Page:The Complete Poetical Works of John Milton.djvu/345

 SAMSON AGONISTES

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��Her harbinger, a damsel train behind ? Some rich Philistiau matron she may seem; And now, at nearer view, no other certain Than Dalila thy wife.

Sams. My wife ! my traitress ! let her

not come near me. Chor. Yet on she moves ; now stands and

eyes thee fixed, About to have spoke ; but now, with head

declined, Like a fair flower surcharged with dew,

she weeps,

And words addressed seem into tears dis- solved,

Wetting the borders of her silken veil. 730

But now again she makes address to speak.

Dal. With doubtful feet and wavering

resolution I came, still dreading thy displeasure,

Samson;

Which to have merited, without excuse, I cannot but acknowledge. Yet, if tears May expiate (though the fact more evil

drew

In the perverse event than I foresaw), My penance hath not slackened, though

my pardon

No way assured. But conjugal affection, Prevailing over fear and timorous doubt, 740 Hath led me on, desirous to behold Once more thy face, and know of thy estate, If aught in my ability may serve To lighten what thou suffer'st, and appease Thy mind with what amends is in my

power

Though late, yet in some part to recom- pense

My rash but more unfortunate misdeed. Sams. Out, out, HyaBna ! These are thy

wonted arts,

And arts of every woman false like thee To break all faith, all vows, deceive, be- tray; 750 Then, as repentant, to submit, beseech, And reconcilement move with feigned re- morse, Confess, and promise wonders in her

change

Not truly penitent, but chief to try Her husband, bow far urged his patience

bears,

His virtue or weakness which way to assail : Then, with more cautious and instructed

skill, Again transgresses, and again submits;

��That wisest and best men, full oft beguiled, With goodness principled not to reject 760 The penitent, but ever to forgive, Are drawn to wear out miserable days, Entangled with a poisonous bosom-snake, If not by quick destruction soon cut off, As I by thee, to ages an example.

Dal. Yet hear me, Samson; not that I

endeavour

To lessen or extenuate my offence, But that, on the other side, if it be weighed By itself, with aggravations not surcharged, Or else with just allowance counter- poised, 77 o I may, if possible, thy pardon find The easier towards me, or thy hatred less. First granting, as I do, it was a weakness In me, but incident to all our sex, Curiosity, inquisitive, importune' Of secrets, then with like infirmity To publish them both common female

faults

Was it not weakness also to make known For importunity, that is for naught, Wherein consisted all thy strength and

safety ? 7 go

To what I did thou shew'dst me first the

way.

But I to enemies revealed, and should not ! Nor should'st thou have trusted that to

woman's frailty:

Ere I to thee, thou to thyself wast cruel. Let weakness, then, with weakness come to

parle,

So near related, or the same of kind; Thine forgive mine, that men may censure

thine

The gentler, if severely thou exact not More strength from me than in thyself was

found. And what if love, which thou interpret'st

hate, 790

The jealousy of love, powerful of sway In human hearts, nor less in mine towards

thee,

Caused what I did ? I saw thee mutable Of fancy; feared lest one day thou would'st

leave me As her at Tirana; sought by all means,

therefore,

How to endear, and hold thee to me firmest: No better way I saw than by importuning To learn thy secrets, get into my power Thy key of strength and safety. Thou wilt

say,

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