I Library of Congress. Chap m v-^^-l«^° STATES OF AMERICA. : ^ «' ct -rt>^ 4^r^?r i.Mf Mm m. it i?^ir A: Di^AMA IN -Five A CTS, Founded on the Eleventh Chapter of Judges. ^ ^?/ tyc^iu. S/aiCua ^.xliat'eii. 7 ^•ofessor of 'Hhetoric and former jpyofessor of I,atin and Selles-Letires , in Mary Sharp CoUege, IVinchesier, Tenn. tSiOUTK-WKSTEKN |gmBLISKING HoUSE. 1867. L 28997 18^9 ^0 TKie H^UPILS OF THE I, f^ ®^^S ilarp ')§0lli0f, UWi whom I have spent inany of the pleasantest hours of my life, This Little Work Is m©st affi©etl®aat©lf lnsera©4. May they he stimulated to all deeds worthy of Woman; then will each he worthy of self and her icLMA ^ATEK. f REFACE. ROM my earliest girlhood, the his- tory of Jephthah's Daughter, told as it is in so few words, and yet those few beautifully revealing to us a charadier perfed: in its simplicity, and uniting, without the slightest ostentation, every element of feminine excellence, has had a peculiar charm for me. The coolest courage, the most un- (5) 6 JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. daunted heroism, the loftiest patriotism, consummated in the extremest adl of self-sacrifice humanity can perform, were all present in her ready concurrence in her father's dreadful vow; and yet the simple Israelitish maiden seems to have thought only of filial obedience and right. And the stern majesty of Jephthah, outcast and insulted; feeling keenly the wrongs he suffered, yet, by his determi- nation and energy, aided by the blessing of the God he served, patiently working out a reputation which finally triumphed, and brought him the honor for which he toiled so long and faithfully, has been a favorite subject for study. PREFACE. 7 The master-passion of his nature I have made pride; fostered by the un- fortunate circumstances of his Hfe, and which, from his feeHng his own worthi- ness, made him esteem himself just in proportion to the disesteem, or contempt of others; and which, so long as it led only to a just appreciation of himself, was right; but in excess became a wrong, as spoken by Telah, in scene first: What was Humility and faith at first. May grow into self-confidence And pride; and right, pursued too far Or with unholy motive, grow Into a wrong, — inculcating the dodrine that all vices are but excesses of some virtue. O JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. If I have preserved the unity of my plot and exhibited the character of Jeph- thah throughout, as it naturally w^ould exhibit itself under the influence of this predominant passion, I have accom- plished all I expeded. Mary Sharp College, ^ Winchester, Tenn., V May I, 1867. J r >^ ISTORY. / ND after Abimelech there arose to defend Israel, Tola, the son of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issa- char; and he dwelt in Shamir in mount Ephraim. And he judged Israel twenty and three years, and died, and was buried in Shamir. And after him arose Jair, a Gileadite, and judged Israel twenty and two years. And he had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and they had thirty cities, which are called Havoth-jair unto this (9) 10 HISTORY. day, which are in the land of Gilead. And Jair died, and was buried in Camon. And the children of Israel did evil ao;ain in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the chil- dren of Amnion, and the gods of the Philistines, and forsook the Lord, and served not him. And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the children of Ammon. And that year they vexed and oppressed the children of Israel eighteen years, all the children of Israel that were on the other side Jordan in the land of the Amorites, which is in Gilead. Moreover, the chil- HISTORY. 11 dren of Ammon passed over Jordan, to fight also against Judah, and against Ben- jamin, and against the house of Ephraim; so that Israel was sore distressed. And the children of Israel cried unto the Lord, saying, We have sinned against thee, both because we have forsaken our God, and also served Baalim. And the Lord said unto the children of Israel, Did not- 1 deliver you from the Egyp- tians, and from the Amorites, from the children of Ammon, and from the Phil- istines? The Zidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, did op- press you; and ye cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand. Yet ye have forsaken me, and served other gods: wherefore I will deliver you no more. Go and cry unto the gods which 12 HISTORY. ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation. And the children of Israel said unto the Lord, We have sinned: do thou unto us whatsoever seemeth good unto thee; deliver us only, we pray thee, this day. And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the Lord: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel. Then the children of Ammon were gathered together, and encamped in Gilead. And the children of Israel assembled themselves together, and encamped in Mizpeh. And the people and princes of Gilead said one to another. What man is he that will begin to fight against the children of Ammon? he shall be head over all the inhabitants of Gilead. HISTORY. 13 Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valor, and he was the son of a harlot: and Gilead begat Jeph- thah. And Gilead's wife bare him sons; and his wife's sons grew up, and they thrust out Jephthah, and said unto him, Thou shalt not inherit in our father's house; for thou art the son of a strange woman. Then Jephthah fled from his brethren, and dwelt in the land of Tob : and there were gathered vain men to Jephthah, and went out with him. And it came to pass in process of time, that the children of Ammon made war against Israel. And it was so, that when the children of Ammon made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to fetch jephthah out of the land of Tob: And they said unto Jephthah, Come, and be 14 HISTORY our captain, that we may fight with the children of Ammon. And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, Did not ye hate me, and expel me out of my father's house? and why are ye come unto me now when ye are in distress? And the elders of Gilead said unto Jeph- thah, Therefore we turn again to thee now, that thou mayest go with us, and fight against the children of Ammon, and be our head over all the inhabitants of Gilead. And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, If ye bring me home again to fight against the children of Ammon, and the Lord deliver them before me, shall I be your head? And the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah, The Lord be a witness between us, if we do not so according to thy words. HISTORY. 5 Then Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him head and captain over them: and Jephthah uttered all his words before the Lord in Mizpeh. And Jephthah sent messengers unto the king of the children of Ammon, saying, What hast thou to do with me, that thou art come against me to fight in my land? And the king of the children of Ammon answered unto the messengers of Jephthah, Because Israel took away my land, when they .came up out of Egypt, from Arnon even unto Jabbok, and unto Jordan: now there- fore restore those lands again peaceably. And Jephthah sent messengers again unto the king of the children of Am- mon; and said unto him. Thus saith HISTORY. Jephthah, Israel took not away the land of Moab, nor the land of the children of Ammon: but when Israel came up from Egypt, and walked through the wilderness unto the Red Sea, and came to Kadesh; then Israel sent messengers unto the king of Edom, saying, Let me, I pray thee, pass through thy land: but the king of Edom would not hearken thereto. And in like manner they sent unto the king of Moab; but he would not consent. And Israel abode in Ka- desh. Then they went along through the wilderness, and compassed the land of Edom, and the land of Moab, and came by the east side of the land of Moab, and pitched on the other side of Arnon, but came not within the border of Moab: for Arnon was the border of HISTORY. 7 Moab. And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon, king of the Amorites, the king of Heshbon; and Israel said unto him, Let us pass, we pray thee, through thy land unto my place. But Sihon trusted not Israel to pass through his coast: but Sihon gathered all his people together, and pitched in Jahaz, and fought against Israel. And the Lord God of Israel delivered Sihon and all his people into the hand of Israel, and they smote them : so Israel possessed all the land of the Amorites, the inhabitants of that coun- try. And they possessed all the coasts of the Amorites, from Arnon even unto Jabbok, and from the wilderness even unto Jordan. So now the Lord God of Israel hath dispossessed the Amorites from before his people Israel, and l8 HISTORY. shouldest thou possess it ? Wilt not thou possess that which Chemosh thy god giveth thee to possess? So whom- soever the Lord our God shall drive out from before us, them will we possess. And now art thou any thing better than Balak, the son of Zippor, king of Moab ? did he ever strive against Israel, or did he ever fight against them, while Israel dwelt in Heshbon and her towns, and in Aroer and her towns, and in all the cities that be along by the coasts of Arnon, three hundred years? why there- fore did ye not recover them within that time? Wherefore I have not sinned against thee, but thou doest me wrong to war against me: the Lord the Judge be judge this day between the children of Israel and the children of Ammon. HISTORY. 