BOYS OF THE BIBLE. 147

conundrums? We do not know. In his last hour Samson
calls on God. An awful purpose fills his mind. If God
will help him he will bring down the house of Dagon about
the ears of these uncircumcised Philistines. And so he
prays, and the old spirit comes back upon him.

‘Now the house was full of men and women; and all
the lords of the Philistines were there; and there were upon
the roof about three thousand men and women, that keheld
while Samson made sport.

“And Samson called unto the Lord, and said, O Lord
God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray
thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged
of the Philistines for my two eyes. And Samson took hold
of the two middle pillars: upon which the house stood, and
on which it was borne up, of the one with the right hand,
and of the other with his left. And Samson said, Let me
die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his
might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the
people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his
death were more than they which he slew in his life.

“Then his brethren and all the house of his father came
down, and took him, and brought him up, and buried him
between Zorah and Eshtaol in the burying place of Manoah
his father.”

So ends the tragic story of Israel’s giant Judge.

Noon glowed on the hills: and the temple of Dagon
Now shook ’neath the gay, maddened revellers’ tread;

For the champion of Israel has bowed to the pagan:
And the blood of the crushed grape flowed sparkling and red.

Feet chased flying feet, as in wild mazes bounded
Like roes of the mountain Philistia’s fair girls:
Glad gushes of music from ruby lips sounded:
There were wreathing of white arms, and waving of curls.