H, And Fainting Spirits Uphold. God Of Our Fathers, What Is Man! That Thou Towards Him With Hand So Various, Or Might I Say Contrarious, Temperst Thy Providence Through His Short Course, Not Evenly, As Thou Rul'St The Angelic Orders And Inferiour Creatures Mute, Irrational And Brute. Nor Do I Name Of Men The Common Rout, That Wandring Loose About Grow Up And Perish, As The Summer Flie, Heads Without Name No More Rememberd, But Such As Thou Hast Solemnly Elected, With Gifts And Graces Eminently Adorn'D To Some Great Work, Thy Glory, And Peoples Safety, Which In Part They Effect: Yet Toward These Thus DignifI'd, Thou Oft Amidst Thir Highth Of Noon, Changest Thy Countenance, And Thy Hand With No Regard Of Highest Favours Past From Thee On Them, Or Them To Thee Of Service. Nor Only Dost Degrade Them, Or Remit To Life Obscur'D, Which Were A Fair Dismission, But Throw'St Them Lower Then Thou Didst Exalt Them High, Unseemly Falls In Human Eie, Too Grievous For The Trespass Or Omission, Oft Leav'St Them To The Hostile Sword Of Heathen And Prophane, Thir Carkasses To Dogs And Fowls A Prey, Or Else Captiv'D: Or To The Unjust Tribunals, Under Change Of Times, And Condemnation Of The Ingrateful Multitude. If These They Scape, Perhaps In Poverty With Sickness And Disease Thou Bow'St Them Down, Painful Diseases And Deform'D, In Crude Old Age; Though Not Disordinate, Yet Causless Suffring The Punishment Of Dissolute Days, In Fine, Just Or Unjust, Alike Seem Miserable, For Oft Alike, Both Come To Evil End. So Deal Not With This Once Thy Glorious Champion, The Image Of Thy Strength, And Mighty Minister. What Do I Beg? How Hast Thou Dealt Already? Behold Him In This State Calamitous, And Turn His Labours, For Thou Canst, To Peaceful End. But Who Is This, What Thing Of Sea Or Land? Femal Of Sex It Seems, That So Bedeckt, Ornate, And Gay, Comes This Way Sailing Like A Stately Ship Of Tarsus, Bound For Th' Isles Of Javan Or Gadier With All Her Bravery On, And Tackle Trim, Sails Fill'D, And Streamers Waving, Courted By All The Winds That Hold Them Play, An Amber Sent Of Odorous Perfume Her Harbinger, A Damsel Train Behind; Some Rich Philistian Matron She May Seem, And Now At Nearer View, No Other Certain Than Dalila Thy Wife. Sam: My Wife, My Traytress, Let Her Not Come Near Me. Cho: Yet On She Moves, Now Stands & Eies Thee Fixt, About T'Have Spoke, But Now, With Head Declin'D Like A Fair Flower Surcharg'D With Dew, She Weeps And Words Addrest Seem Into Tears Dissolv'D, Wetting The Borders Of Her Silk'N Veil: But Now Again She Makes Address To Speak. Dal: With Doubtful Feet And Wavering Resolution I Came, Still Dreading Thy Displeasure, Samson, Which To Have Merited, Without Excuse, I Cannot But Acknowledge; Yet If Tears May Expiate (Though The Fact More Evil Drew In The Perverse Event Then I Foresaw) My Penance Hath Not Slack'N'D, Though My Pardon No Way Assur'D. But Conjugal Affection Prevailing Over Fear, And Timerous Doubt Hath Led Me On Desirous To Behold Once More Thy Face, And Know Of Thy Estate. If Aught In My Ability May Serve To Light'N What Thou Suffer'St, And Appease Thy Mind With What Amends Is In My Power, Though Late, Yet In Some Part To Recompense My Rash But More Unfortunate Misdeed. Sam: Out, Out Hyaena; These Are Thy Wonted Arts, And Arts Of Every Woman False Like Thee, To Break All Faith, All Vows, Deceive, Betray, Then As Repentant To Submit, Beseech, And Reconcilement Move With Feign'D Remorse, Confess, And Promise Wonders In Her Change, Not Truly Penitent, But Chief To Try Her Husband, How Far Urg'D His Patience Bears, His Vertue Or Weakness Which Way To Assail: Then With More Cautious And Instructed Skill Again Transgresses, And Again Submits; That Wisest And Best Men Full Oft Beguil'D With Goodness Principl'D Not To Reject The Penitent, But Ever To Forgive, Are Drawn To Wear Out Miserable Days, Entangl'D With A Poysnous Bosom Snake, If Not By Quick Destruction Soon Cut Off As I By Thee, To Ages An Example. Dal: Yet Hear Me Samson; Not That I Endeavour To Lessen Or Extenuate My Offence, But That On Th' Other Side If