Arm'd thee or charm'd thee ftrong, which thou from Heaven Feign'dft at thy birth, was giv'n thee in thy hair, 1135 Where strength can least abide, though all thy hairs Were bristles rang'd like those that ridge the back Of chaf'd wild boars, or ruffled porcupines. SAMSON. I know no spells, ufe no forbidden arts; My truft is in the living God, who gave me At my nativity this ftrength, diffus'd 1140 No less through all my finews, joints and bones, Than thine, while I preferv'd these locks unfhorn, The pledge of my unviolated vow. For proof hereof if Dagon be thy God, other editions have and thy fpear, which is not fo proper, for it cannot well be faid in conftruction, put on thy Spear. A weaver's beam, as Goliath's was, 1 Sam. XVII, 7. And the staff of his Spear was like a weaver's beam, and his brother's, 2 Sam. XXI. 19. the staff of whofe Spear was like a weaver's beam. And feven times folded fhield, as was Ajax's, clypei dominus feptemplicis Ajax, Ovid. Met. XIII, 2. i132. had not spells, &c] This is natural enough in the mouth of Harapha, and no ways inconfiftent with the manners of 1145 Go 1150 Go to his temple, invocate his aid HARAPH A. Prefume not on thy God, whate'er he be, Thee he regards not, owns not, hath cut off Into thy enemies hand, permitted them 1154 1159 To put out both thine eyes, and fetter'd fend thee Into the common prison, there to grind As good for nothing else, no better service And each particular hair to stand on end, Like quills upon the fretful porcupine. For 1162.thy comrades,] With the accent upon the last fyllable as in 1 Henry IV, A& 4. Sc. 2. And For valor to affail, nor by the fword 1165 Of noble warrior, fo to ftain his honor, SAMSON. All these indignities, for fuch they are From thine, these evils I deserve and more, Acknowledge them from God inflicted on me 1170 Juftly, yet despair not of his final pardon Whose ear is ever open, and his eye Gracious to re-admit the fuppliant : 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 Ifrael's fons adore. 1175 Fair honor that thou doft thy God, in trusting He will accept thee to defend his cause, A Murderer, a Revolter, and a Robber. SAMSON. 1180 [these? Tongue-doughty Giant, how dost thou prove me HA And his comrades, that daft the that is valiant. See Skinner. Spa world afide And bid it pafs. 1181, Tongue-doughty] Doughty ourou. Efchylus. Septem contra Thebas. 617. Richardfon. 1222. Whe HARAPH A. Is not thy nation subject to our lords ? Into our hands for hadft thou not committed 1185 At Afcalon, who never did thee harm, Then like a robber ftripp'dft them of their robes? SAMSON. Among the daughters of the Philistines 1195 Who threatning cruel death constrain'd the bride 1222. Who now defies thee thrice.] This was the custom and the law of As arms to give the challenge and to lufion As on my enemies, wherever chanc'd, 1205 It was the force of conqueft; force with force Is well ejected when the conquer'd can. But I a private perfon, whom my country I was no private but a person rais'd 1210 With strength fufficient and command from Heaven 1215 But to their masters gave me up for nought, ferve. I was to do my part from Heav'n affign'd, lufion to the fame practice Edgar appears to fight with the Baftard VOL. I. 1220 |