But thee, whofe ftrength, while Virtue was her mate, Univerfally crown'd with high.eft praises. 175 Samf. I hear the found of words; their fenfe the air Diolves unjointed, ere it reach my ear. Cher. He fpake: let us draw nigh. Matchlefs in might, The g'ory late of Ifrael, now the grief, We come, thy friends and neighbours not unknown, 180 To vifit or bewail thee; or, if better Salve to thy Sores: apt words have pow'r to fwage And are as balm to fefter'd wounds. 185 Samf. Your coming, Friends, revives me; for I learn Now of my own experience, not by talk, How counterfeit a coin they are, who friends Bear in their Superfcription; (of the most 190 I wou'd be underftood ;) in profp'rous days They fwarm, but in adverfe withdraw their head, Not to be found, though fought. Ye fee, O friends, 195 200 205 This with the other should, at least, have pair'd; A Chor. Tax not divine difpofal: wisest men Samf. The first I faw at Timna, and she pleas'd 210 215 220 Who, vanquifh'd with a peal. of words, (O weakness !) Gave up my fort of filence to a Woman. 230 234 Chor. In feeking juft occafion to provoke The Philiftin, thy Country's Enemy, Thou never waft remifs, I bear thee witnefs: Yet Ifrael ftill ferves with all his Sons. Samf. That fault I take not on me, but transfer 240 On Ifrael's Governors, and Heads of Tribes ; Who, feeing thofe great acts which God had done 345 The deeds themselves, though mute, spoke loud the doer, But they perfifted deaf, and would not seem To count them things worth notice; till at length 250 Their Lords the Philiftins with gather'd pow'rs 255 Into their hands, and they as gladly yield me 260 nd with two cords; but cords to me were threads 265 270 How frequent to defert him, and at laft 273 To heap ingratitude on worthieft deeds ? Chor. Thy words to my remembrance bring How Succoth and the Fort of Penuel Of Madian and her vanquish'd Kings: And how ingrateful Ephraim Had dealt with Jephtha, who by argument, Samf. Of fuch examples add me to the roll Chor. Juft are the ways of God, And juftifiable to Men; Unless there be who think not God at all; 295 If any be, they walk obfcure : For of fuch 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 juft, 300 As to his own edicts found contradicting; Then give the reins to wandring thought, Regardless of his Glory's diminution; 305 As if they would confine th' interminable, And tie him to his own prescript, Who made our Laws to bind us, not himfelf, Whom fo it pleafes him by choice ΟΙ Of fin, or legal debt; For with his own Laws he can beft difpenfe. He would not elfe, who never wanted means, 315 Nor in refpect of th' enemy just cause To fet his People free, Have prompted this Heroick Nazarite Against his vow of strictest purity, To feek in marriage that fallacious Bride, 320 Unclean, unchafte. Down Reason then, at least vain reasonings down, Though Reafon here aver That moral verdict quits her of unclean: Unchafte was subsequent, her stain not his. 325 But fee! here comes thy rev'rend Sire With careful step, Locks white as down, Old Manca: advise Forthwith how thou ought'ft to receive him. Samf. Ah me, another inward grief awak'd With mention of that name renews th' affault. 330 Man. Brethren and men of Dan, (for fuch ye feem, Though in this uncouth place ;) if old refpect, As I fuppofe, tow'rd your once glory'd friend, My Son, now Captive, hither hath inform'd 335 Chor. As fignal now in low dejected state, As erft in higheft, behold him where he lies. Man. O miferable change! is this the man, 340 None |