Why thou shouldst wed Philistian women rather SAM. The first I saw at Timna, and she pleas'd Me, not my parents, that I sought to wed The daughter of an infidel : they knew not 220 225 229 Who vanquish'd with a peal of words (O weakness!) Gave up my fort of silence to a woman. CHOR. In seeking just occasion to provoke 236 The Philistine, thy country's enemy, Thou never wast remiss, I bear thee witness: 240 SAM. That fault I take not on me, but transfer On Israel's governors, and heads of tribes, Acknowledg'd not, or not at all consider'd 245 [doer; The deeds themselves, though mute, spoke loud the But they persisted deaf, and would not seem To count them things worth notice, till at length 252 255 I willingly on some conditions came Into their hands, and they as gladly yield me 260 Bound with two cords; but cords to me were threds Whom God hath of his special favor rais'd 270 As their deliverer; if he ought begin, 275 To heap ingratitude on worthiest deeds ? CHOR. Thy words to my remembrance bring How Succoth and the fort of Penuel Their great deliverer contemn'd, The matchless Gideon in pursuit 280 Of Madian and her vanquish'd kings: Had dealt with Jephtha, who by argument, 285 SAM. Of such examples add me to the roll, 290 Me easily indeed mine may neglect, But God's propos'd deliverance not so. And justifiable to men; Unless there be who think not God at all; 295 If any be, they walk obscure; For of such doctrin never was there school, But the heart of the fool, And no man therein doctor but himself. Yet more there be who doubt his ways not just, As to his own edicts found contradicting, 301 Till by their own perplexities involv'd As if they would confine th' Interminable, And tie him to his own prescript, 305 Who made our laws to bind us, not himself, 310 Whom so it pleases him by choice From national obstriction, without taint Of sin, or legal debt; For with his own laws he can best dispense. He would not else who never wanted means, 315 Nor in respect of th' enemy just cause To set his people free, Have prompted this heroic Nazarite, Against his vow of strictest purity, To seek in marriage that fallacious bride, 320 Down reason then, at least vain reasonings down, Though reason here aver That moral verdict quits her of unclean : Forthwith how thou ought'st to receive him. 325 SAM. Ay me, another inward grief awak'd 330 With mention of that name renews th' assault. MAN. Brethren and men of Dan,for such ye seem, Though in this uncouth place; if old respect, As I suppose, tow'ards your once glory'd friend, My son now captive, hither hath inform'd 335 Your younger feet, while mine cast back with age Came lagging after; say if he be here ? CHOR. As signal now in low dejected state, As erst in high'est, behold him where he lies. MAN. O miserable change! is this the man, 340 That invincible Samson, far renown'd, 345 The dread of Israel's foes, who with a strength 355 360 Our earnest pray'rs, then giv'n with solemn hand Volume III. I |