19 Howbeit the king of the children of Ammon hearkened not unto the words of Jephthah which he sent him. Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah, and he passed over Gil- ead, and Manasseh, and passed over Mizpeh of Gilead, and from Mizpeh of Gilead he passed over unto the children of Ammon. And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the Lord, and said. If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into my hands, then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely be the Lord's, and I will offer it up for a burnt-offering. So Jephthah passed over unto the children of Ammon to fight .against 20 HISTORY. them; and the Lord deHvered them into his hands. And he smote them from Aroer even till thou come to Min- nith, even twenty cities, and unto the plain of the vineyards, with a very great slaughter. Thus the children of Am- nion were subdued before the children of Israel. And Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house, and behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances: and she was his only child; besides her he had neither son nor daughter. And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he rent his clothes, and said, Alas, my daughter! 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 HISTORY. 21 can not go back. And she said unto him, My father, if thou hast opened thy mouth unto the Lord, do to me according to that which hath pro- ceeded out of thy mouth; forasmuch as the Lord hath taken vengeance for thee of thine enemies, even of the children of Ammon. And she said unto her father. Let this thing be done for me: let me alone two months, that I may go up and down upon the mountains, and bewail my virginity, I and my fellows. And he said, Go. And he sent her away for two months: and she went with her companions, and be- wailed her virginity upon the mount- ains. And it came to pass at the end of two months, that she returned unto her father, who did with her according 22 HISTORY. to his vow which he had vowed: and she knew no man. And it was a cus- tom in Israel, that the daughters of Israel went yearly to lament the daugh- ter of Jephthah the Gileadite four days in a year. Characters in Jephthah's Daughter. J E p HT H AH — The Gileadite, Telah — His wife, Adah — His daughter, Eber — Betrothed of Adah, MicAH — First captain of the guard, Hezron — Officer in charge of sick and wounded, Miriam — Servant maid. Men of Gilead, Followers of fephthah. Musicians^ attendants^ and chorus of young girls ^ in scene fifth. tJEPHTHAH'S — ." rn^ "i D AUGHTER. $tmt fmt. Time, inorjiing—a room in Jephthah's house in Miz- peh—Jeplithali and Telali alone. TELAK. GoEST thou forth upon the hills To-day ? I would thou stayed'st at home. Rumors there are of yet a war With Ammon and the Israelites, And much I fear some danger may Beset the path thou tread'st. These deeds Of violence, and blood, and strife. Suit not a woman's heart. Jephthah, Stay here, I shall be happier. 3 (25) 2b JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. JEPMTKAK. 'Tis ever thus with all thy sex, When glory beckons onward, then Would they, timid and shrinking, fain Forego the honor, for the fear. TELAK. Nay, Jephthah, nay, not so; at least, Not altogether so. Thou know'st In times of danger, woman may. Nerved by her love for those most dear, Be cool, and prompt, and ready, and Unflinching as a man; her mind As firm as his; her courage strong. And deathless even. But is 't not this? Blood-glory hath no lure to tempt A woman's heart. In that^ she sees Not the best good to those she loves. Nor yet the human race. Thus hath It been from the beginning, even; JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. 2^ Woman opposed to violence And blood. Ma?i slays and woman mourns, I'd fain persuade thee, Jephthah, from This life of danger, toil and fear, To quieter pursuits. JEPHTKAK. T do Not bid thee, Telah, call thy maids, And to thy loom and distaff, and Thy 'broidery frames, as many a man Might do. Attentively, I list To all thou say'st, for pleasant is Thy counsel ever unto me. And all thy words of interest Are sweet. Much do I owe to thee. In that I've brought thee from thy friends, And country, and thy kin, to this 20 JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. Strange desert land, and linked so close Thy tender lovingness to my Rough ways. Too much of my lone life Thou'st cheered for me to turn away, Unheeding aught that thou would'st say. Fear not this strife of Ammon and The Israelites. I have no part In it. 'Tis true that Ammon hath Encroached still farther now. His host Hath camped in Gilead; so 'tis said. In Mizpeh's streets — a rumor brought The tidings yester-even — and yet Thou know'stjthat tho'my brethren and All kindred of my tribe dwell there, / have no part among them, and T'heir quarrel is not mine. Yet tho' Cast out, an alien from my tribe. Can we not be as happy here. As \{ we dwelt in Gilead? Thou JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. 2C) And our sweet child, our Adah, dark- Eyed dove, are treasures quite enough For me, joined with the favor of Jehovah. He hath prospered me. And all to which I've put my hands. And spread my name abroad. 'Tis proof That He,w^hom I have served, hath work For me to do. 'Twas thus oi old He prospered those He set apart For great and worthy deeds. Thou dost Not shrink from duty, Telah, nor Would have me turn my back, when He Appoints the way? TELAK. Thou needest not To ask — and yet, I would we dwelt At peace with Gilead and thy kin. If they but knew thee as thou art, 3 O JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. They would admire and love, instead Of hating, and would bring thee home Again. My heart is sad whene'er I think of this estrangement, for A woman's nature yearns for love. And kindness from all those whom blood And duty make akin to her. So much, too, it affedleth t/iee^ I grieve. For it hath warped thy mind, I fear Ofttimes, and made thee jealous, and Suspicious ot thy kind: caused thee To set too high an estimate Upon men's thoughts of thee. What was Humility and faith, at first, May grow into j^^confidence And pride; and right, pursued too far, Or with unholy motive, grow Into a wrong. That thus it is With thee, I know notj yet sometimes JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. 3' I fear. There is no sin^ thou know'st, Jehovah winketh at, and least In those, by whom he manifests His power. Jephthah, turn not away. Wrong, in exalted privilege. With signal punishment, our God Hath ever visited. JEPKTKAK. Thou read'st My secret thoughts, and canst not much Esteem him whom thou hast divined So well. TELAH. Because I do esteem aS^i^ much — because T think so well Of Jephthah — that my fine gold is So pure, is why I'd have no b?^eath Oi taint upon it, and no speck 3 2 JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. Oi rust corrode, 'T is why I tell him all my mind, How that I fear, sometimes, it may Be needlessly, his mind is warped; Jehovah's favor is not all His heart desires; that he, too much, Cares for his fellow-men's esteem. And the world's honor. 'T is because I love, I fear. Love, as thou know'st Is anxious; hath a watchful heart, A vigilant eye, and, for the loved One, feels a coming evil, oft. Ere it arrives. (Enter an attendant, announcing guests.) ATTENDANT. Some Gileadites are come, who crave An audience of Jephthah. Shall I bring them here? Intervievo with Jephthah, JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. 