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136 SAMSON AGONISTES.
Renders them ufelefs, while
With winged expedition
Swift as the lightning glance he executes
His errand on the wicked, who furpris'd
Lofe their defence diftra6ted and amaz'd.
But patience is more oft the exercife
Of faints, the trial of their fortitude,
Making them each his own deliverer,
And victor over all
That tyranny or fortune can inflict.
Either of thefe is in thy lot,
Samfon, with might indued
Above the fons of men but ; fight bereav'd
May
chance to number thee with thofe
Whom patience finally mull crown.
This idol's day hath been to thee no day of reft,
Labouring thy mind
More than the working day thy hands.
And yet perhaps more trouble is behind,
For I defcry this way
Some other tending, in his hand
A fceptre or quaint ftarF he bears,
Comes on amain, fpeed
in his look.
By his habit I difcern him now
A public officer, and now at hand.
His meflage will be fliort and voluble.
OFFICER.
Hebrews, the pris'ner Samfon here I feek.
CHORUS.
His manacles remark him, there he fits.