Of those who have me in their civil power. [not. Cho. Where the heart joins not, outward acts defile tence holds. 1375 1380 life Cho. In time thou hast resolv'd, the man returns. OFF. Samson, this second message from our lords Dispute E 3 Difpute thy coming? come without delay; 1395 Or we shall find such engins 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. 1400 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 To such as owe them absolute subjection; 1405 And for a life who will not change his purpose ? (So mutable are all the ways of men !) Yet this be sure, in nothing to comply Scandalous or forbidden in our Law. Off. I praise thy resolution : doff these links : 1410 By this compliance thou wilt win the lords To favor, and perhaps to set thee free. SAMs. Brethren, farewel; your company along I will not wish, lest it perhaps offend them To see me girt with friends; and how the fight 1415 Of me as of a common enemy, So dreaded once, may now exasperate them, I know not: lords are lordliest in their wine; And the well-feasted priest then foonest fir'd With zeal, if ought religion seem concern'd; 142@ No less the people on their holy-days · Impetuous, infolent, unquenchable: Happen what may, of me expect to hear Nothing difhonorable, impure, unworthy Our Our God, our Law, my Nation, or myself, 1425 Cho. Go, and the holy One may serve his glory best, and spread his name Great among the Heathen round; 1430 Send thee the Angel of thy birth, to stand Fast by thy side, who from thy father's field Rode up in flames after his message told Of thy conception, and be now a shield Of fire; that Spirit that first rush'd on thee 1435 In the camp of Dan Be efficacious in thee now at need : For never was from Heav'n imparted Measure of strength so great to mortal seed, As in thy wondrous actions hath been seen! 144.0 But wherefore comes old Manoah in such hafte With youthful steps ? much livelier than ere-while He seems: supposing here to find his son, Or of him bringing to us some glad news? (hither MAN, Peace with you, Brethren; my inducement Was not at present here to find my son, By order of the lords new parted hence To come and play before them at their feast. I heard all as I came, the city rings, And numbers thither flock, I had no will, 145 Lest I should see him forc'd to things unseemly. But that which mov'd my coming now was chiefly To give you part with me what hope I have With good success to work his liberty. Сно. . E 4 Cho. That hope would much rejoice us to partake With thee; say, reverend Sire, we thirst to hear. Man. I have attempted one by one the lords, Either at home, or through the high street palling, With supplication prone and father's tears, T' accept of ransom for my son their pris'ner. 1460 Some much averse I found and wondrous harsh, Contemptuous, proud, set on revenge and spite; That part most reverenc'd Dagon and his priests : Others more moderate seeming, but their aim Private reward, for which both God and State 1465 They easily would set to fale: a third More generous far and civil, who confess'd They had enough reveng'd, having reduc'd Their foe to misery beneath their fears, The rest was magnanimity to remit, 1470 If some convenient ransom were propos d. What noise or shout was that? it tore the sky. Cho. Doubtless the people shouting to behold Their once great dread, captive, and blind before them, Or at some proof of strength before them shown. 1475 Man. His ransom, if my whole inheritance 1480 Сно, Cho. Fathers are wont to lay up for their fons, 1485 Thou for thy son art bent to lay out all: Sons wont to nurse their parents in old age, Thou in old age car'ít how to nurse thy fon Made older than thy age through eye-light loft. Man. It shall be my delight to tend his eyes, 1490 And view him sitting in the house, ennobled With all those high exploits by him achiev’d, And on his shoulders waving down those locks That of a nation arm’d the strength contain'd: And, I persuade me, God had not permitted 1495 His strength again to grow up with his hair Garrison'd round about him like a camp Of faithful soldiery, were not his purpose To use him further yet in some great service, Not to fit idle with so great a gift 3500 Useless, and thence ridiculous about him. And since his strength with eye-light was not loft, God will restore him eye-light to his strength. Cho. Thy hopes are not ill founded nor seem vain Of his delivery, and thy joy thereon 1505 Conceivd, agreeable to a father's love, In both which we, as next, participate. [noise ! MAN. I know your friendly minds, and---O what Mercy of Heaven, what hideous noise was thar! Horribly loud, unlike the former shout. 1510 Cho. Noise call you it, or universal groan, As if the whole inhabitation perish'd ! Blood, death, and deathful deeds are in that noise, Ruin, destruction at the utmost point. |