With studied argument, and much persuasion
Lenient of grief and anxious thought: [sought,
But with th' afflicted in his pangs their sound 660
Litule prevails, or rather seems a tune
Harsh and of dissonant mood from his complaint;
Unless he feel within

Some source of consolation from above,
Secret refreshings, that repair his strength,
And fainting spirits uphold.

665

God of our fathers, what is man! That thou towards him with hand so various, Or might I say contrarious, Temper'st thy providence through his short course, Not ev'nly, as thou rul'st

669

Th' angelic orders and inferior creatures mute, Irrational and brute.

Nor do I name of men the common rout,

That wand'ring loose about

675

Grow up and perish, as the summer fly,

Heads without name no more remember'd,

But such as thou hast solemnly elected,
With gifts and graces eminently adorn'd

To some great work, thy glory,

680

And people's safety, which in part they effect:
Yet toward these thus dignified, thou oft

Amidst their height 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

685

To life obscur'd, which were a fair dismission, But throw'st them lower than thou didst exalt them

To dogs and fowls a prey, or else captív'd;
Or to the unjust tribunals, under change of times,
And condemnation of the ingrateful multitude.

694

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 :

700

Though not disordinate, yet causeless suff'ring
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?

694 dogs] Hom. Il. i. 4. Newton.

700 crude] Premature, coming before its time, as 'Cruda

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 ? 710

Female of sex it seems,

That so bedeck'd, ornate, and gay,

Comes this way sailing

Like a stately ship

Of Tarsus, bound for th' isles

Of Javan or Gadire,

With all her bravery on, and tackle trim,
Sails fill'd, and streamers waving,

715

Courted by all the winds that hold them play,
An amber scent 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.

720

SAMS. My wife! my traitress: let her not come [thee fix'd,

near me.

730

CHOR. Yet on she moves, now stands and eyes About t' have spoke, but now, with head declin'd, Like a fair flower surcharg'd with dew, she weeps, And words address'd seem into tears dissolv'd, Wetting the borders of her silken 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 than I foresaw,

735

740

My penance hath not slacken'd, though my pardon
No way assur'd: but conjugal affection,
Prevailing over fear and timorous 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 lighten 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.

745

750

SAMS. Out, out, hyæna! these are thy wonted And arts of every woman false like thee, (arts, 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, 755 His virtue 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 principled not to reject
The penitent, but ever to forgive,
Are drawn to wear out miserable days,

760

Entangled with a pois'nous bosom snake,
If not by quick destruction soon cut off,
As I by thee, to ages an example.

765

DAL. Yet hear me, Samson; not that I endea

To lessen or extenuate my offence,

But that, on th' other side if it be weigh'd
By itself, 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

[vour

770