By very force, at Gaza, on a night, Maugré the Philistines of that citý, The gatës of the town he hath up plight, 4058 And on his back y-carried them hath he High on an hill, where as men might them see. O noble mighty Sampson, lefe 4059 and dear, Hadst thou not told to women thy secré, In all this world there had not been thy peer.

This Sampson never cider drank nor wine, Nor on his head came razor none nor shear, By precept of the messenger divine; For all his strengthës in his hairës were; And fully twenty winters, year by year, He had of Israel the governance; But soonë shall he weepë many a tear, For women shall him bringë to mischance.