Jephthah and Other Mysteries

32 | JEPHTHAH. HERALD. So spake the haughty and rebellious Ammon Defying your most gentle words with scorn: Tell Jephthah: Israel took away my land When they came out of Egypt from the river Of Ammon unto Jabbok, and unto Jordan. — Wherefore, I pray thee, sheathe thy sword, restore Peaceably these my lands, and go in peace, Lest wrath, being kindled, consume thee utterly. JEPHTHAH. Let yet another herald stand before me Fresh, and go thou, swiftest of messengers, And sleep and eat a little, and to-morrow Thou shalt have guerdon of thy faithfulness. [Ext Herald. Enter Second Herald. But now, sir, go to this rebellious king And say to him: Thus Jephthah, judge of Israel, With gentle words answers thy greediness : Israel took not thy land, nor that of Moab: But, coming out of Egypt, through the sea And over wilderness, to Kadesh came. Our people sent a message unto Edom Unto the king thereof, and prayed his grace, To let them pass through his dominions And unto Moab: and they answered Nay. So Israel abode in Kadesh: then Passing through all the desert round about