ACT THREE


Scene 1
Samson, Micah, Harapha and Chorus of Israelites.

61. Recitative

Micah
More trouble is behind, for Harapha
Comes on amain, speed in his steps and look.
Samson
I fear him not, nor all his giant brood.
Enter Harapha.

Harapha
Samson, to thee our lords thus bid me say:
This day to Dagon we do sacrifice
With triumph, pomp, and games; we know, thy strength
Surpasses human race; come then, and show
Some public proof to grace this solemn feast.

Samson
I am an Hebrew, and our law forbids
My presence at their vain religious rites.

Harapha
This answer will offend; regard thyself.

Samson
Myself, my conscience and intemal peace!
Am I so broke with servitude, to yield
To such absurd commands, to be their fool,
And play before their God? - I will not come.

Harapha
My message, giv'n with speed, brooks no delay.

62. Air

Harapha
Presuming slave, to move their wrath!
For mercy sue,
Or vengeance due
Dooms in one fatal word thy death!
Consider, ere it be too late,
To ward th'unerring shaft of fate.

63. Recitative

Micah
Reflect then. Samson, matters now are strain'd
Up to the height, whether to hold, or break.
He's gone, whose malice may inflame the lords.

Samson
Shall I abuse this consecrated gift
Of strength, again returning with my hair,
By vaunting it in honour to their god
And prostituting holy things to idols?

Micah
How thou wilt here come off surmounts my reach;
'Tis Heav'n alone can save, both us and thee.

64. Chorus of Israelites
With thunder arm'd, great God, arise!
Help, Lord, or Israel's champion dies!
To thy protection this thy servant take,
And save, oh, save us for thy servant's sake!
With thunder arm'd. . . da capo

65. Recitative

Samson
Be of good courage, I begin to feel
Some inward motions, which do bid me go.

Micah
In time thou hast resolv'd, again he comes.
Enter Harapha.

Harapha
Samson, this second summons send our lords:
Haste thee at once; or we shall engines find
To move thee, though thou wert a solid rock.

Samson
Vain were their art if tried, I yield to go,
Not through your streets be like a wild beast trail'd.

Harapha
You thus may win the lords to set you free.

Samson
In nothing I'll comply that's scandalous
Or sinful by our law. - Brethren, farewell!
Your kind attendance now, I pray, forbear,
Lest it offend to see me girt with friends.
Expect of me you'll nothing hear impure,
Unworthy God, my nation, or myself.

Micah
So may'st thou act as serves His glory best.

Samson
Let but that spirit (which first rush'd on me
In the camp of Dan) inspire me at my need:

66. Accompagnato

Samson
Then shall I make Jehovah's glory known!
Their idol gods shall from his presence fly,
Scatter'd like sheep before the God of hosts.

67. Air

Samson
Thus when the sun from's wat'ry bed
All curtain'd with a cloudy red,
Pillows his chin upon an orient wave;
The wand'ring shadows ghastly pale,
All troop to their infemal jail
Each fetter'd ghost slips to his sev'ral grave.

68. Accompagnato

Micah
With might endu'd above the sons of men,
Swift as the lightning's glance His errand execute,
And spread His name amongst the heathen round.

69. Air and Chorus

Micah
The Holy One of Israel be thy guide,
The Angel of thy birth stand by thy side!
To fame immortal go,
Heav'n bids thee strike the blow:
The Holy One of Israel is thy guide.

Israelites
To fame immortal go
Heav'n bids thee strike the blow
The Holy One of Israel is thy guide.

Scene 2
Micah, Manoah, and Chorus of Israelites.

70. Recitative

Micah
Old Manoah, with youthful steps, makes haste
To find his son, or bring us some glad news.

Manoah
I come, my brethren, not to seek my son,
Who at the feast does play before the lords;
But give you part with me, what hopes I have
To work his liberty.

71. Air

Philistine, at a distance
Great Dagon has subdu'd our foe
And brought their boasted hero low:
Sound out his pow'r in notes divine
Praise him with mirth, high cheer and wine.

72. Chorus of Philistines, at a distance
Great Dagon has subdu'd our foe.
And brought their boasted hero low:
Sound out his pow'r in notes divine
Praise him with mirth, high cheer and wine.

73. Recitative

Manoah
What noise of joy was that? It tore the sky.

Micah
They shout and sing, to see their dreaded foe
Now captive, blind, delighting with his strength.

Manoah
Could my inheritance but ransom him,
Without my patrimony, having him
The richest of my tribe.

Micah
Sons care to nurse
Their parents in old age; but you, - your son!

74. Air

Manoah
How willing my paternal love
The weight to share
Of filial care,
And part of sorrow's burden prove!
Though wand'ring in the shades of night,
Whilst I have eyes he wants no light.

