The portreature of Dalila .

THese words offer vnto vs in generall a double consideration ; The one , the importunitie of Dalila ; the other the frailtie of Samson : and in particular many good lessons are of ech part to be learned , which I will gather and set downe , as shall be best agreable with the order and method which I intend to obserue in this discourse . Dalila , as appeereth Iudges . 16. ve . 6. 10. 13. in the processe of this Chapter , had giuen the assault vnto Samson three seuerall times , and now at the last hath obtained the conquest . Where first note without any farther preambles , that when the wicked haue once gotten the lest interest in vs , they begin to plead full possession , when they haue obtained some smal power and authoritie , they become insolent , and tyrannising ouer our bodies , seeke with them the destruction and ruine of our soules , wherein no labor , no endeuor , no pollicie , no pretence wanteth . Dalila is not faint to bring hir purpose to passe , Dalila dallieth , but delaieth not to discouer the secrets of Samsons hart , she speaketh faire , she vrgeth him with vnkindnes , she coniureth him , euen as he tendereth hir loue to deale plainly with hir in that high point of his strength , so much hurtfull to hir friends the Philistins : she seeth that Samson was far ingaged vnto hir , that she had brought him wholie to hir lure , that he had yeelded himselfe to hir deuotion , and therefore presumed that he woulde rather grant hir any thing , than hazard the losse of hir loue ; vpon which perswasion it may be coniectured , that she framed this , or the like speech vnto him .

Samson , my best friend , to whom I haue wholy deuoted my selfe : the protestations of thy vnfained affection towards me are great and manie , and I haue in some measure tasted the same in effect : yet this shall be a more certaine , and vndoubted testimonie thereof , if thou wilt be contented to grant but this one thing which thou hast so often denied . Thou performest great , and almost incredible things by thy strength : no enemie is able to abide thy force : a poore iawe bone sufficeth Iudg . 15. to ouercome thousands ; thy hand , to rent Lions ; thy shoulders , to beare away Chap. 14 Chap. 16 the strong gates of walled cities . This strength cannot proceed of thy stature , of thy greatnes , or of anie other externall thing , wherin many of the Philistins do match thee in euery respect ; it must needs be that some inward vertue , and more diuine spirit doth assist thee in the accomplishment of so strange and great actions : therfore I pray thee communicate this secret vnto me , tell me wherein thy strength consisteth . Thou knowest what interest thou hast in my best affection : thou hast no reason to suspect that I will discouer the same , being so inward with thee in other secrets : try me that am vnto thee as thy selfe , and as my self do vnfainedly loue thee , Good Samson let me obtaine this fauor , which will be vnto me the greatest obligation and pledge of thy good will which hitherto thou hast giuen , or euer shalt giue heerafter , the deniall whereof will minister vnto me iust cause to thinke that thou hast not that affiance in my fidelity , which my hartiest deuotion hath beene alwaies most willing & ready to deserue : nay if thou shalt refuse me in this small request , hauing thereby so good assurance of the confirmation of my loue towards thee , and of the concealing thereof with all faithfull secrecie ; then farewell loue , farewell affection , farewel Samson , and impute not this breach to any want of good will in thy sweetest Dalila , but to the small curtesie and kindnes which I haue found at thy hands in this my earnest sute . This or the like speech , tempered with more pathetical and forcible arguments , you may imagine to haue proceeded from hir , which properly may be termed Dalilas charme , wherwith she bewitched and besotted Samson . Wherin may be obserued the nature and propertie of this kinde of women , that make their members , but especially their toongs , as it were baits and instruments , to entrap those whom they perceiue any whit inclined to their lasciuious conuersation . And although it be onely expressed in the text , that Dalila was importunate vpon Samson with hir words : yet Salomon hath a more full description of hir behauiour and disposition , in the seuenth Chapter of his Prouerbes , where Prou. 7. 6●… 8. 9. 10. & ●… hir importunitie is more fully bewraied vnto vs. To the end therefore that we may the better looke into hir , and hir wanton practises ; it shall not be amisse to drawe some counterfet of Dalila , although not in liuely colours , nor absolute in euery part , yet agreable with that which Salomon in his said Chapter , and in some other places briefly proposeth vnto vs. Let not perfecter painters blame my workmanship , if they shall find that I begin not this portreature with the part which the precepts of that art requireth , nor condemne my vnskilfulnes , if this Dalila shall want that perfection which shall be expected .

