And fenfe of Heav'n's defertion. I was his nurfling once and choice delight, His deftin'd from the womb, Promis'd by heav'nly meffage twice defcending. 635 Under his fpecial eye Abftemious I grew up and thriv'd amain; He led me on to mightiest deeds Above the nerve of mortal arm Against th' uncircumcis'd, our enemies: 640 Whom I by his appointment had provok'd, Of fight, referv'd alive to be repeated 645 The fubject of their cruelty or fcorn. Nor am I in the lift of them that hope; Hopeless are all my evils, all remedilefs; This one prayer yet remains, might I be heard, 650 The clofe of all my miferies, and the balm. CHO. Many are the sayings of the wife In In ancient and in modern books inroll'd, 655 With study'd argument, and much persuasion fought But with th' afflicted in his pangs their found Little prevails, or rather feems a tune Harsh, and of diffonant mood from his complaint; Some fource of confolation from above, Secret refreshings, that repair his ftrength, And fainting fpirits uphold. God of our fathers, what is man! That thou tow'ards him with hand fo various, Or might I fay contrarious, 660 665 Temper'ft thy providence through his fhort courfe, 670 Th' angelic orders and inferior creatures mute, Nor do I name of men the common rout, Grow up and perish, as the fummer flie, And people's fafety, which in part they' effect: 675 680 Amidft their highth of noon Changest thy count'nance, and thy hand with no regard Of highest favors past From thee on them, or them to thee of fervice. Nor only doft degrade them, or remit To life obfcur'd, which were a fair dismission, 685 But throw'ft them lower than thou didst exalt them high, Unfeemly falls in human eye, Too grievous for the trespass or omiffion; Oft leav'ft them to the hoftile fword To dogs and fowls a prey, or else captív'd; 690 Or to th' unjust tribunals, under change of times, 695 And condemnation of th' ingrateful multitude. If these they scape, perhaps in poverty With fickness and disease thou bow'ft them down, In crude old-age; Though not difordinate, yet causeless fuffering For oft alike both come to evil end. 700 So deal not with this once thy glorious champion, Female of fex it seems, That fo bedeck'd, ornate, and gay, 710 Comes Comes this way failing Like a stately ship Of Tarfus, bound for th' iles 715 Of Javan or Gadire With all her bravery on, and tackle trim, Sails fill'd, and ftreamers waving, Courted by all the winds that hold them play, 720 Her harbinger, a damfel train behind; [near me. SAMS. My Wife, my Traitress, let her not come CHO. Yet on fhe moves, now ftands, and eyes thee fix'd, About t' have spoke, but now, with head declin'd But now again she makes address to speak. 730 DAL. With doubtful feet and wavering refolution I came, ftill dreading thy displeasure, Samfon, 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 forefaw) My penance hath not flacken'd, though my pardon way affur'd. But conjugal affection, No Prevailing over fear and timorous doubt, Hath led me on defirous to behold 735 74.0 Once Once more thy face, and know of thy estate, To lighten what thou fuffer'ft, and appease 745 SAMS. Out, out, Hyæna; thefe are thy wonted arts, And arts of every woman falfe like thee, 750 To break all faith, all vows, deceive, betray, And reconcilement move with feign'd remorse, Her husband, how far urg'd his patience bears, 755 Then with more cautious and inftructed skill 760 Are drawn to wear out miserable days, 765 DAL. Yet hear me, Samfon; not that I endevor To leffen or extenuate my offenfe, But that on th' other fide if it be weigh'd By' itself, with aggravations not furcharg'd, 770 The |