And afterward they had decreed
To murder Samson for that deed;
Three thousand men they sent with speed,
To bring him bound to them. 100
But he did break his cords apace,
And with the jaw-bone of an ass
A thousand men, ere he did pass,
He killed.
When all his foes were laid in dust, 105
Then Samson was full sore athirst;
In God therefore was all his trust,
To help his fainting heart:
For liquor thereabout was none:
The Lord therefore from the jaw-bone 110
Did make fresh water spring, alone
To help him.
Then Samson had a joyfull spright,
And in a city lay that night,
Whereas his foes, with deadly spite, 115
Did seek his life to spill:
But he at midnight then awakes,
And tearing down the city gates,
With him away the same he takes
Most stoutly. 120
Then on Delilah, fair and bright,
Did Samson set his whole delight,
Whom he did love both day and night,
Which wrought his overthrow.
For she with sweet words did entreat, 125
That for her sake he would repeat
Wherein his strength, that was so great,
Consisted.
At length, unto his bitter fall,
And through her suit, which was not small, 130
He did not let to show her all
The secrets of his heart.
"If that my hair be cut," quoth he,
"Which now so fair and long you see,
Like other men then shall I be 135
In weakness."
Then through deceit which was so deep,
She lulled Samson fast asleep;
A man she call'd, which she did keep,
To cut off all his hair. 140
Then did she call his hateful foes,
Ere Samson from her lap arose,
Who could not then withstand their blows,
For weakness.
To bind him fast they did devise, 145
Then did they put out both his eyes;
In prison wofully he lies,
And there he grinds the mill.
But God remembered all his pain,
And did restore his strength again, 150
Although that bound he did remain
In prison.
The Philistines now were glad of this;
For joy they made a feast i-wiss,
And all their princes did not miss 155
To come unto the same.
And being merry bent that day,
For Samson they did send straightway,
That they might laugh to see him play
Among them. 160
Then to the house was Samson led,
And when he had their fancies fed,
He pluck'd the house upon their head,
And down they tumbled all.
So that with grief and deadly pain, 165
Three thousand persons there were slain;
Thus Samson then, with all his train,
Was brained.
[83]. But wisht.