The harass of their land, beset me round;

I willingly on some conditions came

Into their hands, and they as gladly yield me

To the Uncircumcised a welcome prey, 260

Bound with two cords. But cords to me were threads

Touched with the flame: on their whole host I flew

Unarmed, and with a trivial weapon felled

Their choicest youth; they only lived who fled.

Had Judah that day joined, or one whole tribe, 265

They had by this possessed the towers of Gath,