Some rich Philiftian matron fhe may feem, 724 Samf. My Wife, my Trait'ress, let her not come (fix'd, near me. Chor. Yet on fhe moves, now stands and eyes thee About t' have spoke, but now, with head declin'd Like a fair flow'r furcharg'd with dew, fhe weeps, And words addrefs'd feem into tears diffolv'd, Wetting the borders of her filken veil : But now again she makes address to speak. 730 Dal. With doubtful feet and wavering refolution I came, still dreading thy displeasure, Samson, I cannot but acknowledge; yet if tears 735 740. My penance hath not flacken'd, though my pardon To lighten what thou fuffer'ft, and appease Samf. Out, out Hyæna; these are thy wonted arts, And And arts of every woman false like thee, And reconcilement move with feign'd remorse, Her husband, how far urg'd his patience bears, 755 His virtue or weakness which way to affail: . Then with more cautious and inftructed skill Again tranfgreffes, and again submits; That wifeft and beft men full oft beguil'd, With goodness principled not to reject The penitent, but ever to forgive, Are drawn to wear out miserable days, 760 765 Dal. Yet hear me, Samfon; not that I endevor To leffen or extenuate my offense, But that on th' other fide if it be weigh'd By' itself, with aggravations not surcharg'd, 770 The easier towards me, or thy hatred less. First granting, as I do, it was a weakness 775 Το To publish them, both common female faults: For importunity, that is for nought, Wherein confifted all thy ftrength and fafety? 780 791 In human hearts, nor less in mine tow'ards thee Of fancy, fear'd left one day thou would'st leave me 800 Against thee but safe custody, and hold: That made for me; I knew that liberty Would draw thee forth to perilous enterprises, While 810 While I at home fat full of cares and fears, 805 As thou art firong, inflexible as steel. 815 Samf. How cunningly the forceress displays Her own tranfgreffions, to upbraid me mine? 820 That malice not repentance brought thee hither, By this appears: I gave, thou say'st, th' example, I led the way; bitter reproach, but true; I to myself was false ere thou to me; 825 Take to thy wicked deed; which when thou seest Impartial, felf-fevere, inexorable, 830 Thou wilt renounce thy feeking, and much rather Inceftuous, facrilegious, but may plead iɩ? Knowing, as needs I must, by thee betray'd? 840 Dal. Since thou determin'st weakness for no plea In man or woman, though to thy own condemning, Here what affaults I had, what fnares befides, 845 What fieges girt me round, ere I consented; Which might have aw'd the best refolv'd of men, The conftanteft, to' have yielded without blame. It was not gold, as to my charge thou lay'st, That wrought with me: thou know'ft the magiftrates And princes of my country came in perfon, 851 Solicited, commanded, threaten'd, urg'd, Adjur'd by all the bonds of civil duty And of religion, press'd how just it was, How honorable, how glorious to intrap A common enemy, who had destroy'd Such numbers of our nation: and the priest Was not behind, but ever at my ear, Preaching how meritorious with the Gods It would be to infnare an irreligious R 855 860 Dif |