Of noble warrior, so to stain his honor,
But by the barber's razor best subdued.

SAM. All these indignities, for such they are From thine, these evils I deserve and more, Acknowledge them from God inflicted on me 1170 Justly, yet despair not of his final pardon Whose ear is ever open, and his eye Gracious to re-admit the suppliant: In confidence whereof I once again Defy thee to the trial of mortal fight, By combat to decide whose god is God, Thine or whom I with Israel's sons adore. HAR.Fair honor that thou dost thy God,in trusting He will accept thee to defend his cause,

1175

1179 A murderer, a revolter, and a robber. [me these? SAM.Tongue-doughty Giant,how dost thou prove HAR. Is not thy nation subject to our lords? Their magistrates confess'd it, when they took thee As a league-breaker and deliver'd bound

Into our hands: for hadst thou not committed 1185 Notorious murder on those thirty men

At Ascalon, who never did thee harm,

Then like a robber stripp'dst them of their robes ?
The Philistines, when thou hadst broke the league,
Went up with armed powers thee only seeking,
To others did no violence, nor spoil.

1191

SAM. Among the daughters of the Philistines I chose a wife, which argued me no foe; And in your city held my nuptial feast: But your ill-meaning politican lords

1195

Under pretence of bridal friends and guests,
Appointed to await me thirty spies,

Who threatning cruel death constrain'd the bride
To wring from me and tell to them my secret,
That solv'd the riddle which I had propos'd. 1200
When I perceiv'd all set on enmity,

As on my enemies, wherever chanc'd,
I us'd hostility and took their spoil
To pay my underminers in their coin,
My nation was subjected to your lords.
It was the force of conquest; force with force
Is well ejected when the conquer'd can.

1205

But I a private person, whom my country

As a league-breaker gave up bound, presum'd
Single rebellion and did hostile acts,

I was no private, but a person rais'd

1210

With strength sufficient and command from Heav'n
To free my country; if their servile minds
Me their deliverer sent would not receive,

But to their masters gave me up for nought, 1215
Th' unworthier they; whence to this day they serve,
I was to do my part from Heav`n assign'd,
And had perform'd it, if my known offense
Had not disabled me, not all your force:
These shifts refuted, answer thy appellant
Though by his blindness maim'd for high attempts,
Who now defies thee thrice to single fight,
As a petty enterprise of small enforce.

1220

HAR. With thee a man condemn`d, a slave inroll'd,

1125

Due by the law to capital punishment;
To fight with thee no man of arms will deign. [me,
SAM.Cam'st thou for this, vain boaster, to survey
To descant on my strength, and give thy verdict?
Come nearer, part not hence so slight inform'd;
But take good heed my hand survey not thee. 1230
HAR. O Baal-zebub! can my ears unus'd
Hear these dishonors, and not render death?
SAM, No man withholds thee, nothing from thy
hand

Fear I incurable; bring up thy van,
My heels are fetter'd, but my fist is free.

1235

HAR. This insolence other kind of answer fits. SAM. Go baffled coward, lest I run upon thee, Though in these chains, bulk without spirit vast, And with one buffet lay thy structure low,

Or swing thee in the air, then dash thee down 1240 To th' hazard of thy brains and shatter'd sides.

HAR. By Astaroth, ere long thou shalt lament These braveries in irons loaden on thee. CHOR.HisGiantship is gone somewhat crest-fall'n, Stalking with less unconscionable strides, And lower looks, but in a sultry chafe.

1245

SAM. I dread him not, nor all his giant-brood,

Though Fame divulge him father of five sons,
All of gigantic size, Goliath chief.

CHOR. He will directly to the lords, I fear, 1250 And with malicious counsel stir them up

Some way or other yet further to' afflict thee.

ŞAM. He must allege some cause,and offer'd fight

Will not dare mention, lest a question rise
Whether he durst accept th' offer or not,
And that he durst not plain enough appear'd.
Much more affliction than already felt
They cannot well impose, nor I sustain,
If they intend advantage of my labors,

1255

1261

1265

The work of many hands, which earns my keeping
With no small profit daily to my owners.
But come what will, my deadliest foe will prove
My speediest friend, by death to rid me hence,
The worst that he can give, to me the best.
Yet so it may fall out, because their end
Is hate, not help to me, it may with mine
Draw their own ruin who attempt the deed.
CHOR. Oh how comely it is, and how reviving
To the spirits of just men long oppress'd,
When God into the hands of their deliverer
Puts invincible might

To quell the mighty of the earth, th’

oppressor,

The brute and boist'rous force of violent men

Hardy and industrious to support

Tyrannic power, but raging to pursue

The righteous and all such as honor truth;
He all their ammunition

And feats of war defeats

With plain heroic magnitude of mind
And celestial vigor arm'd,

Their armories and magazines contemns,

Renders them useless, while

1270

1275

1280

With winged expedition

Swift as the lightning glance he executes
His errand on the wicked, who surpris'd
Lose their defense distracted and amaz'd.

But patience is more oft the exercise
Of saints, the trial of their fortitude,
Making them each his own deliverer,
And victor over all

That Tyranny or Fortune can inflict.
Either of these is in thy lot,

Samson, with might indued

Above the sons of men; but sight bereav'd
May chance to number thee with those

Whom patience finally must crown.

1285

1290

1295

This idol's day hath been to thee no day of rest,

Laboring thy mind

And yet perhaps more trouble is behind,

1300

More than the working day thy hands.

For I descry this way

Some other tending, in his hand
A scepter or quaint staff he bears,
Comes on amain, speed in his look,
By his habit I discern him now
A public officer, and now at hand.
His message will be short and voluble.

1305

OF. Hebrews, the pris'ner Samson here I seek, CHOR His manacles remark him, there he sits, OF Samson, to thee our lords thus bid me say; This day to Dagon is a solemn feast,

1311

With sacrifices, triumph, pomp, and games;
Thy strength they know surpassing human rate,