Har. With thee, a man condemn'd, a Slave enrol'd, Due by the Law to capital punishment ? To fight with thee no man of arms will deign. 1225 Samf. Cam'ft thou for this, vain boafter, to survey me, To defcant on my strength, and give thy verdict ? Come nearer, part not hence so flight inform'd; But take good heed my hand survey not thee. Ham. O Baal-zebub! can my ears unus'd 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 fift is free. Har. This insolence other kind of answer fits. Sams. Go bafi'd coward, lest I run upon thee, Har. By. Aftaroth ere long thou shalt lament These braveries in Irons loaden on thee. 1235 1240 Chor. His Giantship is gone somewhat crest-fall'n, Stalking with less unconscionable strides Sams. I dread him not, nor all his Giant-brood, 1245 Chor. Chor. He will directly to the Lords, I fear, 1250 And with malicious counsel ftir them up Some way or other farther to aflict thee. Sams. He must alledge some cause, and offer'd fight If they intend advantage of my labours With no small profit daily to my owners. 1261 1265 Chor. Oh how comely it is, and how reviving 1270 Puts invincible might To quell the mighty of the Earth, th' oppreffor, Hardy and induftrious to support Tyrannick power, but raging to purfue 1275 He all their Ammunition. And feats of war defeats, With plain Heroick magnitude of mind 1280 Their Armories and Magazines contemns, Renders Renders them useless, while 1285 But patience is more oft the exercise Of Saints, the trial of their fortitude, Making them each his own Deliverer, And Victor over all 1280 That tyranny or fortune can inflict. Either of these is in thy lot, Samfon, with might endu'd Above the Sons of men, but fight bereav'd 1295 May chance to number thee with those Whom Patience finally must crown, This Idol's day hath been to thee no day of reft, Labouring thy mind More than the working day thy hands. And yet perhaps more trouble is behind, Off. Hebrews, the Pris'ner Samson here I seek. 1300 1305 Off. Samfon, to thee our Lords thus bid me say; This day to Dagon is a folemn Feast, 1311 With Sacrifices, Triumph, Pomp and Games; To appear as fits before th' illustrious Lords. Sams Thou know'st I am an Hebrew, therefore tell them, Our Law forbids at their Religious Rites 1320 Off. This answer, be afsur'd, will not content them. Sams. Have they not Sword-Players, and ev'ry fort Of Gymnick Artifls, Wrestlers, Riders, Runners, Juglers and Dancers, Anticks, Mummers, Mimers, 1325 But they must pick me out with shackles tir'd, And over-labour'd at their publick Mill, To make them sport with blind activity? Do they not feek occafion of new quarrels On my refusal to distress me more, Or make a game of my calamities? Return the way thou cam'st, I will not come. 1330 Of. Regard thy felf, this will offend them highly. 1335 Sams. My felf? my confcience and internal peace. 1340 The The worst of all indignities, yet on me Of. My message was impos'd on me with speed, Brooks no delay: is this thy resolution? 1344 Sams. So take it with what speed thy message needs. Of. I am forry what this stoutness will produce. Sams. Perhaps thou shalt have cause to forrow indeed. Chor. Confider, Samfon; matters now are strain'd Up to the height, whether to hold or break; He's gone, and who knows how he may report 1350 Thy words by adding fuel to the flame? Expect another message more imperious, More Lordly thund'ring than thou well wilt bear. Sams. Shall I abuse this confecrated gift 1355 Vaunting my strength in honour to their Dagon! 1360 Befides how vile, contemptible, ridiculous, Chor. Yet with this strength thou serv'ist the Philistines, Idolatrous, uncircumcis'd, unclean. Sams. Not in their Idol-worship, but by labour Honeit and lawful to deserve my food 1366 Chor. |