JEPHTHAH. 67
With calm impenetrable eyes
The after glory that shall be ;
But we, of mortal bodies born,
Laugh lies consoling unto scorn.
The God of Israel is strong ;
His mighty arm hath wrought this day
A victory and a triumph-song—
And now He breathes upon His clay,
And we, who were as idols crowned,
Lie dust upon the empty ground.
She goes, our sorrow’s sacrifice,
Our lamb, our firstling, frail and white,
With large sweet love-illumined eyes
Into the night, into the night.
The throne of night shall be withdrawn ;
So moveth she toward the dawn.
All peoples and all kings that move
By love and sacrifice inspired
In light and holiness and love,
And seek some end of God desired,
Pass, though they seem to sink in night,
To dawns more perdurably bright.
So priest and people join to praise
The secret wisdom of the Lord,
Awaiting the arisen rays
That smite through heaven as a sword