It Be Weigh'D By It Self, With Aggravations Not Surcharg'D, Or Else With Just Allowance Counterpois'D I May, If Possible, Thy Pardon Find The Easier Towards Me, Or Thy Hatred Less. First Granting, As I Do, It Was A Weakness In Me, But Incident To All Our Sex, Curiosity, Inquisitive, Importune Of Secrets, Then With Like Infirmity To Publish Them, Both Common Female Faults: Was It Not Weakness Also To Make Known For Importunity, That Is For Naught, Wherein Consisted All Thy Strength And Safety? To What I Did Thou Shewdst Me First The Way. But I To Enemies Reveal'D, And Should Not. Nor Shouldst Thou Have Trusted That To Womans Frailty E're I To Thee, Thou To Thy Self Wast Cruel. Let Weakness Then With Weakness Come To Parl So Near Related, Or The Same Of Kind, Thine Forgive Mine; That Men May Censure Thine The Gentler, If Severely Thou Exact Not More Strength From Me, Then In Thy Self Was Found. And What If Love, Which Thou Interpret'St Hate, The Jealousie Of Love, Powerful Of Sway In Human Hearts, Nor Less In Mine Towards Thee, Caus'D What I Did? I Saw Thee Mutable Of Fancy, Feard Lest One Day Thou Wouldst Leave Me As Her At Timna, Sought By All Means Therefore How To Endear, And Hold Thee To Me Firmest: No Better Way I Saw Then By Importuning To Learn Thy Secrets, Get Into My Power Thy Key Of Strength And Safety: Thou Wilt Say, Why Then Reveal'D? I Was Assur'D By Those Who Tempted Me, That Nothing Was Design'D Against Thee But Safe Custody, And Hold: That Made For Me, I Knew That Liberty Would Draw Thee Forth To Perilous Enterprises, While I At Home Sate Full Of Cares And Fears Wailing Thy Absence In My Widow'D Bed; Here I Should Still Enjoy Thee Day And Night Mine And Loves Prisoner, Not The Philistines, Whole To My Self, Unhazarded Abroad, Fearless At Home Of Partners In My Love. These Reasons In Loves Law Have Past For Good, Though Fond And Reasonless To Some Perhaps: And Love Hath Oft, Well Meaning, Wrought Much Wo, Yet Always Pity Or Pardon Hath Obtain'D. Be Not Unlike All Others, Not Austere As Thou Art Strong, Inflexible As Steel. If Thou In Strength All Mortals Dost Exceed, In Uncompassionate Anger Do Not So. Sam: How Cunningly The Sorceress Displays Her Own Transgressions, To Upbraid Me Mine! That Malice Not Repentance Brought Thee Hither, By This Appears : I Gave, Thou Say'St, Th' Example, I Led The Way; Bitter Reproach, But True, I To My Self Was False E're Thou To Me, Such Pardon Therefore As I Give My Folly, Take To Thy Wicked Deed: Which When Thou Seest Impartial, Self-Severe, Inexorable, Thou Wilt Renounce Thy Seeking, And Much Rather Confess It Feign'D, Weakness Is Thy Excuse, And I Believe It, Weakness To Resist Philistian Gold: If Weakness May Excuse, What Murtherer, What Traytor, Parricide, Incestuous, Sacrilegious, But May Plead It? All Wickedness Is Weakness : That Plea Therefore With God Or Man Will Gain Thee No Remission. But Love Constrain'D Thee; Call It Furious Rage To Satisfie Thy Lust: Love Seeks To Have Love; My Love How Couldst Thou Hope, Who Tookst The Way To Raise In Me Inexpiable Hate, Knowing, As Needs I Must, By Thee Betray'D ? In Vain Thou Striv'St To Cover Shame With Shame, Or By Evasions Thy Crime Uncoverst More. Dal: Since Thou Determinst Weakness For No Plea In Man Or Woman, Though To Thy Own Condemning, Hear What Assaults I Had, What Snares Besides, What Sieges Girt Me Round, E're I Consented; Which Might Have Aw'D The Best Resolv'D Of Men, The Constantest To Have Yielded Without Blame. It Was Not Gold, As To My Charge Thou Lay'St, That Wrought With Me: Thou Know'St The Magistrates And Princes Of My Countrey Came In Person, Sollicited, Commanded, Threatn'D, Urg'D, Adjur'D By All The Bonds Of Civil Duty And Of Religion, Press'D How Just It Was, How Honourable, How Glorious To Entrap A Common Enemy, Who Had Destroy'D Such Numbers Of Our Nation : And The Priest Was Not Behind, But Ever At My Ear, Preaching How Meritorious With The Gods It Would Be To Ensnare An Irreligious Dishonourer Of Dagon : What Had I To Oppose Against Such Powerful Arguments? Only My Love Of Thee Held Long