Saran of Gaza Quotes in Samson and Delilah (1949)

[the Philistines are in shock as Samson gets his strength back]

Lord of Ashkelon: The man has the strength of a devil.

Saran of Gaza: No. The strength of a God.

Saran of Gaza: Tell this council the weapon used against you. Well, tell them. Speak.

Prince Ahtur: [hesitates] The jawbone of an ass.

Saran of Gaza: [laughs] Lord Athur, Military Governor of Dan, Prince of Philistia, Emir of Armies, beaten with the jawbone of an ass!

Delilah: [looking upon Samson in the gristmill, not knowing that he has been blinded] He has not dared to look at me.

Saran of Gaza: He cannot see you.

Delilah: I'll make him see me.

[stands in front of Samson, slowly noticing his blinded eyes, which fill her with deep remorse]

Delilah: He's blind. He can never see me again.

Saran of Gaza: Does that disturb you?

Delilah: I had your promise.

Saran of Gaza: No blade has touched his skin. No drop of his blood was shed.

Delilah: [sobs] You... you played with words to rob him of his eyes.

Saran of Gaza: It was you who betrayed him, not I.

Delilah: He was captive, in chains, yet the Lord of the Five Cities could not show him mercy?

Saran of Gaza: Did you show him mercy, Delilah? You wanted vengeance. You have it.

Saran of Gaza: He was not captured by force of arms, but by their softness.

Saran of Gaza: Every cup of water, every morsel of food, must be guided into his hands. The mighty Samson, betrayed by a woman.

Delilah: No.

Saran of Gaza: Blinded, ridiculed, pitied.

Delilah: No, I did not blind him!

Saran of Gaza: [Delilah tries to go to Samson, but the Saran holds her back] Are you going to be as big a fool as you've made of him? He'd kill you. You cannot undo what has been done.

Lord of Ekron: [to Delilah] With a queen like you in Ekron, I could master the Earth.

Saran of Gaza: If you could master Delilah.

Saran of Gaza: [to Delilah] Even a ruby loses luster besides your lips. It will take a sapphire and an emerald together to match your blue-green eyes.

Delilah: They're devils.

Saran of Gaza: No, they're very human. The weak always ban together to pull down the strong.

Lord of Gath: Your lion has become a mouse.

Saran of Gaza: Changed by the magic of love.

Saran of Gaza: No one knows who Samson is. No one has ever seen him. He's been away. I don't know where. But we've heard of his fearful deeds. And we are certain that he exists.

Delilah, Philistine Queen: My lord, Delilah exists too. I'll know how to receive Samson and how to tame him.

Saran of Gaza: Samson is on his way here with the Danites.

Delilah, Philistine Queen: So much the better. You won't have to look for him anymore.

Saran of Gaza: You don't understand. Now he is hunting for me. He's openly challenging me. He'll stop at nothing!

Delilah, Philistine Queen: Ah. Can't the Philistine king protect and defend himself?

Saran of Gaza: Do you think it easy to fight against someone who believes he was sent here by his god?

Saran of Gaza: And why should I have to defend myself? This land is mine by right of conquest. Those men are my subjects. Every one of them owes me obedience.

Delilah, Philistine Queen: And tribute. And slaves. That's why they love you so well, my lord.

Saran of Gaza: Samson has sworn that... I will be murded.

Delilah, Philistine Queen: Where is your courage? You must set an example for the rest. You know, like you did in that village - the Danites that had no defense.

Delilah, Philistine Queen: You see? Hercules was the only man who could catch Samson in the whole country. I knew he could do it. And do you know what made it possible?

Saran of Gaza: It was possible because you came between them.

Delilah, Philistine Queen: Why have they stopped?

Saran of Gaza: A soldier has to be encouraged. You'll see. Just watch how I inspire them.

[Saran signals his archers to fire upon the stationary soldiers]

Saran of Gaza: Tonight, we'll celebrate the death of Samson. And that of his friend, the Greek.