I will begin with that which although it be but an excrement , and the least and basest thing of the whole body , yet not in least estimation with Dalila , nor the least argument of a Dalila , I meane the haires of hir head , frizeled , frounced , broyded , spangled , and set out in monstrous sort to the view of those that are disposed to gaze thereon . This surely is a token of great lightnes in Dalila , of pride in many , and an euident signe of vanitie in all that delight therin . By these haires , Samson lost his haire , and hauing lost his haire , he was bereaued of his eies , and not long after also of his life . These are the snakes of Medusas head , which turned the beholders thereof into stones . And trulie the senselesnes of Samson in this point , doth argue that Dalilas haires had wrought the same effect in him . For although they appeare beautifull , and pleasing in Samsons eie for a time , yet sting they incurably in the end , not like Medusas snakes , but rather like the sting of that beast , which bereaueth vs first of sense , and then of life . By these haires manie licentious youthes are somtimes no lesse besotted , than was Nero with the haires of his Poppea , who is said to haue worne them set in gold , and beset with pretious pearles , whose example they also follow , wearing their mistres haire for a fauor in their hats , or in some other place about them , as a publike testimonie of the impudent incontinencie of the one , and incontinent impudencie of the other . But these dames forgetting Saint Peters rule , do easily forget all modestie ; 1. Pet . 3. 3. and what should they not forget , that haue made shipwracke of their honestie ?

It were to be wished that some of the Deboras , and such like chaste , & otherwise vnspotted matrones of our time , were not so much affected to fashions , that they might blush to bear this badge and marke of Dalila , wherein they must perforce accuse themselues of vanitie at the least , or else accuse Saint Peter to haue dealt too hardly with them in prescribing that rule of decencie and comelines in this behalfe , who admitteth not the excuse of fashions which gentlewomen do ordinarily pretend , but doth vtterly cut off and reiect that monstrous spreading out of haire which is so rifely vsed of the most , & that sometimes none of their owne : so as it may be affirmed that the making of perruques and such like toyes pertaining thereunto , is become a verie profitable trade in manie parts of Christendome , and not least of all in England . Neither is that pretence and shift to be allowed of those , who thinke it a sufficient excuse , to say that they weare no other haire than their own , reserued from time to time for this purpose : but they must know , that as it best becommeth them to weare their own : so they are not to weare the same after their owne humour , but after the rule prescribed , and set downe in the word . The pretence of nobilitie or gentilitie in this excesse , is fleshlie , and no sufficient priuilege for any of whatsoeuer qualitie , for that toleration in this case is onelie current , which the Scripture alloweth . And we see , that the word is so far from tolerating the immodest frizeling and spreading out of haire in Pet . 3. 3. anie ; as it expreslie forbiddeth it in all . I will not denie , but that as a comelie vse of al other attires is to be allowed in women ; so the haire also may be vsed in decent and orderlie sort , as the best disposed matrones , who are not addicted to fashions , do weare the same : but that it should be laid out in such vncomely maner , as the compasse and greatnes of the haire , should exceede the compasse and greatnes of the whole head and countenance ; seemeth not only monstrous , but also repugnant to al Christian modestie . The prerogatiue of gentlewomen extendeth to greater and richer things , wherein the difference of their estates , and degrees may better be discerned ; and the greater honor and reputation will be added to their dignities , of the best disposed ; the farther they shall remooue this badge of Dalila from them . Which if they shall refuse to do , it may iustly be feared , that the Lord will without delay put in execution against the daughters of England , the sentence of his prophet Esay , long sithence pronounced against the daughters of Sion , and will make their heads Isai . 3. 17. 18. 19. &c. bald , and take away the ornament of the slippers and the calls , and the round tiers , the sweete bals and the bracelets , and the bonnets , the tiers of the head , and the flops , and the head bands , and the tablets , and the eare-rings , the rings and the mufflers , the costly apparell , and the vailes and the wimples , and crisping pins , and the glasses , and the fine linnen , & the hoods , and the launes , and in stead of sweete sauors there shall be stincke , and in steade of a girdle , a rent , and in stead of dressing the haire , baldnes , and in steade of a stomacher , a girding of sackcloth , and burning in stead of beautie . I haue beene somwhat the more curious in this trifle , bicause it is a thing wherin women are most curious , and I hope I shall seem the lesse tedious , bicause idle huswiues do spende so much time in decking and laieng out of this excrement . Thus are the verie haires of Dalila importunate .

