To lowest pitch of abject fortune thou art fall'n. Or the fphere of fortune raises; 170 But thee whose strength, while virtue was her mate, Might have fubdued the earth, Univerfally crown'd with highest praises. 175 SAMS. I hear the found of words, their sense the air Diffolves unjointed ere it reach my ear. CHOR. Hefpeaks, let us draw nigh. Matchlefs in The glory late of Ifrael, now the grief; [might, We come thy friends and neighbours not unknown From Efhtaol and Zora's fruitful vale To vifit or bewail thee, or if better, 181 Salve to thy fores; apt words have pow'r to swage The tumors of a troubled mind, And are as balm to fefter'd wounds. 185 190 SAMS. Your coming, Friends,revives me, for I learn Yet that which was the worst now leaft afflicts me, 195 200 205 In every street? do they not fay, how well CHOR. Tax not divine difpofal; wifeft men 210 Who haft of forrow thy full load befides; 220 Yet truth to say, I oft have heard men wonder 215 225 That fpecious monfter, my accomplish'd fnare. 230 Who vanquish'd with a peal of words (O weakness!) I 2 236 Thon Thou never waft remifs, I bear thee witness: 240 but transfer SAMS. That fault I take not on me, On Ifrael's governors, and heads of tribes, Who feeing thofe great acts, which God had done Singly by me against their conquerors, Acknowledg'd not, or not at all confider'd Deliverance offer d: I on th' other fide Us'd no ambition to commend my deeds, 245 The deeds themselves, though mute, spoke loud the 255 Into their hands, and they as gladly yield me 260 Bound with two cords; but cords to me were threds 270 As As their deliverer; if he ought begin, 275 CHOR. Thy words to my remembrance bring How Succoth and the fort of Penuel Their great deliverer contemn'd, The matchlefs Gideon in purfuit Of Madian and her vanquish'd kings: 280 And how ingrateful Ephraim Had dealt with Jephtha, who by argument, 285 SAMS. Of fuch examples add me to the roll, 230 Me easily indeed mine may neglect, But God's propos'd deliverance not fo. And juftifiable 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 school, But the heart of the fool, And no man therein doctor but himself. 299 Yet more there be who doubt his ways not just, As to his own edicts found contradicting, They ravel more, ftill lefs refolv'd, But never find self-fatisfying folution. As if they would confine th' Interminable, And tie him to his own prefcript, I 3 305 Who Who made our laws to bind us, not himself, Whom fo it pleates him by choice From national obftriction, without taint Of fin, or legal debt; For with his own laws he can beft difpenfe. 3 го 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 heroic Nazarite, Against his vow of strictest purity, To feek in marriage that fallacious bride, 320 Down reafen then, at least vain reafonings down, Though reafon here aver That moral verdict quits her of unclean : Forthwith how thou oughtft to receive him. 325 SAMS. Ay me, another inward grief awak`d 330 With mention of that name renews th affault. MAN. Brethren and men of Dan, for such ye feem, Though in this uncouth place; if old refpect, As I fuppofe, towards your once glory'd friend, My Son now captive, hither hath inform'd Your younger feet, while mine caft back with age Came lagging after; fay if he be here. 335 CHOR. As fignal now in low dejected state, As carft in high'eft, behold him where he lies. MAN. O miferable change! is this the man, 340 That invincible Samfon, far renown'd, The dread of Ifrael's foes, who with a strength Equivalent to Angels walk'd their streets, None |