Jephthah

JEPHTHAH. 21 By 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, And the spears flash on high, and each shield Gleams bright like the fury of lords Through the steam of the well-foughten field, And 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, And his hand is hardy of might And heavy as dead desire; _— And the sword of the Lord and of Jephthah shall build our dead women a pyre.