366 SAMSON AGONIS TES. That I this honor, I this pomp have brought To Dagon, and advanc'd his praifes high 450 Among the Heathen round ; to God have brought Difhonor, obloquy, and op'd the mouths Of idolifts, and atheifts ; have brought fcandal To Ifrael, diffidence of God, and doubt in feeble hearts, propenfe enough before 455 To waver, or fall off, and join with idols; Which is my chief affliction, fhame and forrow, The anguifh of my foul, that fuffers not Mine eye to harbour fleep, or thoughts to refl. This only hope relieves me, that the firife 460 With me bath end ; all the conteft is now 'Twixt God and Dagon ; Dagon bath prefum'd, Me overthrOwn, to enter lifts with God, His deity comparing and preferring Before the pod of Abraham. He, be lure, 465 Will not ,eonnive, or linger, thus provok'd, But /will arife, and his great name affert : Dagon muff ftoop, and iball ere long receive Such a difcomfit, as (hall quite defpoil him Of all thefe boafted trophies won on me, 470 And with confufion blank his worfhippers. [words Man. With caufe this hope relieves thee, and thefe I as a prophecy receive ; for God, Nothing more certain, will not long defer To vindicate the glory of his name 475 Againft all convention, nor will long Indure it doubtful whether God be Lord, Or Dagon. But for thee what (hall be done ? Thou mutt not in the mean while here forgot Lie in this miferable loathfome plight 480 NegleEted. I already have made way To fome Philiflian lords, with whom to treat About thy ranfome : well they may by this Have
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