42 JEPHTHAH.
PROPHET.
Thy spear shall turn against thyself, alas!
But welcome, death, thou looked-for spouse of mine !
Thy kiss is pleasant as the shaded well
That looks through palm leaves to the quiet sky.
[ Dies.
JEPHTHAH.
Thou didst no evil in the slaying him,
For God is a consuming fire; high zeal
Against idolatry lacks not reward.
And now the sun is up: for Israel, march!
JARED.
Good luck be with your spears ; and homecoming
Gladden victorious eyes ere set of sun.
[Exeunt Jephthah and Soldiers.
Enter Eleazar, Ahinoam, Chorus of Elders.
CHORUS.
The sun is past meridian. No sound
Of trampling hoofs assails th’ unquiet wind,
Nor trembles in the pillared echo-places,
And windy corridors of pathless snow.
But let us wait, expecting victory.
No fugitive returns, nor messenger :
They have not shocked together, or perchance
The grim fight rolls its sickening tide along