy Vnn? rccci v '<> him (oft 
Receiving from his mother Earth new frrengtf, Fr ° m hisUnca(?C ftation >*d upbore 
Fremfrom his fall, and fiercer grapple joy n M ' As on ° (I(K,n "'' couc!l ,J 'ronghthc blithe Air 

Throttl'd at length in the Air, expir'd and &•]/. ' Thcn in * ***** VaI,c ' y fa h,rn do »n 



So after many a foil the Tempter proud 
Renewingfrefli a/faults, an it hispride 



On a green bank, and fet before him fcred 

Arable ofCelefti.il Food, Divine 



Fell whence he ftood to fee bis Victor fall. Ambrofial > Fruits **** ***** tree of life, 

And as that Tteh* Monfter that proposed *"**"■ *" ^ ° ffifi A °* fdW driQk » 

-Her riddle, and him, who folVd it not, oW ^ ^ "^ *" """^ - "**<• 

Thatonce found out and foh U. for grief and f « ^ ^ " "* ^ " *"»** 

CM hcrfeif hcadlongfromthV;;,,™ fteep ; ^^ "*****> *' ^ * ta 

c,,^,,., I. j j „ Su "g Heavenly Anthems of Iiis victory 

So ili 00k with dread and anguilh foil the Fiend, n Y 

■ Over temptation, and the Tempter proud. 
True Image of the Fat her whether rhron'd 

fathebofomofblifs, and fight of %at 

I Conceiving, or remote from Heaven, enGir^d 
^P-dhly Tabernacle, and human form, 



And to his crew, that tar confuting, broug' 

Joylefi trmmpaaJs of his hop* t faceeii, 

Ruin,anddcipcration,andc. .,.. r, 

Witedutf lb proudly tempt th SonofCorf 
S<> Satan ^Uo4ftr«it a fiery fifebq 



W " !!K!l '»gthe Wildernels, whatever place, 



103 



Habit 




A 




FarddiJ e R egdih 'd. 
Fabitj or ftate or motion, frill expreflfog 

The Sdnof God, frith Godlike force indn' r 






^eK 



^wV, 



;>r Lightning a fcalt fill fr am He 



Hi 



' av '» trod down 



Againfttfe'i^mpteroft^ i !crs Tl] ^ "» d * tofi « s r «* ***<>.■ * c to thou feem 

-And Tlnefof P,:,d^ him long of old ^ ' ' ' ^ W % M .^**kQ*»d 

Thoudid/td^i ;t ,Ki (I ou.„fi, ) ; ff , iVn ,, p ^ hisrepu,reteei ^^boid^i BHdi 

^ -Notrinrnph^inanh,,,^,^^^^ 



With all fiiS Ami), northern haft avcng*d 
Supplanted .*<&a* a and by vanqmfhing 
Temptation, haftregaki'd loir P*ra3i&, 
And fruflrated the cohqaeft fraudulent : 




Thyboldaitemptihercaftcrleatnwitha^ 

T-:^dthcSonofGoc[: hca „ lm;irn](1 

Mchafe thee with the terror of his voicd 



1 



And fruflrated the cdhqaeft fraudulent • r u n 

1 went. fron- thy Demoniac hold, n.OUu r ■ 

« ^ **.«**, A „ dbegtohidethemin alic .; lors ri >- 

ForthoBghthatf^ofa.nUybHfibefai,.,,; :. f:i ,, command thtm „„,. lillt(i . 

"•For iU ,nd hfechofe, Son*, whom thou " ail *» of Ae moft High, heir of^^rf* 

A Saviour art come down to re-i„!h,il. T^ "' S: " : " K <J! ' th Y g'<*ioas work 

BueehoMnfeu, ft^ft ftalenot fong ^"f »<* Mb jo, , h, eu no bf J 

"<*w the CWfc, like*, Autumnal Star ' """^^"houfepriVMe ,, tu „„i 



< 



SAMSON 





ON 





T 





A 



DRAMATIC POEM. 




The Author 

JOHN MILTON. 







sfnfret. raet. Cap. 6. 

T&yoA'x v'w; *(%*< ^c/Wa,, &c. 

TragxAijtjiimitjti, tUhmis Uric Sec P^-T- .• j. 






L ON PON, 

Printed by J. M . for John Surrey « & 

Mini* Fh.ftrca, n « r W.L. 

MDCLXxf. 

( 



. 



r 







Of that fort of Dramatic Tvcm tohict* 

is call' J Tragedy. 

■ ■• ,•.«„•'.. 

TRagedy, as it wasanticntly compoVd, 
been ever held the graveft, mpralcft, an< 
moftpiofitableof all otfcet Poems rthercforq 
faidby Arifotletobe oCpowei by raiting pfry an 

ar, or terror, tapurgcthc mind of thole ' . \\ 
lepaffions, rh.uis to temper aod reduce thou ; 
hftmeafure with a kind ofdeUghtjftirr'dupby read 
ingor feeing thoie palfions well imitated. Not is 

Nature wanting in her own effects to mak< ;.. >pd 

isaflertionj for (bin PhyGc things. of melanch< iq 
leand quality are ns'd againft melancholy, (6 fi 
ainil (bwr, l.ilr jo. remove Gilt humours. H< m i 
Philosophers and other graveft Writer*, o Citei 

m.irch and others, frequently,cite otn of tragic 
Poets, both to, adorn ana illuftrate tbst diicouri 
f^ApoitIe,i > rf»/him(elf thought it not pro 
•inferta verfc of Euripides into the Text ol Hoi 
nptnrc, i r.v. 15.53. and ?<»*,**/ coj mentinj on 
ie Revelation^ divides the u',/ Bojk ai •■ I ra 
y, into A diftinguiflit tatf lu a I ori 
'■'■ ilj Harpings and Son - k 1 •■ en. Hen to 

1 1 n 



, ■ w,ahc(l dignity have lahour'd not a 

forc Men in ' v a| ;, c ,.„ fo , llr , )lg , Tragedy. 

little '» *j5X»fi».th« elder was "" kls "»■ 
Of tba ' h SSeoth»attaining to the Tyranny. 

1,;ti, T'r Xalfo bad begun bi c, but unable 
¥';-.%» wniudgmeni : with what he bad f> 

topl f/ft k unfinifbn "W the Philofopber fe by 
J S L A».l- df thofe Tragedies (a, 

ffiteb&oT thein) that go .nude, that naffle. 



Thi< is mention u u> »«« 1WV , • T- ', 

(,,il efteeto, or rather infamy, Which tin the account 
ormany it undergoes at this day Wth other com- 

mon Interludes* hapnimr .through the Poets erro, 

of intermixing Comic M with ftagic fadneiVand 

gravity 5 or introducing trivial and vulgar perfons, 

ich by all judicious hath bin counted aofurdj 

ight in without difcrction, corruptly togra- 

the people. And though a dtieht Tragedyufe 

feo Prologue, yctufing fometimes, in cafe or leu 

defence, or explanation, that which Martial cm an 

Epifflesifl behalf of this Tragedy coming forthat- 

ter the ancient manner, much different from what 

astongfts paiTes for heir, thus much before-hand 

maybe EpiuTd$tbatcM« is here introduc d altc. 

the Creek manner, not anttent only but modern, 

and ftill in ufc among the Italians. Intheraodelli 

therefore of this Poem, with good reafon, the jw 

cico and Italians arfi rather foliow'd, as or rou«i 

more 



I 



more authority andfame. The meafureof Vetft 
ug -dintheCfaorusisofalliorts 3 cairdbythe< 

M>n»Mhic> or rather AdAmnm, without 
gardhadto^e, Antifimk w E} ,/., * h 

sv .,., a kmd of Stanza sframd only for the \ c 
tlu , MU s'd with the Chorus that fang* noted! • 
lo the Poem, and therefore not material s or beio 
divide d into Stanza s or Paufesa they may he call 

;ttfo\iroiLi. Diviiion into Act and Scene re- 
ferring chiefly to the Stage (to which this work 
never was intended) is !u 1 e omitted. 

Ic fuffices if the who! be fouad not pro- 

due' t beyond the I :x, of the (hie and unifor- 

mitie, and that commonly calTd the Hot, whether 

intricate or explicit, which is nothing i jdeed h 

fiich ccconomv, or difpolition of the table as nay 
hand beft with verifirnilitude and decorum; chey 

only will bed judge who are not unacquainted with 
■fibulas, Sophocles, and E ?jwbir,thc three Tra- 
c Poets unequall'd yet by any, and the beft rule 

to all who endeavour to write Tragedy. The cir- 

camicription of time whi sin the whole Drama be- 
::-ins and ends, is accordii 'to antient role, and beft 
. xample, within the (pace of 24 hours- 



1-: 



Til 2 




■'. 




The A K C UMKN J. 




Amfoii made Captive, hhnd, and now in // Je/V/ 

fin at G.i/a, therk to labour as in a l0 , f! „ ni!l 
- work-houf; on * Fcfiivat daj, fa thegtneral (c f- 
faun from labour, coma firm into the ope;; Air, to u 

plate nigh, fimewhat rrtir'd there to fit a ivh,le and fa- 
mean his condition. Where he happens at length to he , 
(ited by certain friends dnd equals of his tribe, whi,!, 
r,iaks the Chorus, who feck to " comfort him what th 
can- then by his old Father Manoa, who endeavours 
the like- and withal tells him his purpofi to procure hit 
liberty by ranfom 5 bifily, that this Feaji ivai pro- 
dajm'dby the Phi lift ins a so. day of Thanksgiving for 

thfr deliverance from the hands ^/"Samfon, which yet 
more troubles him. Manoa' then departs to profit tite 
bit endeavour with the Philiftian Lords for Sainfoin j 
redemption % who in the me aft while is tifited by othei 

perfbns -, and lifily by a publicly Officer to require his 
coming So the leaf 'before the Lords and People, /.'/'" 
or flaw hijftrepgth in thir ■ pre fence •> hjt at firfi refuf 

dijmijfwg the' pnBlickOfpier with ahjhliite deny*} to 
m\ at fchgthperfwided inwardly that this was from 

God . he yields to go along with h/m, who came turn 
c ficond time with great threat nings to fefth W*3 

the Chorus yet remaining im the place, Manoa re- 
• ■ full ofjojfd hope, to procu-e e're long his Sons 

b 'erance: in the midft af which difourfi m 
H -- met in hiafie confufccUy m firfi y and after' 

/■■■< '• re chj,. l\ y relating the Cataftrophe, whit 

SamforiM done to the Philiftins, and by accident to 
fyffelfh wherewith the Traced* end; 



' - - fc ., <« 



* I ■ 



The 

* 



■ 







The Perfons 



Samfon. 

Manoa the Father of Samfon. 
Dalila his Wife. 
Harapha of Gath. 
Publicfc Officer. 

Mefleneer. 

Chorus of Danites* 

The Scene before the fnfonin Cm? 






SAMSON 

AGONISTES. 




SAOif \ Little onward lend thy guiding hand ' 

To thcfe dark ftcps, a little further on 5 

For yonder bank hath choice of Sun or [hade, 

There I am wont to fit, when any chance 

Relieves me from my task of fervile toyi, 

* 

Daily in the common Prifon elie enjoyn'd me. 
Where I a Prifbr.erchain'd, fcarce freely draw 

- 

The air imprifon'd alfo, clofe and damp, 
Unv/nolfom draught: but here 1 feel amends, 
•The breath of Heav'n fre(h-biowing,pure and fweer, 
With day-fpring born 5 here leave me to refpire. _ 







to 



Sam fen Ag on'zfie r , 



1 
- 



This clay n folcmn Feafl i he people hold 
To D.i%on thir Sea-Idol, and forbid 
Laborious works, unwittingly tliis reft 
Thir Superitition yields me -, hence with [cave 
Retiring from the popular noile, I feck 
This unfrequented place to find fomeeafe, 
Eafeto the body fome, none to then-.'::;! 
From rcftlefs thoughts, that like a deadly fvvari. 
39 Of Hornets arm'd, no fooncr found alone, 
But rufli upon me thronging, aadprefent 
Times pad, what once J was, and what am now. 
O wherefore was my birth from Heaven foretold- Himfelf iaboadsundei Phifift, mydu i 



I 1 



f t 



fa of a perfon feparate to God, 

Dc fign *d for great exploits 5 if J niuft (]yc 
i; c ,r..y'd, Optiv'd, and both my Eyes put oufc 
Made of my Enemies the fcorn and gaze • 
'po grind in Brazen Fetters under task 
; With this Hcavn-gifted ftrcngth? C glorious 
1 put to the labour of a Beafr, debas't ( ftr «»gth 

Lower then bondflavc ! Promife w.^that [ 






Should ffrael from pjsilijtian yoke deliver j 



1 t A;k for this great, Deliverer now. and find mm 
Eyelefsin Gazm at the Mill with llaves, 



Tvviceby an Angel, who at lafc in fight 
Of both my Parentsall in flames alcended 
From off the Altar, where an Ofl'ring burn d, 
As in a ikry column charioting 
His Godlike prefencc, and from fome. great aa 
Or benefit re vcal'd U*4hjkm s rr.ee> 
'•Why was my hcedmgoidu'd and prefer^! 



