_Chorus._ Yet with this strength thou serv'st the Philistines, Idolatrous, uncircumcised, unclean.
_Samson._ Not in their idol-worship, but by labour 1365 Honest and lawful to deserve my food Of those who have me in their civil power.
_Chorus._ 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, venturing to displease God for the fear of man, and man prefer, Set God behind; which, in his jealousy, 1375 Shall never, unrepented, find forgiveness. Yet that he may dispense with me, or thee, Present in temples at idolatrous rites For some important cause, thou need'st not doubt.
_Chorus._ 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 To something extraordinary my thoughts. I with this messenger will go along, Nothing to do, be sure, that may dishonour 1385 Our Law, or stain my vow of Nazarite. If there be aught of presage in the mind, This day will be remarkable in my life By some great act, or of my days the last.
_Chorus._ In time thou hast resolved: the man returns. 1390
_Officer._ Samson, this second message from our lords To thee I am bid say: Art thou our slave, Our captive, at the public mill our drudge, And dar'st thou, at our sending and command, Dispute thy coming? Come without delay; 1395 Or we shall find such engines to assail And hamper thee, as thou shalt come of force, Though thou wert firmlier fastened than a rock.
_Samson._ 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 power resistless To such as owe them absolute subjection; 1405 And for a life who will not change his purpose? So mutable are all the ways of men.— Yet this be sure, in nothing to comply Scandalous or forbidden in our Law.
_Officer._ I praise thy resolution. Doff these links: 1410 By this compliance thou wilt win the lords To favour, and perhaps to set thee free.