Puts invincible might To quell the mighty of the earth, th' oppressor, 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; And feats of war defeats, With plain heroic magnitude of mind Their armories and magazines contemns, With winged expedition, Swift as the light'ning glance, he executes But patience is more oft the exercise That tyranny or fortune can inflict : 1275 1280 1285 1290 Either of these is in thy lot, Samson, with might endued Above the sons of men; but sight bereav'd 1295 Whom patience finally must crown. This idol's day hath been to thee no day of rest Labouring thy mind 1284 Swift] Shakesp. Rich. II. act i. sc. 3. Todd. More than the working day thy hands. And yet perhaps more trouble is behind, Some other tending, in his hand 1300 1305 OFF. Hebrews, 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 hearten'd and fresh clad T' appear as fits before th' illustrious lords. SAMS. Thou know'st I am an Hebrew, therefore Our law forbids at their religious rites [tell them, My presence; for that cause I cannot come. OFF. This answer, be assur'd, will not content them. [sort SAMS. Have they not sword-players, and ev'ry Of gymnic artists, wrestlers, riders, runners, Jugglers, and dancers, antics, mummers, mimics, But they must pick me out, with shackles tir'd, And over-labour'd at their public mill, To make them sport with blind activity? On my refusal to distress me more, Or make a game of my calamities? Return the way thou cam'st, I will not come. highly. 1330 [peace. 1335 SAMS. Myself? my conscience and internal Can they think me so broken, so debas'd 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 Join'd with extreme contempt? I will not come. OFF. My message was impos'd on me with speed, Brooks no delay. Is this thy resolution? SAMS. So take it with what speed thy message needs. indeed. [duce. OFF. I am sorry what this stoutness will proSAMS. Perhaps thou shalt have cause to sorrow [strain'd CHOR. Consider, Samson, matters now are Up to the height, whether to hold or break. He's gone, and who knows how he may report 1349 1350 report] This is an inversion, as in the Classical writers. 'how he may add fuel, by reporting thy words.' Virg. Æn. iv. 477. 'Consilium vultu tegit ac spem fronte serenat.' Thy words by adding fuel to the flame? 1355 Vaunting my strength in honour to their Dagon ? Idolatrous, uncircumcis'd, 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. CHOR. Where the heart joins not, outward acts [tence holds. defile not. SAMS. Where outward force constrains, the senBut 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, 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 some important cause, thou need'st not doubt. CHOR. How thou wilt here come off surmounts my reach. SAMS. Be of good courage, I begin to feel dishonour By some great act, or of my days the last. CHOR. In time thou hast resolved, the man returns. 1380 1385 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 fasten'd than a rock. 1395 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 1367 presage] Euripid. Androm. 1075. πρόμαντις θυμὸς ὡς τὶ προσδόκα, Todd.. |