^ct Kav, letmc not rafljly caHiodoubt 

Divine Prediction 5 what if all foretold 

Had been fulfil !d but through mine own default 

Whom have I to complain of but my felf? 

Who this high gift of ftrength committed tome. 

hi what part lodg'd, how eafily bereft me, 

Uader the Seal of filcp.ee could not keep. 






h 



• . 



Bi 



j 2 Samfitt Agonizes. 

l»But weakly to a woman muft reveal it, 
O'rccomewiih importunity and tents. 
O impotence of mind, in body ftroogf 
But what is ftrength without a double fbaie v 
Of wifdom, vaft, unwieldy, burdenforn. 
Proudly fecure,yet liable to fall 
By weakeft mulcties, not made to rule, 
But to fbbferve where wifdom bears command. 
Cod, when he gave me ftrength, to flicw withal 
How flight the gift was, hung it in my Hair., 

c Bat peace, I muft not quarrel with the will 
Of higheft difpeniation, which herein 
Happ'ly had ends above my reach to know : 
Sufficesthat tome ftrength is my banc, 
And proves thefourfe of all my m if cries > 
So many, and fo huge, that each apart 
Would ask a life to wail, but chief of all 

O Ms of fight, of thee I moft complain! 

Blitd among eaen 3 Owe i then chains, 

Dnngcc 




■? 



..Dungeon, or beggery, or decrepit age \ 



Light the prime work of Godtome isextn 
/\n<l all her various objects of delight 
Aootitt'dj which might in part my grief have eas'd, 
fnfcriouv to thevileft now become 

Of man or worm 5 the vileft here excel me, 

They creep, yet fee, [dark in light expos'd 
To daily fraud, contempt, abaft and wrong, 
Withindoors, or without, full as a fool, 
In power of others, never in my OWB5 
l„ Scarce half Ifecm to live, dead more then half. 
Ottark, dark, dark, amid the blaze of noon, 
J Irrecoverably dark, total Eclipfe 
Without all hope of day ! 
lirfi created Beam, and thou great Word, 
Let there be light, and light was over all 5 
Why am I thus bereav'd thv prime deci ec ■ 



fhe Sun to me is dark 

An J hlent as the Moon a 



When 




When fne defects the night 
»°Hid in her vacant intcrlunarrave. 
Since light Co ncceflary is to life, 

* 

And almoft life it fclQ if it be tmc 
That light is iri the Soul, 
She all in every parts why was the light 
To fuch a tender ball as th 3 eye conf in'd > 

■ 

So obvious and To eafie to be quench't, 

i 

And not as feeling through all parts diffus'd, 

M. 
t 

That flic might, look at will through every pore ■ 

* 

* Then had I not been thus exil'd from light • 



J 

As in the land of darknefs yctin lights 
To live a life half dead, a living death, 

* 

And buried 3 but O yet more miferabie ! 
My fdf, my Sepulcher, a moving Grave, 
Juried, yct not exempt 
By priviledgc of death and burial 

From worft of other evils, pains and wrongs 
*ut made hereby oo 



' 



Saw fan Agohifter, 

th< mifcricsof life, 

Li{ , captivity 






\ r) y mhuni an foes. 

But narethcfe> for with joint pace I bgtf 
The tread of many feet ftcaringthi s way • 
perhaps my enemies who come to ftarc 
Army affliction, and perhaps to infulr 
Thir daily practice to atfiict me more. 
Char. This, this is lie; foftly a while 
Let us not break in upon him 5 
change beyond report, thought, or belief 
See how he lies at random, carcleily dihVd, 
With languifh't head unpropt, 
As one paft hope, abandon'd. 
And by hi mfclf given over", 
Hllavifli habit, ill-fitted weed.? 

■ 

O'rc worn and foil J; 

°c do my eyesmifreprcfent ? Can tins be hce, 

Tl »t Heroic, that Rcnown'd, 



'5 



noxious more 



■ 



to 



Irrc- 












I 




rrn'd ! In K.wuth-kchi famous to this day : 

* • - nd; Then by main force pull'd U h and 



* lrrcnfMW^r^ ? whom una 

f No Greugth of njan > or ficrccft wild B **** C0l,1, ' i 

Who tore the Lion, as the Lion t cars the Kid, 
. 5 .RanonembattelldArmio clad in Iroil, 



on bis (boulder i 



And wcaponlefs himfelf, 

MadeArms ridiculous, ufclcfsthc forgery 






T hc G&eS0?M6* t Pod, and maisie Bar 
Up to the Hi« by fftMt (cat of Giants old, 

Mo journey of a Sabbath daft and loaded To • 



Like whom the OefltUes fetgq to 



bear ap Hcavni 



Of brazen (liicld andfnear, thchammer'd CuirafV Which M1 l firft ****** 
Chdjkm tempered flee], andfrock of mail Thy Bondage or loft Sigh^j 

Adamantean Proof ; 

But hfcit he who flood aloof, 

r 

When infupportably his foot advane'e, 

* 

In (corn of thir proud arras and warlike tools, 






Prifon within Prifbn 

* 1 

Infcparably dark } 

Thou art become (O worft imprifoameatlj 

The Dungeon of thy felf ; thy Sou! 



("Which Men enjoying fight oft without caulcenm- 

Cplain'd; 



Spurn'cl them to death by Troops. The bold Aft* 
-Fled from his Lion ramp, old Warriors turn d^"' Im P rifon>d »™ indeed, 

l In real darknefs of the body dwells, 



Shut up from outward (igfct 



Toi 



Thir plated backs under his heel $' 

Or grovling foild thir creftcd helmets inthcdufl. 

Then with what trivial weapon came to hand, *. ° mco, Torate with gloomy night 3 

The Jaw of a dead A fs, his fword of bone, 

K thoufand fore-skins fell, the flower of Pdefii 



* 



J'or inward light alas 
Put s forth no vifual beam, 










I aamjon /igomlUs, 

O mirror of our fickle teKb 
Since man on earth unparalleW 

Thc rare r thy example tends, 

F Byh0W nnich from the top of wondrous gi *ft 

Strongeftof mortal men, 
rr=To bwcft pitchof abjarfortunethouartfalln. 

For him f reckon not it* high eftate 
Whom long <fcfent of birth 
Or thefphear of fortune raifcs \ 
B ■ 1 1 h cc ■■ . ofe ftxength, while vertue was her mate. 
Might have fi b (u'd the Earth, 
Univer illy crown'd with higheftpraifes. 
$a ■ . I hemhe found of words, thir fenfethe air 

DiiToIvesunjointede'reitreachmyear. , . , 

(might, 

a' ... Bee (peaks, let us draw nigh. Matchlels in 

* 

lory lateof Ifi'tcl. now thc grief 3 



r 



■'i I on 



CounO I or Coniblation we 



gmfies. 



m 



* I \TV 



ii 



••■ : 



e met! f friends and neighbours not unknot 



Fr ra I and Zota\ fruitful Vale 

o viiitoi t ewaij thee, or if better. 



Counfcl 



bbeto thy Sorei, apt woti ha ,e p^ w ; rt Sfwa^ 

The tumor;, of a troubVd mind 4 

Airfare as Bi : n to fefter'd wounds 

s * m Yourcomingirieni Hves^forlleiri 

Now of my ov nes >erience 3 not by talk, 



■ 



Howcounteneiti coin .are who friendi 
Beatintheii Sup Tfcriptioa (ofthemoft 
I would be underftoodj m pn ;rous day* 
Theyfwarm, but in adverfe withdraw rheif head 

Not to be found, though I ht. fee fce,0 friciv 
How many evils have enclosed me round ■-, 
; ?et that which wasthe worftnow leaft atfiids me; 
llindnefsj for had I light, coafus'd with (hame, 

• How could I once look up, or heave the bead, 5 

Who I ike afoolifh Pilot have (bipwrack't, 
165 My Veflbl truft ed to me from above, 

Gloriouflj rigg'd? and for a word, a tear, 
faot'WedlvuIg'd thefeeret gift* of bod 






• 




_-^^^M 






20 snwfofi Agoni 

Toadccc,tfulVV'onian:tcllnicFricnd, : 
AmInot-r,ngandprovcrbdforaFool 
I„ every ftrccr, do they not fay, now well 
Arc come upon himhisdefcrts ? yet Why > 
Immcafurablcftrcngth they might behold 
In me, ofwifdom nothing more then means 




fin Agonijlef. 
The daughter of an Infidel : rhcy knew not 

That whatl mention d was of God 3 1 knew 
From intimate impulfe, and therefore urg'd 
The Marriage on $ that by occafion hence 
{ might begin rfrael's Deliverance, 
The work to which I was divinely call'd j 



•irh the other fhould, at lead, have pairc), shc p rov ing falfc, the next I took to Wife 



: : . two proportiond ill drove me tranfverfe. 

Chor. Tax not divine difpofal, wifeft Men 
Haveerr'd, and by bad Women been deceiv'dj 
Andfhail again, pretend they ne'refo wife. 

r.'ej (.1 not then fo overmuch thy felf, 
Who baft of forrow thy full load bel'Idcs^ 
Yet truth to fay, I oft have heard men wonder 
Why thou fhouldft wed Thiliftian women rather 
Then of thine own Tribe fairer, or as fair, 
At Jeafr. of thy own Nation, and as noble. 
vm Sam. The firftl favv at timxa, and (lie plcas'd 
Wee, not my Parents, that I fought to wed, 



(C that I never had ! fond with too late. J 



I « 3 . Was in the Vale of Sorcc, Dulih, 
' That fpecicus Monfler, my accompliftit fnare, 
I thought it lawful from my former aft, 
And the lame end 3 frill watching to eppr.-fs 
i/7-«/soppreilburs: of what now I fufiet 
She was not the prime caufe, but I my felf, 
Who vanquiflit with a peal of words (O vyeaknefs ! 
©aveupmyfortof fil.cnceto a Woman. 



The 



Chor. In. (eeking jnffc occalion to provoke- 
The fbifrfifne, thy Countries Enemy, 
Nt?hqq never waft remifts I bear thee witjicfi : 

is: 3 v 



-> 







Samjon Agonizes. 

rftacl lull f ; » with all hisSon 
saw. That&ultltake not on me 9 but transfer \ 

■ ■ 

On /<W'- Govci nours, and Heads of Tribes, 
Who feeing i hofc great acts which God haddoaa 
Singly by mc againft their Concjuerours 

Acknowledged not, or not at all confider'4 
Deliverance ofFcrd : I on th' other fide 
\X/d no ambition, to commend my deeds, 

' • ' (uOOCi' 

Th: deeds theaifelve$> though mute- (poke loud the 




i 



i 



j But they perfifted deaf, and would notfeem 



I 



% t 



To count thejB things worth notice, till at length 
Thir Lords the PbUifimes with gathcr'd power; 
Entcid Jttdat feeking mee, who then 
afcto the rock of Mam was fetirtL 
- flying, butfore-caftiDg in what place 

Tcfet upon tl u -m,-, . itadvantag'd beit} 

* 

Jjfcffl vhiiL the men of >tafi to prevent 

■ 

'■' : ■'-- %and, befetme round.3 
*. willingly on forn< ,. anditionsoame 



1 1 o 



Sam fan Agonifies. 
,, )nt0 thir hands, andihcy a, gladly yield me 
f thcuncircumcis'c'i a welcom prey, 
Bound with two cords 5 hutcordsto me were I , 



k 



;..' 



Xoiicht with the flame: on thir whole Hcit I i 
llnarm'd, and with a trivial weapon fcTul 
Their choiceft youth 3 they only liv'd who fled, 
Had Judoh that day join'd, or one whole Tribe, 

f 

They had by this poflefs'd the Towers of G.-th,- 
And lorded over them whom now they fervc ;, 



But what more oft in Nations grown corrupt, 
r And by thir vices brought to fcrvitude, 
Then to love Bondage more then Ltbertyj 

Bondage with cafe then ftrenuom liberty 5 
Andtodefpife,or envy, or fufpect 
Whom God hath of hisfpecial hvwt rais 
As thir Deliverer i if he aught begin, 
How frequent todeferthiiHj and at iaffc- 
"To heap ingratitude on worthicft dei ■ - 

Gfo Thy words to my rem* ' - br:l v 

K 4 



ew 









Samfon Agon'tfieA 

How snte&Hnd&e VonoiTowl 

aSc Tbir treat Deliverer conternn'd, 
The marchlefs Gideon in purfuit 
Qf Madi.u? and her vanquifht Kings: 
And how ingrateful Eph\iim 
Had dealt with Jepkfa who by argument, 
Not worfc then by his lhicld andfpear 
peftnded ifiaelftom the Ammonite, 
ad not his prowcCsqueird thir pride 
fore battel when fo many dy'd 
Without Reprieve adjudg'd to death, 
For want of well pronouncing shibboleth. 

