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;
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

With winged expedition,

Swift as the light'ning 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 endued

Above the sons of men; but sight bereav'd
May chance to number thee with those
Whom patience finally must crown.

1275

1280

1285

1990

1295

This idol's day hath been to thee no day of rest.

Labouring thy mind

1284 Swift] Shakesp. Rich. II. act i. sc. 3.
'Be swift like lightning in the execution.'

Todd.

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
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.

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?
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.

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?
Expect another message more imperious,
More lordly thund'ring than thou well wilt bear.
SAMS. 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

1355

Vaunting my strength in honour to their Dagon?
Besides, how vile, contemptible, ridiculous,
What act more execrably unclean, profane?
CHOR. Yet with this strength thou serv'st the
Philistines,

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
Some rousing motions in me, which dispose
To something extraordinary my thoughts.
I with this messenger will go along,
Nothing 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.

1380

1335

1390

OFF. Samson, this second message from our lords Art thou our slave,

To thee I am bid say.

Our captive, at the public mill our drudge,

1395

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.

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

1:87 presage] Euripid. Androm. 1075.

πρόμαντις θυμὸς ὥς τὶ προσδόκα.

Todd.