CHORUS. Yet with this strength thou serv'st the Philistines, Idolatrous, uncircumcis'd, unclean. SAMSON. Not in their idol-worship, but by labour CHORUS. 1365 Where the heart joins not, outward acts defile not. SAMSON. Where outward force constrains, the sentence holds. But who constrains me to the temple' of Dagon, 1370 Not dragging? the Philistian lords command. Commands are no constraints. If I obey them, I do it freely, vent'ring to displease God for the fear of man, and man prefer, Set God behind: which in his jealousy For some important cause, thou need'st not doubt. CHORUS. 1375 How thou wilt here come off surmounts my reach. 1380 SAMSON. Be of good courage, I begin to feel Some rousing motions in me which dispose 1377. Yet that he may dispense &c.] Milton here probably had in view the story of Naaman the Syrian's begging a dispensation of this sort from Elisha, which he seemingly grants him. See 2 Kings v. 18, 19. Thyer. 1384. I with this messenger will Nothing to do, be sure, that may dishonour In time thou hast resolv'd, the man returns. Samson, this second message from our lords And hamper thee, as thou shalt come of force, SAMSON. 1385 1390 1395 I could be well content to try their art, Which to no few of them would prove pernicious. 1400 Yet knowing their advantages too many, Because they shall not trail me through their streets Like a wild beast, I am content to go. Masters' commands come with a pow'r resistless go along,] With what messenger? It was not expressly said before that the messenger was coming; it was implied indeed in what the Chorus had said, How thou wilt here come off surmounts my reach: and this might very well be understood by a man, who could see the messenger coming as well as the Chorus, but seems hardly a sufficient intimation to a blind man, unless we suppose him to know that the messenger was coming by the same impulse that he felt rousing him to something extraordinary. 1404. Masters' commands &c.] This was a feint, but it had betrayed itself had it not been covered by ver. 1408. Yet this be sure &c. Warburton. To such as owe them absolute subjection; And for a life who will not change his purpose? Scandalous or forbidden in our law. OFFICER. I praise thy resolution; doff these links: By this compliance thou wilt win the lords To favour, and perhaps to set thee free. SAMSON. Brethren farewel; your company along 1405 1410 I will not wish, lest it perhaps offend them 1415 So dreaded once, may now exasperate them 1410. I praise thy resolution:] That is, of going, not what he said last. Richardson. 1418. -lords are lordliest in their wine, And the well-feasted priest &c.] First he expresses his contempt of a Nobility and an opulent Clergy, that is, lords both tem 1420 1425 poral and spiritual, whom he tacitly compares with the lords and priests of Dagon; and then, ver 1421. he insinuates that holidays also are of heathen institution. He had spoken with more complacency of holidays in l'Allegro, 97. T. Warton. CHORUS. 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; Send thee the angel of thy birth, to stand Fast by thy side, who from thy father's field Of thy conception, and be now a shield Of fire; that Spirit that first rush'd on thee Be efficacious in thee now at need. For never was from heav'n imparted Measure of strength so great to mortal seed, Or of him bringing to us some glad news? MANOAH. 1430 1435 1440 Peace with you, brethren? my inducement hither 1445 Was not at present here to find my son, By order of the lords new parted hence And numbers thither flock, I had no will, Lest I should see him forc'd to things unseemly. But that which mov'd my coming now, was chiefly To give ye part with me what hope I have With good success to work his liberty. x 3 1450 CHORUS. That hope would much rejoice us to partake With thee; say, reverend Sire, we thirst to hear. MANOAH. I have attempted one by one the lords Either at home, or through the high street passing, I If some convenient ransom were propos❜d.moi i Doubtless the people shouting to behold 1455 1460 1465 1470 Their once great dread, captive, and blind before them, Or at some proof of strength before them shown. 1475 |