Sam. Qf fucii examples addc mee to the rout, 
Meeeafily indeed mine may neglect. 
But GoeUpropos'd deljverancenot fo. 
Chor. Juffc ;ue the ways of Cod, 

AndjuftifiabletoMea;. 

Unlefs there be whothink not Godat:;- 

Vanybe, &?ywalk$bfcu«?; 



■- 



' \ ■ 1 



• ? 



■ • 



Samfon Agoniflesl 

For of fuch Doftrinc never was there School, 

But the heart of the Fool, 

And no man therein Doctor buthimfclf. 

Yet more there be who doubt hisnvays not ju(r 
As to his own edicts, found contradicting, 
Then give the rains to wandring thought, 

■ 

Rcgardlefs of his glories diminution ; 

Till by thir own perplexities involv'd 

They ravel more a ftiIl lefs refolv'd, 

But never find l~c\f [attsrytng G/ution. 
1 As if they would confine th' interminable, 
: And tie him to his own prefcripr, 

Who made our Laws to bind us, not himfelf, 

And hath full right to exempt 
\ Whomfoitpleafes him by choice 

From National obftriftion, without taint 

Of fin, or legal debt 5 

for with his own Laws he can beft difpenee. 
He would not clfe who never warned njcans. 



1 . 



ami on 



omlic 



anion 



ni 



ifies 



Norm refpeft off he a.cmy juftcaufej 

To fet his people free, 
Jlavc prompted this Heroic N.zzaritc, 
:»Ag.iinft his vow of ftnclefi. purii) , 
Xo feek in marriage that fallacious Bride 
Unclean, unchafte. 



[y Son oow Captive, hither hatb bfor m y 

• ,,,r younger feet, V^»Iemm ccaftbac! ., v .. ha 

( gaftqrj fayifhebea : ._ 

Ai fignal now in low dejefodi ftatc 
,&»etfft inbigbeft, beboWhimwhefeheUes. 

//</». O mifera ble change I i 5 tn j s t ; lc 



man, 



Do\vnReafbnthen,atJcaflvainreaionings down. T: ; ^ ] ' ]Clb]cSa/ ' 1 J'"-> krreaQWH : -i, 



Though Realbn here aver 

That moral vcrdit quits her of unclean : 

Unchafte was fubfequent, her (tain not his. 

But fee here comes thy reverend Sire 
With careful ftep, Locks white as doune, 

* 

Old Meatoah : advife 
^Forthwith how thou oughtlt to receive him. 









The dread otljr^s foes, who with a ftreogth 

Equivalent to Angels w, : ; ,1 thir firect^ 
Nunc offering fight j who fingle combatant 
Duell'i! thir Ariajee rank't in pjoud ayrx- 

Hi . ifan Army, now unequal march 



To lave himfelf • , linft acoward arm'd 
one {pears length, Oeverfeilbs 



g 



*h mortal ftxengtfa ! and oh what not in man 



Mm. 



s.im. Ay me, another inward grief awak't, I 

With mention of that name renewsth 1 afiault- Receivable and vain ! Nay what thing good 

B i ct'iren and men of Qanjuyt fuch ye feeDi a >' c} 6* » but often proves our woe, onr) i 
Though in this uncouth places if old refpecr, I W for Children, and the barrjenaefs 

As f fuppoi^ towards voWooceeioried iiicmL .' ! ^-k a reproach 3 I -unci .1 Son, 

" Us - ' '■ ■ : " Si * 



Samfon Agovijlts. 
Such a Son as all Men hail'd me happy \ 

Who would be now a Father in my 




O therefore did God grant, me my requeft, 
Andasa blcfling with fuchpompadom'd > 
Why arc his gifts dcfirablc, to tempt 
|fc Our earnefi: Prayers, then giv'n with folemnhand 
As Graces, draw a Scorpions tail behind ? 
For this did the Angel twice defcend ? for this 
Ordain'dthy nurture holy., as of a Plants 
Select, and Sacred, Glorious for a while, 
Tiie miracle of men : then in an hour 
Enfnar'd, aiTanlted, overcome, Ld bound, 
Thy Foes derifion,Captivc, Poor, and Blind 
Into a Dungeon thrufr, to work with Slaves? 
Alasmethinks whom God hath chofen once 
To wouhieft deed?, if he through frailty err. 
He mould not to o'rcwhelm, and as a thrall 
' SubjeO: him to fo foul indig lities, 

Be itbatfa honours fake of former deeds, 



■ 



Saw [on Agonijies. 
Appoint not heavenly <lif r ofition, Father' 
, go fallthefe evils hath befairn me 
, jafirly 5 I myfclfhave brought them on, 
, So le Author I, folccaufe : if aught feem vile, 
' As vile hath been my folly, who have profan'd 
Thcreyfteryof God giv'nmeunder pledgi 
jfvow, and have betray'dit to a woman, 
A CM*anitc,my fiuAlcfi enemy. 
This well I kaew, nor was at all furprii'd, 
But warn'd by oft experience .- did not (hi 
OfttanM firft betray me, and reveal 
The fecret wr cited from me in her highth 
Of Nuptial Love proteft, carrying it Ctraic 
To them who had corrupted her, my Spies, 
And Rivals ? In this other was there found 
More Faith? who alio in her prime of love, 
^Spoufal embraces, vitiated with Gold, 
Though ofler'd only, by the Cent conceiv'd 
^rTpurious firft-born j Treafon aga'mft mc? 



30 



Samfon Agonifi 



'-f 



A 



ThHcc fceaflay'd with flattering prayers and fig 



* 

iroachesto win from mc 



goni[Us, 
[<rr Bond-flaw 5 O indignity, o blot 

joHonoui md Religion! fewjlmind 



51 



' ReU ;U- ( lcovvc!!v/ : iMcrvilp Un i niI71cnt! 



And amorous r< 

My capita! fecfet, in whatpart my fltcngtfi 

Lay ItorcUn what part fummUthat (he mighi kno* The W *** l ° *** ! "* *»« 
Thrice l deluded her, and turn'dto fport 



rj ..u r: • tWsgrkidingjisftotyetfbbafe 



^ s , asrayformei !rvitu<fe 9 ignoble 

tj -:M!>!;. j lommiOuSj inramous 

1: v.and lUblindnefsworfethenthir, 

( that faw not ofc degencratly I fervU 

A/,/;. [ cannot pi.ufbthy Marriage choifes, Son. 



Her importumty 3 eachtirae perceiving 

How openly, and with what impudence 

■ 

* 00 Shepurpos'du> betray me, v.nd (which was work 
Then undlifembrd bate) with what contempt 
She fought to make mc Tfaytor to my felf} 
Yet Cbefourthchife when muftring all her wile:, RathLrJ <" )vMthc ™ not 5 but thou dida plead 
Withblandilhtpariics, feminine adults, Pivmeimpullion prompting how thoumight'it 

Tongue-batteries, ffaefniceasM not day nor night Wfi ^«9ttfoBtt iufeft our Foes. 
To ftorm me ovcr-watch't, and wearied out, f te not tl,at 3 this * am fure * 0lir Focs 

At times when men fcek moft repofe and reft, H* f °° n occaf ion thcrd) ; to make thcc 



I yielded, and unlock'd her all my heart, 
Who with a grain of manhood well refolv'd' 
4io Might eafily have (hook ofT all her fnares : 
But foul effeminacy hcldmeyok't 



»hir Captive, and thir triumph 5 thou the fooncr 

Temptation found'ft, or over-potent charms 
T o violatetlie (acred truftof iilence 

' Oc pofk-d within thee 3 which to have kept 
Hei Tacit, 



23 Samfin Agoniftes. 

Tacit, was in thy powers true ■■> and thou bear', 
Enough, and more the burden of that fault 5 
Bitterly haft thou paid, and ilill art paying 

Ti1.1t rigid fcore. A v/orfe thing yet remain 
This day ihaVlnUJlhtts a popular Feaft 

■ 

Here celebrate in Gaz.f-, and proclaim 
Great Pomp, and Sacrifice, andPraifcs loud 
To Dagon, astheir God who hath deliver'd 
Thee sawfin bound and blind into thir hands 



Samfon Agomfa, 
,, T } in t r thfcfibnour, I this pomp have brought 
To b*g*i, ^d advanced his praifcs high 
Among the Heathen round uo God have br - 
Dimonour, obloquie,and op't the mouths 
Ofldolifts, and Aiheifts | have brought fcan 
To ifrael, diffidence of God and doubt 
In feeble hearts, propenfe anough before 
^ To waver, or fall off and joyn with hloh 3 
Which is my chief affliction, flume andforrow, 



^Themout of thine, who flew 'ft them many aflain. Theanguifhof my Soul, that Puffers not 



So Dagon (bail be magnifi'd, and God, 
Befides whom is no God 3 compar'd with Idols, 
DifgIorifi'd 3 blafphem*d,a'nd had in fcorri 
By th' Idolatrous rout amidft thir wine 5 
Which to have come to pafs by means of thee, 



i«»Mine eie to harbour flecp, or thoughts to reft. 
This only hope relieves me, that the ftiife 
With me hath end 5 all the conteft is now 
Iwixt God and Pagak 5 Dagon hath prefum'd, 
Me overthrown, to enter lifts with God, 



Samfitt, of all thy (utter jugs think the hcavieft. His T)r\t* , ■ 1 r • 

j t, luaiuLjiuviui, nisueity comparing and preferring 



Of all reproach the moft wi th fhame that ever 
Could have befall'nthee and thy Fathers houfc. 
$*»*. Father, I do acknowledge and confefc . 



Before the God of Akrd'am. He, be fure, 
v * ill not connive, or linger, thus provok'd, 
Sytwill arife and his great name aflert : 




baton mnft ftoop, and Oiall ere long receive 

-Such adiicomh't, as ihall quite defj^n him 

Ofall theft boafted Trophies won on me, 

And with confufion blank his Worfhippers. 

Mm* Withcaufc this hope relieves thee, and theft 

t • r r> J (Words 

I as a Prophecy receive J tor God, 

Nothing more certain, will not long defer 
To vindicate the glory of his name 

AgainftaU competition 3 nor will long 
Endure it 3 doubtful whether Cod be Lord., 
' Dag n. But for thee what ihall be done "' 

• mufi wot in the mean while here forgot 
' s miferabie loathfotn plight 

\ already have made way 

'■ 'hHififam Lords, wifh whom to treat 
rr.efom : well ihey may by this 
•■ ' :ruti7ioQ: of revenge 
'■ ■ 'vefi mIc then death inflicted 



• 






o\v no more canft do them harm. 

MB 



W :;,ai ' Cf,!nrprO!,0(:ili; ^^^--eth crr0 ^ 
Of thai follicitatidn? let me here, 

As 1 deferve, pay on mypurii(hm cnt i 

fad expiate, if poTDbl my :t \ mc ■ 

j Shameful garrulity, fo'l ircreveai'd 

Secrets of ria :n, the fecrets of 'a friend 

Howhainous had the f«c f been, howdefervW 
' Contempt, and (corn of ail , to be excluded 

; All ftiendlhipa and avoided as a blab, 

; The mark of fool fet on his front > 

But I Gods coinifcihave not kept, hisholy fecfd 
Prefumptuoufly have publiuYd, impioufly, ; 

'-Weaklyat lead, and lhamcfully : Aim 

That Gentiles inthir Parables condemn 

To thir abyfs and horrid rains confin'd. 

Mm. Ee penitent and for thy fault contrite; 

But a& not in thyownalliicnoi^Son, 

^ c penr the fin, but if the punimracnt 

*Wf cand avoid, felfprefervationb 

t % 






■ 







%6 Samfon Agonifics. 

Or th' execution leave to highdifpofal, 

And let another hand, not thine, cxaft 
thy penal forfeit from thy felf, perhaps 
310 God will relent, and quit thee all his debt 5 
Whoevermore approves and more accepts 
(Beirpleas'd with humble and filial fubmiffion) 
Him who imploring mercy fucs for life, 
Then who felf-rigorous choofes death as due 3 

* 

Which argues over-jufr, and felf-difplcas'd 
For felf-offence, more then for God offended. 

Reject not then what orTird means, who knows 
But God hathfet before us, to return thee 

Hometothycountrey and his (acred houfc, 

■ 

, Where thou may ft bring thy offerings, to avert 
His further ire, with praicrsand vows renew'd. 

