And feats of war defeats,

And celestial vigour armed;

With plain heroic magnitude of mind

1280

Their armouries and magazines contemns,
Renders them useless, while

With winged expedition

Swift as the lightning glance he executes
His errand on the wicked, who, surprised,
Lose their defence, distracted and amazed.
But patience is more oft the exercise
Of saints, the trial of their fortitude,
Making them each his own deliverer,
And victor over all

That tyranny or fortune can inflict.
Either of these is in thy lot,

Samson, with might endued

Above the sons of men; but sight bereaved

May chance to number thee with those

Whom patience finally must crown.

This Idol's day hath been to thee no day of rest,

Labouring thy mind

More than the working day thy hands.

And yet, perhaps, more trouble is behind;

For I descry this way

Some other tending; in his hand
A sceptre 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 prisoner Samson here I seek.

Chor. His manacles remark him; there he sits.

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1300

Off. Samson, to thee our lords thus bid me say: 1310 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 heartened and fresh clad,
To appear as fits before the illustrious lords.

Sams. Thou know'st I am an Ebrew; therefore tell them Our law forbids at their religious rites

My presence; for that cause I cannot come.

Off. This answer, be assured, will not content then..
Sams. Have they not sword-players, and every sort

Of gymnic artists, wrestlers, riders, runners,
Jugglers and dancers, antics, mummers, mimics,
But they must pick me out, with shackles tired,
And over-laboured at their public 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 thyself; this will offend them highly.
Sams. Myself! my conscience, and internal peace.

Can they think me so broken, so debased
With corporal servitude, that my mind ever
Will condescend to such absurd commands?
Although their drudge, to be their fool or jester,
And, in my midst of sorrow and heart-grief,
To show them feats, and play before their god-
The worst of all indignities, yet on me
Joined with extreme contempt! I will not come.
Off. My message was imposed on me with speed,
Brooks no delay: is this thy resolution?

1320

1330

1340

Sams. So take it with what speed thy message needs.

Off. I am sorry what this stoutness will produce.
Sams.

Perhaps thou shalt have cause to sorrow indeed.
Chor. Consider, Samson; matters now are strained.
Up to the highth, whether to hold 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 thundering than thou well wilt bear.
Sams. Shall I abuse this consecrated gift

Of strength, again returning with my hair
After my great transgression-so requite
Favour renewed, and add a greater sin
By prostituting holy things to idols,

A Nazarite, in place abominable,

Vaunting my strength in honour to their Dagon?

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1360

Besides how vile, contemptible, ridiculous,

What act more execrably unclean, profane?

Chor. Yet with this strength thou serv'st the Philistines,

Idolatrous, uncircumcised, unclean.

Sams. Not in their idol-worship, but by labour

Honest and lawful to deserve my food

Of those who have me in their civil power.

1370

Chor. Where the heart joins not, outward acts defile not. Sams. 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 jealousy, 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 need'st not doubt.

1381

Chor. How thou wilt here come off surmounts my reach. Sams. Be of good courage; I begin to feel Some rousing motions in me, which dispose To something extraordinary my thoughts. I with this messenger will go alongNothing 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 resolved: the man

returns.

1390

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 fastened than a rock.
Sams. 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 their 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.

1400

1410

Sams. Brethren, farewell. 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 their wine;
And the well-feasted priest then soonest fired
With zeal, if aught religion seem concerned;
No less the people, on their holy-days,
Impetuous, insolent, unquenchable.
Happen what may, of me expect to hear
Nothing dishonourable, impure, unworthy
Our God, our Law, my nation, or myself;
The last of me or no I cannot warrant.

Chor. Go, and the Holy One

Of Israel be thy guide

1420

To what may serve his glory best, and spread his name
Great among the Heathen round;

Send thee the Angel of thy birth, to stand
Fast by thy side, who from thy father's field
Rode up in flames after his message told
Of thy conception, and be now a shield
Of fire; that Spirit that first rushed 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 wondrous actions hath been seen.
But wherefore comes old Manoa in such. haste

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1440

With youthful steps? Much livelier than erewhile

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 present here to find my son,