I come next to hir forehead , where may be noted the very picture of impudencie and shamelesnes it selfe , whatsoeuer she speaketh , she blusheth not ; whatsoeuer she doth , she changeth not colour ; whatsoeuer is obiected against hir , she altereth no whit hir countenance ; and no maruell , for Quae semel verecundiae limites transiliuit , eam bene & gnauiter impudentem esse oportet : She that hath once passed the bounds of shamefastnes , must needs euer after be shameles . Why then should Dalila blush ? Nay rather why should she not be bold , and set a good face on the matter ? This lesson needeth not to be taught them , they haue it at their fingers ends , and is so well practised of all Dalilas , as they dare with greater boldnes intrude themselues into the company of the best disposed matrones , the better therby to couer the blemishes , and blots of their name . These shameles foreheads dare to attempt any thing , bicause they feare not to betray them selues by their coulor . It is very true , that the face wherein there is any sparke of modesty , is easily stained , when the conscience feeling it selfe guilty of the least crime , is burthened therewith ; and so is content to giue sentence against it selfe , euen with silence , according to the saying of the Poet :

Heu quàm difficile est crimen non prodere vultu : O what a hard , and graceles thing it is , Not for to blush when one hath done amisse .

But the forehead of Dalila is so sliked and polished with impudencie , as being charged with any fault , yea although she be almost conuicted therof , yet carrieth the matter away with the boldnes of hir countenance , and sheweth not the least suspition of guiltines in hir forehead . If Dalila had not been notablie impudent , she could not but haue blushed to sollicite Samson so often to bewray a secret of that importaunce , or rather she might haue feared , that hauing once missed of hir purpose , he would haue smelled out hir diuelish and pernicious intention : but she had as litle shame as honesty , and Samson as little sight , as vnderstanding , and being blind by loue , was also bereaued of that true iudgement & discretion , whereby he might easily haue discerned hir suttelties by hir forehead . Thus is the forehead of Dalila also importunate .

Let vs come one step lower , to the eies , being the place , as French Salust writeth , where Cupide hideth himselfe , and the gates whereby lust entereth . But the rouing eie is the certaine note of an inconstant and light minde , and you shall neuer see a Dalila without this note , for this is also a principall baite wherewith she taketh fooles , and hir wanton lookes , are so many hookes , whereby the simple are intangled . Herewith she is able to giue signification of hir lasciuious affection , although hir toong be silent , he needeth no other broker that is disposed to bargin with hir . By this glasse you may looke into the secrets of hir hart , and take a view of hir wanton disposition , whereof Demosthenes that famous Orator , hath long sithens giuen vs aduertisement by this sentence : Oculi morum indices : The eies bewray the maners .

And the scripture hath also discouered vnto vs in diuers places the poyson Gen. 6. 2. and 39. 7. which proceedeth from hence , whereof it hath giuen vs admonition to take heed , and forbidden vs in expres termes Eccl. 9. 5. 7. 8. & 42. 12. Mat . 5. 28. not to gaze vpon women . The Basilisque as we read , infecteth and killeth by a secret corruption , issuing from his eie : and Dalila like the Basilisque , by like infection , seaseth first on our affection , and then priuilie scattereth hir poison into the better part , to the destruction ( without repentance ) of body and soule . But this difference is betweene Dalilas eie , and the eie of the Basilisque , that the poison of the one is not to be auoided , bicause it infecteth the very aire ; the other is void of such contagion , if we can moderate our affections , and turne away our faces from hir wanton lookes . For although Potiphars wife did cast hir eies vpon Ioseph , Gen. 39. 7. 10. and daily sollicite him to commit wickednes with hir , yet Ioseph by the assistance of Gods spirit , was able to withstand hir lasciuious temptations , and to stop his eares against hir alluring and intising prouocations . This ought euerie good Christian to performe in like assaultes , and with Ioseph to avoide the Gen. 39. 12. company of Potiphars wife , and with Iob Iob . 31. 1. to make a couenant with his eies , and with Dauid to praie to the Lord , that it Psa . 119. 37. wil please him to turn away his eies from regarding of vanitie . It is recorded of a certaine Philosopher , that finding himselfe subiect to manifold temptations by reason of his eies , he was not afraide to pluck them out ; bicause of the continuall conflict which he felt in his hart by occasion thereof , but especially in respect of fleshly desiers , whereunto by the frailty of his nature he was inclined : and this he esteemed to be a present remedy , to take away the cause whereby his wanton appetite was stirred vp . But this mans action wanteth a great part of that commendation which otherwise it would haue deserued , if offering no violence to the members of his bodie , giuen by God to good vses , he would rather haue mortified and brideled his affections . And yet this man liuing in blindnes , and ignorance of the true knowledge , shall accuse the wanton and licentious impes of our age , who are so far from turning away their eies from Dalila , that they feed their fancies , and nourish their affections euen with hir lookes , hauing eies full of adulterie , as it is in the second Chapter 2. Pet . 2. 14. of Saint Peters second Epistle . And although we find this precept in the scripture , that if our eie offende vs , we should Mat . 5. 29. plucke it out , and cast it from vs : yet is it not ment in the iudgement of the best learned , that we shoulde depriue our selues of that member , but that we shuld moderate , tame , and cut off that affection , which causeth our eie thus to offend , for otherwise the verbal and literal sense alloweth the Philosophers action before alleaged , and some other like tragicall and bloodie executions , done by heathen men , for some good respects , vpon their owne bodies .

