_Samson._ Tongue-doughty giant, how dost thou prove me these?
_Harapha._ Is not thy nation subject to our lords? Their magistrates confessed it, when they took thee As a league-breaker, and delivered bound Into our hands: for hadst thou not committed 1185 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, 1190 To others did no violence nor spoil.
_Samson._ 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, 1195 Under pretence of bridal friends and guests, Appointed to await me thirty spies, Who, threatening cruel death, constrained the bride To wring from me, and tell to them, my secret, That solved the riddle which I had proposed. 1200 When I perceived all set on enmity, As on my enemies, wherever chanced, I used hostility, and took their spoil, To pay my underminers in their coin. My nation was subjected to your lords! 1205 It was the force of conquest; force with force Is well ejected when the conquered can. But I, a private person, whom my country As a league-breaker gave up bound, presumed Single rebellion, and did hostile acts! 1210 I was no private, but a person raised, With strength sufficient, and command from Heaven, 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 The unworthier they; whence to this day they serve. I was to do my part from Heaven assigned, And had performed it, if my known offence Had not disabled me, not all your force. These shifts refuted, answer thy appellant, 1220 Though by his blindness maimed for high attempts, Who now defies thee thrice to single fight, As a petty enterprise of small enforce.
_Harapha._ With thee, a man condemned, a slave enrolled, Due by the law to capital punishment? 1225 To fight with thee no man of arms will deign.
_Samson._ Cam'st thou for this, vain boaster, to survey me, To descant on my strength, and give thy verdict? Come nearer; part not hence so slight informed; But take good heed my hand survey not thee. 1230