Sams. Tongue-doughty giant, how dost thou prove me these ? 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 Notorious murder on those thirty men At Ascalon, who never did thee harm, Then, like a robber, stripp'dst them of their robes ? Sams. Among the daughters of the Philistines I 200 Who, threatening cruel death, constrain'd the bride I was no private, but a person raised 1210 With strength sufficient, and command from Heaven, To free my country; if their servile minds Me, their deliverer sent, would not receive, 1220 Har. With thee, a man condemn'd, a slave enroll'd, Due by the law to capital punishment? To fight with thee no man of arms will deign. Sams. Camest thou for this, vain boaster, to survey me, 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. Har. O Baal-zebub! can my ears unused Hear these dishonours, and not render death? 1230 Sams. 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. Har. This insolence other kind of answer fits. 1240 [Exit. Cho. His giantship is gone somewhat crest-fallen, Stalking with less unconscionable strides, And lower looks, but in a sultry chafe. Sams. I dread him not, nor all his giant brood, Though fame divulge him father of five sons, Cho. He will directly to the lords, I fear, 1250 Sams. He must allege some cause, and offer'd fight Will not dare mention, lest a question rise Whether he durst accept the offer or not; The work of many hands, which earns my keeping 1260 But come what will, my deadliest foe will prove The worst that he can give, to me the best. Cho. O, how comely it is, and how reviving To quell the mighty of the earth, the oppressor, Tyrannic power, but raging to pursue The righteous, and all such as honour truth! He all their ammunition And feats of war defeats, With plain heroic magnitude of mind And celestial vigour arm'd; Their armouries and magazines contemns, 1270 1280 Renders them useless; while, Swift as the lightning glance, he executes That tyranny or fortune can inflict. Samson, with might endued Above the sons of men; but sight bereaved Whom patience finally must crown. This idol's day hath been to thee no day of rest, Labouring thy mind More than the working day thy hands. And yet, perhaps, more trouble is behind, Some other tending; in his hand His message will be short and voluble. Enter OFFICER. 1290 1300 Off. Hebrews, the prisoner Samson here I seek. Cho. His manacles remark him, there he sits. Off. Samson, to thee our lords thus bid me say: This day to Dagon is a solemn feast, With sacrifices, triumph, pomp, and games; Thy strength they know surpassing human rate, 1311 And now some public proof thereof require [them Sams. Thou know'st I am a Hebrew, therefore tell Our law forbids at their religious rites My presence; for that cause I cannot come. 1320 Off. This answer, be assured, will not content them. Sams. Have they not sword-players, and every sort Of gymnic artists, wrestlers, riders, runners, Jugglers, and dancers, antics, mummers, mimics, But they must pick me out, with shackles tired, And over-labour'd at their public mill, To make them sport with blind activity ? On Do they not seek occasion for new quarrels, Return the way thou camest, I will not come. 1330 Off. Regard thyself; this will offend them highly. Sams. Myself? my conscience, and internal peace. Can they think me so broken, so debased With corporal servitude, that my mind ever Will condescend to such absurd commands s; To show them feats, and play before their god, 1340 Off. My message was imposed on me with speed, Brooks no delay: is this thy resolution ? Sams. So take it with what speed thy message needs. Off. I am sorry what this stoutness will produce. [Exit. |