Much more affliction than 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 1260
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 their end
Is hate, not help to me, it may with mine
Draw their own ruin who attempt the deed.
CHORUS.

1265

Oh how comely it is, and how reviving To the spirits of just men long oppress'd!

When God into the hands of their deliverer

1270

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 pow'r, but raging to pursue

1275

The righteous, and all such as honour truth;
He all their ammunition

And feats of war defeats

With plain heroic magnitude of mind

And celestial vigour arm'd,

Their armories and magazines contemns,
Renders them useless, while

1268. Oh how comely it is, &c.] I am of opinion, that Milton, in this chorus, is writing a panegyric on the memory of Cromwell and his deliverance, instead

1280

of reflecting on the recent blessings of the restoration. Compare his Sonnet to Cromwell. T. Warton.

With winged expedition

Swift as the lightning glance he executes
His errand on the wicked, who surpris'd
Lose their defence distracted and amaz❜d.
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 indued

1285

1290

Above the sons of men; but sight bereav'd
May chance to number thee with those

1295

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

1300

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.

OFFICER.

Hebrews, the pris'ner Samson here I seek.

1285. His errand] See the note, Par. Lost, b. iii. 652. E.

1303. quaint staff] Strange, unusual, as in Comus, 157. " my

1305

"quaint habits breed astonish"ment." Compare note on Arcades, 47. T. Warton.

CHORUS.

His manacles remark him, there he sits.
OFFICER.

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
To' appear as fits before th' illustrious lords.

SAMSON.

1310

1315

Thou know'st I am an Hebrew, therefore tell them, Our law forbids at their religious rites

My presence; for that cause I cannot come.

OFFICER.

This answer, be assur'd, will not content them.

1309. -remark him,] Distinguish him, point him out.

Richardson.

1312. With sacrifices, triumph, pomp, and games;] Triumph was used for shews, such as masks, revels, &c. See Burton's Anatomie of Melancholie, Pref. p. 3. Bacon has an essay Of Masques and Triumphs. Ess. xxxvii. See also his Essay Of Buildings, Ess. xlv. where he would have a room "for a preparing place at times "of triumphes." And Bishop Fysher's funeral sermon on Margaret Countess of Richmond, ed. Baker, 1708. p. 29. And in this sense we are to interpret Drayton, vol. i. p. 331. And Beaumont and Fletcher's Coronation, act ii.

1320

sc. 1. vol. ix. p. 29. Jonson's Cynth. Rev. a. iv. s. 6. and Shakespeare, K. Richard II. a. v. s. 2. Midnight Dream, a. i. s. 1. Third Part K. Henry VI. a. v. s. 7. and this is the precise meaning of Falstaffe's humour to Bardolph," O, thou art a perpetual triumph, &c." First P. Henry IV. a. iii. s. 3. Pomp also had a technical sense in the ancient masques, introduced perhaps by Jonson, for retinue, train, &c. See note on P. L. viii. 60. T. Warton.

1313. surpassing human rate,] In the first edition it was printed race, but in the table of Errata we are desired to read rate.

SAMSON.

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 tir'd,
And over-labour'd 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.

OFFICER.

Regard thyself, this will offend them highly.
SAMSON.

Myself? 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 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.

OFFICER.

My message was impos'd on me with speed, Brooks no delay: is this thy resolution?

1325

1330

1335

1340

1325. —mummers, mimics,] Itmirs? The table of Errata to was printed mummers, mimirs; mummers are maskers according to Junius, Skinner, and the other etymologists; but what are mi

the first edition hath set us right, instructing us to read mimics, but not one of the editions has followed it.

SAMSON.

So take it with what speed thy message needs. 1345

OFFICER.

I am sorry what this stoutness will produce.
SAMSON.

Perhaps thou shalt have cause to sorrow? indeed.

Consider, Samson; matters now are strain'd
Up to the height, 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 thund'ring than thou well wilt bear.
SAMSON.

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

1350

1355

Vaunting my strength in honour to their Dagon? 1360 Besides how vile, contemptible, ridiculous,

What act more execrably unclean, profane?