Among other passions which Dalila is woont most liuely to expresse with hir eies , this is one , that she is able to command teares at all times , in great abundance , as a signification of some great sorrow conceiued , if she see that it may be a meane to mooue some commiseration in him , for whom she laieth hir nets , and so thereby to obtaine hir purpose . But these teares are full of deceit , and are powred into thy bosome to ouerwhelme thy bodie with infinite miseries , and to plunge thy soule also in perpetuall torments . If the Crocodile weepe : take heed , he intendeth to deuour thee : and if Dalila powre out teares ; auoide hir snare , or else thy destruction is neere . She hath no more mercie than a Crocodile , for how can she haue any compassion , that is void of all true loue , and carieth deuotion to nothing else , than to the satisfieng of hir lust , and maintaining of hir brauerie , by thy beggerie : wherein the crocodile may seeme to be preferred before hir , bicause the nature of this beast being rauenous , it is credible that hunger enforceth him to this butcherie : but Dalila being full , hath neuer enough , she will not be satisfied , but like the horseleach cleaueth close to the skin , vntill it be ready to breake : and yet in this the horseleach also goeth before hir ; in that it sucketh nothing else , but the corrupt blood , and bad humours of grosse bodies : but Dalila sucketh out the best blood , euen our hart blood , and he escapeth well whose purse onelie paieth for hir pride . Therefore be wise to follow the counsell of Salomon in the sixt of his Prouerbes , Desire not hir beautie in thy hart , Prou. 6. 25. 26. neither let hir take thee with hir eie lids , for bicause of the whoorish woman a man is brought to a morsell of bread , and a woman wil hunt for the precious life of a man . Thus are the eies of Dalila also importunate .

The nose may not be ouerpassed without some note . For this she prouideth hir sweete sauours and perfumes , wherewith she may not onely please hirselfe , but also those that haue accesse vnto hir . Hir muskes and hir ciuets , to what purpose serue they ? to perfume hir daintie nostrels : hir pomanders and hir powders , wherefore are they prouided ? to delight hir daintie nostrels : hir flowers , and hir posies of all sorts , to what ende are they worne ? to refresh hir daintie nostrels , and that she may be traced by the sent of those odours . And no maruell , for some of these daintie Dalilas would hardlie abide the sauour of their owne corrupt bodies , if these other hot smels were remooued : a reason why they are so much in vse with them , and that of chaste matrons , verie few or none , do follow their example , bicause of the suspicion whereunto these perfumes are subiect , not that it is vnlawfull or vnseemely , for gentlewomen of qualitie to weare them , but for that they are vnwilling to beare the note which ordinarilie accompanieth these smels . This being now a daies a verie common speech in everie mans mouth : A woman then sauoreth best , when she smelleth of nothing . And Salomon among other notes of that light huswife , described in his prouerbs , maketh hir to vse this speech to the yoong man destitute of vnderstanding : I haue perfumed my Prou. 7. 17. 18. bed with myrrhe , aloes , and cynamon : Come let vs take our fill of loue vntill the morning . Thus is the nose also of Dalila importunate .

