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106 SAMSOX AGONISTES.
That rigid fcore. A worfe thing yet remains,
This day the Philiftines a popular feaft
Here celebrate in Gaza; and proclaim
Great pomp, and facrifice, and praifes loud
To Dagon, as their God who hath deliver'd
Thee, Samfon, bound and blind into their hands,
Them out of thine, who ilew'ft them many a flain.
So Dagon thall be magnify'd, and God,
Befides whom is no God, compar d with idols,
Difglorify'd, blafphem'd, and had in fcom
By the idolatrous rout amidft their wine;
Which to have come to pafs by means of thee,
Samfon, of all thy fufferings think the heavieft,
Of all reproach the moft with fhame that ever
Could have befall'n thee and thy father's houfe.
SAMSON.
Father, I do acknowledge and confefs
That I this honour, I this pomp have brought
To Dagon, and advanc'd his praifes high
Among the Heathen round; to God have brought
Difhonour, obloquy, and op'd the mouths
Ofidolifts, and atheifts; have brought fcandal
To Ifrael, diffidence of God, and doubt
In feeble hearts, propenfe enough before
To waver, or fall off and join with idols;
Which is my chief affliction, ihame, and forrow,
The anguifh of my foul, that fuffers not
Mine eye to harbour fleep, or thoughts to reft.
This only hope relieves me, that the ftrife
With me hath end; all the conteft is now
'Twixt God and Dagon ; Dagon hath prefum'd,