JEPHTHAH. 39
That shall see freedom smile on us, and peace,
And victory, and new hours of happiness,
CHORUS OF SOLDIERS.
Out of the waters of the sea
Our father Abraham beheld
The lamp of heaven arise and be
The monarch quenchless and unquelled ;
But we on this far Syrian shore
See dawn upon the mountains pour.
The limit of the snows is bright ;
As spears that glitter shine the hills ;
The foaming forehead of the light
All air with cloudy fragrance fills ;
And, born of desolation blind,
The young sweet summer burns behind.
The Altar of the Lord is set
With salt and fire and fervid wine,
And toward the east the light is let
For shadow for the holiest shrine :
One moment hangs the fire of dawn
Until the sacrament be sworn.
Behold, the priest, our captain, takes
The sacred robes, the crown of gold,
The light of other sunlight breaks
Upon his forehead calm and cold