75. Recitative

Micah
Your hopes of his deliv'ry seem not vain,
In which all Israel's friends participate.

Manoah
I know your friendly minds, and -
A symphony of horror and confusion.
Heav'n! What noise!
Horribly loud, unlike the former shout.

76. Chorus of Philistines, at a distance
Hear us, our God! Oh, hear our cry!
Death, ruin, falI'n, no help is nigh,
Oh mercy, Heav'n, we sink, we die!

77. Recitative

Micah
Noise call you this? An universal groan,
As if the world's inhabitation perish'd!
Blood, death, and ruin, at their utmost point!

Manoah
Ruin indeed! Oh, they have slain my son!

Micah
Thy son is rather slaying them; that cry
From slaughter of one foe could not ascend.
But see, my friends,
One hither speeds, an Hebrew of our tribe.

Scene 3
Enter a Messenger.

78. Recitative

Messenger
Where shall I run, or which way fly the thoughts
Of this most horrid sight? O countrymen,
You're in this sad event too much concem'd!

Micah
The accident was loud, we long to know from whence.

Messenger
Let me recover breath; it will burst forth.

Manoah
Tell us the sum, the circumstance defer.

Messenger
Gaza yet stands, but all her sons are falI'n.

Manoah
Sad, not to us! But now relate by whom?

Messenger
By Samson done.

Manoah
The sorrow lessens still,
And nigh converts to joy.

Messenger
O Manoah!
In vain I would refrain; the evil tale
Too soon will rudely pierce thy aged ear.

Manoah
Suspense in news is torture, speak them out!

Messenger
Then take the worst in brief - Samson is dead.

Manoah
The worst indeed! My hopes to free him hence
Are baffled all! But death, who sets all free,
Hath paid his ransom now.

Micah
Yet, ere we give the reins to grief, say first
How died he? Death to life is crown, or shame.

Messenger
Unwounded of his enemies he fell,
At once he did destroy, and was destroy'd;
The edifice, where all were met to see,
Upon their heads, and on his own he pulI'd!

Manoah
Oh, lastly overstrong against thyself!
A dreadful way thou took'st to thy revenge:
Glorious, yet dearly bought!

79. Air and Chorus

Micah
Ye sons of lsrael, now lament,
Your spear is broke, your bow's unbent.
Your glory's fled,
Amongst the dead
Great Samson lies,
For ever, ever, clos'd his eyes!

Israelites
Weep, Israel, weep a louder strain;
Samson, your strength, your hero, is slain!

80. Recitative

Manoah
Proceed we hence to find his body
Soak'd in vile Philistine blood; with the pure stream,
And cleansing herbs wash off his clodded gore;
Then solemnly attend him to my tomb
With silent obsequies, and fun'ral train.

81. Symphony: dead march
82. Recitative

Micah
The body comes; we'll meet it on the way
With laurels ever green, and branching palm;
Then lay it in his monument, hung round
With all his trophies, and great acts enrolI'd
In verse heroic, or sweet lyric song.

Manoah
There shall all IsraeI's valiant youth resort,
And from his memory inflame their breasts
To matchless valour, whilst they sing his praise.
Enter Israelites with the body of Samson.

83. Air and Chorus

Manoah
Glorious hero, may thy grave
Peace and honour ever have;
After all thy pain and woes
Rest etemal, sweet repose!

Israelites
Glorious hero, may thy grave
Peace and honour ever have!

84. Solo and Chorus

Israelite Woman
The virgins too shall on their feastful days
Visit his tomb with flow'rs, and there bewail
His lot unfortunate in nuptial choice.

Virgins
Bring the laurels, bring the bays,
Strew his hearse, and strew the ways!

Israelite Woman
May ev'ry hero fall like thee,
Through sorrow to felicity!

Virgins
Bring the laurels, bring the bays
Strew his hearse and strew the ways!

Israelites
Glorious hero, may thy grave
Peace and honour ever have,
After all thy pains and woes,
Rest etemal, sweet repose!

85. Recitative

Manoah
Come, come! No time for lamentation now,
No cause for grief; Samson like Samson fell,
Both life and death heroic. To his foes
Ruin is left; to him eternal fame.

Micah
Why should we weep or wail, dispraise or blame,
Where all is well and fair to quiet us?
Praise we Jehovah then, who to the end
Not parted from him, but assisted still,
'Till desolation fill'd Philistia's lands,
Honour and freedom giv'n to Jacob's seed.

86. アリア

イスラエルの女
輝くセラフィム(熾天使)よ、炎の列となり、
朗々たる、高く掲げた天使のラッパを吹き鳴らせ。
ケルビム(智天使)の軍勢よ、心地よい合唱隊に加わり、
黄金の弦を張った不滅のハープを掻き鳴らせ。


87. Chorus of Israelites
Let their celestial concerts all unite,
Ever to sound his praise in endless blaze of light.
ACT THREE


Scene 1
Samson, Micah, Harapha and Chorus of Israelites.