Debate; And Combated In Silence All These Reasons With Hard Contest: At Length That Grounded Maxim So Rife And Celebrated In The Mouths Of Wisest Men; That To The Public Good Private Respects Must Yield; With Grave Authority' Took Full Possession Of Me And Prevail'D; Vertue, As I Thought, Truth, Duty So Enjoyning. Sam: I Thought Where All Thy Circling Wiles Would End; In Feign'D Religion, Smooth Hypocrisie. But Had Thy Love, Still Odiously Pretended, Bin, As It Ought, Sincere, It Would Have Taught Thee Far Other Reasonings, Brought Forth Other Deeds. I Before All The Daughters Of My Tribe And Of My Nation Chose Thee From Among My Enemies, Lov'D Thee, As Too Well Thou Knew'St, Too Well, Unbosom'D All My Secrets To Thee, Not Out Of Levity, But Over-Powr'D By Thy Request, Who Could Deny Thee Nothing; Yet Now Am Judg'D An Enemy. Why Then Didst Thou At First Receive Me For Thy Husband? Then, As Since Then, Thy Countries Foe Profest: Being Once A Wife, For Me Thou Wast To Leave Parents And Countrey; Nor Was I Their Subject, Nor Under Their Protection But My Own, Thou Mine, Not Theirs: If Aught Against My Life Thy Countrey Sought Of Thee, It Sought Unjustly, Against The Law Of Nature, Law Of Nations, No More Thy Countrey, But An Impious Crew Of Men Conspiring To Uphold Thir State By Worse Than Hostile Deeds, Violating The Ends For Which Our Countrey Is A Name So Dear; Not Therefore To Be Obey'D. But Zeal Mov'D Thee; To Please Thy Gods Thou Didst It; Gods Unable To Acquit Themselves And Prosecute Their Foes But By Ungodly Deeds, The Contradiction Of Their Own Deity, Gods Cannot Be: Less Therefore To Be Pleas'D, Obey'D, Or Fear'D, These False Pretexts And Varnish'D Colours Failing, Bare In Thy Guilt How Foul Must Thou Appear? Dal: In Argument With Men A Woman Ever Goes By The Worse, Whatever Be Her Cause. Sam: For Want Of Words No Doubt, Or Lack Of Breath, Witness When I Was Worried With Thy Peals. Dal: I Was A Fool, Too Rash, And Quite Mistaken In What I Thought Would Have Succeeded Best. Let Me Obtain Forgiveness Of Thee, Samson, Afford Me Place To Shew What Recompence Towards Thee I Intend For What I Have Misdone, Misguided: Only What Remains Past Cure Bear Not Too Sensibly, Nor Still Insist To Afflict Thy Self In Vain: Though Sight Be Lost, Life Yet Hath Many Solaces, Enjoy'D Where Other Senses Want Not Their Delights At Home In Leisure And Domestic Ease, Exempt From Many A Care And Chance To Which Eye-Sight Exposes Daily Men Abroad. I To The Lords Will Intercede, Not Doubting Thir Favourable Ear, That I May Fetch Thee From Forth This Loathsom Prison-House, To Abide With Me, Where My Redoubl'D Love And Care With Nursing Diligence, To Me Glad Office, May Ever Tend About Thee To Old Age With All Things Grateful Chear'D, And So SupplI'd, That What By Me Thou Hast Lost Thou Least Shalt Miss. Sam: No, No, Of My Condition Take No Care; It Fits Not; Thou And I Long Since Are Twain; Nor Think Me So Unwary Or Accurst To Bring My Feet Again Into The Snare Where Once I Have Been Caught; I Know Thy Trains Though Dearly To My Cost, Thy Ginns, And Toyls; Thy Fair Enchanted Cup, And Warbling Charms No More On Me Have Power, Their Force Is Null'D, So Much Of Adders Wisdom I Have Learn'T To Fence My Ear Against Thy Sorceries. If In My Flower Of Youth And Strength, When All Men Lov'D, Honour'D, Fear'D Me, Thou Alone Could Hate Me Thy Husband, Slight Me, Sell Me, And Forgo Me; How Wouldst Thou Use Me Now, Blind, And Thereby Deceiveable, In Most Things As A Child Helpless, Thence Easily Contemn'D, And Scorn'D, And Last Neglected? How Wouldst Thou Insult When I Must Live Uxorious To Thy Will In Perfet Thraldom, How Again Betray Me, Bearing My Words And Doings To The Lords To Gloss Upon, And Censuring, Frown Or Smile? This Gaol I Count The House Of Liberty To Thine Whose Doors My Feet Shall Never Enter. Dal: Let Me Approach At Least, And Touch Thy Hand. Sam: Not For Thy Life, Lest Fierce Remembrance Wake My Sudden Rage To Tear Thee Joint By Joint. At Distance I Forgive Thee, Go With That; Bewail Thy Falshood, And The Pious Works It Hath Brought Forth