Sam. His pardon 1 implore 5 but as for life, 
To what end fhould I feek it ? when in ftrength 
All mortals I exceii o\ and great in hopes 

With youthful courage and magnanimous thoughts 

• Of 



Samfon Agonies. 

( >ivth from Heavn foretold and high exploits, ^ 
\ 'ofdivineinftin^aftcrfon.cproof 
a&s indeed heroic, far beyond 

-j*Ji Sonsof Attae, famous now and blaz'd 

r left of danger, like a petty God ' 

1 I tlk'd aboutadmir'd of all and dreaded 
On hofrile ground, none daring my afTront. 
Then fwoll'n with pride into thefnnre I fell 
Of fair fallacious looks, venereal trains, 
Softn'd with pleafureand voluptuous life 5 
At length to lay my head andhallow'd pledge 
Of all my ftrength in thelafcivionslap 
Of a deceitful Concubine who more me 

■ 

Like a tame Weather, all my precious fleece, 

Ma Then turn'd me out ridiculous, defpoil'd, 

Shav n, and difarm'd among my enemies. 

Chor. Defireof wine and all delicious drinks, 

Which many a famous Warriour overturns, 

Thou couldft reprefs, nor did the dancing R ubie 

L 3 Sparkling, 




: ,$ Santfott Agomfies. ~ ' 

parklin& out-pow'rd, theflavor 3 or the find], 

Or tafte that cheers the heart of Gods and men, 

Allure thee from the cool CryftalJi nc ftrea m. 




Now Mod, ^^art„y i (ha m -d,difhonoi:rU q uen? 
TowhatcanI be ufefoi, wherein free 



My Nation, ana the work f roffl Rp . v , n . , , 

«** Where ever fountain or frefh current fart ' . „ mp0S 



Againft the Eaftern ray, n-.mtlucent, pure. 
? 55 With touch Ktherial of Hi i v 'ns fiery rod 

i I drank, from the dear milkie juice allaying 

ThirfcandruTdliL 5 nor envy'd them the grape 
\ IVhofeheads that turbulent liquor fills with fume 
Chor. G madnels, to think ufe of ftrqngeft wines 
And ftrqngeft drinks our chief fupport of health, 
When God with thefe forbid n made choice torear 
His mighty Champion, ftrong above compare, 
Whoic drink was only from the liquid brook. ' 
* •• But what avail VI this temperance, m t com- 

■ ^^notherobjectmorc enticing? ("#"! 

What boot, u at o;k ^ 

A «4 another toletio the foe 



inatly 1 luiffiY) 1 ,. , - • « 

* . * 



No 



But to ut idle on the houfhold hearth 
Abordeco » drone 3 to vifltants a mw 
Or pitied object, thefe redundant locks 

» 

: - flobuftious to no purpofe dtrfrHng dow^ 

Vain monument of fcrengrh 3 till length of years ' 

And icdent.iry numnefs craze my limb 

To a contemptible d<.\ age obfeure. 

Here rather let me drudge and earn rr -read, 
■ Till vermin or the draff of fern! food j 

Confume me, and ofc-navocated death 
Hafu'nthewelcomeud of all my pamsi 

Mm, Wilt thou then ferve the Vhtlifltnts with that 
Which was exprefly giv'n thee to annoy them ? 
Better at home liebed-r id, not only idle, 
fcglorious, nnimploy 'd, with age out- worn. 
&'t God who cntKs'd a fountain at thy prayer 



• 



M 



Fiora 



jm on 



'res, 






From the dry ground to fpring,thy third to al] a 
After the brunt of battel, can as cafie 

CatrfeJig&t again within thy eiesto (pring, 

Wherewith toferve him better then thou haft. 
And Iperfwade me foj why clfe this ftrength 
Miraculous yet remaining in thofe locks > 
His might continues in thee not for naught, 
590 Nor fhaJl his wondrous gifts be fruftrate thus. 



Samfon Agonifles, 
ffct mingle with thy fancy. I however 

Muit not omit a Fathers timely care 
To profecute the means of thy deliverance 
By ranfom or how elfe: mean while becalm, 
And heating words from theft thy friends admit. 
saw. O that torment fhould not be cortfin'd 
To the bodies wounds and fores 
With maladies innumerable 




torn. Allotherwifc to me my thoughts portend, ft ,[n heart, head, brefr, and reins* 
Thatthefc dark orbs no more (hall treat with light, Butmuftfecrct paflage rrad 



North' other light of life continue long, 
Butyieldto double darknefs nigh at hand: 
So much I feel my genial fpirits droop, 
My hopcsall flat, nature within me feems 
In all her functions weary of her felf; 
My race of glory run, and race of ^^ 

And miall Oiortlybe with them thatreft, 



feo 



Toth* inmoftm'mdj 

* 
■ 

There exercife all his fierce accidents. 
And on her pureft fpirits prey, 
As on entrails, joints, and limbs, 

- 

W ith anfwerable pains, but more intend', 
Though void of corporal fenfe. 
My griefs not only pain me 



*** Believe not thefe Aggflkm which proceed As a lin gring difcafe 



From aogmPaofthe mhjd and humours black, 



That 



uUi h: Hling no redrefs, ferment and rage, 



. 



4 



"amfon Agitiiflc 



tJtfon Agonific f 



,\bo' 



c the nerve of mortal 



arm 






Nor lefsthen wounds immedicable 

Ranckfc, and fetter, and gangrene, 

To black mortification. 

Thoughts my Tormcntcrsarm'd with deadly ftj „ ^adtOthofecniel enemies, 

Whom I by his appointment had provok't 



As r:iinfrt!ic uncirciimcis'd, our enemies- 
(tfioW hathcaft me off as never 



Known 



Mangle my a] ij n . ■hcnfivc tendc rel 1 pa Its, 

Exafperate, exn Jcerate, and raife 

Dire inflammation which no cooling herb 
Or medcinaJ liquor caoa/Tivage, 

Nor breath of Vera! Air from fnowy Ah. 

0j, Sleep hath foi fook and gi v'n me ore 



Lc fc me all hclplefs with th' irreparable h. 
Of light, refer v'd alive to be repeated 
Thcfubjecl: of thir cruelty, or fcorn. 
Nor am I in the lift of them that hope; 
Hopelefs are all my evils, all rcmedilefs- 



To deaths benumming Opium as my only cure * :This onc F ra 3' cr y« remains, might I be heard, 
Thence fainting*, fwouningsof defpair, 
And fenfc of Heav'ns defertion. 

I was his nurning once and chui ce delight, 
His deflin'd from the womb, 



-ig petition, fpeedy death, 
Tlieclofeof all my mifcries, and the balm 
Cta. Many are the layings of the wile 
laanticntand in modern books enroll'dj 
Promisd by Heavenly mc(]agc twice defending, ^tolfiog Patience as the trucft fortitude 5 

^d to the bearing well of all c. -it'ies, 
M chances incident to mm frail life 



Under his ipecia] efe 

AbfremiousTg; .and dmiv ^mauu 

He led me on to mig e ft dcc ^ 



\ host 



I u&fetoriet wri 



• 



lt , 



43 




. 



44 Saw fort Agomftet. 

With fhidied nrgumcnr,andmuch perfwafionf l!( , 

WtLenient of grief and anxious thought, 

Battoth' affiifted in his pangs thir found 



amfon Agonijl 



es 



m ds without name no more rememberd, 

,ich as thou haft folemnly elected 
.• Vlt |, gifts and graces eminently ac ] orn . d 
Little prevails, or rather fecms a tune, ^ rorncgr eat work, thy glory, 

Harm, and of diflbnant mood from Ins complaint, And peoples fafety,which in part they eftA . 



4S 



Unlets he feel within 

Somefourfe of confblation from above $ 
Secret refrefbings, that repair his ftrength, 
And fainting (pirits uphold. 

God of our Fathers, what is man I 
That thou towards him with hand fo various, 

I 

^Ormight ifaycontrarious, 

Temperft thy providence through his fhort courfc, 
Not evenly, as thou rnl'ft 



f et toward theft thus dignifi'd, thou oft 
Amidftthir highth of noon, 

Changefr thy countenance, and thy hand with no r. 
Of higheft favours pa ft (g ar ' 

Fromthce onrjiem, or them to thee of fervice. 

Nor only doft degrade them, or remit 

. 

Tolife obfeur'd, which were a fair difmiffion, 

But throw'ft them lower then thou didft exalt them 

Unfeemly fulls in human eie, ^ by 



The Angelic ordersand inferiour creatures mute, Too grievous for the trefpafsoromiflion, 



Irrational and brute. 

Nor do I name of men the common rout, 

Th"t wandringloofe about 

Growu P andperinh,asthefummerflie ; 



Ofrleav'ft them to the hoftile fword 



irkafles 



Jo dogs and fowls a prey, or elfecaptiv'd : 

Er M <?c U0 thc Ul V uft tribunals, under change of times, 
Head, o And 



■ 



:< 



q6 Samfon Agomjlcs. 

And condemnation of the ingraft lid multitude; 

If thefe they (cape, perhaps in poverty 

With Gckrie&anddifeafe thou bow 'ft them down 

* painful diieafes and deform 'd, 
hi crude old age 'j 

Though notdifordinate, yetcaufJeisfuffring 
Tlic punifhment of diilblute days, in fine, 
Juft or u n] Lift, alike feem miferable, 

| 

For oft alike, both come to evil end. 



Qffarfos, bound forth'Ifles 
tj^Jiwan or Gadht 

^itl.allhcrhnr.cryon, u«,l tackle trim • 
. f]l!'d 3 and .'[reamers waving 

,. C;)1! rtcd by al! the wind, that hold thcmpU . 

I Amber fent of odorous perfume 
Her harbinger, a damfel train bsUtd $ 
gome rich PhiUfian Matron fee may f CC m 5 
And now at nearer view, no other certain 



So deal not with this once thy glorious Champion, Thcn D ' Ml {hy ^ 
The Image of thy ftrength, and mighty miniftcr. Sm ' h ' y Wifc > m >' Tr;! > llx % : > ' *cr I™ come 



f neat me; 



What del beg ? how haft thou dealt already > 



0* Yet on the ifiove^naw ftands & eies thee fixt 



7* Behold him in this ftate calamitous, and turn ' About i' have ipoke,but now, with head declin'd 

His labours, for thou can ft, to peaceful end. ^eafairflower furcharg'd with dew, Ihe weeps; 

Butwhoisthis, what thing ofSea or Land? ^ordsaddrcftfeem into tears diiiolv'd, 



Femal of fex it fecms, 

Thatfo bedeckt, ornate, and gay 3 - 

Comes this way failing 

Lik« a (lately Ship 



f ' * 



letting the borders of her filk'n veil : 
' fcl now ag a in (he makes addrcls to fpeak, 

Hal. With doubtful feet and wavering rcfolution. 
lcam ^ full dreading thy dilplcafure, S*mp% 



Which 



wo 



Samfon Agonifics. 
Which to have merited, without escafe, i 

I cannot but acknowledge 5 yet if tears 

May expiate (though the faclmore evil drew 

Inthcpcrverfe event then I forefaw) 

Mv penance hath not flackVd, though my pardon 

No way afTur'd. But conjugal affection 

Prevailing over fear, and timerous doubt 

Hath led me on defirous to behold 

Once more thy face, and know of thy eftate. 

If aught in my ability may fervc 

To light'n what thou fuffer'ir, and appeafe 

Thy mind with what amendsisin my power, 

Though Iate 3 yet in fome parttorecompenfe 

My rafh but more unfortunate mifdeed. 




Samfon Agoni _ 
Conteandpromife wonders mbe7 c h, 

tf,r truly penitent, butchief torry 

llertosban^howfarurg-dhispati^^^ 

rlis vcrtue or weaknefs which way to affiiij . 
laeawith more cautious and in r : ,^ 
Again traafgreffi i,arid again fubmtts 5 
: Thatwi£ftand heft men full oft begmT«j 
With goodnefi principled notto reject 
The penitent, but ever to forgive, 
Ate drawn to wear out miferabie days, 

EntangPd witha poyGious bofom fnake 

2 

If Dotty quick deftruetion foon cut o& 
lUIbythee, to Ages an example. 

■ 

Qui. Yet beartne^M«/3»5 not that I endeavour 



Sam. Out 3 out Hj£»a 3 thefe are thy wonted arts, i toleflcn or extenuate my oi'icnce, 



?JO And arts of every woman falfc like thee, 
To break all faith, all vows, deceive, betray ? 
Then as repentant to fubmit, befeecb. 

And reconcilement move withfeign'dremorfe, 

Conf<# 



Sutthatonth' other fide ifit beweigh'd 
^yitfclf, with aggravations' not furcharg'd, 

0rdf e wiihjultallowance counterpoU'd, 

laia y 3 ifpo{iible,thv r araon5nd 

M 





&m\on 



°<m. 