The eares of Dalila are of like force , alwaies open to hearken if there be any fit for hir humour , and inquisitiue , where , and howe , she may best spred hir net to entangle them , and it is the best comfort that can arriue , when any news is broght vnto hir that a foole is taken . It is in vaine to talke to hir of modestie , of grauitie , of temperance , chastitie , and such like vertues , which are the principall ornaments beseeming a woman , she liketh not such discourses : but wanton songs , idle and prophane communication , full of all kinde of incontinent and intemperate termes , do best delight hir eares . Any thing that serueth to effeminate the minde , as musicke without measure ( for with measure it is not to be disallowed ) soundeth sweetely in hir eares ; herewith she lulleth hir peramours a sleepe , and so charmeth them , that although they are waking , yet sleepe they stil on the bed of wantonnes and securitie . Psalmes and Hymnes are banished the place where she resideth , such a consort is not agreeable with hir disposition , it will wake the children a sleepe , and so indeed it wil , she is not deceiued . I remember to haue read , that those which are stoong with a certaine worme called ( if my memorie faile me not ) Tarantula , are cast as it were into a dead slumber , by the force of the poyson , which admitteth no other remedie , than the sweet notes of musick , whereby the partie stoong is presentlie cured . And although there be manie other good preseruatiues against Dalilas poyson ; yet is there none more forceable , to awaken vs out of the dead slumber , whereinto she shall haue cast vs , than Psalmes , and Hymnes to our good God , which may serue as a counterpoyson to Dalilas inchaunting musicke . But to adde a little better grace to this little part , Dalila is also content to endure some pain , and to haue hir eare pearced , that some rich iewell or other ornament may be hanged thereat , to serue in steede of a baite , or lure to drawe the bad disposed vnto hir , according to that practise of Cleopatra , who by the like addition to hir other lures , may seeme not onelie to haue intised Antonius the rather to visite hir : but had also at all times a rich morsell in readines , to saue hir wager , when hir table should not be furnished with other chates , answerable to the forfayture . Thus are the eares also of Dalila importunate .

The cheekes of Dalila , ( whatsoeuer hir naturall complexion is ) are red for the most part , not with blushing , for she hath not so much grace , but with painting and colouring . The other parts likewise of hir countenance though perhaps naturally crow-white , yet by art are made lilly-white , and there is such a correspondencie betweene the colours , as if you should not iudge hir to be some Hellen , you should offer hir great iniury . If you breath vpon hir face , you hazard hir fauor , bicause you alter hir fauor , or rather make hir ill fauored . The Sunne may not shine , the winde may not blow , the raine may not drop vpon hir cheeks : and why ? the purenes of hir painted complexion will not abide it . I haue heard it cited out of an ancient and graue writer , who asketh this question of the painted dames of his time , with what face they durst thus to colour their faces ? Their faces giuen vnto them by GOD , their faces made according to the perfection of his workmanship , perfect , absolute , and without all controlement ; and to adde to that by art , which no art was able to make , much lesse to correct or amend : so as he maruelled how they could imagine God would acknowledge them for his workemanship , at the last day , hauing so much disguised , and altered them selues , from that color and complexion , which it had pleased him in their creation to bestow vpon them . A perfect Painter , Caruer , or other like artificer , hauing drawen a portreature , or carued an image , is able to iudge , and to know his owne worke , so long as it remaineth in the state wherein he first made it : but if a bungler , or some simple grinder of colors , shall slubber ouer the same with new shadowes , new deuises ; how is it possible for that Painter , after some few yeeres , to know the picture ? But God who searcheth the raines , and looketh into the most secret corners of our harts , is able to know these Dalilas , but will not acknowledge them to be his , who forgetting them selues and their duties towards their maker , are not content with that naturall color , which in his diuine iudgement seemed best for them . Thus are the cheeks , and color of Dalilas whole countenance also importunate .

We are now come to that part which is of greatest force , and whereby Samson was especially forced to vtter the secrets of his hart vnto Dalila , viz. hir mouth with the appurtenances , which being the principall instrument touched in the text , and described more at large by Salomon ; it shall be meete to enter into a more particular consideration , of the dangerous effects which it worketh , and of the manifold dangers , whereunto it maketh men subiect . We had in the beginning of this discourse an imaginarie forme of speech which might seeme to haue beene vttered by Dalila vnto Samson , wherein I easily beleeue , that I haue not set foorth the one halfe of that grace , of that earnestnes , of that sweetenes , of those amorous gestures , affections , and passions , which it is likely Dalila expressed . In the processe of this historie , it appeereth , in the first place , that she dealt with him in the kindest termes she could , Tell me I pray thee . In the next , she tempereth Iudg . 16. verse 6. hir speech with an vnkinde expostulation : See , thou hast mocked me , and told me lies , and yet once againe she Verse 10. praieth . In the third place , she praieth him no more , but taketh a more round course ; Hitherto thou hast beguiled me , and Verse 13. told me lies , tell me how thou maist be bound . At the last she becommeth impatient , and entreth into termes of passion . How Verse 15. canst thou say I loue thee , and thy hart is not with me ? Besides , it is added that she is importunate , and importunate continually , Verse 16. and vexed Samsons soul to the death . Thus we see how bad women can play the good orators , and plead their causes with great cunning . If one way will not serue , another shall be found out ; if sweete words alone will not preuaile , then let some sower expostulation be added : if both will doo no good , then more passionate termes , and coniurations may take effect . And thus , with this kinde of charme was Samsons mind distracted , as appeareth in the text , that his foule was pained vnto the death , such force had hir words , such deepe impression did hir importunate intreaties make in his hart . If he be but a common friend , nay a stranger vnto vs , that with kinde and louing speeches craueth our assistance , and fauor in any reasonable cause ; we should thinke our selues void of common humanitie , if we should not condescend to his petition ; but much more would we condemne our selues , of more than inhumanitie , if we should denie a request of some importance to the partie towards whom we carry an extraordinarie affection . And therefore it is no maruel if Samson were thus perplexed , whose hart was wholy in Dalilas possession , or rather , ( such was his infirmitie ) in hir hart .