To Make Thee Memorable Among Illustrious Women, Faithful Wives: Cherish Thy Hast'N'D Widowhood With The Gold Of Matrimonial Treason: So Farewel. Dal: I See Thou Art Implacable, More Deaf To Prayers, Then Winds And Seas, Yet Winds To Seas Are Reconcil'D At Length, And Sea To Shore: Thy Anger, Unappeasable, Still Rages, Eternal Tempest Never To Be Calm'D. Why Do I Humble Thus My Self, And Suing For Peace, Reap Nothing But Repulse And Hate? Bid Go With Evil Omen And The Brand Of Infamy Upon My Name Denounc'T? To Mix With Thy Concernments I Desist Henceforth, Nor Too Much Disapprove My Own. Fame If Not Double-Fac'T Is Double-Mouth'D, And With Contrary Blast Proclaims Most Deeds, On Both His Wings, One Black, Th' Other White, Bears Greatest Names In His Wild Aerie Flight. My Name Perhaps Among The Circumcis'D In Dan, In Judah, And The Bordering Tribes, To All Posterity May Stand Defam'D, With Malediction Mention'D, And The Blot Of Falshood Most Unconjugal Traduc'T. But In My Countrey Where I Most Desire, In Ecron, Gaza, Asdod, And In Gath I Shall Be Nam'D Among The Famousest Of Women, Sung At Solemn Festivals, Living And Dead Recorded, Who To Save Her Countrey From A Fierce Destroyer, Chose Above The Faith Of Wedlock-Bands, My Tomb With Odours Visited And Annual Flowers. Not Less Renown'D Then In Mount Ephraim, Jael Who With Inhospitable Guile Smote Sisera Sleeping Through The Temples Nail'D. Nor Shall I Count It Hainous To Enjoy The Public Marks Of Honour And Reward Conferr'D Upon Me, For The Piety Which To My Countrey I Was Judg'D To Have Shewn. At This Who Ever Envies Or Repines I Leave Him To His Lot, And Like My Own. Chor: She'S Gone, A Manifest Serpent By Her Sting Discover'D In The End, Till Now Conceal'D. Sam: So Let Her Go, God Sent Her To Debase Me, And Aggravate My Folly Who Committed To Such A Viper His Most Sacred Trust Of Secresie, My Safety, And My Life. Chor: Yet Beauty, Though Injurious, Hath Strange Power, After Offence Returning, To Regain Love Once Possest, Nor Can Be Easily Repuls'T, Without Much Inward Passion Felt And Secret Sting Of Amorous Remorse. Sam: Love-Quarrels Oft In Pleasing Concord End, Not Wedlock-Trechery Endangering Life. Chor: It Is Not Vertue, Wisdom, Valour, Wit, Strength, Comliness Of Shape, Or Amplest Merit That Womans Love Can Win Or Long Inherit; But What It Is, Hard Is To Say, Harder To Hit, (Which Way Soever Men Refer It) Much Like Thy Riddle, Samson, In One Day Or Seven, Though One Should Musing Sit; If Any Of These Or All, The Timnian Bride Had Not So Soon Preferr'D Thy Paranymph, Worthless To Thee Compar'D, Successour In Thy Bed, Nor Both So Loosly Disally'D Thir Nuptials, Nor This Last So Trecherously Had Shorn The Fatal Harvest Of Thy Head. Is It For That Such Outward Ornament Was Lavish'T On Thir Sex, That Inward Gifts Were Left For Hast Unfinish'T, Judgment Scant, Capacity Not Rais'D To Apprehend Or Value What Is Best In Choice, But Oftest To Affect The Wrong? Or Was Too Much Of Self-Love Mixt, Of Constancy No Root Infixt, That Either They Love Nothing, Or Not Long? What E're It Be, To Wisest Men And Best Seeming At First All Heavenly Under Virgin Veil, Soft, Modest, Meek, Demure, Once Join'D, The Contrary She Proves, A Thorn Intestin, Far Within Defensive Arms A Cleaving Mischief, In His Way To Vertue Adverse And Turbulent, Or By Her Charms Draws Him Awry Enslav'D With Dotage, And His Sense Deprav'D To Folly And Shameful Deeds Which Ruin Ends. What Pilot So Expert But Needs Must Wreck Embarqu'D With Such A Stears-Mate At The Helm? Favour'D Of Heav'N Who Finds One Vertuous Rarely Found, That In Domestic Good Combines: Happy That House! His Way To Peace Is Smooth: But Vertue Which Breaks Through All Opposition, And All Temptation Can Remove, Most Shines And Most Is Acceptable Above. Therefore Gods Universal Law Gave To The Man Despotic Power Over His Female In Due Awe, Nor From That Right To Part An Hour, Smile She Or Lowre: So Shall He Least Confusion Draw On His Whole Life, Not Sway'D By Female Usurpation, Nor Dismay'D. But Had We Best Retire, I See A Storm? Sam: Fair