Ifrael's oppreffors: of what now I fuffer Who vanquish'd with a peal of words (O weakness!) Gave up my fort of filence to a woman. CHO. In feeking just occasion to provoke The Philistine, thy country's enemy, Thou never waft remifs, I bear thee witness: 240 SAMS. That fault I take not on me, but transfer On Ifrael's governors, and heads of tribes, Who seeing those great acts, which God had done 245 [doer; The deeds themselves, though mute, fpoke loud the But they perfifted deaf, and would not seem To count them things worth notice, till at length 250 Their lords the Philiftines with gather'd powers Enter'd Judea feeking me, who then Safe to the rock of Etham was retir'd, 255 The harrass of their land, befet me round; I willingly on fome conditions came Into their hands, and they as gladly yield me 260 Bound with two cords; but cords to me were threads Touch'd with the flame: on their whole hoft I flew Unarm'd, Unarm'd, and with a trivial weapon fell'd 265 270 Whom God hath of his fpecial favor rais'd Of Madian and her vanquish'd kings: Had dealt with Jephtha, who by argument, 285 For want of well pronouncing Shibboleth. SAMS. Of fuch examples add me to the roll, 290 Me eafily indeed mine may neglect, But God's propos'd deliverance not fo. Сно. CHO. Juft are the ways of God, And justifiable to men; Unless there be who think not God at all: 295 If any be, they walk obfcure; For of fuch doctrin never was there fchool, But the heart of the fool, And no man therein doctor but himself. Yet more there be who doubt his ways not just, 300 As to his own edicts found contradi&ting, Then give the reins to wandering thought, 305 But never find self-fatisfying folution. As if they would confine th' Interminable, And tie him to his own prefcript, Who made our laws to bind us, not himself, And hath full right t'exempt 310 Whom so it pleases him by choice From national obftriction, without taint of fin, or legal debt; For with his own laws he can beft difpenfe. Down reason then, at least vain reasonings down, 320 Though Though reafon here aver That moral verdict quits her of unclean : Forthwith how thou oughtst to receive him. 32-5 SAMS. Ay me, another inward grief awak'd 330 CHO. As fignal now in low dejected state, 335 340 345 350 In In wedlock a reproach; I gain'd a fon, And fuch a fon as all men hail'd me happy; Who would be now a father in my stead? 355 O wherefore did God grant me my request, And as a bleffing with such pomp adorn'd? Why are his gifts desirable, to tempt Our earnest pray'rs, then, giv'n with folemn hand 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, Infnar'd, affaulted, overcome, led bound, Be it but for honor's fake of former deeds. 365 370 SAMS. Appoint not heav'nly difpofition, Father; Nothing of all these evils hath befall'n me 375 But justly; I myself have brought them on, Of vow, and have betray'd it to a woman, 380 of |