61. Recitative

Micah
More trouble is behind, for Harapha
Comes on amain, speed in his steps and look.
Samson
I fear him not, nor all his giant brood.
Enter Harapha.

Harapha
Samson, to thee our lords thus bid me say:
This day to Dagon we do sacrifice
With triumph, pomp, and games; we know, thy strength
Surpasses human race; come then, and show
Some public proof to grace this solemn feast.

Samson
I am an Hebrew, and our law forbids
My presence at their vain religious rites.

Harapha
This answer will offend; regard thyself.

Samson
Myself, my conscience and intemal peace!
Am I so broke with servitude, to yield
To such absurd commands, to be their fool,
And play before their God? - I will not come.

Harapha
My message, giv'n with speed, brooks no delay.

62. Air

Harapha
Presuming slave, to move their wrath!
For mercy sue,
Or vengeance due
Dooms in one fatal word thy death!
Consider, ere it be too late,
To ward th'unerring shaft of fate.

63. Recitative

Micah
Reflect then. Samson, matters now are strain'd
Up to the height, whether to hold, or break.
He's gone, whose malice may inflame the lords.

Samson
Shall I abuse this consecrated gift
Of strength, again returning with my hair,
By vaunting it in honour to their god
And prostituting holy things to idols?

Micah
How thou wilt here come off surmounts my reach;
'Tis Heav'n alone can save, both us and thee.

64. Chorus of Israelites
With thunder arm'd, great God, arise!
Help, Lord, or Israel's champion dies!
To thy protection this thy servant take,
And save, oh, save us for thy servant's sake!
With thunder arm'd. . . da capo

65. Recitative

Samson
Be of good courage, I begin to feel
Some inward motions, which do bid me go.

Micah
In time thou hast resolv'd, again he comes.
Enter Harapha.

Harapha
Samson, this second summons send our lords:
Haste thee at once; or we shall engines find
To move thee, though thou wert a solid rock.

Samson
Vain were their art if tried, I yield to go,
Not through your streets be like a wild beast trail'd.

Harapha
You thus may win the lords to set you free.

Samson
In nothing I'll comply that's scandalous
Or sinful by our law. - Brethren, farewell!
Your kind attendance now, I pray, forbear,
Lest it offend to see me girt with friends.
Expect of me you'll nothing hear impure,
Unworthy God, my nation, or myself.

Micah
So may'st thou act as serves His glory best.

Samson
Let but that spirit (which first rush'd on me
In the camp of Dan) inspire me at my need:

66. Accompagnato

Samson
Then shall I make Jehovah's glory known!
Their idol gods shall from his presence fly,
Scatter'd like sheep before the God of hosts.

67. Air

Samson
Thus when the sun from's wat'ry bed
All curtain'd with a cloudy red,
Pillows his chin upon an orient wave;
The wand'ring shadows ghastly pale,
All troop to their infemal jail
Each fetter'd ghost slips to his sev'ral grave.

68. Accompagnato

Micah
With might endu'd above the sons of men,
Swift as the lightning's glance His errand execute,
And spread His name amongst the heathen round.

69. Air and Chorus

Micah
The Holy One of Israel be thy guide,
The Angel of thy birth stand by thy side!
To fame immortal go,
Heav'n bids thee strike the blow:
The Holy One of Israel is thy guide.

Israelites
To fame immortal go
Heav'n bids thee strike the blow
The Holy One of Israel is thy guide.

Scene 2
Micah, Manoah, and Chorus of Israelites.

70. Recitative

Micah
Old Manoah, with youthful steps, makes haste
To find his son, or bring us some glad news.

Manoah
I come, my brethren, not to seek my son,
Who at the feast does play before the lords;
But give you part with me, what hopes I have
To work his liberty.

71. Air

Philistine, at a distance
Great Dagon has subdu'd our foe
And brought their boasted hero low:
Sound out his pow'r in notes divine
Praise him with mirth, high cheer and wine.

72. Chorus of Philistines, at a distance
Great Dagon has subdu'd our foe.
And brought their boasted hero low:
Sound out his pow'r in notes divine
Praise him with mirth, high cheer and wine.

73. Recitative

Manoah
What noise of joy was that? It tore the sky.

Micah
They shout and sing, to see their dreaded foe
Now captive, blind, delighting with his strength.

Manoah
Could my inheritance but ransom him,
Without my patrimony, having him
The richest of my tribe.

Micah
Sons care to nurse
Their parents in old age; but you, - your son!

74. Air

Manoah
How willing my paternal love
The weight to share
Of filial care,
And part of sorrow's burden prove!
Though wand'ring in the shades of night,
Whilst I have eyes he wants no light.

