Then give the reins to wand'ring thought, 305 But never find self-fatisfying solution. As if they would confine th' Interminable, And tie him to his own prescript, Who made our laws to bind us, not himself, And hath full right t' exempt Whom so it pleases him by choice From national obftriction without taint Of fin, or legal debt; For with his own laws he can best dispense. 310 He would not elfe who never wanted means, 315 Nor in respect of th' enemy just cause To set his people free, Have prompted this heroic Nazarite, Against his vow of strictest purity, To seek in marriage that fallacious bride, 320 Down reason then, at least vain reasonings down, Though reafon here aver That mortal verdict quits her of unclean: Unchafte was fubfequent, her ftain not his. 325 But fee here comes thy reverend Sire With careful step, locks white as down, Old Manoah: advise Forthwith how thou oughtft to receive him. Samf. Samf. Ay me, another inward grief awak'd 330 With mention of that name renews th' affault. Man. Brethren and men of Dan, for fuch ye feem, Though in this uncouth place; if old respect, As I suppose, tow'ards your once glory'd friend, My Son now captive, hither hath inform'd 335 Your younger feet, while mine caft back with age Came lagging after; say if he be here. 345 Chor. As fignal now in low dejected state, As earst in high'est, behold him where he lies. Man. O miserable change! is this the man, 340 That invincible Samson, far renown'd, The dread of Ifrael's foes, who with a ftrength Equivalent to Angels walk'd their streets, None offering fight; who single combatant Duel'd their armies rank'd in proud array, Himself an army, now unequal match To fave himself against a coward arm'd At one fpear's length. O ever failing trust In mortal strength! and oh what not in man Deceivable and vain? Nay what thing good 350 Pray'd for, but often proves our woe, our bane? I pray'd for children, and thought barrenness In wedlock a reproach; I gain'd a son, And fuch a fon as all men hail'd me happy; Who would be now a father in my stead? O wherefore did God grant me my request, And as a bleffing with fuch pomp adorn'd? 355 Why Why are his gifts defirable, to tempt Our earnest pray'rs, then giv'n with folemn hand Be it but for honor's fake of former deeds. 365 Samf. Appoint not heav'nly difpofition, Father; Nothing of all these evils hath befall'n me But juftly; I myself have brought them on, 375 380 385 Το 390 To them who had corrupted her, my spies, How openly, and with what impudence She purpos'd to betray me, and (which was worse Yet the fourth time, when must'ring all her wiles, P 410 The The base degree to which I now am fall'n, 415 True flavery, and that blindness worse than this, That faw not how degenerately I serv'd. Man. I cannot praise thy marriage choices, Son, Rather approv'd them not; but thou didft plead 421 Divine impulfion prompting how thou might'ft Find fome occasion to infeft our foes. I ftate not that; this I am fure, our foes 425 Their captive, and their triumph; thou the fooner Deposited within thee; which to have kept 435 Great pomp, and facrifice, and praises loud 440 |