And feats of war defeats, And celestial vigour armed; With plain heroic magnitude of mind 1280 Their armouries and magazines contemns, With winged expedition Swift as the lightning glance he executes That tyranny or fortune can inflict. 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 His message will be short and voluble. Off. Ebrews, the prisoner Samson here I seek. Chor. His manacles remark him; there he sits. 1290 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; 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.. Of gymnic artists, wrestlers, riders, runners, 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. Can they think me so broken, so debased 1320 1330 1340 Sams. So take it with what speed thy message needs. Off. I am sorry what this stoutness will produce. Perhaps thou shalt have cause to sorrow indeed. He's gone, and who knows how he may report Of strength, again returning with my hair A Nazarite, in place abominable, Vaunting my strength in honour to their Dagon? 1350 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, Masters' commands come with a power resistless To such as owe them absolute subjection; Yet this be sure, in nothing to comply Off. I praise thy resolution. Doff these links: 1400 1410 Sams. Brethren, farewell. Your company along So dreaded once, may now exasperate them Chor. Go, and the Holy One Of Israel be thy guide 1420 To what may serve his glory best, and spread his name Send thee the Angel of thy birth, to stand Be efficacious in thee now at need! For never was from Heaven imparted Measure of strength so great to mortal seed, 1430 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, |