34 JEPHTHAH.
Why therefore did ye not recover them
Then and not now? I have not sinned against thee;
But thou dost me foul wrong to bring thy sword
And torch of rapine in my pleasant land.
Between the folk of Ammon and the folk
Of Israel this day be God the judge.
[Exzt Second Herald.
ELEAZAR.
Well spoken: but the ear that will not hear
Is deafer than the adder none may charm.
JEPHTHAH.
I know it, and will not await the answer.
But dawn shall see a solemn sacrifice,
And solemn vows, and long swords glittering,
And moving columns that shall shake the earth
With firm and manly stride; and victory
Most like a dove amid the altar-smoke.
CHORUS.
We, passing here the night in prayer, will wait
And with thee offer up propitious doves,
And firstling males of all the flocks of us.
JEPHTHAH.
Not so: but I will have you hence in haste
To gather food and arms and carriages,
That all our soldiers may have sustenance,
And fresher weapons. I alone will spend