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��SAMSON AGONISTES

��Masters' commands come with a power re- sistless

To such as owe them absolute subjection; And for a life who will not change his pur- pose ?

(So mutable are all the ways of men !) Yet this be sure, in nothing to comply Scandalous or forbidden in our Law.

Off. I praise thy resolution. Doff these links: 1410

By this compliance thou wilt win the Lords To favour, and perhaps to set thee free. Sams. Brethren, farewell. Your com- pany along

I will not wish, lest it perhaps offend them To see me girt with friends; and how the

sight

Of me, as of a common enemy, So dreaded once, may now exasperate them I know not. Lords are lordliest in their

wine; And the well-feasted priest then soonest

fired

With zeal, if aught religion seem con- cerned; 1420 No less the people, on their holy-days, Impetuous, insolent, unquenchable. Happen what may, of me expect to hear Nothing dishonourable, impure, unworthy Our God, our Law, my nation, or myself; The last of me or no I cannot warrant.

Chor. Go, and the Holy One Of Israel be thy guide To what may serve his glory best, and

spread his name

Great among the Heathen round; 1430

Send thee the Angel of thy birth, to stand Fast by thy side, who from thy father's

field

Rode up in flames after his message told Of thy conception, and be now a shield Of fire; that Spirit that first rushed on

thee

In the camp of Dan, Be efficacious in thee now at need ! For never was from Heaven imparted Measure of strength so great to mortal

seed,

As in thy wondrous actions hath been seen.

But wherefore comes old Manoa in such

haste 1441

With youthful steps ? Much livelier than

erewhile

He seems : supposing here to find his son, Or of him bringing to us some glad news ?

��Man. Peace with you, brethren ! My

inducement hither

Was not at present here to find my son, By order of the Lords new parted hence To come and play before them at their

feast.

I heard all as I came; the city rings, 1449 And numbers thither flock: I had no will, Lest I should see him forced to things un- seemly. But that which moved my coming now was

chiefly

To give ye part with me what hope I have With good success to work his liberty. Chor. That hope would much rejoice us

to partake With thee. Say, reverend sire; we thirst

to hear. Man. I have attempted, one by one,

the Lords, Either at home, or through the high street

passing,

With supplication prone and father's tears, To accept of ransom for my son, their pris- oner. 1460 Some much averse I found, and wondrous

harsh, Contemptuous, proud, set on revenge and

spite ; That part most reverenced Dagou and his

priests: Others more moderate seeming, but their

aim Private reward, for which both God and

State

They easily would set to sale : a third More generous far and civil, who confessed They had enough revenged, having reduced Their foe to misery beneath their fears; The rest was magnanimity to remit, 1470 If some convenient ransom were proposed. What noise or shout was that ? It tore

the sky. Chor. Doubtless the people shouting to

behold Their once great dread, captive and blind

before them, Or at some proof of strength before them

shown.

Man. His ransom, if my whole inherit- ance

May compass it, shall willingly be paid And numbered down. Much rather I shall

choose To live the poorest in my tribe, than richest

�� �