That invincible Samson, far renown'd, The dread of Israel's foes, who with a strength character of Manoah to represent him, as Milton does, even complaining and murmuring at this disposition of heaven, in the first bitterness of his soul. Such sudden starts of infirmity are ascribed to some of the greatest personages in Scripture, and it is agreeable to that well known maxim, that religion may regulate, but can never eradicate, natural passions and affections. Thyer. 352. I pray'd for children, and thought barrenness Γυναι, φίλον μεν φέγγος ἡλιου τοδε, 345 350 Mulier, amicum solis hoc magni ju bar, Dulce et tueri maria cum venti silent : Dulce est et amnis largus, et vernans humus: Sunt aliis pulchra multa, quæ possum addere. Sed crede nullum gratius spectaculum Quam post querelas orbitatis tetrica, domi. Eurip. Barnes, p. 443. Calton. 354. And such a son &c.] It is very hard that the editors of Milton have never taken the pains to correct the errors of the first edition, which he had himself corrected. This verse at first was printed imperfect, and it has been followed in all the editions, Such a son as all men hail'd me happy; And was wanting in the beginning, And such a son as all men hail'd me happy; Who would be now a father in my stead? As graces, For this did th' Angel twice descend? for this Be it but for honour's sake of former deeds. Appoint not heav'nly disposition, father; so Milton himself corrected it, and so Mr. Jortin and Mr. Sympson conjectured it should be read. And at the time of writing this, in all probability the author remembered the happy father in Terence. Andria i. i. 69. Cum id mihi placebat, tum uno ore omnes omnia Bona dicere, et laudare fortunas meas, 355 360 365 370 375 359. then giv'n with solemn hand As graces, draw a scorpion's tail behind?] He has raised this beautiful imagery on the following text, Luke xi. 12. If a son shall ask of his father an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? He was not always so happy. Warburton. 373. Appoint] That is, ar Qui natum haberem tali ingenio raign, summon to answer. War præditum. VOL. III. burton. Sole author I, sole cause: if ought seem vile, Spousal embraces, vitiated with gold, 380 385 Though offer'd only, by the scent conceiv'd $90 Her spurious first-born, treason against me? Thrice she assay'd with flattering pray'rs and sighs, My capital secret, in what part my strength Lay stor❜d, in what part summ'd, that she might know; Thrice I deluded her, and turn'd to sport 396 Her importunity, each time perceiving How openly, and with what impudence She purpos'd to betray me, and (which was worse 400 She sought to make me traitor to myself; Yet the fourth time, when must'ring all her wiles, 391. treason against me?] By our laws called petty treason. Richardson. 401. She sought] So it is in Milton's own edition; in most of the others She thought. Tongue-batteries, she surceas'd not day nor night Unmanly, ignominious, infamous, True slavery, and that blindness worse than this, MANOAH. I cannot praise thy marriage choices, son, Divine impulsion prompting how thou might'st I state not that; this I am sure, our foes 411.-O indignity! O blot &c.] Nothing could give the reader a better idea of a great and heroic spirit in the circumstances of Samson, than this sudden gust of indignation and passionate self-reproach upon the mentioning of his weakness. Besides 405 410 415 420 425 there is something vastly grand and noble in his reflection upon his present condition on this occasion, These rags, this grinding is not yet so base &c. Thyer. To violate the sacred trust of silence Deposited within thee; which to have kept SAMSON. Father, I do acknowledge and confess That I this honour, I this pomp have brought 434. This day the Philistines a popular feast &c.] Judg. xvi. 23. Then the lords of the Philistines gathered them together, for to offer a great sacrifice unto Dagon their God, and to rejoice; for they said, Our God hath delivered Samson our enemy into our hand, &c. This incident the poet hath finely 430 435 440 445 450 improved, and with great judgment he hath put this reproach of Samson into the mouth of the father, rather than any other of the dramatis personæ. 449. -pomp] Public procession, &c. See note, Par. Lost, viii. 60. and below, ver. 1312. E. |