Than of thine own tribe fairer, or as fair, 220 SAMS. The first I saw at Timna, and she pleas'd Me, not my parents, that I sought to wed The daughter of an infidel. They knew not That what I motion'd was of God; I knew From intimate impulse, and therefore urg'd The marriage on; that by occasion hence I might begin Israel's deliverance, The work to which I was divinely call'd. She proving false, the next I took to wife, O that I never had! fond wish too late! Was in the vale of Sorec, Dalila, 225 That specious monster, my accomplish'd snare. 230 CHOR. In seeking just occasion to provoke 240 SAMS. That fault I take not on me, but transfer On Israel's governors, and heads of tribes, Who, seeing those great acts which God had done Singly by me against their conquerors, Acknowledg'd not, or not at all consider'd Deliverance offer'd. I on the other side 245 Us'd no ambition to commend my deeds, [doer; Safe to the rock of Etham was retir'd, Bound with two cords: but cords to me were threads 255 260 Touch'd with the flame. On their whole host I flew Their choicest youth; they only liv'd who fled. 253 Etham] Judges xv. 8. VOL. III. Newton. C 270 As their deliverer. If he aught begin, CHOR. Thy words to my remembrance bring Had dealt with Jephtha, who by argument, 275 280 285 290 And justifiable to men; Unless there be who think not God at all: 295 If any be, they walk obscure; For of such doctrine never was there school, 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, Then give the reins to wand'ring thought, Regardless of his glory's diminution; Till, by their own perplexities involv'd, As if they would confine th' Interminable, Who made our laws to bind us, not himself, Whom so it pleases him by choice From national obstriction, without taint For with his own laws he can best dispense. 305 310 He would not else, who never wanted means, 315 Nor in respect of th' enemy just cause To set his people free, Have prompted this heroic Nazarite, To seek in marriage that fallacious bride, 320 Down reason then, at least vain reasonings Though reason here aver [down, That moral verdict quits her of unclean: Forthwith how thou ought'st to receive him. 325 SAMS. Aye me! another inward grief awak'd 330 With mention of that name renews th' assault. MAN. Brethren and men of Dan, for such ye seem, Though in this uncouth place; if old respect, 335 340 345 CHOR. As signal now in low dejected state, As erst in highest, behold him where he lies. MAN. O miserable change! is this the man, That invincible Samson, far renown'd, The dread of Israel's foes, who with a strength Equivalent to angels walk'd their streets, None offering fight; who single combatant Duell'd their armies rank'd in proud array, Himself an army, now unequal match To save himself against a coward arm'd At one spear'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 son, And such a son as all men hail'd me happy: Who would be now a father in my stead? 355 345 Duell'd] Barron's Cyprian Academy, p. 23, ed. 1648, and State Poems (by Denham), vol. i. fowler.' 354 son] Terentii Andria, I. 1. 69. P. 36. 'Duels the tum uno ore omnes omnia Bona dicere, et laudare fortunas meas, Qui gnatum haberem tali ingenio præditum.' Newton. |