Ariftot. Poet. Cap. 6.

Tragoedia mimefis praxeos Spondaias, &c.

Tragoedia eft imitatio actionis feriæ, &c, per misericordiam et metum perficiens talium affectuum

luftrationem.

Samfon made captive, blind, and now in the prifon at Gaza, there to labor as in a common work-house, on a festival day, in the general ceffation from labor, comes forth into the open air, to a place nigh, fomewhat retir'd, there to fit a while and bemoan his condition. Where

he happens at length to be vifited by certain friends and equals of his tribe, which make the Chorus, who feek to comfort him what they can; then by his old father Manoah, who endevors the like, and withal tells him his purpose to procure his liberty by ranfome; laftly, that this feast was proclam'd by the Philiflines as a day of thanksgiving for their deliverance from the hands of Samfon, which yet more troubles him. Manoah then departs to profecute his endevor with the Philiftian lords for Samfon's redemption; who in the mean while is vifited by other perfons; and laftly by a public officer to require his coming to the feast before the lords and people, to play or fhow his ftrength in their prefence; he at first refufes, difmiffing the public officer with abfolute denial to come; at length perfuaded inwardly that this was from God, he yields to go along with him, who came now the fecond time with great threatnings to fetch him: the Chorus yet remaining on the place, Manoah returns full of joyful hope, to procure ere long his fon's deliverance: in the midst of which difcourfe an Hebrew comes in hafte, confufedly at first, and afterward more diflinctly relating the catastrophe, what Samfon had done to the Philistines, and by accident to himself; wherewith the tragedy ends.

THE PERSON S.

SAMSON.

MANOAH, the Father of Samfon.

DALILA, his Wife.

HARAPHA of Gath.

Public Officer.

Messenger.

Chorus of Danites.

The SCENE before the Prifon in Gaza.

AGONISTES.

Sams.

A

Little onward lend thy guiding hand

5

To these dark steps, a little further on;
For yonder bank hath choice of fun or shade:
There I am wont to fit, when any chance
Relieves me from my task of servile toil,
Daily' in the common prison else injoin'd me,
Where I a prisoner chain'd, scarce freely draw
The air imprison'd also, close and damp,
Unwholesome draught: but here I feel amends,
The breath of Heav'n fresh blowing, pure and sweet,
With day-spring born; here leave me to respire. 10
This day a folemn feast the people hold

To Dagon their fea-idol, and forbid
Laborious works; unwillingly this reft

Their superstition yields me; hence with leave

Retiring from the popular noise, I seek
This unfrequented place to find fome ease,
Eafe to the body some, none to the mind

15

From restless thoughts, that like a deadly swarm
Of hornets arm'd, no fooner found alone,
But rush upon me thronging, and present

20