jephthah's vow.
67
In every scene,—or weal, or wo,—
Mid grief's sad tear, or joy's bright glow,
I ask one boon, my path to cheer,—
In joy, thy smile,—in grief, thy tear,—
Sweet friend! remember me!
Mid grief's sad tear, or joy's bright glow,
I ask one boon, my path to cheer,—
In joy, thy smile,—in grief, thy tear,—
Sweet friend! remember me!
JEPHTHAH'S VOW.
His lips have breathed the vow.
Thou God of battles, who alone canst bring
Deliverance to thy children, in the hour
Of doubt and terror, here I bend to Thee.
Hear thou my vow. Before Thy throne I swear,
That should the haughty race of Ammon bend,
In homage low, to Thy victorious sway,
The first who cometh forth with song and dance,
To greet my proud return from victory,
Shall be to Thee a holy sacrifice
Of gratitude.
Thou God of battles, who alone canst bring
Deliverance to thy children, in the hour
Of doubt and terror, here I bend to Thee.
Hear thou my vow. Before Thy throne I swear,
That should the haughty race of Ammon bend,
In homage low, to Thy victorious sway,
The first who cometh forth with song and dance,
To greet my proud return from victory,
Shall be to Thee a holy sacrifice
Of gratitude.
The victory was his;
And laden with the trophies of his power,
Jephthah returned. Was there no whispering fear
To cloud his brow, to dim his eye with tears
To send to its pure source the eager tide
Which swelled his veins and flushed his cheek with joy?
And laden with the trophies of his power,
Jephthah returned. Was there no whispering fear
To cloud his brow, to dim his eye with tears
To send to its pure source the eager tide
Which swelled his veins and flushed his cheek with joy?
But who comes forth to meet him on his way?
What sounds of joy, what minstrel notes of praise,
What sounds of joy, what minstrel notes of praise,