The eafter 

Firftgraoting as fdo, it was a weaknei 

r nffle but incident to all our ft*, 



iC ah)i]McofU;vc- jr .. crfidoTlWay 



I 



- * 



Coriolity, inquiiitive, importune 
r of feercts, then with like infirmity 

To publift them, both common female fault** 
Was it no: weal • alfo to make known 
For importunity, that is for naught. 
Wherein coi ' : d all thy ftrength and fafety ? 

low ■ I did bou (hewdft me firft the way. 

But ! to enemies reveal'd, and Ehould not. 

Nor (bouldft thoU.bave fruited that to womans frailty 

F/rel tothee, thou to thy ft ii waft cruel. 

Let Weaknefi then with weakness come to pari 

So near related, or the fame of kind. 

Thine forgive mine 5 that men may cenfurethine' 
■ The gentler 3 iffi erely thou ex; cnot 
I . More irrcngth from me, tl en in thyft If Was found. 



Apd whatif! ove s wWch thou retlrhate, 



The 



to huflian hearts, nor 1, nn mine towari thee, 

,iv/ trdid? I Cmv thcemutablc 
. fr^,ftvdfeft, ■•■■J.iythouwoi.Idftlc,,,^ 
tftixrim**, fought I {[ meanstherefcrc 
Honrtoeu I ar,and hoi thee to me firmeft i 
abetter way I few then by importuning 
iTalearnthy feerets, get into ray power 
H»ykeyofftrengthandiafety: the , -,-ik f. : - 
%&enrevcafd? [ was afliir'd by thofc 
Who tempted me, that nothing was ieugn'd 
Igaiaft fhee but fafe cuftody, and hold : 
That made for me, I knew that liberty 
^ottld draw thee rortn to perilous enterprifisj 
*MeI at home fate full of cares andfears 
1Vjili »g thy rtknee in my widow'd bed j 
Hcrt; t mould ftill enjoy thee day andn: h 

I i< 

^and Lovespriibner, not the rhiliji mi 

** to my fctf unha irdedaVroad, 

U a 







awl on 



■ofities 



Fearlefs at home of partners in my love. 

Thefc reafons in Loves law have paft For good, 

Though fond and rcafonlcfs to fome perhaps* 

And Love hath oft,well mcaning>wrought much wo. 

Yet always pity or pardon hath obtain d. 

Be not unlike all others, notauftcre 

As thou art ftrong, inflexible as Reel. 

If thou in ftrength all mortals doft exceed, 

In uncompafiionatc anger do not fo. 

Sm, Mow cunningly the forccrefs difplays 

Her own tranfgreffcons, to upbraid me mine > 






Samfon Agomjles. 
,..0 it feign'd, weaknefi is thy excuk, 

' -rbelieve it, weaknefsto refift 

..;;„/ gold : if weakness may excufe, 

L Murtherer, what Traytor, Parricide 3 

, oUSj Sacrilegious, but may plead it ? 
. jckeclnefs is wenknefs : that plea therefore 
.', God or Man will gain thee noremiflion. 
iftra'uvd thee 5 c. ill it furious rage 
itisfie thy hilt : Love fecks to have Love ; 
.'.ovchow couldfhhou hope, who tookftthe way 
r.ifein me inexpiable hate, 



That malice not repentance brought thee hither, raring, as needs I mutt, by thec b( J 'd> 
By this appears : I gave, thou fay'ft, th' example., bin thou ftriv'lr to cover (hame with fan* 



J led the way ; bitter reproach, but true, 
I tomv felf was falfc e're thou to me. 



|byevafions thy crime uncovcrft more. 

W. Since thou detcrminihvcuknclsror no r 
Such pardon therefore as I give ray folly, "in or woman, though to thy own condemn'm 

Take tothy wicked deed : which when thou feeft - v.hat afiaultsl had, what marcs befide% 
Impartial, fclf-feverCj inexorable, :3t Gegcsgirtme round, ere I contented^ 

Thou w.li 1 enounce thy feekingj and much rather ,!j) m j ^ ^ c ^^ ^ i)C (j. rc f u j v 'd of rnei 

Con~ »* „ ' 









M.3. 



Sam fan Agomftes, 



\A n A : fiftet. 

Theconiranteftto'haveyi. twit] it 1 ! ofvv ,fcfl: men 5 that to the public g 

•J'ltwasnotgold, asto my charge thoalay'ftj priva terefpeasnmft yield-, \ 

That wrought .with me: thou know'H ;iftrates TookfuIIpofleffiooofin^airfpfevftU'ds 

And Princes of my countrey came in perfons urtue, as I thought, ti ; .<: r;, ,..,• 



K 



Sollicited, commanded, thrcatn'd, urg'd, 
Adjur'd by all the bonds of civil Duty 
And of Religion 5 prefs'd how juft it was, 
pot* anourable, how elorious to entrap 

A common enemy, who had d.eftroy'd 



S am. r th it win 
[ la feign'd Religion- fa ... 

; love, ftillo oufly pret< . ' ■ \ 
I Bin, as h ughf,fin oald 

Far other real _. ,;. 



*^ 



uchm of our Nation: andthePrieft I k-fore all the daughters of my Trifa 



i 



Was not behind, but ever at my car, 
fa Preaching how meritorious with the gods 
h wouldbe to enfnare an irreligious 
D wjourer of Dagon ; what had i 






Too ,: againft fuch powerful argumeni 
Only my love of thee held long debate 5 
Audi, I atcdin filenceall tl ereafons 



Andof my (at ion eta » 

Bj bv'dtho 
K)well 3 unboibm'd all n ? 3 

Not out of levity, iuitover-p ■ .1 

By thy requeft^who could deny 1 

Yet no- im ji: . ■ 1 

Pi^i . 3 ft receivem ;fo thy husband 



i-Vitlj liard ateft : at length that grounded maxim T! 

lu cn, asftnceih.cn. thycou 



Icbr ited in then ou I 



v 



• 



4 ! 









tfi Samfoft Jpofnftcs. 

Parents and count revs nor was I their fub;< % 

Nor under their protection but my own, 

Thou mine, not theirs: ifaught againftmy life 
* 55 Thv countrey fought of thee, it fought, unjufUy, 
Againft the law of nature, law of nations, 
No more thy countrey, but an impious crew 
Of men con fpi ring to uphold rhir ftate 



i . 



By worfc then hoftile deeds, violating the ends 

■ * * 

For which our countrey is a name fo dear 5 
Not therefore to be obey'd. But zeal mov'd thee 5 
To plcafe rh y gods thou did.ft it ; gods unable 
To acquit them (elves and profecote their foes 
But by ungodly deeds, the contradiction 

* 

*» Of their own deity , Gods cannot be : 
Left therefore tobepleas'd, obey'd, or fear'd, 
Thete falfe pretexts and varnihYd colours failing. 

Bare in thy guilt how foul mult thou appear? 

• ■ 

Dal. la argument wkh men a woman ever ; 

, 

Goes by the word-, whatever be her caufe. 




, cor want of words no doubt, or lack of 

- 1 • t 1 1 (breath, 

L e f s when I was worried with thy peals. v J 

[ m ! I was a fool, too rath, and quite miftakeq 
. v , hnr I thought would have fucceeded befh 
jtme obtain forgivenefs of thee, Samfi^ 
ford me place to fhew what recompence 

lizards thee I intend for what I havemifdone, 
Kfiruidcd 5 only what remains pad cure 

Lrnot too fenfibly, nor frill infill 
ToalTlicl thy felf in vain : though light be lot}, 

feyethath many folaces, enjoy \\ 

■There other fenfes want not theii delights 

* * • 

ome in leifure and domefticeafe, 
"ptfrom many a care and chance tow hich 

!;c-(ig!itcxpofes daily men abroad. 

pthe Lords will intercede, not doubting 



-"■favourable ear, that I may fetch thee 
f^ forth this Ioathfom prifon-houfc, to abid 









■ 



- * * 



sa » 



I'unx'. where my redoubl'd love and care 



With 



5* 



'am foti Agonifty 



$ajttfc 



om 



j~ | , , r. t hcnce eafilycontemn'd., and fcornd, 

Withaurfing diligence, to me glad office, f# ,cl ' 

1 1 ,n- ncelcftcil ? Mow vvovilctJt thou, mlult 



May ever tend about thec to old . 

With all things grateful chear'd, and fofuppli'd 



I mufr jive uxorious tot],y will 



, _. . , , „,.Rt ihra klom, how again betray me. 

That what by me thou haft loft thou lead foal, „,, : ' cl ' 

P ,. . ' ir i„ E my word:, and doingsto the Lord? 

Sdmf No, no, Qimy condition take no care j p; ° 



« Itfitsnot; thou and Hong fiucenre twain 
Northink mc Co unwary or accurlh 
To bring my feet again into thefhar 



T rlofs upon, and cenfuring, frown or fmile > 
rjjj s Gaol I count the honfe of Liberty 
Ifothinewhofc doors my feet (hall never enter. 

* 



„„ T , , „ . T . . . ml. Let mc approach at lcafr,nnd touch thy hand. 

Where once I have been caught j I know thy :! - Ji J 

~-> , i , . o. „, , . **». Not for thy 1 i fe ^ left fierce remembrance 

Though dearly to ray coir, thy ginns, and toyhj * / j 

Thy fair enchanted cup, and warbling charms ^'^nrage to tear thec joint by joint. 

No more on me have power, their force is nuli'd, /' ldiftancc ' ^W Q $** §° withthat 1 



So much of Adders wifdom I havcleani'' 
To fence my earagainil thy forceries. 



* 

vail thy falfhood, and the pious works 

thath brought forth to make thee memorable 



If in my Bowel of youth and ftrcngth, when all mcij^'g iHuftrious women, piithfu! wives : 
* e LoVd 3 honour'd/car *d mc, thou alone could hate mferifli thy haft'n'd widowhood with the gold 
s Thy Husband, flight mc, fell me, and forgo me j # Matrimonial treafon : fofarewd. 

How wouldft thou ufe me now, blind, and thereby j &*/. I fee thou art implacable, more deaf 

^cceiveable, in mofhhings ay a child,. 



M ° payers, then winds and feas, yt winds to feas 
11^- ■ Are 



6o 

Arf i 






g Sawfon Agonifles. 

Are rcconcil'dat length, and Sea to Shore .; 

Thy anger, unappeafablc, ftiH rages, 
Eternal temped never to bccalm'd. 
Why do I humble thus my Pelf, and fuing 
For peace, reap nothing but rcpulfc and hate? 
Bidgo with evil omen and the brand , 
Of infamy upon my namedenoune'r ? 
«7° To mix with thy concernments I defift 
Henceforth, nor too much diiapprovc my own. 
Fame if not double-fac't is double-mouth'd, 
And with contrary bind proclaims mofr. deeds, 
On both his wings, one black, th' other white, 
Bears grcateft names in his wild aerie flight. 
My name perhaps among the Circumcis'd 
In Dm, in Jucl>tb 3 and the bordering Tribes, 
To all poftcrity may (land defam'd, 
, With malediction mem lon'd, and the bloc 
980 Of falfliood moft unconjugal traduc't. 
But in my countrey where I moft de&e, 



ISamfon Agonifles, 
r r } Gi&ti Jfiod, and in Oath 



6l 



m 



oil be 



nam'd among the famoufeft 



O taen s fang at folemn feftivals, 

Ljngand dead recorded, wlipto fave 
Lcountrey from a fierce deftroyer, chafe 

i. 3 vc the faith of wedlock-bands, my tomb 






j odours vifltedand annual flowers. 









jtlefsrenowo'dtheo in Mount EpbrtiWi 

ll. who with inhofpitable guile 
,te si/eraQ&eping through the Temples nail'd. 
lliall I count it hainous to enjoy 
! public marks of honour 'Jnd reward 



I 



ifcir'd upon me, for the piety 



■• 



tomycountrcylwasjudg'd to havelhewn. 
this who ever envies or repines 
ive him to his lot, and like my own. 
: Coor. She's gone, a manifeft Serpent by her f ting 
fevcr'd in the end, till now conceal'd. 
Jfl s *v> So let her go, G od lent her to dc bad- mc 



And 




4i Samfoh Agotiiftcs. 

And J ravate my folly who committed 

To fuch a viper his mod teed thift 
Of fecrefie, my Grfety, and my life. 



Samfon Agoniflcs, 
y D otfo foon preferr'd 

Lparanymph, worthless to thee compar'd, 

our in thy bed, 
LbothfoIooUydinilly'd 



j chor. Yet beauty, though injurious, hath Grange '' 

(power : r niiptklM0 r thisIaft(b freeheiotiflt 

After oilcuce returning to reg. nn u r ' f UI1 J 



Love once pofieft, nor can be cafiiy 

Repuls't, wit.': at much iriwarapaffion felt 
And fecret ftirig of amorous remorfe. 



