With corporal fervitude, that my mind ever 1351 Of ftrength, again returning with my hair 1355 By prostituting holy things to idols; A Nazarite in place abominable 1359 Vaunting my ftrength in honor to their Dagon? Besides how vile, contemptible, ridiculous, What act more execrably unclean, profane? (ftines, Chor. Yet with this ftrength thou ferv'ft the Phili Idolatrous, uncircumcis'd, unclean. Samf. Not in their idol-worship, but by labor Honeft and lawful to deserve my food 1366 Of those who have me in their civil power. (not. Chor. Where the heart joins not, outward acts defile Samf. Where outward force constrains, the sentence But who constrains me to the temple' of Dagon, (holds. Not dragging? the Philiftian lords command. 1371 Commands are no conftraints. If I obey them, I do it freely, vent'ring to displease God for the fear of man, and man prefer, Set God behind: which in his jealousy Shall never, unrepented, find forgiveness. Yet that he may dispense with me or thee Present in temples at idolatrous rites 1375 For fome important cause, thou need'st not doubt. Ch. How thou wilt here come off furmounts my reach. 1385 Samf. Be of good courage, I begin to feel 1381 Some roufing motions in me which dispose To fomething extraordinary my thoughts. I with this messenger will go along, Nothing to do, be fure, that may dishonor Our law, or ftain my vow of Nazarite. If there be ought of presage in the mind, This day will be remarkable in my life By some great act, or of my days the laft. 1389 Chor. In time thou haft refolv'd, the man returns. Off. Samfon, this fecond message from our lords To To thee I am bid fay. Art thou our flave, 1401 Samf. I could be well content to try their art, Which to no few of them would prove pernicious. Yet knowing their advantages too many, Because they shall not trail me through theirftreets Like a wild beaft, I am content to go. Masters commands come with a pow'r refistless To such as owe them abfolute fubjection; And for a life who will not change his purpofe? (So mutable are all the of men) Yet this be fure, in nothing to comply Scandalous or forbidden in our Law. ways 1405 Off. I praife thy refolution: doff these links: 1410 By this compliance thou wilt win the lords. To favor, and perhaps to set thee free. Samf. Brethren farewel; your company along So dreaded onće, may now exasperate them With zeal, if ought religion feem'd concern'd; 1420 Happen what may, of me expect to hear Our God, our Law, my Nation, or myself, 1425 Chor. Go, and the Holy One Of Ifrael be thy guide (name To what may serve his glory best, and spread his Great among the Heathen round; Send thee the Angel of thy birth, to stand Faft by thy fide, who from thy father's field in flames after his message told Rode up Of thy conception, and be now a fhield 1430 Of fire; that Spirit that first rush'd on thee 1435 In the camp of Dan Be efficacious in thee now at need. For never was from Heav'n imparted Measure of strength so great to mortal seed, As in thy wondrous actions hath been seen. 1140 1446 By order of the lords new parted hence To To come and play before them at their feast. I heard all as I came, the city rings, And numbers thither flock, I had no will, 1450 Left I should see him forc'd to things unfeemly. 1454 Chor. That hope would much rejoice us to partake With thee; fay, reverend Sire, we thirft to hear. Man. I have attempted one by one the lords Either at home, or through the high ftreet paffing, With fupplication prone and father's tears, T'accept of ransome for my son their pris'ner. 1460 Some much averse I found and wondrous harsh, Contemptuous, proud, fet on revenge and spite; That part most reverenc'd Dagon and his priests: Others more moderate seeming, but their aim Private reward, for which both God and State 1465. They easily would set to fale: a third More generous far and civil, who confefs'd 1470 Chor. Doubtlefs the people fhouting to behold Their once great dread captive, and blind before them, Or at fome proof of strength before them shown. Man. |