The Argument. Amfon made Captive, Blind, and now in the prifon at Go Gaza, there to labour as in a common work-house, 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 visited by certain friends and equals of his 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 lastly, that this Feaft was proclaim'd by the Philiftins 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 publick Officer to require his coming to the Feast before the Lords and People, to play or fhew his ftrength in their prefence; he at first refuses, difmissing the publick "Officer with abfolute denial to come; at length perfuaded inwardly that this was from God, he S a 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 e'er long his Son's deliverance: in the midft of which difcourfe an Hebrew comes in hafte confusedly at first; and afterward more diftinctly relating the Catastrophe, what Samfon had done to the Philiftins, and by accident to himself; wherewith the Tragedy ends. Samfon. The Perfons. Manoa, the Father of Samfon. Dalila his Wife. Harapha of Gath. Publick Officer. Messenger. Chorus of Danites. The Scene before the Prison in Gaza. Samfon Samfon Agonistes. Samf. A Little onward lend thy guiding hand To these dark steps, a little farther on; For yonder bank hath choice of Sun or shade, There I am wont to fit, when any chance Relieves me from my task of fervile toil, Daily in the common Prison else enjoin'd me, Where I a Pris'ner chain'd, fcarce freely draw The air imprison'd also, close and damp, Unwholesome draught: but here I feel amends, The breath of Heav'n fresh blowing, pure and sweet, With day-fpring born; here leave me to respire. This day a folemn Feast the people hold To Dagon their Sea-Idol, and forbid Laborious works, unwillingly this rest Their Superftition yields me, hence with leave Retiring from the pop'lar noife, I feek But rufh upon me thronging, and prefent Times paft, what once I was, and what am now. His God-like presence, and from fome great act Why was my breeding order'd and prescrib'd Defign'd for great exploits; if I must die w Lower than bondflave! Promise was that I Should |