33 ji:pktkak. Aye, bring them here. TELAK. I will retire. (She goes.) JEPKTKAK. (Aside.) What can they want Of Jephthah? All these many years, Have I dwelt here unsought, uncared For, and despised. Why seek me now? (Enter Gileadites.) Why come ye, men of Gilead, This day, to me? Do ye not know That Jephthah hath no part among His father's sons? What errand is't That brings ye here ? GILKADITES. We come to tell Thee of our sore distress. Thou know'st 3 Q4 xIEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. How all the tribes of Israel, for These many years, have suffered: how Jair, the Gileadite, was Judge, And, dying, slept in Camon: how Th' Israelites turned to strange gods, Ashtaroth, and Baalim, and The gods of Zidon, and the gods Of Syria, of Moab, and The Philistines, and of the sons Of Ammon, too, and did forsake Jehovah, and no longer serve Him. Then his anger wax-ed hot Against his people, and he sold Them into the Philistines' hands For eighteen years — all Israel that Was in the land of Gilead and The Amorite. And now they've crossed The Jordan — those bold Ammonites To take their lands from Judah, and JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. o^ From Benjamin, and from the house Of Ephraim. We are sore distressed, JZPHTKAK. It is an ancient crime, to turn Away from worshiping the true And Hving God, and to bow down To idols. Ye know that, all their days, Hath Israel done this thing, since first The golden calf was made within The wilderness of Sin, and all The people bowed them down to it. Grievous it is, and grievously The Lord hath ever punished it. GILXADITES. We know: we know Israel hath sinned; But now unto Jehovah, God, We've turned, confessing we have sinned, 36 JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. In that we've turned away from Him, And served Baalim, JEPKTKAK. And He bade Ye call upon the gods, whom ye Have chosen, to deliver you! 'T was just. GILKADITES. And then we cried again, and turned Away from heathen gods, and with Clean hearts did serve the Lord, and we Besought him He would do what seemed Him good, but to deliver us from Our enemy, but this one time. And now we know He pitieth The wretchedness of Israel. The Ammonitish host, e'en now, A multitude, are gathered and xIEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. ^J Encamped in Gilead, and we Th' Israelites, assembled are, Scarce twenty bow-shots from thy home In Mizpeh. JEPHTKAH. Why are ye come here, To tell these things to me? Long have I known what hath befallen them — Israel and Gilead. What is't To me? Ye know I have no part In Gilead. My brethren drove Me out, and said, *'Thou shalt have no Inheritance with us." They could Not take Jehovah's favor, else Would they have that deprived me of. But He hath prospered me and I Have tried to serve Him. VaUant men Have gathered to me, and the tribes 40 JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. GILEABITES. Therefore*— thou sayest— it is Because we wronged thee, and did do That very thing. Therefore we turn Again to thee, and pray thee to Go with us and to fight the hosts Of Ammon; then to take thy place In Gilead's house, and be our head Over all the men of Gilead. Thou wilt not, Jephthah, be more just Than God ? we turned to Hbn and He Hath pitied us. JEPHTHAH. And if ye bring Me home again, to fight for you, * It would seem not unlikely, from the reply of the men of Gilead to Jephthah's question, and the manner of his asking it, that some of his brethren were among them. — Judges xi: 7, 8. JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. 41 Against the hosts of Ammon, and If God, through me, deUver ye From out their hand, surely shall I Then be your head in Gilead? GILEADITES. God be a witness between thee And us, if we do not, even According to thy words. JEPHTKAK. Then will I send my messengers, this day Unto th' Ammonitish king. Saying, "And what hast thou to do With me, that thou art come against Me now, to take away my land? When Israel wandering, came up out Of Egypt through the desert, then They asked of Sihon, king of all 42 JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. The Amorites, saying, ^Let us pass, We pray thee, through thy land unto Our place.' But he then gathered up His men, and fought all Israel, and The God of Israel gave Sihon' And all his people unto them^ The host of his own Israelites. So they possessed the lands of all Those Amorites, from Arnon even Unto Jabbok's hill, and to the flood Oi Jordan, from the wilderness. Take thou the land which Chemosh,//^/;^^ Own godj hath given thee to possess, And thus will we possess even whom The Lordj our God^ shall drive out from Before our face. While Israel dwelt In Heshbon, and her towns, and in Aroer and her villages, And in the cities, which grew up JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. 43 Along the shores of Arnon for Three hundred years, why did ye not Recover them in all that time ? I have not trespassed thus on thee. Thou doest wrong to war against Me now. The Lord, the Judge, be Judge This day between the children of His Israel and the Ammonites." Thus will I say to him, and send This day by some sure messenger. Then, peradventure, if the Lord Deliver Israel by my hand, I shall be head in Gilead. I'll be with ye anon. (EmU GUeadUes.) (Soliloquizing.) There's a Strong tie in blood. Affedion may Be warm, and true, e'en unto death, But the affinity of blood 44 JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. Is something different. Friendship speaks Sentiments of variance With zeal, and warmth, and earnestness. And blame, but is not friendship as Before. The bond will break, and what Remains is hollow mockery Of seeming only, and no more. Friendship mounts guard; observes the rules. The courtesies, civilities Conventionalities of life. But blood hath confidence in the Born tie that holds together all, And can dispense with forms. Friendship ash favors; blood demands^ And feels it hath a right. Friendship Aggrieved, can scarce converse about A wrong, but weightier grows th' offense. JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER, 4^ And wider is the breach than 'twas At first; and confidence again Returneth, never as before. 'Tis not in nature thus to be. But blood grows hot and leaps its bounds, And says hard words, and doeth wrong, E'en grievous wrong, but when the heat Of anger cools, and sorrow comes To him who said the words, and did The wrong, blood helpeth to forget. And to forget is to forgive. I know not yet, if/ forgive; I know I've not forgotten, for The sting is here of all the taunts. And scorn, and wrong of earlier years. Yet sweet the triumph of the hour. And sweeter 'twill be, when I am Deliverer of Israel, And head of Gilead. I feel 46 JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER, The power struggling within me, and My confidence unshaken that Jehovah's might will manifest Itself in me, and Ammon shall Be driven from all the lands he hath Usurped. Hear me, O! Lord, thou God Of Israel, if, without fail. Thou shalt deliver to my hands The hosts of Ammon, then it shall Be, that whatever cometh forth From out the doors of mine own house To meet me, when, victorious, I Return in peace, a conqueror of The Ammonites, shall surely be The Lord's, and / will offer it To Him for a burnt-offering. i|ND or IS^CENZ XllKST. JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. 4] $ttnt jSpronb. JephtJuih sitting in the door of his tent, after the Ammonites are suhdued, his face buried in his hands. JEPMTMAK. (He rises and walks, soliloquizing.) 'Tis over now, the victory is fairly won; Victory, to me, in senses more than one. Jehovah nerved this arm. An Ammon- ite No vantage hath to fight an Israehte. Baal - berith's strength, Baal - berith's mighty power, Fail, ere the cloud-drops dry upon the flower, 48 JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. And scattered thousands, on the blood- stained earth, Embrace the soil that gave them first their birth. E'en twenty cities more are Israel's own, And through them Jephthah's name is proudly known; That name once hated and cast out of men. Who now entreat e'en Jephthah back again. Oh ! for this hour have 1 toiled and prayed. And offerings on Jehovah's altar laid. This hour, in fancy, have I thought so sweet. None other could at all compare with it; The crowning moment of dull strug- gling years, Rattle Scene. JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. 49 The hope made certain from the depth of fears. 'T is come at last, tho' tardily. No more An outcast, I may seek my father's door, Enter and be his child again; yea, claim My birthright, as the eldest of his name. Thanks to Jehovah ! praise and glory be To Him who gave such joyful vidory. (Enter EberJ ]GB]GH. Methought I heard thy signal calHng me, My leader's summons should not be in vain. JEPHTKAK. I did not call, yet art thou welcome here. Is all prepared for our departure, when The sun is risen in the east? 4 5° JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. XBEK. All is prepared. JEPKTKAH. I am impatient now the conflid: 's past. Aroer, Minnith, and the towns between, E'en twenty cities of the Ammonites, Subdued, the country wrested from the foe, The plain of vineyards bounds our con- quests now. And Ammon Israel need no longer fear. All 's done which I have come to do, and now The land of Tob recalls my panting breast. And weary limbs to rest them there, awhile, [smile And two sweet faces I would fain see JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. 