Vnder sweete honie sometimes lurketh much poison , and vnder fawning words , is hidden no lesse deceit , and he swalloweth a deadly hooke , that taketh not good heede to this baite . There is no treacherie more dangerous , then that which is masked with a shew of amitie : and words , are so manie swords , vnlesse the hart and toong doo concurre togither , and the one vtter truly , that which the other meaneth sincerely . We cannot looke into this part ; it is the onely office and property of the Lord , to see the secrets which lurke therein , and therefore it falleth out , that so many are deceiued by the trust which they repose in the treacherous . The Phisition to make his bitter pils the more acceptable to his patient , wrappeth them in sugar , and by that meane beguiling his tast , the pils are the more willingly receiued : so they that intend mischiefe in their harts , will like cunning Phisitions , make such a confection , as their words shall seeme more sweete than hony , whereby they will the more easily effect their wicked purposes . But the Phisitions pollicy proceedeth from the tender care he hath of the health of his patient , whose stomack without some helpe will not brooke the bitternes of the medecine : but treacherous Dalila , applieth hir flattering speeches to no other end , than to snare him towards whom she pretendeth loue , and to compasse hir wicked deuises more freely without suspition . But the poore bird is soonest deceiued , when she giueth eare to the foulers call : and the seely fish that taketh the bait , receiueth therewith also his bane . If Argus harken to Mercuries pipe , Argus hundred eies will soone be ouertaken with sleepe , and Mercuries swoord readie to cut Argus throate . The Syrens songs are sweete but deceitfull , and they them selues are nothing else then the images of so manie Dalilas , Maidens vpward , and of great beautie , but monsters vnder the water , and like ouglie fishes : faire in shewe , and sweete in shewe , but in deede foule , most bitter , and rauenous creatures . That which is faire in them , is set foorth to the view , to allure : but their deformities are hidden , least they should deter : and therefore Vlisses like a wise and discreet man , is said to haue stopped his eares at their songs , and to haue caused him selfe to be bound to the mast of his ship , thereby to avoid their alluring prouocations and enchanting songs , like Psa . 58. 4. 5. vnto the Adder , which stoppeth hir eares , and refuseth to heare the voice of the charmer , charme he neuer so wisely . We are by nature credulous , and therefore easily induced to beleeue pleasing speeches : we are also by nature corrupt and vitious , and therefore apt to embrace pleasing things . But let vs make this profit of this poeticall fable , that we neither beleeue rashly intising words , nor embrace foolishly delightfull vanities , but to stop our eares against Dalilas perswasions , and if she be in deede a Dalila , aswell to distrust , as to denie hir flattering requests .

