470 Such a discomfit, as shall quite despoil him I as a prophecy receive: for God, Nothing more certain, will not long defer Endure it, doubtful whether God be lord, 475 480 By pains and slaveries, worse than death, inflicted On thee, who now no more canst do them harm. SAMS. Spare that proposal, father, spare the Of that solicitation: let me here, [trouble As I deserve, pay on my punishment, All friendship, and avoided as a blab, 471 blank] Hamlet, act iii. sc. 2. Each opposite that blanks the face of joy.' 4gn 495 Todd. SAMSON AGONISTES. The mark of fool set on his front? 500 505 But I God's counsel have not kept, his holy secret Presumptuously have publish'd, impiously, Weakly at least, and shamefully; a sin That Gentiles in their parables condemn To their abyss and horrid pains confin'd. MAN. Be penitent and for thy fault contrite, But act not in thy own affliction, son; Repent the sin, but if the punishment Thou canst avoid, self-preservation bids; Or th' execution leave to high disposal, And let another hand, not thine, exact Thy penal forfeit from thyself; perhaps God will relent, and quit thee all his debt, Who evermore approves and more accepts, Best pleas'd with humble and filial submission, Him who imploring mercy sues for life, Than who self-rigorous chooses death as due, Which argues over-just, and self-displeas'd For self-offence, more than for God offended. 515 Reject not then what offer'd means: who knows But God hath set before us, to return thee Home to thy country and his sacred house, Where thou may'st bring thy off'rings, to avert His further ire, with prayers and vows renew'd? 510 SAMS. His pardon I implore; but as for life, To what end should I seek it? when in strength All mortals I excell'd, and great in hopes With youthful courage and magnanimous thoughts Of birth from heav'n foretold, and high exploits, Full of divine instinct, after some proof The sons of Anack, famous now and blaz'd, 530 I walk'd about, admir'd of all and dreaded, 540 CHOR. Desire of wine and all delicious drinks, Which many a famous warrior overturns, Thou could'st repress, nor did the dancing ruby Sparkling, out-pour'd, the flavour, or the smell, Or taste that cheers the hearts of gods and men, Allure thee from the cool crystalline stream. SAMS. Wherever fountain or fresh current flow'd Against the eastern ray, translucent, pure, With touch etherial of heav'n's fiery rod, 549 535 lay my head] Spens. F. Q. ii. vi. 14. laying his head disarm'd Todd. 545 cheers] Judges ix. 13. 'Wine which cheereth God and man.' 549 touch] Lucr. iv. 409. Contingens fervidus igne.' Hor. Od. iii. xiii. 9. • Aura caniculæ nescit tangere.' Sid. Apoll. xxiii. 94. 'fulminei tactus.' 550 I drank, from the clear milky juice allaying Thirst, and refresh'd; nor envied them the grape, Whose heads that turbulent liquor fills with fumes. CHOR. O madness, to think use of strongest wines And strongest drinks our chief support of health, When God with these forbidden made choice to rear His mighty champion, strong above compare, Whose drink was only from the liquid brook. SAMS. But what avail'd this temperance, not complete Against another object more enticing? What boots it at one gate to make defence, 560 And at another to let in the foe, Effeminately vanquish'd? by which means, Now blind, dishearten'd, sham'd, dishonour'd, To what can I be useful, wherein serve [quell'd, My nation, and the work from heav'n impos'd, 565 To a contemptible old age obscure? Here rather let me drudge and earn my bread, Till vermin or the draff of servile food 569 Robustious] Drayton's Baron's Warrs, 1627. c. v. st. 85. 'Cast from my seat, in some robustious course.' Todd. Consume me, and oft invocated death 575 Hasten the welcome end of all my pains. [that gift 580 Cause light again within thy eyes to spring, SAMS. All otherwise to me my thoughts portend, 595 From anguish of the mind and humours black, 600 97 race] May's Cleopatra, p. 48. My race of life, and glory is not run.' |