I lose, prevented by thy eyes put ont. [but do Sam. Boast not of what thou would'st have done, Who durst not with their whole united powers 1110 Again in safety what thou would'st have done Har. Thou durst not thus disparage glorious arms, To Samson, but shalt never see Gath more. Which greatest heroes have in battle worn, 1131 Heav'n 1134 Feign'dst at thy birth was given thee in thy hair, 1140 1120. Brigandine, a coat of mail.-Habergeon, a covering of mail for the head and shoulders.-Vant-brass or brace, covering for the arms; greves, for the legs; gauntlet, an iron glove. 1138. Shakspeare. Hamlet, Act 1, Sc. 8. At my nativity this strength, diffused No less through all my sinews, joints and bones, Than thine, while I preserved these locks unshorn, The pledge of my unviolated vow. For proof hereof, if Dagon be thy god, 1145 Go to his temple, invocate his aid With solemnest devotion, spread before him To frustrate and dissolve these magic spells, 1150 1154 1159 To put out both thine eyes, and fetter'd send thee Into the common prison, there to grind Among the slaves and asses thy comrades, 1165 With those thy boist'rous locks, no worthy match Sam. All these indignities, for such they are Defy thee to the trial of mortal fight, 1170 1175 By combat to decide whose God is God, Thine or whom I with Israel's sons adore. Har. Fair honour that thou dost thy God, intrusting He will accept thee to defend his cause, 1179 A murderer, a revolter, and a robber. [me these? As a league-breaker and deliver'd bound At Ascalon, who never did thee harm, 1185 Then like a robber stripp'dst them of their robes? The Philistines, when thou hadst broke the league, Went up with armed pow'rs thee only seeking, 1190 To others did no violence, nor spoil. Sam. Among the daughters of the Philistines I chose a wife, which argued me no foe; And in your city held my nuptial feast: 1195 Under pretence of bridal friends and guests, Whe threat'ning cruel death constrain'd the bride To wring from me and tell to them my secret, That solved the riddle which I had proposed. 1200 To pay my underminers in their coin. As on my enemies, wherever chanced, I used hostility and took their spoil My nation was subjected to your lords, 1205 It was the force of conquest; force with force Is well ejected when the conquer'd can. As a league-breaker gave up bound, presumed 1210 I was no private, but a person raised 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, These shifts refuted, answer thy appellant, 1220 Though by his blindness maim'd for high attempts, Who now defies thee thrice to single fight, As a petty enterprize of small enforce. Har. With thee a man condemn'd, a slave enroll'1, Due by the law to capital punishment? To fight with thee no man of arms will deign. S 1225 1230 Sam. Camest thou for this, vain boaster, to survey To descant on my strength, and give thy verdict? [me, 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? Sam. No man withholds thee, nothing from thy Fear 1 incurable; bring up thy van, My heels are fetter'd, but my fist is free. [hand 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 lamert These braveries in irons loaden on thee. 1245 Chor. His Giantship is gone somewhat crest-fall'n, Stalking with less unconscionable strides, And lower looks, but in a sultry chafe. Sam. I dread him not, nor all his giant brood, Though fame divulge him father of five sons, All of gigantic size, Goliath chief. 1250 Chor. He will directly to the lords, I fear, And with malicious counsel stir them up Some way or other yet further to afflict thee. Sam. 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, 1255 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 labours, The work of many hands, which earns my keeping With no small profit daily to my owners. 1261 But come what will, my deadliest foe will prove 1265 1231. Baalzebub, Astaroin, deities of the Philistines. Chor. Oh how comely it is, and how reviving To the spirits of just men long oppress'd, When God into the hands of thefr deliverer 1270 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 1275 The righteous and all such as honour truth; And feats of war defeats With plain heroic magnitude of mind And celestial vigour arm'd ; 1280 Their armories and magazines contemns, With winged expedition Swift as the lightning glance he executes 1285 1290 That Tyranny or Fortune can inflict. Samson, with might endued Above the sons of men; but sight bereaved May chance to number thee with those 1295 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, For I descry this way Some other tending, in his hand A sceptre or quaint staff he bears, 1300 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: |