THE ARGUMENT. Samfon made captive, blind, and now in the prifon at Gaza, there to labor as in a common workhouse, on a festival day, in the general ceffation from labor, comes forth into the open air, to a place nigh, fomewhat retir'd, there to fit a while and bemoan his condition. Where he happens at length to be vifited by certain friends and equals of his tribe, which make the Chorus, who feek to comfort him what they can; then by his old father Manoah, who endevors the like, and withal tells him his last purpose to procure his liberty by ranfom; laftly, that this feast was proclam'd by the Philistines as a day of thankfgiving for their deliverance from the hands of Samfon, which yet more troubles him. Manoah then departs to profecute his endevor with the Philistine lords for Samfon's redemption; who in the mean while is vifited by other perfons; and laftly by a public officer to require his coming to the feast before the lords and people, to play or fhow his ftrength in their presence; he at first refuses, difmiffing the public officer with abfolute denial to come; at length perfuaded inwardly that this was from God, he yields to go along with him, who came now the fecond time with great threatnings to fetch him: The Chorus yet remaining on the place, Manoah returns full of joyful hope, to procure ere long his fon's deliverance: in the midst of which difcourfe an Hebrew comes in hafte, confufedly at firft, and afterward more diftinctly relating the catastrophe, what Samfon had done to the Philistines, and by accident to himself; wherewith the tragedy ends. THE PERSON S. SAMSON. MANOAH, the Father of Samfon. DALILA, his Wife. HARAPHA of Gath. Public Officer. Meflenger. Chorus of Danites. The SCENE before the Prifon in Gaza. SAMSON AGONISTES. C.. A SAMSON. Little onward lend thy guiding hand To Dagon their fea-idol, and forbid Their fuperftition yields me; hence with leave 15 This unfrequented place to find fome ease, From reftless thoughts, that, like a deadly swarm 20 But rush upon me thronging, and presen Times paft, what once I was, and what am now. O wherefore was my birth from Heav'n foretold 25 His god-like prefence, and from some great act Why was my breeding order'd and prescrib'd 30 Design'd for great exploits; if I must die Betray'd, captiv'd, and both my eyes put out, To grind in brazen fetters under task 35 With this Heav'n-gifted strength? O glorious strength Put to the labor of a beast, debas'd Lower than bond-flave! Promife was that I Ask for this great deliverer now, and find him 40 Had been fulfill'd but through mine own default, 45 Who this high gift of strength committed to me, But weakly to a woman must reveal it, 50 But But what is ftrength without a double share By weakest subtleties, not made to rule, But to fubferve where wifdom bears command! Light the prime work of God to me' is extinct, 55 60 69 Annull'd, which might in part my grief have eas'd, Of man or worm; the vileft here excel me, Without all hope of day! 70 75 80 O first |