5' In loving fondness as I come again. Thou 'rt ready, Eber? Ready! yes, my sire. Pardon my boldness that I dare recall Thy promise of the bliss that should be mine When this foray was over, won by thee. Surely thou canst not think I'd linger here! My thoughts will far outstrip the stately march My feet must keep among thy cooler hosts That have no promised bride to greet, When Mizpeh opens to their coming sight. 5^ JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. I would we went to-night, and need not wait The op'ning day. JEPHTKAH. Ah! youth is ever thus, Impatient of a short delay. It is a stern, Hard lesson, man must learn, to bide his time. Nor strive to hasten what betideth him. 'Twill come, at last, be 't good or ill, and thou Wilt find many events thou 'dst fain delay; While there are others, that we wait so long, So anxiously, and with such feverish thought [while Boding, and brooding; hoping, fearing, JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. 53 The heart, sick with its own impatience, feeds Upon itself, and eats its own core out. Ere the desire 's accompHshed. Such, have I Felt in the long and dreary years gone by, My son — for gladly shall I call thee so, I have none other; thou and she are all — These heart-sick feelings may'st thou never know; Nor canst thou, for thy lot will not be mine. Brave, cherished scion of a noble line. Pardon my far presuming, if I ask Hath Jephthah's name not been an honored one, ^4 JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. Famed, among Gilead's hills, for valor and Such wisdom as a leader well becomes? Did not men gather to his standard, and Did he not then instrudl, reform and prove, Not leader only, but their benefactor, too? Tamino; their fierce hearts to a calm control. Making them better, happier than be- fore? Hath not the poor blessed Jephthah, as he passed. And orphans' tears, and widows' grate- ful prayers. Have they not, too, been offered up for thee? And now, to thine inheritance restored, JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. 55 Leader of Gilead's submissive hosts, Thou^ surCj art satisfied! JKPHTKAK. Yea, satisfied. It is for this I 've toiled and planned so long. E'en from that hour of causeless wrong, when they Did say to Jephthah, in his father's house, And he, that father, said not one faint "Nay," "Begone!" * * * * My heart hath nourished, in its secret core. Those taunting words, those gestures of contempt. Those haughty looks, when bent their brows on me, 56 JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. In bitter, biting scorn. Thou know'st 'not what It is to feel one's self derided, mocked. Jeered at with insult, hatred, foulest wrong; To bear gibes, sneers, and looks askant, that say "Thou 'rt made of meaner, dirtier clay than we;" While he that should protect thee with an arm Of power, stands silently and coldly by. And not a glance of kindness warms his eye. I hate the memory of those torturing years, When oft with wild desire yet feeble hope I sought for kindly oiEces, yea, menial ones. JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. 57 E'en abject servitude, if by it I might gain But one approving glance, humbling myself E'en to the very dust, and yet repelled As some loathed and degraded objed, when My soul was full of lofty thoughts, and full And free forgiveness, melting love and joy In my great, overmastering desire To be beloved; or less, kindly endured. O! Eber, I have borne all this, and more; And, in stern silence, nursed such bitter wrongs As would have made me desperate, wert not 3' JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. For those most precious ones, my wife and child; And for the confidence my time would come, 'Tis not what men may say of us that makes Us vile: 'tis what we do. The wrong must be Within ourselves; lives out of sight oft- times, And like the fruit of Sodom's apple, fair And good to outward view, the foul, black heart Hath but the dust and ashes of deceit Within. (Enter Micah, first Captain of the Guard, ivith a respectful salute to Jephtliah.) MICAK. What disposition wilt thou that we make JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. ^C) Of all the prisoners to-night? Our band Is small, thou know'st. JEPHTMAK. See to 't they be secure. Let a strid: watch be set of one in ten; Fewer might be unsafe: and let none sleep Upon his post. Our band is small, be sure, Some less than when we left our homes, and yet Fewer are gone than we might have supposed, Thanks to the justice of our cause and that Great Power that hath proteded us. They 're safe — Our hostages, the chief men of the foe — 6 O JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. The Ammonites ? They must be guard- ed with Untiring vigilance. MICAH. Enough, my lord, 'T is Kadesh hath the charge of them, and he Will not a whit abate his constant care. A desert lion is he to his prey, and none Shall plunder it from him. Escape Is scarcely possible, when he hath charge. His fierce eye never seems in need of sleep. JEPHTKAH. 'T is well; L know none I could better trust. (Turns aiuay.) JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. 6i EBEK (To Micah.) Say, Micah, wilt noi: thou rejoice, when this One night is over in this bloody land, And we turn homeward to the quiet shade, And pleasant rest of Mizpeh's sheltering walls? MICAK. Why, lad, art not afraid to tarry here? Thou did'st use gloriously the bow and spear. And, for so young a lad, dost promise well; [come? Yet blenchest thou because the dark has Out on thee, Micah ! Nay, ten thousand nays. 6: JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. Blanches my cheek nor at the dark, nor blood, Though thou dost taunt me with my youth And fear, a thing unknown to me. Thy age Protects thee, else should'st thou repent thy taunts. Surely there is no wrong that I'll rejoice To tread once more in Mizpeh's streets. My home Is there. (Turns and ivalks indignantly away.) JEPKTKAK. Nay, Eber, curb thy heart of fire : Remain. MIC AH. (Aside.) A hot head truly! I had best take care. (vlloud to Jephthah.) JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. 6^ What preparations for the morning shall we make? TEPHTKAK. None, save to start at rising sun. Let a picked company of archers lead The way. Next, march the prisoners, two and two. And spearmen close behind. The wounded then, In litters take the way, while all the rear Shall covered and protected be, of right. By the most trusty of my veteran band. MICAK. Thou art determined that our pris'ners keep Their lives secure? — the Ammonitish king 64 JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. And his chief men, by whose advice he brought This war on Israel ? Is 't well, my lord ? Our fathers did not so. The heathen they Spared not, but slew them, small and great. JEPKTKAK. Micah, thou dost forget thyself, yet for Past services, I overlook thy forward- ness. Thou art a veteran, brave and trusty, too. And so I tell thee that we war not with A fallen foe to practice cruelty. These hostages are better for the peace Of Gilead than if all their necks were merged JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. 65 In one, and severed at a blow. Know'st not That mercy, oftentimes, availeth more Than strid:, nay, even just severity? We have not fought as Joshua, at God's Command, to drive the heathen from the land, But to repel encroachment, and when they Who did the thing, submit, it is enough. MICAK. Thou dost command our forces by the way? JEPHTHAK. Even so: I lead our brave victorious band To Mizpeh's gates, and there dismiss them to 5 66 JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. Their homes. But the picked guard I leave to march With the poor sufferers in this bloody fray, And our illustrious prisoners will be Commanded by this noble youth. (Aside.) 'Tis time He try his powers, if he be worthy of the prize I've promised him. (To Merj Eber, upon the way See thou the Ammonitish king, and all, Be treated generously, and yet take care He be most strictly watched in word and deed. JEJoJC/\. I fear thy captains will not like to be Subjected to my orders. One so young JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. 6j Hath not enough experience to be Thus trusted, thus exalted over all The brave, tried followers of thy veteran band. Wilt please thee, name some other one? MICAK. (Aside.) Beshrew Me, but the lad has sense. If 'twere not for Such modest airs no step of mine should stir, [dawn. To do his bidding, at the morrow's JEPHTKAH. Eber, I will thou take the lead. I '11 have No other one. Look to it, Micah, that All yield obedience to him as if It were myself Dost hear? 68 JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. MICAK. Dost think Me deaf? I hear as well as any one. I know my duty, too, and shall not fail To do it. Micah, thou hear'st what Jephthah says: [stru6l Thou must be privy counsellor, and in- Me as to all that I must say and do. Then 'twill be well: I have great con- fidence In thee. MICAK, I'll do it, lad. Thy judg- ment's good. (Aside.) I'm quite content. (To jephthah.) Hast any more commands? JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. 