60 JEPHTHAH.
ADULAH.
Father !
JEPHTHAH.
My daughter!
[He suddenly stops, and blanches, understanding.
Alas my daughter! _
[He continues tn 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!
Enter Eleazar and Chorus.
ELEAZAR.|
Most welcome, conqueror!
[ Jephthah waves him aside,
What is this? What is this?
CHORUS.
Speak, Jephthah, speak! What ill has fallen? Speak!
[Szlence. After a little the Chorus of Maidens
understand, and break into watling. The old
men gradually understand, and fill the atr
with incoherent lamentations. BehindJephthah
the soldiers, with white lips, have assumed
their military formation, and stand at atten-
tion by a visible effort of self-control.