Days Have Oft Contracted Wind And Rain. Chor: But This Another Kind Of Tempest Brings. Sam: Be Less Abstruse, My Riddling Days Are Past. Chor: Look Now For No Inchanting Voice, Nor Fear The Bait Of Honied Words; A Rougher Tongue Draws Hitherward, I Know Him By His Stride, The Giant Harapha Of Gath, His Look Haughty As Is His Pile High-Built And Proud. Comes He In Peace? What Wind Hath Blown Him Hither I Less Conjecture Then When First I Saw The Sumptuous Dalila Floating This Way: His Habit Carries Peace, His Brow Defiance. Sam: Or Peace Or Not, Alike To Me He Comes. Chor: His Fraught We Soon Shall Know, He Now Arrives. Har: I Come Not Samson, To Condole Thy Chance, As These Perhaps, Yet Wish It Had Not Been, Though For No Friendly Intent. I Am Of Gath, Men Call Me Harapha, Of Stock Renown'D As Og Or Anak And The Emims Old That Kiriathaim Held, Thou Knowst Me Now If Thou At All Art Known. Much I Have Heard Of Thy Prodigious Might And Feats Perform'D Incredible To Me, In This Displeas'D, That I Was Never Present On The Place Of Those Encounters, Where We Might Have TrI'd Each Others Force In Camp Or Listed Field: And Now Am Come To See Of Whom Such Noise Hath Walk'D About, And Each Limb To Survey, If Thy Appearance Answer Loud Report. Sam: The Way To Know Were Not To See But Taste. Har: Dost Thou Already Single Me; I Thought Gives And The Mill Had Tam'D Thee? O That Fortune Had Brought Me To The Field Where Thou Art Fam'D To Have Wrought Such Wonders With An Asses Jaw; I Should Have Forc'D Thee Soon With Other Arms, Or Left Thy Carkass Where The Ass Lay Thrown: So Had The Glory Of Prowess Been Recover'D To Palestine, Won By A Philistine From The Unforeskinn'D Race, Of Whom Thou Hear'St The Highest Name For Valiant Acts, That Honour Certain To Have Won By Mortal Duel From Thee, I Lose, Prevented By Thy Eyes Put Out. Sam: Boast Not Of What Thou Wouldst Have Done, But Do What Then Thou Would'St, Thou Seest It In Thy Hand. Har: To Combat With A Blind Man I Disdain And Thou Hast Need Much Washing To Be Toucht. Sam: Such Usage As Your Honourable Lords Afford Me Assassinated And Betray'D, Who Durst Not With Thir Whole United Powers In Fight Withstand Me Single And Unarm'D, Nor In The House With Chamber Ambushes Close-Banded Durst Attaque Me, No Not Sleeping, Till They Had Hir'D A Woman With Their Gold Breaking Her Marriage Faith To Circumvent Me. Therefore Without Feign'D Shifts Let Be Assign'D Some Narrow Place Enclos'D, Where Sight May Give Thee. Or Rather Flight, No Great Advantage On Me; Then Put On All Thy Gorgeous Arms, Thy Helmet And Brigandine Of Brass, Thy Broad Habergeon. Vant-Brass And Greves, And Gauntlet, Add Thy Spear A Weavers Beam, And Seven-Times-Folded Shield. I Only With An Oak'N Staff Will Meet Thee, And Raise Such Out-Cries On Thy Clatter'D Iron, Which Long Shall Not With-Hold Mee From Thy Head, That In A Little Time While Breath Remains Thee, Thou Oft Shalt Wish Thy Self At Gath To Boast Again In Safety What Thou Wouldst Have Done To Samson, But Shalt Never See Gath More. Har: Thou Durst Not Thus Disparage Glorious Arms Which Greatest Heroes Have In Battel Worn, Thir Ornament And Safety, Had Not Spells And Black Enchantments, Some Magicians Art Arm'D Thee Or Charm'D Thee Strong, Which Thou From Heaven Feigndst At Thy Birth Was Giv'N Thee In Thy Hair, Where Strength Can Least Abide, Though All Thy Hairs Were Bristles Rang'D Like Those That Ridge The Back Of Chaf'T Wild Boars, Or Ruffl'D Porcupines. Sam: I Know No Spells, Use No Forbidden Arts; My Trust Is In The Living God Who Gave Me At My Nativity This Strength, Diffus'D No Less Through All My Sinews, Joints And Bones, Then Thine, While I Preserv'D These Locks Unshorn, The Pledge Of My Unviolated Vow. For Proof Hereof, If Dagon Be Thy God, Go To His Temple, Invocate His Aid With Solemnest Devotion, Spread Before Him How Highly It Concerns His Glory Now To Frustrate And Dissolve These Magic Spells, Which I To Be The Power Of Israel'S God Avow, And Challenge Dagon To The Test, Offering To Combat Thee His Champion Bold, With Th' Utmost Of His Godhead Seconded: