JEPHTHAH. 31
By children loving me, to be a harness
To drive me on the road of happiness
To the far goal of heaven. Would to God
It might be so a little ere I die!
CHORUS OF ELDERS.
This doubtful word his fuming lips gave forth:
A maiden shall be slain for many men.
This only of his fury seemed obscure.
JEPHTHAH.
A maiden shall be slain for many men.
Surely, O people, and men of Israel,
The prophecy is happy to the end.
For see yon moon that creeps inviolate
Against the corner of the mountains so,
Slowly and gracefully to lighten us.
So, ere three nights be gone, the course of heaven
Shall be most monstrously o’erwhelmed for us
Ere sundown, as for Joshua, and the moon,
The maiden moon, be slain that we may see
By the large-moveless sun to slay and slay,
More utterly proud Ammon to consume.
This is the omen. Shout for joy, my friends!
But who comes whirling in yon dusty cloud
With trampling charger dimly urging him
Toward our conclave? ’Tis our messenger.
Re-enter Herald.
Sir, you ride well. I pray your news be good.