Collected Works (Vol. I)

82 JEPHTHAH And my wife’s eyes were welcome more desired Than chains of roses, and the song of children, And swinging palm branches, and milk-white —elders. CHORUS. Fie on thy railing! But his wife is sick, And cannot leave the borders of her house. AHINOAM. But he hath one fair only daughter! Friends, With maidens bearing trimbrels, and with dances, Let her go forth and bring her father home. -JARED [aszde]. Horrible! I must speak and silence this Monstrous impossible villainy of fate. CHORUS. O wise old man, thou speakest cleverly. AHINOAM, So do, and praise be given you from God. ELEAZAR., God, Who this day has slumbered not, nor slept ; He only keepeth Israel: Ie is God ! CHORUS. When God uplifted hands to smite, And earth from chaos was unrolled; When skies and seas from blackest night Unfurled, twin sapphires set with gold ; When tumult of the boisterous deep Roared from its slow ungainly sleep, And flocks of heaven were driven to fold; Then rose the walls of Israel steep, For in Flis promise we behold The sworded Sons of glory leap Our tribes in peace to keep. Deep graven in the rocky girth Of Israel’s mountains, in the sky, In all the waters of the earth, In all the fiery steeds that ply Their champing harness, and excel The charioteers of heaven and hell, In all the Names writ secretly And sacred songs ineffable ; In all the words of power that fly About the world, this song they spell He keepeth Israel. AHINOAM. Ye praise God of full heart: I would to God Your minds were somewhat juller, and could keep Discretion seated on her ivory throne. What folly is it they will now be at, Gray beards, and goatish manners? Hark to them ! CHORUS. In the brave old days ere men began To bind young hearts with an iron tether, Ere love was brief as life, a span, Ere love was light as life, a feather, Earth was free as the glad wild weather, God was father and friend to man. AHINOAM. Then when with mildness and much joy our judge Draw hither, let us send to meet his steps In sackcloth clad, with ashes on their heads, His cruel brethren, that he spare their lives. CHORUS. In the heart of a conqueror mercy sits A brighter jewel than vengeance wroken. Grace is the web that his people knits, And love is the balm for the hearts nigh broken. Peace is arisen, a dove for token ; Righteousness, bright as the swallow flits. JARED [aszde]. So, in his victory is our disgrace.