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SAMSON AGONISTES. 137
OFFICER.
Samfon, to thee our lords thus bid me fay;
This day to Dagon is a iolemn feait,
With facrifices, triumph, pomp, and games;
Thy ftrength they know furpaffing human rate,
And now fome public proof thereof require
To honour this great feaft, and great affembly;
Rife therefore with all fpeed and come along,
Where I will fee thee hearten'd and frefh clad
To' appear as fits before th' illuftrious lords.
SAMSON.
Thou know' ft I am an Hebrew, therefore tell them.
Our law forbids at their religious rights
My prefence; for that caufe I cannot come.
OFFICER.
This anfwer, be afford,
SAMSON.
will not content them.
Have they not fword-players, and every fort
Of gymnic artifts, wreftlers, riders, runners,
Juglers and dancers, antics, mummers, mimics,
But they muft pick me out with fhackles tir'd,
And over-labour'd at their public mill,
To make them fport with blind activity?
Do they not feek occaiion of new quarrels
On my refufal to diftrefs me more,
Or make a game of my calamities?
Return the way thou cam'ft,
OFFICER.
I will not come.
Regard thyfclf, this will offend them highly.
SAMSON.
Myfelf ? my confcience and internal peace.