Paradise Lost: The Arguments - WW Norton & Company

Samson Agonistes 49
To see me girt with friends; and how the sight 1415
Of me, as of a common enemy,
So dreaded once, may now exasperate them
I know not. Lords are lordliest in their wine;
And the well-feasted priest then soonest fired
With zeal, if aught religion seem concerned; 7
No less the people, on their holy-days,
Impetuous, insolent, unquenchable.
Happen what may, of me expect to hear
Nothing dishonorable, impure, unworthy
Our God, our Law, my nation, or myself ; 1425
The last of me or no I cannot warrant.
chorus. Go, and the Holy One
Of Israel be thy guide
To what may serve his glory best, and spread his name
Great among the heathen round; 1430
Send thee the angel of thy birth, to stand
Fast by thy side, who from thy father’s field
Rode up in flames after his message told
Of thy conception, and be now a shield
Of fire; that Spirit that first rushed on thee 1435
In the camp of Dan,
Be efficacious in thee now at need! 8
For never was from Heaven imparted
Measure of strength so great to mortal seed
As in thy wondrous actions hath been seen. 1440
But wherefore comes old Manoa in such haste
With youthful steps? Much livelier than erewhile
He seems: supposing here to find his son,
Or of him bringing to us some glad news?
manoa. Peace with you, brethren! My inducement hither 1445
Was not at present here to find my son,
By order of the lords new parted hence
To come and play before them at their feast.
7. Milton’s animus against paid priests, whom he considered particularly likely to contaminate the Word of
God with their own private interests and worldly desires, comes out plainly here.
8. As a Nazarite (specially consecrated person), Samson had been frequently inspired by the “Spirit of the
Lord.”
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