That olde suttle Lion , of whom we read in Aesops fables , had ( no doubt ) deuoured manie beasts , which partlie of pittie , partlie by intreatie visited him in the time of his dissembled sickenes ; but the foxe was not so easily inuited to his bloodie caue , he had craft enough to looke into the lions deceit , and looked before he lept , he sawe manie steps leading into the den , but none comming from thence , and therefore wisely withdrew his foote at the first entrance : so ought we to take heed , that Dalilas faire speeches allure vs not to hir den ; from whence being once entred , it is as harde to finde passage , as it was for the small beasts to escape the lion , or for those poore wretches who wandring in Daedalus Labyrinth , were soone deuoured of the hungry Minotaure . It is easie to deceiue one that wanteth experience and iudgement , but he that is godlie wise , wil way circumstances , and consider manie things before he giue credite to smooth speeches , viz. what the partie is that allureth , what is required of hir , how necessarie , and expedient to be granted , and what may be the issue and euent of the same . This if Samson had thought vpon , he would neuer haue yeelded to Dalilas temptations , how sweete soeuer hir requests were , or how sower soeuer hir expostulations , for he might thus haue reasoned with himselfe , vpon those circumstances : what is this Dalila ? A harlot ; what is a harlot ? an inconstant and light huswife , of an vnsetled affection , as apt to entertaine any other , as my selfe ; of whose loue I cannot promise vnto my selfe any assurance , and therefore why should I trust hir ? Againe , she is a Philistine , or at the least a fauourer of them : they are mine enimies , and seeke my life : she hath now thrise practised to trie my strength , & she is yet stil instant , in what case had I been if I had told hir the truth at the first , and if the Philistines had indeed been at hand to set vpon me ? Therfore why should I trust hir ? To what purpose should she be thus inquisitiue to know this secret ? It can profit hir little , if indeed she loue me , and it may much hurt mee , if she dissemble , nay whether she loue or dissemble , it may be manie waies preiudiciall vnto me . Therfore why should I trust hir ? She is a woman , therfore weake , she may be corrupted with gifts , intreated with promises , compelled with threats to reueale the same : nay she may be made an instrument to bereaue me of this hidden vertue , and therfore I will not trust hir . If Samson had thus resolued ; he might haue saued his haire , his eies , his life , to many good seruices , for the aduancement of gods glorie . But Dalila seeing the aduantage which she had gotten by his credulitie , yeeldeth not an inche , but is rather the more importunate . She giueth not ouer at the first repulse , nor despaireth at the second , but presseth him with all earnestnes the third and fourth time , tell me , tell me , tell me , tell me . Wherin we may obserue the great diligence of the wicked in their enterprises , and how the hope of successe at the last , mooueth them to attend the same with patience . It was a greater conquest to ouercome Samson , than all the Philistins were able to performe , and therefore besides the glory of the victorie the expectation of reward might somewhat mooue hir to put in execution hir desseins by al possible meanes . This she was sure of at the least , to please those that had set hir a worke : and this ( no doubt ) was a spur to set hir forward in hir treacherous proceedings , and not to desist vntill the end . This might teach the godly disposed this good lesson , to vse like diligence in their better resolutions , and not to faint or to be dismaid , when their endeuors haue not presently their wished effect : and withall to consider , by what means they may deliuer Samson from the importunitie of Dalila , and saue not onely his haire , but also his head and soule from destruction . But as we are very impatient in the expectation of good things : so are we no lesse slacke in the performance of these good offices towards our brethren : the one , a note of distrust and diffidence in Gods goodnes : the other a signe of small charitie and affection towards the straying sheepe : and therefore the successe of our actions , answereth not for the most part , vnto our hope , bicause the same is carnal , and respecteth onely the satisfieng of our owne wants , and not the setting foorth of Gods glorie , and benefit of our neighbor . The like example of patience , and earnest expectation of successe in hir amorous attempts , is to be seene in Iosephs mistris , who is said in Scripture to haue tempted Gen. 39. 10. and prouoked him daily ; but she wanted Dalilas force to perswade , bicause Ioseph had more grace than Samson to resist , but this is certaine , that she wanted no good will to compasse hir wanton sute . But that Iosephs mistris is so diligent , Dalila so earnest , and both so patient , in their wicked enterprises , may be the lesse woondred at , bicause their father the diuell , spared not to giue our Sauior Christ three seuerall assaults , and would not giue ouer vntil Christ had said vnto him : Auoid Sathan . Which teacheth vs , that if Mat . 4. 10. we looke to escape the danger of the temptations of the diuell , and his ministers , ( of which traine Dalila is a principall officer ) we must not harken to their sweete woords and allurements ; whatsoeuer the diuell cast before vs , we must not snatch at the baite , whatsoeuer his carnall members promise and profer vnto vs , we must not accept therof , though he saie : All these will I giue thee , that is , all Verse 9. the kingdomes of the world , and the glorie of them : though they offer to giue vs full possession of their bodies , and all that is theirs : yet shall it be good for vs to suspect them , their gifts , & whatsoeuer else proceedeth from them , for you shall find that all tendeth to mischiefe . If you open Pandoras boxe , you shall finde it full of all kind of miseries : though Pallas giue hir wit , Venus beautie , Mercurie craft and eloquence to perswade Epimetheus : though hir boxe be neuer so costly , never so curiouslie wrought , yet when Epimetheus hath opened it , hee shall finde therein most fearefull things ; yea he will wish he had neuer touched the same .