69 JEPHTKAH. Send Hezronhere. (ExUMicah.- enter Hezron.) (ToHezron.) The wounded, how are they? KEZRON Some better, and some worse. JIEPMTKAK. The litters, for To-morrow's use, — are they all ready now? HEZHON All are made ready, or will be before We sleep. JKPHTKAK. 'T is well. And can all be removed? 7 O JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. KEZKON. All can who live. JEPKTKAK. Then some are dead and some Must die ? Who are they, Hezron, who ? HZZROK Even now They pile the earth on Asher's noble son, And cover Menon*s glorious face. Ke- dar's Life slowly ebbs away. The arrow points, The spears, have done their deadly work. All else Are doing well. JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. 71 JEPKTKAK. (Covering his face.) Alas! my friends: how dear Were they to me. My counsellors are gone. I would they might have died in Miz- peh. Oh! 'Tis hard to leave them here. (He crosses the stage tivo or three times, then says :) Our wounded ones — Thou 'It see all is prepared to shield from pain And suffering by the way? Eber has charge Whene'er 'tis needful for their comfort- ing, To stay the band till they would fain proceed. 'j2 JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. HEZ>\ON Thou 'rt mindful, Jephthah, more than is thy wont: Thou 'st left these things to me before. JEPKTHAK. So now I do, but I am sick of blood. Go now, I trust thee, as I ever did. (ToEberj To rest: A few short hours of calm repose will fit Us better for to-morrow's toil. JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. J^ jSrpnp t©l|ipb» Time, sunset. A room openiiig upon a halcony facing the west. Telah and Adah alone. ADAH. Mother, hast seen the sky more bright, At golden sunset, than to-night? See'st thou, how every quivering leaf Stands out in delicate relief Against the sky beyond, unrolled Like some rich curtain's ample fold? See, too, my gentle flowers, how they Turn round to watch the close of day. It seems as if, like me, they Ve power T' enjoy the beauty of the hour. 74 JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. There, softly creeping, Arnon's rills Wind at the foot of Gilead's hills, Twining, like silver threads, around The base of each sun-lighted mound. Dost thou not love to gaze, like me. On all this gorgeous tracery. As, gloriously, the weary sun Sinks to his rest, when dav is done? In such an hour as this, would I, Dear mother, lay me down to die; Pillow my head, at close of day, And pass, with sunset's light, away. TELAK. Surely it is a glorious sight. And much I love its varied light. Replete with fondest memory, And thoughts of hope and love for thee; JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. 15 But now my heart is far away. Where is thy father, child, to-day? A weight seems pressing on me here — I hope the best, yet greatly fear That in this conflidl, some strong arm May chance to do him serious harm. ABAK. Oh! mother, let such fears depart, They 're but a sickness of the heart, Because he's gone so far from home: Thou wilt be happier when he 's come. Jehovah's arm hath power, we know, To shield from every deadly blow. To Baalim, nor Ashtaroth, we Have never learned to bow the knee, And Israel's God, in whom we trust, Is merciful, as well as just. 6 JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. But why this new and fearful war That calls my father off so far ? Why at the head of Gilead fight? Surely, he 's not a Gileadite? TELAK. (As if coTivinibnirig with herself.) Yea, formerly he hath been one: — Of Gilead, he 's the eldest son. ADAH. Then why dwell here, dear mother, say, From his inheritance away? Each Israelitish son hath space Allotted for a dwelling-place. And why should he forswear his home. Within the wilderness to roam? The desert land of Tob is not, Like Canaan's soil, a favored spot. And why did Gilead let him come? His first-born son should dwell at home, JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. JJ To cheer his sire's remaining space Of Hfe; then take his place. Like fooUsh Esau, he hath not His privilege so much forgot That he should sell his birthright, and Become a stranger in the land TELAK. He had no birthright. ADAK. And yet thou Didst say, my mother, even now, That he was Gilead's first-born son! TELAK. E'en so. What hath been done is done. The wrongs thy father's youth befell, Thy grandsire's shame, that I should tell. j' JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. It fitteth not, at least not now, For on that fair and open brow Thus early, it were sure to fling Too much of sorrow's saddening; Nor would I, with harsh memories, Make lonelier such hours as these. ADAK. I '11 try to yield obedience. But scarce can drive the feeling hence To beg of thee to gratify. This once, my curiosity; For faint remembrances come o'er Th' inquiring mind of scenes of yore: Of hard-browed men that gathered round. With voices threatening in their sound: Of fleeing to the wilderness To find us, there, a resting-place: — JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. 79 Of Other men, too, one by one, Adding to Jephthah's strength their own, Till, leader of a mighty clan. They called him a most valiant man. I 've sometimes thought these things a dream — For all such memories are dim — But once, when in our garden-bower, My father spent a lonely hour Scanning the ground, with downcast eyes, I thought to give a glad surprise, So stole around, with noiseless step. While on the ground his eyes he kept. And communed with himself, as if His heart was overcharged with grief. TELAK. But he said nothing, did he? >0 JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. Yea. ADAH. TXLAK. Thou didst not listen? ADAH. Surely, nay, At least, not meaningly; but T Was there, thinking to catch his eye Beaming with smiles, land hear him say How is my little girl to-day? So waiting, there I stood, — TXLAK. And he Talked with himself, and not with thee? Thou should'st have come away. ADAH. I know I ought, but did not then. JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. 6i TELAK. And so Thou heard'st him talk — of what? ADAH. 'Twas of the past he spake: I thought He called it dread and bitter past. And wished Oblivion might cast Her mantle over it, that he Might all forget its memory: That his was but an outcast's name, Born to a heritage of shame; Reproaches to endure from those Who should be friends, but were his foes; And that they yet should gladly claim Kindred with Jephthah's hated name. What more he said I did not hear, For, trembling with an unknown fear, 6 02 JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. I turned away, marveling much What dread calamity could touch The secret springs that caused to flow So bitterly those words of woe. I wondered what dark heritage Of shame could cloud his manly age; If he had wronged his kinsmen, or What else his heart was grieving for, And yet no injury, I knew. To friend or foe, could Jephthah do. But who they were that yet should claim. Gladly, connexion with his name, I now can guess. TELAK. How didst thou learn? ADAH. Theirs are the faces darkly stern, JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. 