Delilah

Evermore I hear my name,Blared upon the cruel street,Echoed in my close retreat,Breathing fame, and branding shame:Evermore it mocks my dream.Though I wear the purple fine—All the pomp of Palestine—Ravens over Gaza scream:"Delilah!"

And when most I should be gayFor my triumph,—lo! my sightDarkens in another's night,And accusing voices say:"Guile may lightly vanquish odds;But though mortals pay the priceAnd accept the sacrifice,Treason's hateful to the gods,Delilah!"

Samson!—bowing reverent kneeUnto Israel's God and thine—Did'st thou think I loved not mine?Unto him I yielded thee!Yet—O mighty in thy fall!—Groping still thy God to find,Bond and bound, bereft and blind,—Happier thou than she they callDelilah!