(po : rntipi 

[Jfhoruthe fatal harveft of thy head. 
: : for that flich outward ornament 
hvfflton rhirSex, that inward gifts 



:y not rais'd to apprehend 

raine what isbeft 



lice, butoftcfrto affect the wrong ? 



•too much of fLIf-love mitt. 



t i r- t r 5 be left for hall unftnifh't, judgment frinf- 

Sam, Love-quarrc-ls ok in plcafmg concord end, .^^vuene icanr, 

uNotwcdlock-trechery endangering life. 

1 Cho. It is not vertue, wifdom, valour, wit, 

Strength, comlinefs of fliape, or amplcft merit 

That womans love can win or lorn?; inherit -\ 

But what it is, hard is to fay. 

Harder to hit, 

(Which way foever men refer itj) 
Much like thy riddle, sawfon, in one day 
Or feve n , though one fliould mu fing fit 5 



1 r 

^-onaancy no rootinfixt, 



If any ofthefeor all, the Timilin bride- 



Had 



Either they love nothing, or not long? 
[*=« c'reit be, to wifeft men and heft 
ClD gnt firft all heavenly under virgin veil, 
|^odcfr,meek,c!enuire ; 
• c ) 01 'ul,tlie contrary ftc proves, a thorn 



8 



3 



fn- 



Intertill, fiir within defcnfive arms 
5= A cleaving mifchie£ in his way to vcrtuc 




9 I 



Adverfe and turbulent, or by her charm:; 
Draws him awry enflav'd 

w 

With dotage, andhisfenfe deprav'd 
Tofolly and (hameful deeds which, ruin ends. 

* 

What Pilot Co expert but needs mud wreck 
Embarqu'd with fuch a Stcars«mateatthe Helm ? 
Favour' d of Heav'n who finds 

* ' 

One vertuous rarely found, 

* 

That in domeftic good combines: 
k Happy that houfe ! his way to peace is fmooth : 
But vertue which breaks through all opposition. 
And all temptation can remove, 
Moft: (Vines and moft: is acceptable abovet 

i 

Therefore Gods univerfal Law 
Gave to the man dcipotic power 
Over his female in due awe, 
Nor from that right to part an hour, 




Smile 



l!c (fceorlowre: 
.ill he Icaft confufion draw 
L his whole life, notfway'd 
female ufurpation, nor difmay'd. 
But had we befr retire, I fee a ftorm > 
sm . Fair days have oft com i acted wind and rain- 
c':or. But this another kind of tempeit brings. 
sm. Be left abftrufc, my riddling days arepair. 

■ chr. Look now for no inchanting voice, nor fear 
,bait of honied words; a rougher tongue 

irawshithcrward, I know him by his frridr, 

Re Giant Harapha of Gath } his look 

pghtyasishis pile high-built and proud. 

inies he in pence.Hvhat wind hath blown him hither 

p conjecture then when firffc I law 

efamptuous Dalili floating this way : 

-'habit carries peace, his brow defiance* 

$m. Or peace or nt t, alike to me he comes. 

I ' ** 1S taught we foon (hall know, he now ar- 
■ riv <*« N Mr. 







66 Sam fan Agonifits. 

ji.ir. t come not samfb% to console thy chancf 






As ihefe perhaps, yet with it ha J not been, 

Though fur no friendly intent. I am of Gal h^ 
.. \icn call m„' Harapha s of fiock renown'd 

As Og or Anmk. andthe Bntirtts old 

That Kin&haim held, thou knowft mc no;v 
If thou at all art known. Much I ha vc heard 
Of thy prodigious might and feats perfortffd 
Incredible to me, in this difpleas'd, 
That I was never prefent on the place 
Of thole encounters, where we might havetri'd 
Each others force in camp or lifted field : 
And now am cometo fee of whom fuch nolle- 
.-: Mail: walk'd about, and each limb to furvey, 

If thy appearance anfwcrloud report. 

Sum. The way to know were not to fee but tafee* 

Bar, Doft thou already fingle me 5 I thought 

Cives and the Mill had tam'd thee? O that fortune W; 

u orin th e houfe with chamber Ambufhes 

Had brought me to the field where thou art fam'd q , ., . . . .. . 

f tf -oie-baaded durft attaque me, no not fleering^ 



Sam fan 
have wrought fuch wonders with an Afles Ja 
oU ldhave fore'd thee foo n wifh other arms, 
Left thy carkafi wherethe Afslay thrown: 
;,:,.! J the glol?5» of Prowefs been recover d 
\oUljiine, wen by a VhHifiitm 
: ,m the iinforeskitin'dr.ice^cf whom thou beat'iS 
higher* name-for valiant Acts, that honour 
rain to have won by mortal duel from thee, 
lofe, prevented by thy eyes put out. , 

jjw. boattnotof what thou wouldft bavedonW 
bat then thoa wouid'ft, thou leeft it in thy hand' 

liir. To combat with a blind man Tdifdain, 
pthou halt need much wafting to be toucht. 
s.w/. Such ufrge as your honourable Lords 
Ifibrdmc atTaflfoated and betray 'd, 
Fho durft not with thir whole united powers 
f fight withftand me llnglc and unarm'd. 



68 



Sawfon Agoniftes. 




, Sawfon Agonizes. 

black enchantments, fome Magicians Art; 



Till they had hir'd a woman with their g lcj * 
Breaking her Marriage Faith to circumvent me 
Therefore without feign'd fliifts let be affi^ 

Some narrow place enclos'd, where (leht mi„ • 

b 'nay g, Ve 

Or rather flight, no great advantage on me ■-, ^ ee > 
'5* Then put on all thy gorgeous arms, thy Helmet 
And Brigandine of braft, thy broad Habergeon 
V ant-brafs and Grcves, and Gauntlet, add thy Spear 
A Weaversbeam, and feven-times-folded fhield Mytruftis in the living Cod who gave me 



T 9 



m 

jthec orcharni'd thee ftroog.which thou from 

| Heaven 

,,-ruilt :>i thy birth was giv d thee in thy hair, 
U lC i-e flrength can leat>abide 3 though all thy hairs 
IWerebri fries rang'd like thofe that ridge iheback 

Ofchaft wild Boars, or ruffi'd Porcupines* 
I $am, I know no Spells, ufe no forbidden A rd 



X 



I only with anOak'n ftafF will meet thee, 
And raife fuch out-cries on thy clatter'd Tron, 






That in a little time while breath remains thee, 
Thouoftlliak wilk thy felf zHGath toboaft 
Again in fafety what thou wouldft have done 
Jv) To sa»ife» 3 butflialt never fee Gathmote. 



Army Nativity this ftrength 3 diffiis'd 

No lefs through all my fintws, joints and bon< , 

Then thine, v. bile I prtftrv'd theft locks unfton 
The pledge of my unviokted vow. 
For proof here/' if Dtgwhtxhy godj 

■ 

Go to his Temple 3 invocat his 

With folemncf: devotion, fpreadbt itehiffl 



f "■«•. Thou durft not thus dUfarage glorious arms | H °w highly it concerns I pry now 

;' Tofruftrateand diffi I e rl igielpells. 



Which greatefi Heroes faaveiobattel worn, 

^Hrornamentandfafety^hadnotfpelLs 



; * v hich I to be the no f ffiael's G od 

And Av <w, and challenge »».,tothei 









CifTering 







on Agonijies. 



jp S dm fon Agonifies. 

OfFeiw to combat thee his Champion bold, 
With th' utmoft of his Godhead fccondcd : 
Then thou flialt fee D or rather to thy farrow 
Soon feel, whofe God is ftronge/r, thine or mine. 

H.ir. PreTume not on thy God, what e're he be. 
Thee he regards not, owns not, hath cut off 
Quitcfrom hispeople, and delivered up 
70 Into thy Enemies hand, permitted them 
To put out both thine eyes, and fetter'd fend thee -He will accept thee to defend his caufc, 



7* 



Tuftly, y ct defpairnotof his final pardon 
I rthofe ear is ever open j and his eye 
I gracious tore-admit the fuppliant^ 

j n confidence whereof I once again 
I pcfie thee to the trial of mortal fight, 

By combat to decide whofe god is God, 

Thine or whom I with Xjrdets Sons adore* 
lUr. Fair honour that thou dolt thy God, intruding 



Into the common Prifon, there to grind 
Among the Slaves and AiTesthy comrades, 
As good for nothing elfe, no better fervice 






A Murtherer, a Pvevolter, and a Robber. 

(me thefe ? 
Sam. Tongue-doubtie Giant 3 how doft thou prove 

ILir. Is not thy Nation fubject to our Lords > 



With thofethy boyft'rous locks, no worthy match Th'r Magi Urates confcfl it, when they took thee 



For valour to aflail, nor by the fword 
Of noble Warriour, fo to (lain hishonour, 
But by the Barbers razor belt fubdu'd. 

Sam. AH thefe indignu i . for fuch they ar 

«o From thke 9 -thefe evils! deferye and more, 
Acknowledge themfin mEi&ed 



on rn 



J 



As a League-breaker and deiivcr'd bound 

^^ Into our hands: for hadft thou not committed 
1 
! Notorious murder on thofe thirty men 

' At As^ilou, who never did thee harm, 
Thenlike a Robber fcripdittlicL: fthtrrobes > 

ll( ^Himnes* when thou hadftbrokerhe league, 
' N 4 Wem 




on 



] gonifi 



es 



73 



Toothers did no violence nor (poij. 

* 

Sam. Among the Daughters of the Thil;fj fJCS 
I chofe a Wife, which argu'd me no foe 5 
And in your City held my Nuptial Feaft .• 
But your ill-meaning Politician Lords, 
Under pretence of Bridal friends and gucfts, 
Appointed to await me thirty (pies, 



. a league-breaker gave up bound, prefum'd 
j^gleRebcllioH and did Hoflile Acls. 
■psno private but a perfon rais'd 
^ ftrength fufficieot and command from Heav'n 
fofreemy Countrey 5 if their fervileminds 
ifethcir Deliverer fent would not receive 
tat to thir Mailers gave me up for nought, 
Worthier they 5 whence to this day they ferve. 



::dnot difabl'd me, not all your force : 



., 






I Who threatning cruel death conftrain'd the bride _ as to do my part from Heav'n afWd 
,„To wring from meand tell to them my fecrct, 4 had perform'd it if my known offence 

Thatfolv'd the riddle which Ihadpropos'd. 

When I perceiv'dall feton enmity, 

As on my enemies, where ever chanc'd 3 

> 

i Jus'dhoftility, and took thirfpoil 
To pay my undermincrsin thir coin. 

■ 

My Nation was fubjeftcd to your Lords. 
J ft was the force of Conquefr 5 force with force. 



■efcfliifts refuted, anfwer thy appellant 

kg!) by hisblindnefs maim'd for high attempts, 



fc well ejected when theConouer'd can. 
gut I a private perfon, whom my Countrey 



:o now defies thee thrice to fingle fight, 
a Petty enterprife of finall enforce. 

■"• With thee a Man condemn d,a Slave enrol'd, 
1% the Law to capital punifhment> 



'fti& with thee no man of arms will deign. 



A 






'5~ , 

• vam it thou for this, vainfoafter, to furvey 

To 




give thy verdit? 

c * 3 Come nearer, part not hence Co flight farbrm'd 5 
But take good heed niy hand furvey not thee. 

Har. O Baal-zclm'h \ can my ears ut.us'd 
Hearthefc di(honours,ancInor render death > 



$ dm fori A^onijles. 

MM, ] Jrea Ihiffli not, nor all his Giant-brood, 



though Fame divfi1g*d him Father of five Sony 

ill of G igantic fize 3 GoJi.ih chief. 

c J i0 r. He yvill directly to the Lords, I fear, 
^ndwitlimalittouscoimfel ftir them up 



Sam. No man with-holds thee, nothing from thy Sonic way or other yet further to aftlia thee. 

V* an 4 s*n* He mutt allege fomecaufc,andoffer'dn>hz; 



Fear I incurable 3 bring up thy van. 
My heels arc fettcr'd, but my fift is free. 






Will not dare mention, left a queftionrifc 



Har, This infolence other kind of anfwc* fits. Whether he durft accept the offer or not, 
faxtfi- Go baffl'd coward, left I run upon theej And that he durft not plain enough appearU 
Though in theft chains, bulk without fpir it vail, Much more affliction then already felt 



..<• And with one buffet lay thy ftruchire low, 






They cannot well impofe, nor I fuftaini 



Or fwingtheein the Air, then dafli thee down [if they intend advantage of my labours 



To the hazard of thy brains and fhattcr'd Cides. 



