Jephthah and Other Mysteries

16 JEPHTHAH, We trust in His arms, and His prowess shall fledge our song’s wing; Our triumph we give to His glory, our spoil to the King; Our battles He fights as we fight them, our victories bring For His temple a tribute of tears. Enter Jephthah amid his Soldiers, with many young men of Israel. | JEPHTHAH. Yea, for a man’s sword should not turn again To his own bosom, and the sword of fear Smites not in vain the heart of cowardice. But who hath called me hither to what end ? ELEAZAR. For these, and for the sake of Israel. JEPHTHAH. And who are these? And who are Israel? CHORUS. Turn not thy face from us in wrath, for we Are thine own father’s children, and his loins With double fervour gat a double flower ; And we indeed were born of drudging wives, Pale spouses whom his heart despised, but thou Wast of a fairer face and brighter eyes,