53 Of those who, in my memory yet Remain freshly as if I met Them every day. I do, at night, Oft see them in my dreams, — the fright Wakes me in terror, and I shroud My face, and almost weep aloud. TELAK. I told thee naught. ABAK. Save thou didst say That he was Gilead's son; and they Are his younger brethren. Is't not so? TKLAK. Thou hast conjectured right — and know The time, of which he spake, is come: Entreatingly called home, by those Thou heard'st him mention as his foes, 84 JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. He, even now, their leader, fights Against th' encroaching Ammonites. ADAH. Mother, thy words encourage me; Wilt thou not tell me who was she That gave him birth? TELAK. She was no Jew Of Jacob's line, but lineage drew From outcast Ishmael. The sire Of thine saw her and loved. Desire Sprung up — no law had made them one, And yet the fruit — ADAH. Was what? TELAK. A son. JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. O^ ABAK. Long, long have I conjectured this, That some such sad remembrances Clouded my father's cheerless past, And darkness, o'er his future cast; Yet scarcely deemed such mark of shame Was stamped upon my father's name; That God's own courts, to enter in, He could not, so defiled with sin. Ere this such truth I should have heard: Innocently I may have erred. But then thou knowest, and canst tell. If thou hast conned this matter well. TELAK. To none, my child, has wrong been done. And, least of all, to Eslon's son. God, in his mercy, gave to us 86 JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. No sons to feel this dreaded curse, But one dear child, whose progeny From all such stain is counted free. ADAH. Then will I grieve o'er it no more, The past no sorrow can restore. But what of her — dear mother, say, Hath yet the earth-worm claimed its prey ? Far better fate than it would be To lead such life of misery. TXLAK. She was forsaken soon and spurned By him whose flattering tongue had learned Her heart to throb with feelings wild For one whose passion had beguiled JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. '7 Her into sin. She sought return To her own country, there to mourn, Till death should come, the final loss Of that to which all else is dross. Nor long did she her frailty weep. And tearful vigils nightly keep. But like those clouds, at close of day, Gently and calmly passed away. O'er her cold corse fresh flowers they strewed. And, with their tears, her grave bedewed, For she was fair and beautiful As roses that we love to cull. And like a bud, with canker worn. Or from its stem that's rudely torn, She faded in her loveliness, Yet lives in their remembrances Who knewher ere her heart was crushed. And its sweet music sadly hushed. 00 JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. ADAK. And then my grandsire took a wife ? TELAK. He did before; and bitter strife Was mingled with each household word, While angry thoughts and feelings stirred The breasts of those she bare to him, And, with success, they strove to dim A father's love for his first-born, That they, with words of biting scorn. Might cast him out. The deed was done, The father sanctioned, and the son Warned to depart, while tauntingly They jeered him with fierce mockery; Scoffed at his birth, saying "The son Of a strange woman should be gone:" JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. 8^ Nay, more; with brutal violence They thrtcst him out, and drove him thence. * * * * * * * Aye! there are words that tear apart The fibers of the crushing heart; That stretch its fragile strings so much They burst asunder, at a touch; That sweep its gentle chords of song With floods of grief so wild and strong, That harsh, discordant sounds alone Swell forth, in place of happier tone; Yea, that, with master-passion fraught. Drive out each sweet and peaceful thought. Till perish all the flowers of feeling, Its naked depths alone revealing. 90 JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. ADAH. Mother, they 're past, those dreary years Of insult, wrong, and burning tears. And now the wronged one, with his calm And quiet dignity, like the palm, judea's stately emblem, soon will be Ruler of Gilead, for victory Shall crown his efforts, and all they Who mocked at him shall feel his sway; His mild and gentle yet decided rule That bows the trusting heart and leaves it full Of meek submission, timid love and awe, To find his slightest wish, his look, a law. How my glad thoughts go springing forth to meet My precious sire, whose every wish 'tis sweet JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. ^ For me, at all times, gladly to obey. Mother, howlonely 'tis, when he's away; The house is desolate, the dusky walls Sad echoes whisper, as my footstep falls Lightly upon the stone-paved courts and I Hear solemn wailings in each night-bird's cry. The bulbul, 'mid the clumps of roses, where The fountain throws its spray upon the air. Weeps mournful plaining at the midnight hour From out the fragrance of her fav'rite bower. And my sad heart seems shrouded with its own Dismal forebodings, when we're thus alone. 9 2 JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. TELAK. Cheer thee, my child — patiently hope the best, The hour is drawing nigh for nightly rest. Thou 'rt weary and dispirited, sweet child, And the dark tale, I told thee, hath beguiled No one of those dark shadows from a brow Where they Ve too often cast their gl oom, ere now. Throw them aside, and that thy happy dreams May be as sunlight on the flashing streams Oi fair Judea's soil, thy lute bring here. And pour its melody within my ear. To charm my boding heart of all its fear. JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. 0^ ADAH. Wilt listen, mother, while I sing? T£X,AH. Ah, yes, For ever had thy voice a power to bless From the first hour its feeble wail was heard, And all a mother's love my . bosom stirred, Up to this night of painful solitude. When dark'ning shadows drape the fad- ing wood, And settle gloomily upon my soul. Yea, sing; music may yet control The fiercely struggling powers as I shall hear Thy pleasant melodies fall on my ear. 94 JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. (Adah claps her hands and a young girl enters.) ADAK. Miriam, bring hither now thy lute and play Thy choicest melodies, to drive our gloom away. Meanwhile, to thy accompanying, I '11 sing. (Miriam retires for a Dvoment, and, returning, begins a prelude on her instrument. Adah sings, Miriam accompanying.) ADAH AND MIKIAM. SONG. O! why should hearts be sad When there's so much to glad? When earth, so bright and fair, Should charm our every care? JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. 95 Judea's vales are green, Judea's skies, serene, Judea's maidens, fair, Her sons brave, every-where. CHORUS. Then let our hearts, to-night. Beat high, vi^ith pulses light, And glad the fleeting hours With music, joy, and flowers. SONG. Judea's sons will toil For honor's goodly spoil, And with the bold and free Wait glorious destiny. Judea's maidens, fair. Sustain, with loving care. Daughter, sister, and wife. The crowning gift of life. ^6 JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. CHORUS. Then let our hearts, to-night, Beat high, with pulses light, And glad the fleeting hours With music, love, and flowers. ADAH. Sadly my voice seemeth to jar With all such bright imagining; I turn to him, who still afar, I 'd fain to this lone circle bring SONG. Night draweth on and we 're alone Within a stranger land. We long to see and cling to thee, Grasping thy friendly hand; Father, come home. JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. 97 The sighing breeze sweeps thro' the trees With such a dreary sound, I turn my head to Hst thy tread: Thou art not to be found; Father, come home. The sun's last ray, athwart the way. Lengthens the plane-tree's shade. While evening's gloom steals thro' the room. And darkness fills the glade; Father, come home. The tinkling bells, adown the dells, Where browsing camels stray, With drowsy chime, recall the time^ When thou wert not away; Father, come home. 7 go JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. Sad are our hearts when day departs, And twinkhng stars appear, With milder Hght, to rule the night, . Whispering thou art not here; Father, come home. (An attendant enters, and, with a low obeisance, hands a missive to Telah. She clips the thread and reads aloud.) "Rejoice with me, my loved ones there, The strife is ended. I prepare E'en now to take my homeward way, Victor in this most mighty fray. Aroer, Minnith, twenty cities yield To Gilead on the bloody field. His arm gave strength, our foes to over- come. Those Ammonites, and now for joy and home!" JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. 99 TELAK. Miriam, it is the hour for evening service, call Our minstrels to come hither, one and all. To join together in a glorious song For all Jehovah's done. To him be- long Deep gratitude for what His hand hath wrought; That through a land with danger thickly fraught He hath preserved the husband, father, friend. And master: praise to Jehovah without end. (Miriam retires to execute Telah's commands, and Adah resumes her sini^in^.) 100 JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. ADAH. His hand kept thee, unscathed and free, Through all war's wild alarm. And we '11 rejoice, with heart and voice, To greet thee, free from harm; Father, come home. (Musicians enter and arrange themselves, and Telah addresses them.) TKLAK. (To the musicians.) Your boldest, gladdest strains to-night will be [and me. The most approved by this young maid Jephthah, unharmed, in a few days will come To greet us all within our quiet home, For signal victory his arms hath crowned. And Gilead gains the wide-spread country round; JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. 