Collected Works (Vol. I)

86 JEPHTUAH ELEAZAR, Go ye, make ready for the happy march. [Zveunt ADULAH and Afardens. And we too, changing these funercal vest- ments Will clothe in moonlike splendour, candid robes Of priestly purity, our joyous selves. O fortunate day! O measured steps of noon, Quicken, if once ye stayed for Joshua, To keep sweet music to our hearts. Away ! [Bxennt all but JARED. JARED. I will await, and hide myself away Behind yon bushes, to behold the plot Bud to fulfilment. Then, Leviathan, I am thy master. Mockery of a God That seest this thing prosper—Ha! thine altar ! Let me give thanks, Jehovah ! God That rulest Israel as sheep and slaves, But over me no ruler; thou proud God That marshallest these petty thunder-clouds That blacken over the inane abyss But canst not tame one fierce desire of mine, Nor satiate my hatred, nor destroy This power of mine over thy devil-brood, The hatchment of thine incest, O thou God Who knowest me, me, mortal me, thy master, Thy master—and I laugh at thee, the slave ! Down from Thy throne, impostor, down, down, down To thine own Hell, immeasurable— O thou A VOICE. Strike| [The storm, gathering to a climax, bursts in a tremendous flash of lightning, and JARED zs killed. Enter JePUTHAI and Soldiers. JuPHTIAIL A terrible peal of thunder! And the sky Seems for an hour past to have been in labour And, safely now delivered, smiles again. For see, the sun! O happy sunlight hours— What is this blackened and distorted thing? A SOLDIER. Some fellow by the altar that kept watch, Some faithful fellow—he is gone to God. JePHTHAH. ITow is’t the cattle have been driven home? I trusted we had found a tender lamb, A lamb of the first year, unblemished, white, To greet me, that we do meet sacrifice, Fulfilling thus my vow, and all our duty. [A noise of timbrels and singing. Surely some merriment—-our news hath reached. Glad news and welcome: God is very good. Enter ADULAH, ranntiug, followed by sensing Maidens. ADULAH. Father ! JEPHTHAH. My daughter ! [He suddenly stops, and blanches, understanding. Alas my daughter ! [Ae continues in a dazed, toneless voice. Thou hast brought me very low, and thou art one of them that trouble me; for I have opened my mouth unto the Lord, and I cannot go back. ADULAH. My father, O my father !