Of noble warrior, so to stain his honor, 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 ? 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, Who threatning cruel death constrain'd the bride As on my enemies, wherever chanc'd, 1205 But I a private person, whom my country As a league-breaker gave up bound, presum'd I was no private, but a person rais'd 1210 With strength sufficient and command from Heav'n But to their masters gave me up for nought, 1215 1220 HAR. With thee a man condemn`d, a slave inroll'd, 1125 Due by the law to capital punishment; Fear I incurable; bring up thy van, 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, 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 1255 1261 1265 The work of many hands, which earns my keeping 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; And feats of war defeats With plain heroic magnitude of mind Their armories and magazines contemns, Renders them useless, while 1270 1275 1280 With winged expedition Swift as the lightning glance he executes But patience is more oft the exercise That Tyranny or Fortune can inflict. Samson, with might indued Above the sons of men; but sight bereav'd 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 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; |