Then Thou Shalt See, Or Rather To Thy Sorrow Soon Feel, Whose God Is Strongest, Thine Or Mine. Har: Presume Not On Thy God, What E're He Be, Thee He Regards Not, Owns Not, Hath Cut Off Quite From His People, And Delivered Up Into Thy Enemies Hand, Permitted Them To Put Out Both Thine Eyes, And Fetter'D Send Thee Into The Common Prison, There To Grind Among The Slaves And Asses Thy Comrades, As Good For Nothing Else, No Better Service With Those, Thy Boyst'Rous Locks, No Worthy Match For Valour To Assail, Nor By The Sword Of Noble Warriour, So To Stain His Honour, But By The Barbers Razor Best Subdu'D. Sam: All These Indignities, For Such They Are From Thine, These Evils I Deserve And More, Acknowledge Them From God Inflicted On Me Justly, Yet Despair Not Of His Final Pardon Whose Ear Is Ever Open; And His Eye Gracious To Re-Admit The Suppliant; In Confidence Whereof I Once Again Defie Thee To The Trial Of Mortal Fight, By Combat To Decide Whose God Is God, Thine Or Whom I With Israel'S Sons Adore. Har: Fair Honour That Thou Dost Thy God, In Trusting He Will Accept Thee To Defend His Cause, A Murtherer, A Revolter, And A Robber. Sam: Tongue-Doubtie Giant, How Dost Thou Prove Me These? Har: Is Not Thy Nation Subject To Our Lords? Thir Magistrates Confest It, When They Took Thee As A League-Breaker And Deliver'D Bound Into Our Hands: For Hadst Thou Not Committed Notorious Murder On Those Thirty Men At Askalon, Who Never Did Thee Harm, Then Like A Robber Stripdst Them Of Thir Robes? The Philistines, When Thou Hadst Broke The League, Went Up With Armed Powers Thee Only Seeking, To Others Did No Violence Nor Spoil. Sam: Among The Daughters Of The Philistines I Chose A Wife, Which Argu'D Me No Foe; And In Your City Held My Nuptial Feast: But Your Ill-Meaning Politician Lords, Under Pretence Of Bridal Friends And Guests, Appointed To Await Me Thirty Spies, Who Threatning Cruel Death Constrain'D The Bride To Wring From Me And Tell To Them My Secret, That Solv'D The Riddle Which I Had Propos'D. When I Perceiv'D All Set On Enmity, As On My Enemies, Where Ever Chanc'D, I Us'D Hostility, And Took Thir Spoil To Pay My Underminers In Thir Coin. My Nation Was Subjected To Your Lords. It Was The Force Of Conquest; Force With Force Is Well Ejected When The Conquer'D Can. But I A Private Person, Whom My Countrey As A League-Breaker Gave Up Bound, Presum'D Single Rebellion And Did Hostile Acts. I Was No Private But A Person Rais'D With Strength Sufficient And Command From Heav'N To Free My Countrey; If Their Servile Minds Me Their Deliverer Sent Would Not Receive, But To Thir Masters Gave Me Up For Nought, Th' Unworthier They; Whence To This Day They Serve. I Was To Do My Part From Heav'N Assign'D, And Had Perform'D It If My Known Offence Had Not Disabl'D Me, Not All Your Force: These Shifts Refuted, Answer Thy Appellant Though By His Blindness Maim'D For High Attempts, Who Now Defies Thee Thrice To Single Fight, As A Petty Enterprise Of Small Enforce. Har: With Thee A Man Condemn'D, A Slave Enrol'D, Due By The Law To Capital Punishment? To Fight With Thee No Man Of Arms Will Deign. Sam: Cam'St Thou For This, Vain Boaster, To Survey Me, To Descant On My Strength, And Give Thy Verdit? Come Nearer, Part Not Hence So Slight Inform'D; But Take Good Heed My Hand Survey Not Thee. Har: O Baal-Zebub! Can My Ears Unus'D Hear These Dishonours, And Not Render Death? Sam: No Man With-Holds Thee, Nothing From Thy Hand Fear I Incurable; Bring Up Thy Van, My Heels Are Fetter'D, But My Fist Is Free. Har: This Insolence Other Kind Of Answer Fits. Sam: Go Baffl'D Coward, Lest I Run Upon Thee, Though In These Chains, Bulk Without Spirit Vast, And With One Buffet Lay Thy Structure Low, Or Swing Thee In The Air, Then Dash Thee Down To The Hazard Of Thy Brains And Shatter'D Sides. Har: By Astaroth E're Long Thou Shalt Lament These Braveries In Irons Loaden On Thee. Chor: His Giantship Is Gone Somewhat Crestfall'N, Stalking With Less Unconsci'Nable Strides, And Lower Looks, But In A Sultrie Chafe. Sam: I Dread Him Not, Nor All His Giant-Brood, Though Fame Divulge