ftage (to which this work never was intended) is here omitted.

It fuffices if the whole drama be found not produced beyond the fifth act. Of the ftile and uniformity, and that commonly called the plot, whether intricate or explicit, which is nothing indeed but fuch œconomy, or difpofition of the fable as may ftand beft with verfimilitude and decorum ; they only will beft judge who are not unacquainted with Efchylus, Sophocles, and Euripides, the three tragic poets unequaled yet by any, and the beft rule to all who endeavour to write tragedy. The circumfcription of time, wherein the whole drama begins and ends, is according to ancient rule, and best example, within the space of four hours.

THE

THE ARGUMENT.

AM SON made captive, blind, and now

in the prifon at Gaza, there to labour as in a common work-house, on a festival day, in the general ceflation from labour, comes forth into the open air,, to a place nigh, fomewhat retired, there to fit a while and bemoan his condition. Where he happens at length to be vifited by certain friends and equals of his tribe, which makes the Chorus, who feek to comfort him what they can; then by his old father Manoah, who endeavours the like, and withal tells him his purpose to procure his liberty by ranfome; laftly, that this feaft was proclaimed by the Philistines as a day of thankfgiving for their deliverance from the hands of Sampion, which yet more troubles him. Manoah then departs to profecute his endeavour with the Philiftian lords for Samfon's redemption; who in the mean while is vifited by other perfons; and laftly by a public officer, to require his coming to the feaft before the lords and people, to play and fhow' his ftrength in their prefence; he at first refufes, difmiffing the public officer with abfolute denial to come; at length perfuaded inwardly that this was from. God, he yields to go along with him, who came now the second time with great threatnings to fetch him the Chorus yet remaining on the place, Manoah returns full of joyful hope, to procure

ere

ere long his fon's deliverance: in the midst of which difcourfe an Hebrew comes in hafte, con-. fusedly at firft, and afterwards more diftinctly res lating the catastrophe, what Samfon had done to the Philistines, and by accident to himself; where with the tragedy ends.

THE

The PERSONS.

SAMSON.

MANOAH, the Father of Samfon.

DALILA, his Wife.

HARAPHA of Gath,

-Public Officer.

Meffenger.

Chorus of Danites.

The SCENE before the Prifon in Gaza.