Joseph Friedlander, comp. The Standard Book of Jewish Verse. 1917. | | Samson | By John Milton |
| (From Samson Agonistes) O 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 offering burned, | |
As in a fiery column charioting | 5 |
His godlike presence, and from some great act | |
Or benefit revealed to Abrahams race? | |
Why was my breeding ordered and prescribed | |
As of a person separate to God, | |
Destined for great exploits, if I must die | 10 |
Betrayed, captive, and both my eyes put out, | |
Made of my enemies the scorn and gaze; | |
To grind in brazen fetters under task | |
With this Heaven-gifted strength? O glorious strength, | |
Put to the labor of a beast, debased | 15 |
Lower than bond-slave! Promise was, that I | |
Should Israel from Philistian yoke deliver; | |
Ask for this great deliverer now, and find him | |
Eyeless in Gaza, at the mill with slaves, | |
Himself in bonds under Philistine yoke. | 20 | | |
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