Than of thine own tribe fairer, or as fair, 220 SAMS. The first I saw at Timna, and she pleas'd Me, not my parents, that I sought to wed The daughter of an infidel. They knew not That what I motion'd was of God; I knew From intimate impulse, and therefore urg❜d The marriage on; that by occasion hence I might begin Israel's deliverance, The work to which I was divinely call'd. She proving false, the next I took to wife, O that I never had! fond wish too late! Was in the vale of Sorec, Dalila, 225 That specious monster, my accomplish'd snare. 230 CHOR. In seeking just occasion to provoke 236 240 SAMS. That fault I take not on me, but transfer On Israel's governors, and heads of tribes, Who, seeing those great acts which God had done Singly by me against their conquerors, Acknowledg'd not, or not at all consider'd Deliverance offer'd. I on the other side 245 Us'd no ambition to commend my deeds, [doer; threads 255 264 Touch'd with the flame. On their whole host I flew Their choicest youth; they only liv'd who fled. Whom God hath of his special favour rais'd 258 Etham] Judges xv. 8. Newton VOL. III. 270 As their deliverer? If he aught begin, CHOR. Thy words to my remembrance bring Had dealt with Jephtha, who by argument, 275 280 285 SAMS. Of such examples add me to the roll; 290 Me easily indeed mine may neglect, But God's propos'd deliverance not so. And justifiable to men ; Unless there be who think not God at all: If any be, they walk obscure; For of such doctrine never was there school, And no man therein doctor but himself. 295 301 Yet more there be who doubt his ways not just, As to his own edicts found contradicting, Then give the reins to wand'ring thought, Regardless of his glory's diminution; Till, by their own perplexities involv'd, As if they would confine th' Interminable, Who made our laws to bind us, not himself, .And hath full right to exempt Whom so it pleases him by choice From national obstriction, without taint Of sin, or legal debt; For with his own laws he can best dispense. 305 310 He would not else, who never wanted means, 315 Nor in respect of th' enemy just cause To set his people free, Have prompted this heroic Nazarite, Against his vow of strictest purity, To seek in marriage that fallacious bride, 320 Down reason then, at least vain reasonings Though reason here aver [down, That moral verdict quits her of unclean : Forthwith how thou ought'st to receive him. 325 SAMS. Aye me! another inward grief awak'd 330 With mention of that name renews th' assault. MAN. Brethren and men of Dan, for such ye seem, 335 Though in this uncouth place; if old respect, CHOR. As signal now in low dejected state, The dread of Israel's foes, who with a strength 345 350 355 345 Duell'd] Barron's Cyprian Academy, p. 23, ed. 1648. and State Poems (by Denham), vol. i. p. 36. 'Duels the fowler.' 854 son] Terentii Andria, I. 1. 69. Bona dicere, et laudare fortunas meas, Newton. |