Jephthah and Other Mysteries

JEPHTHAH. 27 Through dusty ways and desert regions Back to the cities whence they came With iron, massacre, and flame, And turn their own devouring blade On city fired and violate maid, That Israel conquer, and men know God is our God against a foe. For the web of the battle is woven Of men that are strong as the sea, When the rocks by its tempest are cloven, And waves wander wild to the lee; When ships are in travail forsaken, And tempest and tumult awaken ; When foam by fresh foam overtaken Boils sanguine and fervent and free. For its sides are a million of paces; Its centre is Death as he stands Pale-horsed, where the iciest places Chill blood in the furious hands. He stands like a spectre, and urges The horsemen in thunderous surges On columns where blood not asperges The splashing of struggling bands. The sword is like lightning in battle, The spear like the light of a star; It strikes on the shield, and the rattle Of arrows is hail from afar.