142 BOYS OF THE BIBLE.

begins by picturing Samson led forth by a slave for a brief
respite in the open air. If the extract here made is sonie-
what lengthy, it is of the utmost value. It presents from a
great poet’s standpoint, the sad reflections that may have
stirred the heart of Samson, as in his blindness he reviewed
his sad career.

A little onward lend thy guiding hand

To these dark steps, a little further on;

For yonder bank hath choice of sun or shade;
There I am wont to sit, when any chance
Relieves me from my task of servile toil,

Daily in the common prison else enjoin’d me,
Where I, a prisoner chain’d, scarce freely draw
The air imprison’d also, close and damp,
Unwholesome draught; but here I feel amends,
The breath of heav’n fresh blowing, pure and sweet,
With day-spring born; here leave me to respire.
This day a solemn feast the people hold

To Dagon their sea-idol, and forbid

Laborious works, unwillingly this rest

Their superstition yields me; hence with leave
Retiring from the popular noise I seek

This unfrequented place to find some ease;

Ease to the body some; none to the mind

From restless thoughts, that, like a deadly swarm
Of hornets arm’d no sooner found alone,

But rush upon me thronging, and present

Times past, what once I was, and what am now.
Oh! wherefore was my birth from heaven foretold
Twice by an angel, who at last in sight

Of both my parents all in flames ascended

From off the altar, where an off’ring burn’d

As in a fiery column charioting

His god-like presence, and from some great act
Or benefit reveal’d to Abraham’s race?

Why was my breeding order’d and prescribed

As of a person separate to God,

Design’d for great exploits, if I must die
Betray'd, captived, and both my eyes put out,
Made of my enemies the scorn and gaze,

To grind in brazen fetters under task

With this heav’n-gifted strength? O glorious strengtn