Him Father Of Five Sons All Of Gigantic Size, Goliah Chief. Chor: He Will Directly To The Lords, I Fear, And With Malitious Counsel Stir Them Up Some Way Or Other Yet Further To Afflict Thee. Sam: He Must Allege Some Cause, And Offer'D Fight Will Not Dare Mention, Lest A Question Rise Whether He Durst Accept The Offer Or Not, And That He Durst Not Plain Enough Appear'D. Much More Affliction Then Already Felt They Cannot Well Impose, Nor I Sustain; If They Intend Advantage Of My Labours The Work Of Many Hands, Which Earns My Keeping With No Small Profit Daily To My Owners. But Come What Will, My Deadliest Foe Will Prove My Speediest Friend, By Death To Rid Me Hence, The Worst That He Can Give, To Me The Best. Yet So It May Fall Out, Because Thir End Is Hate, Not Help To Me, It May With Mine Draw Thir Own Ruin Who Attempt The Deed. Chor: Oh How Comely It Is And How Reviving To The Spirits Of Just Men Long Opprest! When God Into The Hands Of Thir Deliverer Puts Invincible Might To Quell The Mighty Of The Earth, Th' Oppressour, The Brute And Boist'Rous Force Of Violent Men Hardy And Industrious To Support Tyrannic Power, But Raging To Pursue The Righteous And All Such As Honour Truth; He All Thir Ammunition And Feats Of War Defeats With Plain Heroic Magnitude Of Mind And Celestial Vigour Arm'D, Thir Armories And Magazins Contemns, Renders Them Useless, While With Winged Expedition Swift As The Lightning Glance He Executes His Errand On The Wicked, Who Surpris'D Lose Thir Defence Distracted And Amaz'D. But Patience Is More Oft The Exercise Of Saints, The Trial Of Thir Fortitude, Making Them Each His Own Deliverer, And Victor Over All That Tyrannie Or Fortune Can Inflict, Either Of These Is In Thy Lot, Samson, With Might Endu'D Above The Sons Of Men; But Sight Bereav'D May Chance To Number Thee With Those Whom Patience Finally Must Crown. This Idols Day Hath Bin To Thee No Day Of Rest, Labouring Thy Mind More Then The Working Day Thy Hands, And Yet Perhaps More Trouble Is Behind. For I Descry This Way Some Other Tending, In His Hand A Scepter Or Quaint Staff He Bears, Comes On Amain, Speed In His Look. By His Habit I Discern Him Now A Public Officer, And Now At Hand. His Message Will Be Short And Voluble. Off: Ebrews, The Pris'Ner Samson Here I Seek. Chor: His Manacles Remark Him, There He Sits. Off: Samson, To Thee Our Lords Thus Bid Me Say; This Day To Dagon Is A Solemn Feast, With Sacrifices, Triumph, Pomp, And Games; Thy Strength They Know Surpassing Human Rate, And Now Some Public Proof Thereof Require To Honour This Great Feast, And Great Assembly; Rise Therefore With All Speed And Come Along, Where I Will See Thee Heartn'D And Fresh Clad To Appear As Fits Before Th' Illustrious Lords. Sam: Thou Knowst I Am An Ebrew, Therefore Tell Them, Our Law Forbids At Thir Religious Rites My Presence; For That Cause I Cannot Come. Off: This Answer, Be Assur'D, Will Not Content Them. Sam: Have They Not Sword-Players, And Ev'Ry Sort Of Gymnic Artists, Wrestlers, Riders, Runners, Juglers And Dancers, Antics, Mummers, Mimics, But They Must Pick Me Out With Shackles Tir'D, And Over-Labour'D At Thir Publick Mill, To Make Them Sport With Blind Activity? Do They Not Seek Occasion Of New Quarrels On My Refusal To Distress Me More, Or Make A Game Of My Calamities? Return The Way Thou Cam'St, I Will Not Come. Off: Regard Thy Self, This Will Offend Them Highly. Sam: My Self? My Conscience And Internal Peace. Can They Think Me So Broken, So Debas'D With Corporal Servitude, That My Mind Ever Will Condescend To Such Absurd Commands? Although Thir Drudge, To Be Thir Fool Or Jester, And In My Midst Of Sorrow And Heart-Grief To Shew Them Feats, And Play Before Thir God, The Worst Of All Indignities, Yet On Me Joyn'D With Extream Contempt? I Will Not Come. Off: My Message Was Impos'D On Me With Speed, Brooks No Delay: Is This Thy Resolution? Sam: So Take It With What Speed Thy Message Needs. Off: I Am Sorry What This Stoutness Will Produce. Sam: Perhaps Thou Shalt Have Cause To Sorrow Indeed. Chor: Consider, Samson; Matters Now Are Strain'D Up To