1311 Off. Hebrews, the pris'ner Samfon here I seek. Chor. His manacles remark him, there he fits. Off. Samfon to thee our lords thus bid me say; This day to Dagon is a folemn feast, With facrifices, triumph, pomp, and games; Thy strength they know surpaffing human rate, And now fome public proof thereof require To honor this great feast, and great assembly; 1315 Rife therefore with all speed and come along, Where I will fee thee hearten'd and fresh clad To' appear as fits before th' illuftrious lords. fort Samf. Thou know'st I am an Hebrew, therefore Our law forbids at their religious rites (tell them, My prefence; for that cause I cannot come. 1321 Off. This anfwer, be affur'd, will not content them. Samf. Have they not sword-players, and every Of gymnic artifts, wrestlers, riders, runners, Juglers and dancers, antics, mummers, mimics, But they must pick me out with fhackels tir'd, 1326 And over-labor'd at their public mill, To make them fport with blind activity? Do they not feek occafion of new quarrels On my refusal to distress me more, 1330 Or make a game of my calamities? Return the way thou cam'ft, I will not come. Off. Regard thyfelf, this will offend them highly. Samf. Myself? my conscience and internal peace. Can they think me so broken, so debas'd 1335 With corporal fervitude, that my mind ever 1351 Vaunting my ftrength in honor to their Dagon? Idolatrous, uncircumcis'd, unclean. Samf. Not in their idol-worship, but by labor Honeft and lawful to deferve my food 1366 God for the fear of man, and man prefer, 1375 For fome important cause, thou need'ft not doubt. Ch. How thou wilt here come off furmounts my reach. Samf. Be of good courage, I begin to feel 1381 Some rousing motions in me which dispose To fomething extraordinary my thoughts. I with this messenger will go along, Nothing to do, be fure, that may dishonor Our law, or stain my vow of Nazarite. If there be ought of presage in the mind, This day will be remarkable in my life By fome great act, or of my days the laft. 1385 1389 Chor. In time thou haft refolv'd, the man returns. Off. Samfon, this fecond message from our lords To 149 To thee I am bid say. Art thou our flave, And hamper thee, as thou shalt come of force, 1401 Samf. I could be well content to try their art, Which to no few of them would prove pernicious. Yet knowing their advantages too many, Because they shall not trail me through their streets Like a wild beaft, I am content to go. Masters commands come with a pow'r resistless To such as owe them absolute subjection ; 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. 1405 Off. I praise thy refolution: doff these links: 1410 Samf. Brethren farewel; your company along With zeal, if ought religion feem'd concern'd; 1420 Chor. Go, and the Holy One Of Ifrael be thy guide 1425 (name To what may serve his glory best, and spread his Great among the Heathen round; 1430 Send thee the Angel of thy birth, to stand Fast by thy fide, who from thy father's field up in flames after his meffage told Rode Of thy conception, and be now a fhield Of fire; that Spirit that first rush'd on thee In the camp of Dan Be efficacious in thee now at need. For never was from Heav'n imparted 1435 Measure of strength so great to mortal seed, Or of him bringing to us fome glad news? (hither 1446 By order of the lords new parted hence Το |