Jephthah

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