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SAMSON AGONISTES. Q7
Whom long defcent of birth
Or the fphere of fortune raifesj
But thee whole ftrength, while virtue was her mate,
Might have fubdued the earth,
Univerfally crown'd with higheft praifes.
SAMSON.
I hear the found of words, their fenfe the air
DiiTolves unjointed ere it reach my ear.
CHORUS.
He fpeaks, let us draw nigh. Matchlefs in might,
The glory late of Ifrael, now the grief ;
We come thy friends and neighbours not unknown
From Eflitaol and Zora's fruitful vale
To vifit or bewail thee, or if better,
Counfel or confolation we may bring,
Salve to thy fores ; apt words have pow'r to fwage
The tumours of a troubled mind,
And are as balm to fefter'd wounds.
SAMSON.
Your coming, friends, revives me, for I learn
Now of my own experience, not by talk,
How counterfeit a coin they are who friends
Bear in their fuperfcription, (of the moft
I would be underftood) in profp'rous days
They fwarm, but in adverfe withdraw their head,
Not to be found, though fought. Ye fee, O friends,
How many evils have inclos'd me round;
Yet that which was the woril now leaft affli&s me,
Blindnefs, for had I light, confus'd with fhame,
How could I once look up, or heave the head,
Who like a foolifh pilot have fliipwrack'd