Went up with armed pow'rs thee only feeking, 1190 To others did no violence nor spoil. Samf. Among the Daughters of the Philiftins I chose a Wife, which argu'd 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 threataing cruel death constrain'd the Bride To wring from me and tell to them my fecret, That foly'd the riddle which I had propos'd. 1200 When I perceiv'd all fet on enmity, As on my enemies, where ever chanc'd, Ius'd hoftility, and took their spoil To pay my underminers in their coin. My Nation was fubjected to your Lords. It was the force of Conqueft; 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, prefum'd Single Rebellion and did hoftile Acts. I was no private but a perfon rais'd 1205 1210 With strength fufficient and command from Heav'n 1220 Thefe fhifts refuted, anfwer thy appellant 1225 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. Sam. Cam'ft thou for this,vain boafter,to survey me, To defcant on my strength, and give thy verdi&? Come nearer, part not hence fo flight inform'd; But take good heed my hand furvey not thee. 1230 Har. O Baal-zebub! can my ears unus'd Hear thefe difhonours, and not render death? Samf. No man with-holds thee, nothing from thy Fear I incurable; bring up thy van, My heels are fetter'd, but my fift is free. [hand 1235 Har. This infolence other kind of anfwer fits. Samf. Go baffl'd coward, left I run upon thee, Though in these chains, bulk without spirit vaft, And with one buffet lay thy ftructure low, Or fwing thee in the Air,then dash thee down 1240 To th' hazard of thy brains and shatter'd fides. Har. By Aftaroth ere long thou fhalt lament Thefe braveries in Irons loaden on thee. Chor. His Giant fhip is gone somewhat crest-fall'n, Stalking with less unconscionable strides, And lower looks, but in a fultrie chafe. 1245 Samf. I dread him not, nor all his Giant-brood, Though fame divulg'd him Father of five sons All of Gigantick size, Goliah chief, Chor. He will directly to the Lords, I fear, 1250 And with malitious counsel ftir them up. Some way or other farther to afflict thee. 1255 Samf. He muft alledge fome caufe, and offer'd fight Will not dare mention, left a question rife Whether he durft accept the offer or not, And that he durft not plain enough appear'd. Much more affliction than already felt They cannot well impofe, nor I sustain; If they intend advantage of my labours 1261 The work of many hands, which earns my keeping 1265 Chor. Oh how comely it is and how reviving To the Spirits of just men long oppreft! When God into the hands of their deliverer 1270 Puts invincible might To quell the mighty of the Earth, th' oppreffor, The brute and boift'rous force of violent men Hardy and industrious to support Tyrannick power, but raging to pursue The righteous and all fuch as honour Truth; He all their Ammunition And feats of War defeats.. With plain Heroick magnitude of mind 1275 And celeftial vigour arm'd, Their Armories and Magazins contemns, With winged expedition, Swift as the light'ning glancé, he executes That tyranny or fortune can inflict. Samfon, with might endu'd Above the Sons of men; but fight bereav'd Whom Patience finally maft crown. 1280 1285 1290 1235 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, 1300 For I defcry this way Some other tending, in his hand 1305 Off. Hebrews the Pris'ner Samfon here I feek. |