Then give the reins to wand'ring thought, 305 But never find self-fatisfying solution. As if they would confine th' Interminable, And tie him to his own prescript, Who made our laws to bind us, not himself, And hath full right t' exempt Whom so it pleases him by choice From national obftriction without taint 310 Of fin, or legal debt; For with his own laws he can best dispense. He would not elfe who never wanted means, 315 Nor in respect of th' enemy just cause To fet his people free, Have prompted this heroic Nazarite, Against his vow of ftricteft purity, To feek in marriage that fallacious bride, 320 Down reason then, at least vain reafonings down, Though reafon here aver That mortal verdict quits her of unclean: 325 But fee here comes thy reverend Sire With careful step, locks white as down, Old Manoah: advise Forthwith how thou oughtst to receive him. Samf. Samf. Ay me, another inward grief awak'd 330 With mention of that name renews th' affault. Man. Brethren and men of Dan, for fuch ye feem, Though in this uncouth place; if old refpect, As I suppose, tow'ards your once glory'd friend, My Son now captive, hither hath inform'd 335 Your younger feet, while mine caft back with age Came lagging after; fay if he be here. 345 Chor. As fignal now in low dejected state, As earst in high'eft, behold him where he lies. Man. O miserable change! is this the man, 340 That invincible Samfon, far renown'd, The dread of Ifrael's foes, who with a ftrength Equivalent to Angels walk'd their streets, None offering fight; who single combatant Duel'd their armies rank'd in proud array, Himself an army, now unequal match To save himself against a coward arm'd At one spear's length. O ever failing truft In mortal ftrength! and oh what not in man Deceivable and vain? Nay what thing good 350 Pray'd for, but often proves our woe, our bane? I pray'd for children, and thought barrenness In wedlock a reproach; I gain'd a son, And such a son as all men hail'd me happy; Who would be now a father in my ftead? O wherefore did God grant me my request, And as a bleffing with fuch pomp adorn'd? 355 Why Why are his gifts desirable, to tempt Our earnest pray'rs, then giv'n with folemn hand Be it but for honor's fake of former deeds. 365 Samf. Appoint not heav'nly difpofition, Father; Nothing of all thefe evils hath befall'n me But juftly; I myself have brought them on, 375 Sole author I, fole caufe: if ought feem vile, As vile hath been my folly, who' have profan'd The mystery of God giv'n me under pledge Of vow, and have betray'd it to a woman, A Canaanite, my faithlefs enemy. This well I knew, nor was at all furpriz'd, But warn'd by oft experience: did not fhe Of Timna firft betray me, and reveal The fecret wrefted from me in her highth Of nuptial love profefs'd, carrying it ftrait 385 380 Το 390 To them who had corrupted her, my spies, How openly, and with what impudence She purpos'd to betray me, and (which was worfe Yet the fourth time, when muft'ring all her wiles, P 410 The The bafe degree to which I now am fall'n, 415 True flavery, and that blindness worse than this, That faw not how degenerately I ferv'd. Man. I cannot praise thy marriage choices, Son, Rather approv'd them not; but thou didst plead 421 Divine impulsion prompting how thou might'st Find fome occafion to infeft our foes. I ftate not that; this I am fure, our foes 425 Their captive, and their triumph; thou the fooner Deposited within thee; which to have kept Tacit, was in thy pow'r: true; and thou bear'st 435 Great pomp, and facrifice, and praises loud 440 |