The work of many handJ9 3 which earns my keeping 



Har. By Aproth e're long thou fhalt lament \Vithnofmall profit daily to my owners. 



Thefe braveries in Irons Ioadcn on thee. 



But come what will, my deadKeft foe will prove 



Chor. His U u.mfhip is gone fomevhat &&M\ My fpeedieft friend, by death to rid me hence, 



Stalking with Ids uncountable IhuK 
And lower foqfat, but in a (nitric chafe, 



The worft that he can give, to me the be ft. 
'■ foit may fall our* becaufe. thir end 



Is 




rj6 Samfon Agotiijles. 

Is hate, not help tome, it may with mine 
Draw thir own ruin who attempt the deed. 
Chor. Oh how comely it is and how reviving 
'••To the Spirits of juft men long opprcft! 
When God into the hands of thir deliverer 
Puts invincible might 
Toquell themighty of the Earth, th' oppreflbur, ?hat tyrannic or fortune can tefiift, 



Samfon Agonifles. 
jIj s errand on the wicked, whofurpris'd 

lofc thir defence diftrafted and amaz'd. 
But patience is more oft the exercife 
Saints, the trial of thir fortitude, 
faking them each his own Deliverer, 



n 



W 



Viftor over all 



: 



The brute and boift'rous Force of violent men 
Hardy and induftrious to fupport 
Tyrannic power, but raging to purfiie 

The righteous and all fuch as honour Truth , 
He all thir Ammunition 
And feats of War defeats 
3*' With plain Heroic magnitude of mind 
And celeftial vigour arm'd, 
Thir Armories and Magazins contemns s 
Renders themufelefs, while 
With winged expedition 
Swift as the lightning glance he executes 



m 



Either of thefe is in thy lot, 

■mfin, with might endu'd 

»bove the Sons of men j but fight bereav'd 

lay chance to number thee with thofc 

im Patience finally muft crown. 
p Idols day hath bin to thee no day of reft, 

* 

Labouring thy mind 
? !orcthcn the working day thy hands, 
■^ yet perhaps more trouble is behind, 
•orldefcry this way 
■ ffl e other tending, in his hand 

f Sce pterorquabtftaffhefacar% 



Comes 




fcf, 



ato 



7§ &/>»/?« Agoniftth 

Comes on ;inniii 3 fpeedin his look. 
By his habit f difcern Iiim "0\V 
A Public Officer, and now at hand. 
His mcflage will be fiiort and voluble. 

Of. Ebrcrvs, the Pris'ner S&mfitt here I feek, 

Chor. His manacles remark him, there he f, ts* 

0/ AtfgB* to thee our Lords thus bid me lay $ j*> thc -0! feefe nccalion of new quarrels 
This day to D&gon is a folemn Feaft, 
With Sacrifices, Triumph, Pomp, and Games 3 
Thy ftrengththey know furpaffing human race, 
And now fomepubiic proof thereof require 



am] on Agonijiej. -~ 

, m , T <vc they not Sword-players, and ev'ry fort 
.rCym c ArtU&, WrefHcrs, Riders, Runners, 
:Z | c rs 3 ' >an< :ci s, Antics, Mummers, Mimirs • \ 
, [t hiM :'. p«ckmc out with (hackles tir'd 
Ijdovc •-'■ b-mr'-l.-i-.thirpublick Mill 
rn;v 1 m fpnrt with blind activity > 



;o 



my ) ! to diftreG me more, 
- p g me of my calamities? 






come. 



am the way thou cam'fr, I will not 
Of R g ltdthy Icif; this will offend them highly; 

* 

To honour this great Fcafr, and great A -Terribly } sm. v(y f If : my confcicnce and internal peace. 



Rife therefore with all fpeed and come alon 
Where I will fee thee heartn'd and frefb clad 
To appear as fits before tn illufr'rious Lords. 



[in they think me fo broken, fodebas'd 



■■< 



itn corporal iervitude, that my mind ever 
fill condefcend tofuchabfurd commands? 



Ti0 Sam. Thou kriowft I am an Ebrciv, therefore tell -though thir drudge, to be thir fool or jelter, 
Our Law forbids at thir Religious Rites 



My prefence 5 for that caufe I cannot come. 



win my midftof forrow and heart-grief 
*vv them feats, aadplay before thir god, 



of. Thisanfwer.be adur'd, will not content them, ^Worft of all indignities yet onmc 



Joyn'd 



' 



Aim 



'#/. 



r 



5 



bow 



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kb} : 



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rho« rt'uthc 



s* itH r Id*>: Horft 




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ofhr tiighrfi, « htdwr to bold orbre<> 

»rw! »h«ikrwm* Km* h* mn 
t Horttt 1 7 adding fac rfUox ' 

mrtfafle tXHMt iap?< 




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Soft* 






f** 



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<:> b»< 1 >i ■* • int* 




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t * ' 






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A r 
















be on 





















01 * - 



I %2 Samfon Agonizes, 

I chor. Howthou wilt here come off fiirmoi 

Sam. Be ofgood courage, I begin to feel v 
Some rouzing motions in me which difpole 

To Something extraordinary my thoughts. 

I with this MelTenger will go along, 
Nothingtodo, be fare, that may diihonour 
Our Law, or (lain my vow of Nazurite. 
Iftherebeaughtof preiage in the mind, 
This day will be remarkable in my life 
„By fomc great ad, or of my days the laft. 



Samfon Agomjic's. % 

., S am. I could be well content to try thir Art 

Which to no few of them would prove pernicious- 
yet knowing thir advantages too many, 

■ Bccaufethey flmllnot Mail me through thir ftrcets 

■ Like a wild Iieaft, lam content to "->. 

Mafters commands come with a poi -er reflfljefi 

| To fiich as owe them abfolutefubje&iofis 

And for a life who will not change his purpofe > 
(So mutable are all the ways of men) 
Yet this be fure, in nothing to comply 



Chor. In timcthou haft rcfolv'd, the man returns, "'Scandalous or forbidden in our Law : 



Off. s&tttfotti this fecond mefiage from our Lords 
To thee I am bid fay. Art thou our Slave, 
Our Captive, at the public Mill our drudge, 
And dar'ft thou at our fending and command 
Difpute thy coming ? come without delay ; 
Or wcfhailfind filch Engines to ailail 
And hamper thee, as thou malt come of force, 
Though thou wertfirmlier faftndthen a rock. 






$JW* 



Of Iprairethyrefolution, doff tfcefe links? 
By this compliance thou wile win the Lo: ds 
To favour, and perhapsto fet thee free, 

Sam: Brethren farewel, your comxn v alon 
I will notwilh, left it perhaps offend them 
To fee me girt with Friends 5 and how the fight 
Of me as of a comnun Enemy, 

*o dreatied once, mav now cxafperate them 

G 2 



i 



IB 4, Saw foil Agoniftes. 

I know nor. Lords are Lordlieft in thir wine $ 
<»°And thewcll-fcafted PiicLtthenfooneftnrd 
With zeal, if aught Religion fecm concern'd : 
No Iefs the people on thir Holy-days 
Impetuous, infolent, unquenchable j 
Happ'n what may, of me expett to hear 
Nothing difhonourablc, impure, onworthy 
Our God, our Law, my Nation, or my fc\f y 
The laft of mc or no I cannot warrant. 

Chor. Go, and the Holy One 
Of //r.;;/ be thy guide 

To what may fcrve his glory befr, 6k (pread his name 
Great amona; the Heathen round : 
Send thee the Angel of thy Birth, to ftand 
Faft by thy fidc 3 who from thy Fathers field 
Rode un in flames after hismeffage told 
Of thy conception, and be now afhield 




Of fire 5 that Spirit that firit ruQit on th 
In the Camp of Dm 



cc 



Be 



'amfon Agonizes. 3* 

\]c efficacious in thee now at need, 
for never was from Heaven imparted 
Afeafure of frrength fo great to mortal feed , 
As in thy wond'rous actions hath been fecn. 
put wherefore comes old Mama in fuch liafb 
With youthful (reps > much livelier then c're while 
Hefcems ; fup.pofinghere to find his Son, 
Or of him bringing to us forae glad news? 

j Man. Peace with you brethren 5 my raducemenl 
Was not atprefent here to find my Son, 
By order of the Lords new parted hence 
To come and play before them at thir Ft r, 
'[heard all as I came, the City rings 
And numbers thither flock, 1 had no will, 
IcftHhould feebim forc't to things unC mly. 

;Eutthat which mov'd my coming new, was chit [y 
Togivcyepart with me what hope I have 
with goodfuccefs to work his liberty. 

j wo. That hope would much rejoyce us eopartak* 

O3 With 



6 Santfon Agoniftcs. 

iih tlicc ; fiy reverend Sire, we thirfr to hear. 
Man* I have attempted one by one the Lords 
Either at home, or through the high ftreet pafiing, 
'•"With fupplication prone and Fathers tears 
To accept of ranfom for my Sen thir pris'ner, 
Some much averfel fouad and wondrous harfh, 
Contemptuous, proud, fet on revenge and (pile } 
That part moll rever ene'd Dagon and hisPricfts, 
Others more moderate feeming, but thir aim 
Private reward, for which both God and State 
They eafily would fet to (ale, a third 
A lore generous far and civil, who confefs'd 
[ They had anough reveng'd, having reduc't 
' J Thir Coc to mifery beneath thir fears. 
The reft was magnanimity to remit, 
tt ionic convenient ranfom were prcpos'd. 
' hat noife or (hout was that ? it tore the Slue. 
Cb. r. Doubtlefs the people (houting tobehol J 

■ once great dread^captive, fchliud before them, 



• * * * 



Or 



Sam [on Agoniftes. 37 

Q r at fome proof of iircngth before them fhown. 

Man. His ranfom, if my whole inheritance 
May conipafsit, fhall willingly be paid 
An d ntimberd down : much rather I (hall chufc 
Tolivethepoorcftin my Tribe, then richefr, 
And lie in that calamitous prilon left. 
No,I am fixt not to part hence « ithout him. 
for his redemption all my Patrimony, 
If need be, lam ready to forgo 
And quit: not wanting him D I (hall want nothing. 

Char. Fathers are wont to lay up for thir Sons, 
Thou for thy Son art bent to lay out aj I . 
Sons wont to nurfe thir Parents in old age, 
Thou in old age car'ft how to nurfe thy Son. 
1 Made older then thy age through eyc-;1ght loft. 

Mw. It fhallbcmy delight to te I hiseyes, 
And view him fitting in the houfe, enobi'd 
With all thofe high exploits by him atchiev'd, 

And oq hjsfliQuJders waving dowathofe locks, 

O 4 That 



» 




I That of a Nation arm'd the ftrcngth contain'd • 
And I perfvvade mcGod had not permitted 
His ftrcngth again to grow up with his hair 
Garrifon'd round about him like a Camp 
Of faithful Souldiery, were nothispurpofc 

f" To ufe him further 3'et iq fome great fervice, 

I Not to fit idle with Co great a gift 

life-left, and thence ridiculous about him. 

I And fince his ftrcngth with eye-fight was not loft, 
God will rcftorc him eye-fight to his ftrcngth. 



gjood, death, anddcathful deeds are in that noifc, 
. u jij 3 deftnicYion at the utmoft point. 

0im. Of ruin indeed methought I heard the noil 
Qh it continues, they have (lain my Son. 

Chor. Thy Son is rather flaying them, that outcry 
r ro m (laughter of one foe could not afcerrd, 

Man. Some difmai accident it needs muft be 5 
What fhall we do, ftay here or run and fee? 

Chor. Be ft keep together here, left running thither 
IVe unawares run into dangers mouth. 



Chor- Thy hopes are not ill founded nor fecm vain [his evil on the rliajlims is fall'n, 



Of his delivery, and thy joy thereon 
Conceiv'd, agreeable to a Fathers love, 
In both which we, as next participate.. 
Map. I know your friendly minds and— -O what 
5« Mercy of Heav'n what hideous noifc was that f n0lM 
Horribly loud unlike the former (hout. 
chor, Noifc call yon it or ui}i verfal groan 

As if the whole inhabitation peri J 3 

Blood, 



From whom could elfe a general cry be heard? 
The fufTerers then will fcarce moleft us here, 

* 

. : rom other hands we need not much to fear. 
Alittle ftay will bring fome notice hither, 
tor evil news rides poft, while good news baits, 
■tad to our wifh I fee one hither fpeeding, 
•in Ebrent, as I guefs, and of our Tribe. 
faff. O '•:■ Ml! run, or which way flic 






The 



Samft 



iji, 



wit lies 



9° 

The fight of this To horrid fpectaele 

Which earft my eyes beheld and yet behold 3 

For dire imagination ftill perfues me. 

But providence or inftinct of nature teems, 

Or reafon though difturb'd, and fcarfe confiiltcd 

To have guided me aright, I know not how. 

