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. 1230

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.

1245

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.

1255

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

CHOR. 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

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

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 armories and magazines contemns,
Renders them useless, while

With winged expedition,

Swift as the light'ning glance, he executes
His errand on the wicked, who surpris'd

Lose their defence distracted and amaz’d.

But patience is more oft the exercise
Of saints, the trial of their fortitude,
Making them each his own deliverer,
And victor over all

That tyranny or fortune can inflict:
Either of these is in thy lot,

Samson, with might endued

Above the sons of men; but sight bereav'd
May chance to number thee with those

Whom patience finally must crown.

1275

1280

1285

1290

1295

This idol's day hath been to thee no day of rest Labouring thy mind

1284 Swift] Shakesp. Rich. II. act i. sc. 3.
'Be swift like lightning in the execution.'

Todd.

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,
Comes on amain, speed in his look.
By his habit I discern him now
A public officer, and now at hand.
His message will be short and voluble.

1300

1305

Orr. Hebrews, the pris'ner Samson here I seek. CHOR. 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, And now some public proof thereof require To honour this great feast and great assembly; Rise therefore with all speed and come along, Where I will see thee hearten'd and fresh clad T' appear as fits before th' illustrious lords.

SAMS. Thou know'st I am an Hebrew, therefore Our law forbids at their religious rites [tell them, My presence; for that cause I cannot come.

OFF. This answer, be assur'd, will not content them.

[sort

SAMS. Have they not sword-players, and ev'ry Of gymnic artists, wrestlers, riders, runners, Jugglers, and dancers, antics, mummers, mimics, But they must pick me out, with shackles tir'd, And over-labour'd at their public mill,

To make them sport with blind activity?
Do they not seek occasion 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.
OFF. Regard thyself, this will offend them

highly.

1330

1335

[peace. SAMS. Myself? my conscience and internal Can they think me so broken, so debas'd With corporal servitude, that my mind ever Will condescend to such absurd commands? Although their drudge, to be their fool or jester, And in my midst of sorrow and heart-grief To show them feats, and play before their God, The worst of all indignities, yet on me Join'd with extreme contempt? I will not come.

needs.

Orr. My message was impos'd on me with speed, Brooks no delay. Is this thy resolution? SAMS. So take it with what speed thy message [duce. OFF. I am sorry what this stoutness will proSAMS. Perhaps thou shalt have cause to sorrow [strain'd CHOR. Consider, Samson, matters now are Up to the height, whether to hold or break. He's gone, and who knows how he may report

indeed.

1349

1350 report] This is an inversion, as in the Classical writers. ' how he may add fuel, by reporting thy words.'

Virg. Æn. iv. 477.

Consilium vultu tegit ac spem fronte serenat.'