_Harapha._ Thou durst not thus disparage glorious arms, 1130 Which greatest heroes have in battle worn, Their ornament and safety, had not spells And black enchantments, some magician's art, Armed thee or charmed thee strong, which thou from Heaven Feign'dst at thy birth was given thee in thy hair, 1135 Where strength can least abide, though all thy hairs Were bristles ranged like those that ridge the back Of chafed wild boars or ruffled porcupines.
_Samson._ I know no spells, use no forbidden arts; My trust is in the Living God, who gave me, 1140 At my nativity, this strength, diffused No less through all my sinews, joints, and bones, Than thine, while I preserved these locks unshorn, The pledge of my unviolated vow. For proof hereof, if Dagon be thy god, 1145 Go to his temple, invocate his aid With solemnest devotion, spread before him How highly it concerns his glory now To frustrate and dissolve these magic spells, Which I to be the power of Israel's God 1150 Avow, and challenge Dagon to the test, Offering to combat thee, his champion bold, With the utmost of his godhead seconded: Then thou shalt see, or rather to thy sorrow Soon feel, whose God is strongest, thine or mine. 1155
_Harapha._ Presume not on thy God. Whate'er he be, Thee he regards not, owns not, hath cut off Quite from his people, and delivered up Into thy enemies' hand; permitted them To put out both thine eyes, and fettered send thee 1160 Into the common prison, there to grind Among the slaves and asses, thy comrades, As good for nothing else, no better service With those thy boisterous locks; no worthy match For valour to assail, nor by the sword 1165 Of noble warrior, so to stain his honour, But by the barber's razor best subdued.
_Samson._ 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 suppliant; In confidence whereof I once again Defy thee to the trial of mortal fight, 1175 By combat to decide whose god is God, Thine, or whom I with Israel's sons adore.
_Harapha._ Fair honour that thou doest thy God, in trusting He will accept thee to defend his cause, A murtherer, a revolter, and a robber! 1180