To Samson, but shall never see Gath more.

HAR. Thou durst not thus disparage glorious

arms,

1130

Which greatest heroes have in battle worn,
Their ornament and safety, had not spells
And black enchantment, some magician's art,
Arm'd thee, or charm'd thee strong, which thou
from heav'n

Feign'dst at thy birth was giv'n thee in thy hair,
Where strength can least abide, tho' all thy hairs
Were bristles rang'd like those that ridge the back
Of chaf'd wild boars or ruffled porcupines.

SAMS. I know no spells, use no forbidden arts; My trust is in the living God, who gave me At my nativity this strength, diffus'd

1140

No less through all my sinews, joints, and bones, Than thine, while I preserv'd these locks unshorn, The pledge of my unviolated vow.

1145

1150

For proof hereof, if Dagon be thy god,
Go to his temple, invocate his aid
With solemnest devotion, spread before him
How highly it concerns his glory now
To frustrate and dissolve these magic spells,
Which I to be the power of Israel's God
Avow, and challenge Dagon to the test,
Off'ring to combat thee his champion bold,
With th' utmost of his godhead seconded:
Then thou shalt see, or rather to thy sorrow
Soon feel, whose God is strongest, thine or mine.
HAR. Presume not on thy God, whate'er he be,

Thee he regards not, owns not, hath cut off
Quite from his people, and deliver'd up
Into thy enemies' hand, permitted them

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,
As good for nothing else, no better service
With those thy boist'rous locks, no worthy match
For valour to assail, nor by the sword
Of noble warrior, so to stain his honour,
But by the barber's razor best subdued.

1165

SAMS. 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 readmit 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 honour that thou dost thy God, in

trusting

He will accept thee to defend his cause,

A murderer, a revolter, and a robber.

1175

1180

SAMS. Tongue-doughty giant, how dost thou prove me these?

HAR. Is not thy nation subject to our lords?

1162 comrúles.] Hen. IV. part 1. act. iv. sc. 2.

And his comrades that daft the world aside.' Newton.

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 ? The Philistines, when thou hadst broke the league, Went up with armed powers thee only seeking, To others did no violence nor spoil.

SAMS. 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 politician lords, Under pretence of bridal friends and guests, Appointed to await me thirty spies,

1195

Who threat'ning 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.
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

1205

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 offence
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 enterprize of small enforce.

1220

[roll'd,

HAR. With thee a man condemn'd, a slave in

Due by the law to capital punishment?
To fight with thee no man of arms will deign.
SAMS. Cam'st thou for this, vain boaster, to

survey me,

1225

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. 130 HAR. O Baal-zebub! can my ears unus'd Hear these dishonours, and not render death?

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.

1235

HAR. This insolence other kind of answer fits. SAMS. 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

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.

[fall'n, CHOR. His giantship is gone somewhat crestStalking with less unconscionable strides, And lower looks, but in a sultry chafe.

1815

SAMS. I dread him not, nor all his giant brood, Though fame divulge him father of five sons, All of gigantic size, Goliah 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.

1955

SAMS. He must allege some cause, and offer'd
Will not dare mention, lest a question rise [fight
Whether he durst accept the 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 labours,

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.

1265

CuOR. 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 1270