66 JEPHTHAH.
The lamentations of these friends of mine
But not my tears. For I will fit myself
By solitude and fasting and much prayer
For this most holy ceremony, to be
A perfect, pure, accepted sacrifice.
Only this sorrow—O father, father, speak !
JEPHTHAH.
ADULAH.
Most unblameable, we come again.
I would not weep with these ; I dare not stay,
Lest I weep louder than them all. Fare well,
My father, O my father! I am passing
Into the night. Remember me as drawn
Into the night toward the golden dawn.
[Exeunt Adulah and Maidens.
CHORUS.
Toward the mountains and the night
The fairest of all Israel go,
Toward the hollows weird and white,
Toward the sorrow of the snow ;
To desolation black and blind
They move, and leave us death behind.
The Lord is great, the Lord is wise
Within His temple to foresee