The Highth, Whether To Bold Or Break; He'S Gone, And Who Knows How He May Report Thy Words By Adding Fuel To The Flame? Expect Another Message More Imperious, More Lordly Thund'Ring Then Thou Well Wilt Bear. Sam: Shall I Abuse This Consecrated Gift Of Strength, Again Returning With My Hair After My Great Transgression, So Requite Favour Renew'D, And Add A Greater Sin By Prostituting Holy Things To Idols; A Nazarite In Place Abominable Vaunting My Strength In Honour To Thir Dagon? Besides, How Vile, Contemptible, Ridiculous, What Act More Execrably Unclean, Prophane? Chor: Yet With This Strength Thou Serv'St The Philistines, Idolatrous, Uncircumcis'D, Unclean. Sam: Not In Thir Idol-Worship, But By Labour Honest And Lawful To Deserve My Food Of Those Who Have Me In Thir Civil Power. Chor: Where The Heart Joins Not, Outward Acts Defile Not Sam: Where Outward Force Constrains, The Sentence Holds: But Who Constrains Me To The Temple Of Dagon, Not Dragging? The Philistian Lords Command. Commands Are No Constraints. If I Obey Them, I Do It Freely; Venturing To Displease God For The Fear Of Man, And Man Prefer, Set God Behind: Which In His Jealousie Shall Never, Unrepented, Find Forgiveness. Yet That He May Dispense With Me Or Thee Present In Temples At Idolatrous Rites For Some Important Cause, Thou Needst Not Doubt. Chor: How Thou Wilt Here Come Off Surmounts My Reach. Sam: Be Of Good Courage, I Begin To Feel Some Rouzing Motions In Me Which Dispose To Something Extraordinary My Thoughts. I With This Messenger Will Go Along, Nothing To Do, Be Sure, That May Dishonour Our Law, Or Stain My Vow Of Nazarite. If There Be Aught Of Presage In The Mind, This Day Will Be Remarkable In My Life By Some Great Act, Or Of My Days The Last. Chor: In Time Thou Hast Resolv'D, The Man Returns. Off: Samson, This Second Message From Our Lords To Thee I Am Bid Say. Art Thou Our Slave, Our Captive, At The Public Mill Our Drudge, And Dar'St Thou At Our Sending And Command Dispute Thy Coming? Come Without Delay; Or We Shall Find Such Engines To Assail And Hamper Thee, As Thou Shalt Come Of Force, Though Thou Wert Firmlier Fastn'D Then A Rock. Sam: I Could Be Well Content To Try Thir Art, Which To No Few Of Them Would Prove Pernicious. 0 Yet Knowing Thir Advantages Too Many, Because They Shall Not Trail Me Through Thir Streets Like A Wild Beast, I Am Content To Go. Masters Commands Come With A Power Resistless To Such As Owe Them Absolute Subjection; And For A Life Who Will Not Change His Purpose? (So Mutable Are All The Ways Of Men) Yet This Be Sure, In Nothing To Comply Scandalous Or Forbidden In Our Law. Off: I Praise Thy Resolution, Doff These Links: By This Compliance Thou Wilt Win The Lords To Favour, And Perhaps To Set Thee Free. Sam: Brethren Farewel, Your Company Along I Will Not Wish, Lest It Perhaps Offend Them To See Me Girt With Friends; And How The Sight Of Me As Of A Common Enemy, So Dreaded Once, May Now Exasperate Them I Know Not. Lords Are Lordliest In Thir Wine, And The Well-Feasted Priest Then Soonest Fir'D With Zeal, If Aught Religion Seem Concern'D: No Less The People On Thir Holy-Days Impetuous, Insolent, Unquenchable; Happ'N What May, Of Me Expect To Hear Nothing Dishonourable, Impure, Unworthy Our God, Our Law, My Nation, Or My Self, The Last Of Me Or No I Cannot Warrant. Chor: Go, And The Holy One Of Israel Be Thy Guide To What May Serve His Glory Best, & Spread His Name Great Among The Heathen Round: Send Thee The Angel Of Thy Birth, To Stand Fast By Thy Side, Who From Thy Fathers Field Rode Up In Flames After His Message Told Of Thy Conception, And Be Now A Shield Of Fire; That Spirit That First Rusht On Thee In The Camp Of Dan Be Efficacious In Thee Now At Need. For Never Was From Heaven Imparted Measure Of Strength So Great To Mortal Seed, As In Thy Wond'Rous Actions Hath Been Seen. But Wherefore Comes Old Manoa In Such Hast With Youthful Steps? Much Livelier Than E're While He Seems: Supposing Here To Find His Son, Or Of Him Bringing To Us Some Glad News? Man: Peace With You Brethren; My Inducement Hither Was Not At Pres