101 And now, proud Israel's ruler, he, From such a conquest, is most sure to be. SONG. On they came with power and might. Like a torrent of the night, And they struggled in the fight. But Jehovah's mighty hand Scattered the presumptuous band, And He drove them from the land. One voice chanting. — Trust in Jeho- vah, for He is mighty, and His mercy endureth forever. All the efforts made, must fail Of the gods, that rule the vale Chemosh, Ashtaroth and Baal. Of Jehovah's power we tell With the victories that befell Wandering, chosen Israel. 102 JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. Voice chanting, — Trust in Jehovah, Sec. Earth must yield her to His nod, Princes bow and kiss His rod, Heathen nations own Him God, Mighty, merciful and just. Hurling nations to the dust When they cease in Hi?n to trust Voice chanting, — Trust in Jehovah, &c. Yet the lowliest ever may Feel His mighty arm their stay, As they travel on their way; So, to no vain idol cling, But the heart's pure offering To Jehovah-jireth bring. Voice chanting, — Trust in Jehovah, for He is mighty, and His mercy endureth forever. ||n» or la^CENE fGHIKD. JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. 10' jSfpnp J^oupf^* Jeplithah, a few followers ivith him, approaching his home in Mizpeh. He dismisses them. JEPKTKAK. Go, now, my tried and trusty followers, And as each one shall take his homeward way, May ye, arrived, in mercy find 't is well With those ye left behind. E'en so, with me, That I find, too, all 's well within the walls That hold my heart's most precious ones. Farewell. 104 JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. (They disappear in different directions, and he soliloquizes.) Why sinks my heart with such chill weight of dread ? Why shake my knees, as if no strength were left If In this strong, stalwart frame, as I do look Upon the sheltering boughs above the roof Where dwell my treasures all ? My eyes are dim; They have no power to look at those gray walls That pen my little fold — the youngling and Its dam. — Home! sweetest spot of all the earth. A few more eager steps, and I am there; JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. 10^ Yet something still those longing steps restrains. What if she haste to meet me here? — or that Dear one, my other self? Oh! would 'twere past That I might know the worst, and know- ing, fear No more. Uncertainty ! how dread the thought Of what this hand may be compelled to do. (Music is lieavd, and Adah comes ivith tahrets and dances to meet him.) 'Tis she! 'tis she! My one ewe lamb! Oh, this Is more than I can bear! Most duti- ful And loving child of all Judea's maids, lo6 JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. She comes, with signs of overmastering To greet her sire^ who dooms his child to death In all her virgin innocence! Punished! And more, for all my wild ambition now. (Adah, seeing his ivild, disordered looks and torn — --^^ garments, stops.) ^ ADAH. O! Father, speak to me. (Jephthah, having covered his face with his hands, as if to shut her from his sight, stands motion- less.) He will not speak, He will not look at me! JDPKTMAH. I can not, for My heart is burst with grief. Jephthah's I^etiorn. V JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. 107 ADAH. Who speaks of grief, Returning from such signal victory? Leader of Gilead — JEPKTKAK. O! name it not — Most hateful thought that ever crossed my brain. ABAK. Greatly rejoiced my mother dear and I To hear the tidings of thy messenger, And scarce have slept for very joy, that thou Wast safe from all the dangers that beset Thy path among such deadly foes. Thou com'st. And with a daughter's loving tenderness 100 JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. And overflowing sympathy, with what I deemed thy great, full joy at this that shall Exalt thee over Gilead, I haste To meet thee with a gladdened step. Not one Embrace! no father's fond, warm kiss! nor one Sweet word of loving welcome ! O ! not e'en A look! O! father, what means this? When thou Hast come from off the hills with all thine armed Men proudly at thy back, with valor flushed, Thou 'st bade me to thy arms, as if 'twere joy Beyond the battle's victory, to clasp JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. 10 9 Thy child again. But now, thou heed'st me not! . JEPKTKAK. * My daughter, thou hast brought me very low. ADAH. I, father! JEPKTKAK. Thou 'rt one of them that trouble me. ABAK. What have I Qone ? Thou dost not hate me now? It can not be! Thou lov'st me, father? Say But that, and I can bear it all ! 110 JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. JEPHTHAK. Love tliee, My precious child! — yea, better than my Hfe. * ADAH. I knew 't was so, yet thou didst look so cold; Had no kind word of greeting for mine ear — I have done naught to anger thee? JEPKTKAK. Nay, nay — Thou never didst, my own sweet child. Thou gav'st Me never slightest cause for grief, till now. ADAH. Why now? Pray tell me all. Strong in thy love, JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. Ill And in the sweet assurance of such cheering words, I 'm ready for the worst. Fear not for me. 'Twere better over. Let the pang, I pray, be short. JEPHTHAK. IVe opened to the Lord my mouth; I can Not now go back ADAH. My father, if unto the Lord, thy God, Thou 'st opened thy mouth, do unto me According to the vow thy Hps have made, For on our enemies, the Ammonites, His vengeance hath he taken by thy hand. 112 JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. JEPKTKAK. My child, thou break'st my heart! ADAH. Nay, father, nay — My disobedience and disregard Of all Jehovah's laws would break thy heart. Do I not owe to thee my life? And should That life be dearer to me than the right ? Than Jephthah's full approval of his God? I 'm Jephthah's child, his only one, and should Men say in Israel: "She did defy The law, mocked at her father's words; set them JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. 11 3 At naught ? " That were far worse than death, for God, Thy God, hath armed thy right hand with His power; — Hath smote thine enemies before thy face, E'en as thou asked. And now, shall we withhold That which thy lips did promise unto Him ? We dare not mock Him thus: a jealous God He is, and the iniquity of him That doeth wrong shall be (thou know'st the law) Upon his children surely visited. I could not then escape. 'T is not so great A sacrifice. 8 114 JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. JEPHTKAK. O! say not so! My all, And nothing else. O, reckless vow! O, wild Ambition to be first, where I have been Spurned and insulted! Mad desire to show Jehovah's power in me; that He ap- proved The banished brother, unacknowledged son! Pride! pride! the great archangel's damning sin, That drove him out of Paradise! Ah, me! My punishment, like Cain's, is more than I Can bear. He slew his brother, only; I Must kill my child. JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. 11 5 ■ ADAH. Not thus did Job bewail His children slain, his wealth all rifled in An hour. Not thus did faithful Abra- ham, When God, to try his f^ith, commanded him /^ To take his only son, the promised seed, To lone Moriah's steep, and ofi'er him Upon its heights, a smoking sacrifice. Yea, father, in Jehovah, God, trust now As thou hast ever done: He doeth right. JEPHTKAK. I thank thee for those words. 'T is the one drop That 's pleasant in this cup of bitterness, That hopeful thought of holy Abraham. Il6 JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. God did provide the lamb: He may again. ADAH. Nay, nay, I meant not that — only that he Did not bewail or hesitate, when God Commanded him to take his only son, The promised seed, in whom all nations should Be blessed, and bind him to the ready pile. I had forgot the rest. JEPKTKAK. And so should T. Daughter, I am rebuked. God did but try His faith. I must be punished for my sin. JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. 11 7 For that desire of exaltation, so intense That it forgot all else. (Adah makes no reply, J)ut stands with one hand over her eyes, her hea^d bent down in a thoughtful atti- tude. Jephthah noticing it, and seeing she makes no reply to ivhat he has said, gloomily continues, as if to hiinself.) I wonder not she has no word for me. ADAH. I have; I have. What askest thou? My mind Was buried in its thoughts. JEPHTHAH. And I would ask What were those thoughts? ADAH. Of death, of leaving thee, My mother, all I love; to be no more. 116 JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. Oi the dark grave, and what a contrast in My early youth to lay me down within Its narrow walls, shut from the glorious light Of heaven; and for companionship, instead Of thee and her, the greedy, gloating worm. JEPMTKAH, (lueeping.) Go on. ADAH. The shivering cold for warmth, darkness For light, silence for pleasant sounds, these limbs. Rigid and still, instead of airy life's Quick, varied movements; and drear loneliness JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. 