For oft alike, both come to evil end. So deal not with this once thy glorious Champion, The Image of thy ftrength and mighty Minister. 7c6 But who is this, what thing of Sea or Land? Female of fex it seems, 710 That fo bedeckt, ornate, and gay, Comes this way failing, Like a ftately Ship Of Tarfus, bound for th' ifles 715 Of Javan or Gadier, With all her bravery on, and tackle trim, Sails fill'd, and ftreamers waving, Courted by all the winds that hold them play; An Amber scent of odorous perfume, 720 Her harbinger, a damfel train behind; Some rich Philiflian Matron fhe may feem: And now, at nearer view, no o other certain Than Dalila thy Wife. 724 Samf. My Wife! my Trait'refs! let her not come [near me. Chor. Yet on fhe moves, now ftands and eyes thee fix'd About t' have spoke, but now, with head declin'd,. Like a fair flow'r furcharg'd with dew, fhe weeps, 730 But now again fhe makes address to speak. Dal. With doubtful feet and wavering refolutione I came, ftill dreading thy displeasure, Samfon, 735 In the perverse event than I forefaw) My penance hath not flacken'd, though my pardon Prevailing over fear, and timorous doubt, Once more thy face, and know of thy eftate, To lighten what thou fuffer'ft, and appease Samf. Out, out, Hyena; these are thy wonted arts, And reconcilement move with feign'd remorse, Her Husband, how far urg'd his patience bears, 740 745 750 755 760 765 Dal. Yet hear me, Samfon; not that I endeavour To leffen or extenuate my offence, But that on th' other fide if it be weigh'd By itself, with aggravations not furcharg'd, Or else with juft allowance counterpois'd, The cafier tow'rds me, or thy hatred lefs. 7770 Firft granting, as I do, it was a weakness Curiofity, inquifitive, importune. Of fecrets, then with like infirmity To publish them; both common female faults: 775 For importunity, that is, for nought, Wherein confifted all thy ftrength and safety ? 780 To what I did thou fhew'dit me first the way. But I to enemies reveal'd, and should not; Nor fhould't thou have trufled that to woman's frailty: Let weakness then with weakness come to parl, 785 So near related, or the fame of kind, Thine forgive mine; that men may cenfure thine More ftrength from me, than in thyfelf was found. And what if Love, which thou interpret ft Hate, 790 Of fancy, fear'd left one day thou would'ft leave me As her at Timna; fought by all means therefore 795 How to endear, and hold thee to me firmeft: No better way I faw than by importuning These reasons in Love's law have past for good, Though fond and reafonless to some perhaps ; And love hath oft, well meaning, wrought much woe, Be not unlike all others, not auftere Samf. How cunningly the Sorceress displays 815 820 By this appears: I gave, thou fay'it, th' example; Such pardon therefore as I give my folly, 825 Take to thy wicked deed; which when thou feeft Thou wilt renounce thy feeking, and much rather Confefs it feign'd. Weakness is thy excufe, And I believe it; weakness to refift 830 Philiftian gold: if weakness may excuse, 835 My Love how coud'st thou hope, who took'ft the way Knowing, as needs I muft, by thee betray'd? 840 In vain thou ftriv'it to cover shame with shame, For by evafions thy crime uncover'st more. Dal. Since thou determin'ft weakness for no plea 845 Which might have aw'd the best refolv'd of Men, That wrought with me: thou know'ft the Magiftrates 851 855 Such numbers of our Nation: and the Priest Preaching how meritorious with the Gods It would be to enfnare an irreligious 860 Dishonourer of Dagon: what had I T'oppofe against fuch powerful Arguments ? Only my love of thee held long debate? And combated in filence all their reasons With hard conteft. At length that grounded maxim, 866 Of wifeft men, that to the publick good Private refpects muft yield, with grave authority Took full poffeffion of me, and prevail'd; Virtue, as I thought, Truth, Duty so enjoining. 870 Samf. I thought where all thy circling wiles would end; In feign'd Religion, fmooth hypocrifie. But had thy love, ftill odiously pretended, Been, as it ought, fincere, it wou'd have taught thee Far other reafonings, brought forth other deeds. 875 I before all the daughters of my Tribe And of my Nation chofe thee from among My enemies; lov'd thee, as too well thou knew'ft, Too well, unbofom'd all my fecrets to thee, Not out of levity, but over pow'r'd 880 By thy request, who could deny thee nothing; Yet now am judg'd an enemy. Why then Didft thou at first receive me for thy Husband? Then, |