Scriptural poems being several portions of Scripture digested into English verse /

CHAP. XVI.

Then down to Gaza Sampson went, and there Seeing an Harlot, went in unto her And when the Gazites heard he was come thither: Straightway they gathered themselves together To compass him about, and lay in wait All Night, to take him in the City Gate, And they were still all Night for why? say they, To morrow we shall kill him when 'tis Day. And he till Midnight lay, and then arose, And with the City Gates away he goes, Bearing the Posts, and bar and all away, And on an Hill near Hebron did them lay. And afterward it came to pass he saw, And loved a Woman named Delilah, Who in the Vale of Sorek dwelt to whom There did the Lords of the Philistines come, And said, if thou wilt but entice him to reveal Where lies his Strength, and which way we may deal ⟨p. 27⟩With him, to bind him, to afflict him, we Each one will give a great reward to thee. And she to Sampson said, I pray thee, tell Wherein thy Strength doth other Men excel, And how thou mayst be bound: And he replied, If they with Seven green Withs that never were dried Shall bind me Hand and Foot, I shall be then As weak and impotent as other Men. Then the Philistine Lords for her provide The Seven green Withs which never had been dried, And she therewith did bind him, (now there were Men lying in wait whom she had placed there) Then she cried out, and said, Now Sampson stand Thy ground, for the Philistines are at hand. And straight he brake the Withs, and they became Like to a thread of Tow when touched with flame: So was his Strength not found out. Then said she, Sampson, behold, thou hast deceived me, And told me lies: Therefore no longer blind me, But tell, I pray thee, wherewith I may bind thee: Bind me with Ropes that never were used, said he; Then weak as other Men are, shall I be: She therefore took New Ropes, and bound him, and Cried, Sampson, the Philistines are at Hand: (And in the Chamber there were Men lay hid) And from his Arms he brake them like a Thread. Then said she, Thou hast mocked me hitherto, And told me Lies: Now tell we what to do To bind thee. He replied, Thou with the Web Must interweave the Seven Locks of my Head. Then she his Locks did fasten with the Pin, And said, the Philistines are coming in, ⟨p. 28⟩