To thee firft reverend Mama, and tothefc 



es 



am] on Agam 
dcfolation of a Hoftilc City. 



9* 



,C "~" " (fet. 

tfeff. Feed on that firft,there may in grief be fur- 

lUn. Relate by whom. Meff Kysamfin. 
(Alan. That ftill left ens 

L forrow? 9 and converts it nigh to joy, 
tfcf Ah Manoa I refrain, too fuddenly 
'0 utter what will come at lafttoofoon^ 



.. ~ . . n .. ; c (l evil tidings with too rude irruption 

, $0 My Countreymen, whom here I knew remaining * 



As at fome diftance from the place of horrour, 



jittingthy aged carfhould pierce too deep. 

Mta. Sufpenfein news is torture, (peak them out. 



So in the fad event too much conccrn'd. 

Ma*. The accident was loud 3 8c heard before thee Mcf Thcn *** ** WOt& h **&«** is dead ' 
With rueful cry, yet what it was we hear not, MdH ' The worft Weed >° a11 W ho F e '* defeated 



free him hence ! but death who fets all free 



No Preface needs, thou fecit we long to know. 

Jllefi It would burft forth, but I recover breath ^ P aid his ranfum now and ful1 difcharge. 

And fenfe diftradr, to know well what I utter. ^ at windy joy this day had I concciv'c] 

Mau. Tell usthefum, the circumftance defer, *°peful of his Delivery, which now proves 

Muff. Gaza yet (lands, but all her Sons are fall'n, • °rtivc as the firft-born bloom of fpring 

*ipt with the lagging rear of winters fr oft. 

* 

7tf<*, o,?i .! 1 n cte'releive the rains to grie£ fay firflr- 

ton, S:ia ; butthouknowftio/^/y^notfaddeft . b * ' ' 

* T j ic ,0 ' v d y d he .- 1 death to lire is crown or (name. 



5fo AH in a moment ovcrwhelm'd andfalln. 




i 



All 



p 2 Samfott Agoti^ 

All by him fell thou fiy'ft, by whom fell he, 
What glorious hand gaveSamfiMs deaths wound > 




rough each high ftrcet : little I had difpatch't 



93 



;|,cnaU abroad was rumour'd that this day 
Mcff. Unwoundcd of his enemies he fell , 

Cpiain. ^Cbould be brought forth to (hew the peopl 
J! faff. Wearied with (laughter then or how t ex, .... . . „ . . „ 




/./cj^ By his own hands. Man. Self-violence 
(whatcaufe 

Brought him fo foon at varianac with himfclf 

Among his foes ? McJJi Inevitable caufe 

At once both to deftroy and be deftroy 'd 5 

The Edifice where all were met to fee him 

t 

SJ°Upon thir heads and on his own he pull'd. 

Man. O laftly ovcr-frrong againft thy felf f 
A dreadful way thou took'ft to thy revenge. 



-oof of his mighty ftrength in feats and games 5 

forrow'd at his captive lhte, but minded 

,'ottobeabfentat that fpecracle. 

he building was a fpacious Theatre 

Mf round on two main Pillars vaulted high, 

i'ith feats where all the Lords and each degree 

ffort, might fit in order to behold, 

rue other fide was op'n, where the throng 

.ilxmks and fcaffblds under Skie might ftand$ 



More then anough we know 5 but while things yet imong thefe aloof obfenrcly flood. 



Are in confufion, give us if thoucanft, 
Eye-witnefs of what fir ft or laft was done, 



*x Feaft and noon grew high, and Sacrifice 

id fill'd thir hearts with mirth, high chear, & wine, 




•'icn to thir fports they turnd. Immediately 
'as Samfin as a public fervant brought, 



Relation more particular and diftinct. 

Mctf. Occafionsdrcwmc early to this City, 
Andasthcgates I enter'd with Sun-rife, 
The morning Trumpets Fcftival proclaim'd thlr ftatc Livery clad 5 before him Pipes 

T U Q ll S * lad Timbre! s, on ©aeb fide went armed guard 



Both 



6io 



qm Sam fon Agonijhs. 

Both horfe and foot before him and behind 

Archers, and Slingers, Cataphrafts and Spears. 

At fight of him the people with a fliout 

R'fted the Air clamouring thir god with praifc 



Sawfon /Isronijles* 
A n d eyesfaftfixt he ftood, as one who pray 'd, 

Or fome great matter in his mind revolv'd. 
ht laft with head creel: thus cry ed aloud, 



95 






flit'.jcrtOj Lords, what your commands impos'd 



, , * i- j jc , ^u;« «.i*««!i r havepefform'dj as reafonwas, obeying;, 

Whohad made thirdreaatul enemy thir thrall. " 1JV 1 5 J &» 

He patient but undaunted where they led him, Not without wonder or delight beheld. 

Came totheplace, and what was fet before him Nowof my own accord fuch other try al 

Which without help of eye, mightbe allay 'd, Iniean to ^ ew J™ of m y &««*» } et ^eatCl 

To heave, pull, draw, or break, he ftill pcrform'd As with amaze (hall ftrike all who behold. 



All with incredible, ftupendious force, 
None daring to appear Antagonift. 
«jo At length for intermiffion fake they led him 
Between the pillars j he his guide rcqueftcd 
("For fo from fuch as nearer ftood we heard) 
Asover-tir'dto let him lean awhile 
With both his arms on thofe two ma (lie Pillars 
That to the arched roof gave main fupport. 



Thisutter'd, draining all his nerves he bow'd. 

As with the forceof winds and waters pent, 

When Mountains tremble, thofe two maftic Pillars 

With horrible convul(ion to and fro. 

He tugg'd, he (hook, till down they came and drew 

The whole roof after them, with bur ft of thunder 

Upon the heads of all who (ate beneath, 

Lords, Ladies, Captains, Councellors, or Pricfrs, 



He unfufpitious led him 5 which when Sam fori Thir choice nobility and (lower, not only 



Felt in his arms, with head a while cnclin'd, 



An 



Of this but each HiUfii** City round 










.: 



9 6 



Samfdn Agonifies, 



Met from all parts to folcmnizcthis Fcaft. 
Samfin wirhthcfe immixt, inevitably 
Pulld clown the famedeftruction on him Pelf* 
463 The vulgar only fcap'd who flood without. 



Sam fon Agoniftes. 
Among them he a fpirit of phrenzie fenf 3 

• Who hurt thir minds, 
And urgVl them on with mad deflrc 
To call in haft for thir deflroyet 3 



97 



, , , , ^ i • ! i»They only fet on (port and pla 

Cher. O dearly-bought revenge, yet glonoui ? l " > y > 

Living or dying thou haft fulhll'd 
The work for which thou waft foretold 
To Ifrael, and now ly'ft victorious 
Among thy flain fcif-kill'd 
Not willingly, but tangl'd in the fold, 
Of dire Deceffity, whofe law in death conjoin'd 



Unwcctingly importiuVd 
■ 

Thir own deftrucrion to come fpeedy upon then 
So fond are mortal men 
. Fall'n into wrath divine, 
As- thir own ruin on theniidvestoinvnc, 
Jnfenfote left, or to fenfe reprobate, 






Thee with thy flaughter'd foes in number more • And with blindnefs internal (truck. 



Then all thy life had flain before. 



Scmichor. But he though blind of ! . 



*i* semchor. While thir hearts were jocund and Defpis'd and thought extinguiili't quite. 

(fublimc; 
Drunk with Idolatry, drunk with Wine, 



"With inward eyes illuminate* 



- 

And fat regorg'd of Bulls and Goats, 

■ 

Chaunting thir Idol, and preferring 
Before our living Dread who dwell." 
In Silo his bright Sanctuary r 



Hisfierie vertuerouz'd 

From under allies into iiukk Lame 

And as an evening Dragon eanic\ 

Ailailant on the perched re 
Among p 






And 





^^^^m 






08 * Samfon Agmijles. 

And ricfts in order rang'd 
Of tame villntic Fowl? but as an Eagle 
His cloudiefs thunder bolted on thir heads. 
So venue gi v'n for loft, 
Dcprefr, and overthrown, as feem'd, 
f,B Like that felf-bcgott'n bird 

* 

In the Arabian woods cmbon\ 

That no fecond knows nor third. 

And lay e're while a Holocauft, 

From out her alhie womb now teem'cL 

Revives, reflouriflics, then vigorous raoft 

When moft unaftive dcem'd, 

And though her body die, her fame furvives, 

Aftcular bird ages of lives. 

Man, Come, come, no time for lamentation now , 
710 Nor much morecaufe, Samfon hath quit himfelf 
Like Samfon, and hcroicly hath finilh'd 
A life Heroic, on his Enemies 

Fully reveng'd, hath left them years of monrn'u 

And 



Samfon Agoniftes. $f 

A nd lamentation to the Sons o£c,iphtor * 
Through all Vhiliftian bounds. To ifrad 
Honour hath left, and freedom, let but them 
Find courage 10 lay hold on this occafion, 
To himfclf and Fathers houfc eternal fame 3 
And which is heft and happicftyet, all this 

' With Cod not parted from him, as wasfeard, 
But favouring and afiifting to the end. 
Nothing is here for tears, nothing to wail 
Or knock the breaft, no weaknefs, no contempt, 
Difpraife, or blame, nothing but well and&» 9 
A nd what may quiet us in a death (b noble. 
Let us go find the body where it lies 
Sok*t in his enemies blood, and from the Bream 
Withlavers pure and clean fmg herbs waunofF 
The clotted gore. I with what fpeed the while 

5 (Gaza is not in plight to fay us nay J 
Will lend far all my kindred, all my friends 

' To fetch him hence and fblemnly attend 

P2 









V 



■ 

joo S-H'ijoti Agoaifhs. 

Withfllent obfeijuic and funeral train 
Home to his Fathers houfc ! there will I build him 
A Monument, and plant it round with fhadc 
Of Laurel ever green, and branching Palm, 
With all his Trophies hung, and A&S enroll'd 
In copious Legend, orfwect Lyric Song. 
Thither (hall all the valiant youth refort, 
49 And from his memory inflame thir breads 
To matchlefs valour, and adventures high : 
The Virgins alfofhall on feaftful days 
Vifit his Tomb with flowers, only bewailing 
His lot unfortunate in nuptial choice, 
From whence captivity and lofsof eyes. 
| Chor. All is beft, though we oft doubt 
Whatth* unfcarchable difpofe 



\ 



Of higheft wh'dcm brings about, 
Andeverbeft found in the clofe. 

Ofi be feeins to hide hisface, 
un«p Mly rettims 



And 



Sam fon Agoniftes. lot 

n dto his faithful Champion hath In place 

* 

jjorcwimefsgiorioufly •■> whence Gaza mourns 

.„<! all that band them to refift . 

lis uncontroulablc intent, 

His fcrvants he with new acquift 

)f true experience from this great event 

iVith peace and confolation hath difmift, ] 

\nd calm of mind all paffion fpent. 



THE END. 












viftor 



Optijfa* 

Page 89 after vcrfc 5?7- which ends, 
Hot much to fear, infer* thefe. 

What if his eye-fight (for to ifiaeU God 

Nothing is hard) by miracle ref ror'd, p 

He now be dealing dole among his foes, 
And over heaps of ilaughter'd walk his way > 
Uin. That were a joy prcfumptuous to be thought. 

Chor. Yet God hath wrought things as incredible 
For his people of old 5 what hinders now? 

Man. He can I know, but doubt to think he will > 
Vet Hope would fain fubferibe, and tempts Belief. 

After the next verfe which begins, A little fiaj, 

infert this. 

. Chor. Of good or bad fo great, of bad the fooncr 5 



Then follows in order., For evHmm, 8cc. 



Errata in the former Poem. 

Ace 4. vcrfc 62, after being no flop, p.13. vcrfc 226. for rkfUcy r. 



!.f tcr threatens, infert r*«t,p.44.M»3- for Th«be^r.7W.,p.4«.M4»; 
iorpill'd, r.fi/'rf, p.47V. ?7 i- no comma after knowledge, but ^ after 



Errata in the latter Poem. 



P Age is. vcrfc 127. for trrefiftaWe, r. itrefijHIfk, p. i-j . *. t$fc 
complain'*!, r. cimftain, p.2 1 . v. 222. for meittiotfd, r. msttofl i,p. 
I.ft v s<?. before, fuchr.ylii, p-4?.v.6 57.no ftop at theend,p.44: v • 6;, l - 
Mor to,r. vitb. p.?*. v.259. for divulg'd, r. rf/ y »/|f,p. 7 8 v,p 4 . tor N<:e 
r.«te, P«79- »*?*• r « r Mitnirs, r. Mfwrcr, p#o, r. 5 55. for heard r. Me. 















. 






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