75. Recitative

Micah
Your hopes of his deliv'ry seem not vain,
In which all Israel's friends participate.

Manoah
I know your friendly minds, and -
A symphony of horror and confusion.
Heav'n! What noise!
Horribly loud, unlike the former shout.

76. Chorus of Philistines, at a distance
Hear us, our God! Oh, hear our cry!
Death, ruin, falI'n, no help is nigh,
Oh mercy, Heav'n, we sink, we die!

77. Recitative

Micah
Noise call you this? An universal groan,
As if the world's inhabitation perish'd!
Blood, death, and ruin, at their utmost point!

Manoah
Ruin indeed! Oh, they have slain my son!

Micah
Thy son is rather slaying them; that cry
From slaughter of one foe could not ascend.
But see, my friends,
One hither speeds, an Hebrew of our tribe.

Scene 3
Enter a Messenger.

78. Recitative

Messenger
Where shall I run, or which way fly the thoughts
Of this most horrid sight? O countrymen,
You're in this sad event too much concem'd!

Micah
The accident was loud, we long to know from whence.

Messenger
Let me recover breath; it will burst forth.

Manoah
Tell us the sum, the circumstance defer.

Messenger
Gaza yet stands, but all her sons are falI'n.

Manoah
Sad, not to us! But now relate by whom?

Messenger
By Samson done.

Manoah
The sorrow lessens still,
And nigh converts to joy.

Messenger
O Manoah!
In vain I would refrain; the evil tale
Too soon will rudely pierce thy aged ear.

Manoah
Suspense in news is torture, speak them out!

Messenger
Then take the worst in brief - Samson is dead.

Manoah
The worst indeed! My hopes to free him hence
Are baffled all! But death, who sets all free,
Hath paid his ransom now.

Micah
Yet, ere we give the reins to grief, say first
How died he? Death to life is crown, or shame.

Messenger
Unwounded of his enemies he fell,
At once he did destroy, and was destroy'd;
The edifice, where all were met to see,
Upon their heads, and on his own he pulI'd!

Manoah
Oh, lastly overstrong against thyself!
A dreadful way thou took'st to thy revenge:
Glorious, yet dearly bought!

79. Air and Chorus

Micah
Ye sons of lsrael, now lament,
Your spear is broke, your bow's unbent.
Your glory's fled,
Amongst the dead
Great Samson lies,
For ever, ever, clos'd his eyes!

Israelites
Weep, Israel, weep a louder strain;
Samson, your strength, your hero, is slain!

80. Recitative

Manoah
Proceed we hence to find his body
Soak'd in vile Philistine blood; with the pure stream,
And cleansing herbs wash off his clodded gore;
Then solemnly attend him to my tomb
With silent obsequies, and fun'ral train.

81. Symphony: dead march
82. Recitative

Micah
The body comes; we'll meet it on the way
With laurels ever green, and branching palm;
Then lay it in his monument, hung round
With all his trophies, and great acts enrolI'd
In verse heroic, or sweet lyric song.

Manoah
There shall all IsraeI's valiant youth resort,
And from his memory inflame their breasts
To matchless valour, whilst they sing his praise.
Enter Israelites with the body of Samson.

83. Air and Chorus

Manoah
Glorious hero, may thy grave
Peace and honour ever have;
After all thy pain and woes
Rest etemal, sweet repose!

Israelites
Glorious hero, may thy grave
Peace and honour ever have!

84. Solo and Chorus

Israelite Woman
The virgins too shall on their feastful days
Visit his tomb with flow'rs, and there bewail
His lot unfortunate in nuptial choice.

Virgins
Bring the laurels, bring the bays,
Strew his hearse, and strew the ways!

Israelite Woman
May ev'ry hero fall like thee,
Through sorrow to felicity!

Virgins
Bring the laurels, bring the bays
Strew his hearse and strew the ways!

Israelites
Glorious hero, may thy grave
Peace and honour ever have,
After all thy pains and woes,
Rest etemal, sweet repose!

85. Recitative

Manoah
Come, come! No time for lamentation now,
No cause for grief; Samson like Samson fell,
Both life and death heroic. To his foes
Ruin is left; to him eternal fame.

Micah
Why should we weep or wail, dispraise or blame,
Where all is well and fair to quiet us?
Praise we Jehovah then, who to the end
Not parted from him, but assisted still,
'Till desolation fill'd Philistia's lands,
Honour and freedom giv'n to Jacob's seed.

86. Air

Israelite Woman
Let the bright seraphim in burning row,
Their loud, uplifted angel trumpets blow.
Let the cherubic host, in tuneful choirs,
Touch their immortal harps with golden wires.

87. Chorus of Israelites
Let their celestial concerts all unite,
Ever to sound his praise in endless blaze of light.


最終更新:2016年01月07日 06:50