8 JEPHTHAH.
CHORUS.
And who shall bridle him, or turn his way?
For Fate alone of gods, inflexible,
And careless of men’s deeds, is firm in heaven.
PROPHET.
I see a sword whose hilt is to thy hand.
CHORUS.
But which of us shall wield the shining blade?
PROPHET.
I see a dove departing to the hills.
CHORUS.
I pray it bring an olive-branch to us.
PROPHET.
The god has overcome me, I am silent.
CHORUS.
He lies as one lies dead; none wakens him.
Nor life nor death must touch him now: beware!
ELEAZAR.
Beware now, all ye old wise men, of this.
For high things spoken and unjustly heard,
Or heard and turned aside, are fruitless words,
Or bear a blossom evil and abhorred,
Lest God be mocked : consider well of this.