Jephthah and Other Mysteries

28 JEPHTHAH. For the ways of the anger of lords Are bloody with widowing swords, And the roar of contention of chords Rolls back from the heart of the war. | But Victory lights on the banner Of Israel like to a bird; It flaps in the air, and Hosanna! Flings up to the sky for a word! Long streams of light horsemen are flashing Through fields where the tempest was lashing, Through the pools of the battle-blood splashing, Long swords to the rout of the herd. For fighters slip down on the dying, And flying folk stumble on dead, And the sound of the pitiless crying Of slaughter is heavy and red, The sound of the lust of the slayer As fierce as a Persian’s prayer, And the sound of the loud harp-player Like the wind beats to their tread. A royal triumph is waiting For the captain of Heaven’s choice, A noise as of eagles mating, A cry as of men that rejoice. For victory crowns with garlands Of fame his valour in far lands, And suns sing back to the starlands His praise with a perfect voice.