Samf. 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 re-admit the fuppliant;
In confidence whereof I once again
Defy thee to the tryal of mortal fight,

By combat to decide whose God is God,
Thine or whom I with Ifrael's fons adore.

1175

Har. Fair honor that thou doft thy God, in trusting He will accept thee to defend his cause, 1179 A Murderer, a Revolter, and a Robber. (me these? Samf. Tongue-doughty Giant, how doft thou prove Har. Is not thy nation fubject to our lords? Their magistrates confess'd it, when they took thee As a league-breaker and deliver'd bound Into our hands: for hadft thou not committed 1185 Notorious murder on those thirty men

At Afcalon, who never did thee harm,

Then like a robber stripp'dst them of their robes ?
The Philiftines, when thou hadft broke the league,
Went up with armed pow'rs thee only feeking, 1190
To others did no violence nor spoil.

Samf. Among the daughters of the Philiftines
I chose a wife, which argued me no foe;
And in your city held my nuptial feast:
But your ill-meaning politician lords,

1195 Under

Under pretence of bridal friends and guests,
Appointed to await me thirty spies,

Who threatning cruel death constrain'd the bride
To wring from me and tell to them my secret,
That folv'd the riddle which I had propos'd. 1200
When I perceiv'd all fet on enmity,

As on my enemies, wherever chanc'd,
I us'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 perfon, whom my country
As a league-breaker gave up bound, prefum'd
Single rebellion and did hoftile acts.

1205

1210

I was no private but a person rais'd
With strength fufficient and command from Heav'n
To free my country; if their fervile minds
Me their deliverer fent 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 affign'd,
And had perform'd it, if mine known offenfe
Had not difabled 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 fingle fight,
As a petty enterprise of small enforce.

1220

Har.

1225

Har. With thee a man condemn'd, a flave enroll'd, Due by the law to capital punishment? To fight with thee no man of arms will deign. Samf. Cam'ft thou for this, vain boafter, to furvey me, To descant 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. Har. O Baal-zebub! can my ears unus'd Hear these dishonors, and not render death? Samf. No man withholds thee, nothing from thy Fear I incurable; bring up thy van, My heels are fetter'd but my fift is free.

123 1

(hand 1235

Har. This infolence other kind of answer fits. Samf. Go baffled coward, left I run upon thee, Though in these chains, bulk without spirit vaft, And with one buffet lay thy structure low, Or fwing thee in the air, then dash thee down 1240 To th' hazard of thy brains and shatter'd sides.

Har. By Aftaroth ere long thou shalt lament These braveries in irons loaden on thee.

1245

Chor. His giantship is gone somewhat crest-fall'n, Stalking with lefs unconscionable ftrides, And lower looks, but in a fultry chafe.

Samf. I dread him not, nor all his giant-brood, Though fame divulge him father of five fons, All of gigantic fize, Goliah chief.

Chor. He will directly to the lords, I fear, 1250 And with malicious counfel ftir them up

Some

Some way or other yet further to afflict thee.
Samf. He muft allege some cause, and offer'd fight
Will not dare mention, left a queftion 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 impose, nor I sustain;
If they intend advantage of my labors,

1255

The work of many hands, which earns my keeping
With no fmall profit daily to my owners. 1261
But come what will, my deadliest foe will prove
My speedieft friend, by death to rid me hence,
The worst that he can give, to me the best.
Yet fo 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.
Chor. Oh how comely it is, and how reviving
To the fpirits of just men long oppress'd!

1265

When God into the hands of their deliverer 1270 Puts invincible might

To quell the mighty of the earth, th' oppressor,

'The brute and boift'rous force of violent men

Hardy and industrious to support

Tyrannic pow'r, but raging to pursue

1275

The righteous and all fuch as honor truth;
He all their ammunition

And feats of war defeats

With plain heroic magnitude of mind

And

And celestial vigor arm'd,

Their armories and magazines contemns,
Renders them ufelefs, while

With winged expedition

Swift as the lightning glance he executes
His errand on the wicked, who furpris'd
Lose their defense distracted and amaz'd.

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

1280

1285

1290

This idol's day hath been to thee no day of rest,

Laboring thy mind

More than the working day thy hands.

And yet perhaps more trouble is behind,

1300

For I descry this way

Some other tending, in his hand
A fcepter or quaint ftaff 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.

T

1305

Off.