[78] The Argument. Amfon made Captive, Blind, and now in the Prifon at Gaza, there to labour as in a common workboufe; on a Festival day, in the general ceffation from labour, comes forth into the open Air, to a place nigh, fomewhat retir'd, there to fit a while and bemoan his condition. Where he happens at length to be vifited by certain friends and equals of bis tribe, which make the Chorus, who seek to comfort him what they can; then by his old Father Manoa, who endeavours the like, and withal tells him his purpose to procure his liberty by ranfom; and laftly, that this Feaft was proclaim'd by the Philiftines as a day of Thanksgiving for their deliverance from the hands of Samfon, which yet more troubles him. Manoa then departs to profecute his endeavour with the Philiftian Lords for Samfon's redemption; who in the mean while is vifited by other perfons; and lastly by a public Officer to require bis coming to the Feaft before the Lords and People, to play or fhew his ftrength in their prefence: be be at first refufes, dismissing the public Officer with abfolute denial to come; at length perfuaded inwardly that this was from God, he yields to go along with him, who came now the fecond time with great threatnings to fetch him The Chorus yet remaining on the place, Manoa returns full of joyful hope, to procure ere long his Son's deliverance: in the midft of which difcourfe an Hebrew comes in bafte, confufedly at firft, and afterward more diftinctly relating to him the Cataftrophe, what Samfon had done to the Philif tines, and by accident to himself; where with the Tragedy ends. E 4 The PERSONS. SAMSON. MANOA, The Father of Samfon. DALILA bis Wife. HARAPHA of Gath. Publick Officer. Messenger. Chorus of Danites. The Scene before the Prifon in Gaza. SAMSON AGONISTES. A SAMSON. Little onward lend thy guiding hand shade: 5. There I am wont to fit, when any chance Their Superftition yields me: hence with leave 15 E 5 20 Bat But rush upon me thronging, and present His God-like prefence, and from some great act 25 Why was my breeding order'd and prefcrib'd, 30. As of a perfon feparate to God, Defign'd for great exploits; if I must die Betray'd, captiv`d, and both my Eyes put out, To grind in brazen fetters under task, 35 With this Heav'n-gifted strength? O glorious strength Put to the labour of a beast, debas'd Lower than bondflave! Promife was that I Should Ifrael from Philiftian yoke deliver; 45 Afk for this great deliv'rer now, and find him 40 50 |