Deliverance offer'd: I on th' other fide

249

Us'd no ambition to commend my deeds, (doer;
The deeds themselves, though mute, spoke loud the
But they perfifted deaf, and would not feem
To count them things worth notice, till at length
Their lords the Philiftines with gather'd pow'rs
Enter'd Judea seeking me, who then

Safe to the rock of Etham was retir'd,
Not flying, but fore-cafting in what place

To fet upon them, what advantag'd beft:

255

Mean while the men of Judah, to prevent
The harrafs of their land, beset me round;
I willingly on fome conditions came
Into their hands, and they as gladly yield me
To the uncircumcis'd a welcome prey,

260

Bound with two cords; but cords to me were threads
Touch'd with the flame: on their whole hoft I flew
Unarm'd, and with a trivial weapon fell'd
Their choiceft youth; they only liv'd who fled.
Had Judah that day join'd, or one whole tribe, 265
They had by this poffefs'd the tow'rs of Gath,
And lorded over them whom now they serve :
But what more oft in nations grown corrupt,
And by their vices brought to fervitude,
Than to love bondage more than liberty,
Bondage with eafe than ftrenuous liberty;
And to despise, or envy, or fufpect

Whom God hath of his special favor rais'd

270

As

As their deliverer; if he ought begin,

How frequent to desert him, and at last
To heap ingratitude on worthiest deeds?

Chor. Thy words to my remembrance bring
How Succoth and the fort of Penuel

Their great deliverer contemn'd,

275

To matchlefs Gideon in pursuit

280

Of Madian and her vanquish'd kings:
And how ingrateful Ephraim

Had dealt with Jephtha, who by argument,
Not worse than by his fhield and spear,
Defended Ifrael from the Ammonite,
Had not his prowess quell'd their pride
In that fore battel, when so many dy'd
Without reprieve adjudg'd to death,
For want of well pronouncing Shibboleth.

285

Samf. Of fuch examples add me to the roll, 290 Me easily indeed mine may neglect,

But God's propos'd deliverance not so.
Chor. Juft are the ways of God,

And juftifiable to men;

Unless there be who think not God at all:

295

For of fuch doctrin never was their school,

If any be, they walk obfcure;

But the heart of the fool,

And no man therein doctor but himself.

Yet more there be who doubt his ways not just,

As to his own edicts found contradicting,

301

Then

Then give the reins to wand'ring thought,
Regardless of his glory's diminution;
Till by their own perplexities involv'd
They ravel more, ftill lefs refolv'd,

305

But never find self-fatisfying folution.

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 refpect of th' enemy juft cause

To fet his people free,

Have prompted this heroic Nazarite,

Against his vow of strictest purity,

To seek in marriage that fallacious bride,
Unclean, unchafte.

320

Down reason then, at least vain reasonings down, Though reason here aver

That mortal verdict quits her of unclean:

Unchafte was fubfequent, her stain not his.

325

But fee here comes thy reverend Sire With careful step, locks white as down, Old Manoah: advise

Forthwith how thou oughtft 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 such ye seem, Though in this uncouth place; if old respect, 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; say 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 miferable 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 fingle combatant Duel'd their armies rank'd in proud array, Himself an army, now unequal match To fave himself against a coward arm'd At one fpear's length. O ever failing trust In mortal strength! 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 fon, And such a fon as all men hail'd me happy; Who would be now a father in my stead? O wherefore did God grant me my request, And as a blessing with such pomp adorn'd?

355

Why

Why are his gifts defirable, to tempt

365

Our earnest pray'rs, then giv'n with folemn hand
As graces, draw a fcorpion's tail behind?
360
For this did th' Angel twice defcend? for this
Ordain'd thy nurture holy, as of a plant
Select, and facred, glorious for a while,
The miracle of men; then in an hour
Infnar'd, assaulted, overcome, led bound,
Thy foes derifion, captive, poor and blind,
Into a dungeon thrust, to work with flaves?
Alas methinks whom God hath chofen once
To worthiest deeds, if he through frailty err,
He fhould not fo o'erwhelm, and as a thrall 370
Subject him to fo foul indignities,

Be it but for honor's fake of former deeds.

Samf. Appoint not heav'nly difpofition, Father; Nothing of all these evils hath befall'n me

But justly; 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 faithless enemy.
This well I knew, nor was at all furpriz'd,

380

But warn'd by oft experience: did not she
Of Timna firft betray me, and reveal
The fecret wrested from me in her highth
Of nuptial love profefs'd, carrying it ftrait 385

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