But Dalila doth not onely gloze with hir toong , but close also with hir lips : which propertie we find set foorth in Salomons Prouerbs , in these words ; So she caught him , and kissed him . But although Prou. 7. 13 Iudas kisse his master , it is not for anie deuotion or affection towards him , but rather a note of his treacherous resolution to betraie him : though Iudas saie ; Haile master , and intertaine him with Mat . 26. 48. Mar. 14. 45. Luk . 22. 47. like speeches of dutie , yet is it but a watch word , whereby he hath concluded to giue signification to the Iewish blood-suckers to apprehend him . But Dalila is noted in the saide place to play a Iudas part not onely in this , but also in a pretence of holines , as some haue obserued in these words : I haue peace offrings : This day I haue paide my vowes ; so as it appeereth , that the vilest and most vicious abiects , maske their wicked actions with a shew of holines , and that they are loath to make their lothsome conuersation publikely knowen , howsoeuer they prostitute their bodies priuately at home : which kinde of hypocrisie , added vnto the ouglines of their other abhominations , doth fill vp the measure of their sins , to their vtter confusion and destruction . Take heed therefore first of Dalilas alluring speeches ; but in any case take heede that she do not catch thee ; but especiallie take heede that she do not kisse thee . Thus is the mouth , lips , and toong also of Dalila , aboue all other parts importunate .

By the whole countenance , you may giue more then gesse of the inward disposition of the minde ; Vultus index animi : and that painter hath attained the principall point , that hath drawen the iust proportion of the face .

The armes , and hands of Dalila serue to manie purposes ; they are in steede of hookes and bandes , to holde fast those whom they haue , or would intertaine : Iosephs mistris before alleaged , espieng fit opportunitie for hir purpose , ( if Ioseph Gen. 39. 12. would also haue been at leysure ) caught him by the garment : but Ioseph left the same in hir hand , and fled , he would not be taken . Whereof this lesson ariseth , that being brought into like straights , we should rather flee their wanton imbrasings with the losse of some smaller things , than yeeld our selues into their hands , to be reserued to great dangers . In the Prouerbs we find , that the honest woman there mentioned , Came foorth , and met hir foolish paramour , and caught Prou. 7. 13. 22. him : but he not so wise as Ioseph , followed hir , as an oxe that goeth to the slaughter , and as a foole to the stocks for correction : in which words , the butcherly crueltie of bad women , is in some sort represented vnto vs. That Dalilas hands , are bands , the Preacher in his seuenth chapter affirmeth , and Dalila hir selfe , in this action also Eccle . 7. 28. confirmeth it . Now as he that is bound is depriued of the free vse and libertie of those parts wherewith he should helpe himselfe : so he on whom she hath once laide hir handes , and whom she holdeth fast in hir armes , hath lost the libertie not onely of his bodie , which is at hir commandement ; but also of his minde , wherein with hir , sathan chalengeth his part . But she hath yet another vse of hir hands ; she can embrace Samson with the right hand , and pick his purse with the left ; and when all is gone , thrust him out of the dores with both : A practise verie common with Dalila , and they are hir best guests that bring full bags : and the prodigall childe who careth little for his money , and is content to fill hir neuer full hands , is best welcome vnto hir . Thus are the armes and handes also of Dalila importunate .

In other things I will not be curious , bicause according to hir variable and inconstant minde , she changeth hir attire daily . This onelie note out of the prophet Esaie , that Dalila is hautie , and walketh Esaie 3. 16. with a stretched-out necke ; a signe of great pride : minseth as she goeth ; an argument of as little chastitie : and tinkleth with hir feet ; a token of no lesse vanitie . And if anie apparell can be imagined to be more lasciuious , more wanton than another , giue it to Dalila : the lightest is best for hir , and the vainest best beseemeth hir : for Dalila will be sure to weare the lightest and the vainest : vnlesse for a purpose she pretend some holines , for vnder the gowne somtimes is hidden much hypocrisie , and vnder the gowne lurketh also much contagion and corruption : much like vnto Mausolus tomb , and other statelie monuments of mightie princes , which carie a shew of great beautie in outward apparance , and are verie curiously carued , painted , and gilded , but within them is nothing els to be found , than a few rotten and putrified bones .

Although I had Argus eies , or the quicknes of Linxes sight ; yet were I not able to looke perfectly into the inward parts of Dalila , and to discouer all the secrets of hir hart , wherof this former discourse hath yeelded but a nigardly scantlin . And although I haue endeuored to draw hir whole counterfet in some rude colors , thereby in some sort to expresse the force of hir importunity , and importunate practises : yet the whole is lesse than the foote : which if a skilfull painter would take in hand , as he did , that drewe the picture of Hercules by the print of this onelie member : doubtles Dalila would be ( as indeed she is ) a most vglie monster . Thus is the picture which I vndertooke to drawe , according to my poore skill , finished : wherein with each outward part , I haue glaunced at Dalilas inwarde disposition , and described in briefe termes the maner of hir behauiour ; adding such caueats by the way , as seemed fit for the place : although haply following some other order and method in this discourse , according to the course of the text , the notes which occur might haue beene better placed .