Collected Works (Vol. I)

72 JEPHTHAH Ah! all the Earth was fair! Now, seeing that we aré sinners, wilt not thou Relent thy hateful brow, Bend down on us a forehead full of peace, Bidding thine anger tease, Speaking sweet words most comfortable. O lose The bitter memory of the wrong long dead ! © be the lord and prince we gladly choose And crown the mercy of thy royal head ! Be thou the chief, and rule upon thy kin, And be not wroth for sin. lor surely in the dusty days and years There is a little river flowing still That brings forgetfulness of woes and fears And drinks up all the memory of ill. Wherefore our tribute to thy feet we bring ; Conguer our foes, and reign our king! JEPHTHAH. Ye have no king but God: see ye to that ! ELEAZAR. Behold, these people are as children, hiding Thoughts beautiful and true in profuse words, Not meaning all the lofty flight that fancy And the strong urgement of a tune dis- cover. Be thou our judge, as Joshua long ago. JEPHTHAH. Swear by the Name unspoken that the truth Flashes between the lips that tremble thus ! Ye love me not; ye fear me; ye might thrust Some petty obstacle before my hands When I would grasp your promise, and betray Your faith for fear of me. I read thy thoughts, Old man; I trust no word of thine; but these Full-hearted mourners, them will I believe Upon their oath most solemn and secure. But take thou warning now! I shall not spare Grey hairs or faltering limbs for treachery. ELEAZAR. Lift up your hands, all people of this land, And swear with me this oath my lips pro- nounce: By Wisdom, father of the world, we swear; 3y Understanding, mother of the sea, By Strength and Mercy, that support the throne, by Beauty, Splendour, Victory, we swear, And by the strong foundations, and _ the Kingdom, Flower of all kingdoms, and by the holy Crown Concealed with all concealments, highest of all, We swear to be true men to thee and thine. JEPHTHAH. I thank you, people. Let the younger men Gather their swords and spears, and pass before This spear I strike into the earth, that so I see how many fight for Israel. CHORUS. The young men are girded with swords ; The spears flash on high, and each shield Gleams bright like the fury of lords Through the steam of the well-foughten held. The children of Ammon are broken, their princes and warriors yield. The captain is chosen for fight ; The light of his eye is as fire, His hand is hardy of might And heavy as dead desire ; The sword of the Lord and of Jephthah shall build our dead women a pyre. The peuple were sad for his wrath ; The elders were bowed with despair, And death was the piteous path ; With ashes we covered our hair; The voice of the singer was dumh, the voice of the triumph of prayer.