11 9 For most beloved companionship. Yet think Not that I shrink, appalHng though it be— Right must be done^ whateer the cost to me, I have no fear; Hke Job, I, too, can say, "Though worms devour this skin of mine, yet in My flesh shall I see God." Father, thy vow Must be fulfilled! Yet make I one request. JEPKTMAK. Thou couldst ask nothing that I would not grant. ADAK. Give me, I pray thee, two short months, in which 120 JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. I may prepare me for my fate. Thou know'st What was to be. I did look forward to The time, my height of joy should be to make Another happy, and I thought too much. It may be, of the bliss that should be mine When yet another should dwell in our home, Alike beloved by her and thee and me, And sons and daughters should be born to thee In place of those Jehovah had denied To thine own wedlock. No sweet, cherub lip. Pressed close to mine, shall ever call me by JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. 121 That dearest name that woman ever bore. I '11 not repine; my grief is not my own : 'T is thine^ and hers^ and his. O, God! for hhn — JKPKTKAM. My daughter, Adah, wilt thou break my heart? ADAK. Nay, father, nay; but I do think of him, — Eber, in all his young and joyous years Doomed to be desolate; to bear a heart Widowed, bereaved, just as he enters on Life's opening threshhold; his bright morning sky Beclouded ere life's sun had fairly risen. 122 JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. Thou wilt console him; let him be to thee E'en as he would have been, although no bride His yearning heart find here. Thou 'It promise this? JEPKTKAK. I promise all. Say on. Ask what thou wilt. ABAK, My mother loves me, father. O ! how can She bear to be alone? Her child reft from Her arms, and none to dwell with her: alone ! Oh! comfort her. JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. 12 3 JEPHTKAK. And who shall comfort me? Thou think'st of all, of every one but me. Hast thou no love for me? Shall / not, too, Be left alone? Will not my home be dark? — My heart be desolate ? Hast thou no love For me^ my child ? ADAK. Ah, yes, too much for all. Forgive me if T thought of others first, Each is so dear; it is so hard to feel I can no longer have a place among Ye all; can come no more with heart so full 124 JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. Of gushing love, to cheer in sorrow, soothe In suffering hours, and be a part of all, In joy or grief. JEPHTHAH. Look, Adah; there she comes! How shall I meet her? Oh! how break To her this woe? ADAH. I will away, I can Not meet her now. Thy blessing, once more. Father, on thine Adah's head. (She kneels. He places his hand on her head. Telah comes in full vieiv, as he does it, and the curtain drops.) Sni) or Scene Fourth. J/Lourrhing over the Q-rai JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. 12^ ^rpnp fiUl "And the dauffhters of Israel went out, four days in the year, lo mourn and lament for her." Scene— the Tnountain, luith trees and rochs. A green mound, under which are the remains of Jeph- thah's daughter. To one side, and partially hid- den, is Eher, the betrothed of Adah, bowed under a covering of sackcloth. From the opposite side of the stage advance six maidens, clad ijv ivhite robes, candying baskets of floivers, and singing as they come. MAIDENS. SONG. Here we come, a band of maidens, To these lonely rocks and glades; Bright the blue sky bends above us. Cool and green, the leafy shades. 26 JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. Come we here to mourn a lost one, Loved and lost one to bewail: Fitting spot for lamentation O'er our lost one of the vale. It was here she was lamenting, Till two moons had paled and gone, Gaining strength, and faith, and courage, In these solitudes, alone. On the mountain, where she perished, Where she spent those lonely days. Every year we come to mourn her, Come, this noble maid to praise. (They discover Eber sitting on the far side of the mound. He slowly raises the sadccloth froiy% his face, and they see who it is. A maiden speaks.) MAIDEN. Comest thou here to mourn and weep, Eber? Worthy was she that's here Beneath this lonely mound. JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. 12 7 Ye come But once a year, for she was naught To you but a sweet friend. To me My sun, my life — my every thing; And I come — when, I scarcely know, Nor, yet, how long I stay. There is No joy remaining, now, save here To bow by this green mound and feel I shall be with her soon. How long! How long ! Oh, cruel vow ! Was He, The God of mercy, pleased with such A sacrifice? MAIDEN Eber, thou griev'st As one that hath no hope. 120 JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. Grief is No name for all the pangs I feel; For, with such love as I have borne, 'T is the survivor dies. Long woe. With ecstasy of torture, kills At last — but O! how long. No death The dying hath, like unto that The living feels, to wander on Alone; of all earth's joys bereft — Its glorious sun extind;; life's light To darkness turned, and all its flowers To noxious weeds; the poor, numb soul, Unknowing when 't is change of day. Or night, or seasons, e'en. The crushed, Torn heart-strings, rent away from all About which twined their joy. Lie trampled, bleeding, thrilled with pain, JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. 129 And yet there 's no desire to take Them up, and soothe, and nurse them back To ease, and strength, and life again. The once glad, joyous heart, bound- ing In youthful gladsomeness, crushed down, A heavy lead-like thing within The bosom's core, which ne'er again Uplifts itself, but slowly wears Its lingering tenement away. Mourning a form that hath none, and A voice it can not hear. (He sloivly moves aivay.) (Six voices chanting separ^ately , as numhered.) FIRST VOICE. Joy beamed in her eye as she went forth to meet him. 9 IQO JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. SECOND VOICE. Skill born of her gladness brought mirth from the tabret. THIRD VOICE. Fleet moved her light steps in the joy of his coming. FOURTH VOICE. She met him; her eye beamed no longer in brightness. FIFTH VOICE. Dropped quickly her fingers, forgetting their cunning. SIXTH VOICE. And stayed were the steps that had bounded in gladness. FIRST VOICE, But paled not the cheek of the maid as she listened. JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. 1^1 SECOND VOICE. Her people were saved — she was ready- to perish. THIRD VOICE. Meek, bent the young head m its quiet submission. FOURTH VOICE. O ! daughter of Jephthah, most worthy of honor. FIFTH VOICE. Nor daughter of Jephthah alone, but of Israel. SIXTH VOICE. A nation laments while its maids are bewailing. ALL. And the tribes of the earth, through all time, shall thee honor. 1^2 JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. SONG. Daughter, in thy narrow bed, Sister, from whom life hath fled, Jewish maiden, o'er thy head. Loving hands deHght to fling Sweetest blossoms of the spring Nature's holy offering. (They scatter flowers upon the mound from their bashets, and continue to do it, from time to time, through the song.) Jewish maiden, virtues rare Made thee e'en more good, than fair; Pure as ever maidens are; Meekly bent her drooping head. Every thought of self had fled — " Father, be 't as thou hast said.' Other daughters have been good. But, among them, she hath stood Crown of virgin womanhood. JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. IQO Round this mound sad hearts await, Here to weep thine early fate, And thy goodness emulate. Jewish maiden! fair and young, Ever shall thy praise be sung, All the maids of earth among. Purity beamed in thine eye — All the virtues that could die Wafted thy pure soul on high. (Six voices chanting, each a separate sentiment.) FIRST VOICE. Whose heart was so strong as this beauti- ful maid's? SECOND VOICE. Whose filial devotion so perfect and pure? THIRD VOICE. No son of Judea was like unto her. 34 JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. FOURTH VOICE. Who '11 teach us our duty now she lieth low? FIFTH VOICE. The maidens of Israel are poor in her loss. SIXTH VOICE. The God of our fathers make us, even us, ALL. Like unto the maiden we come to bewail. SONG. Woe ! for the vow that the warrior made, The warrior and father, that Ammon be stayed. And his country be freed from the grasp of the foe. xTEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER. 1 35 Who the altars of God in the valleys laid low. Bereaved is a household — one heart is a wreck, Which thought for the bridal, its treasure to deck; Her life is aweary, uncheered, and alone, There beameth no future when hope is unknown. Sleep sweetly, pure maiden, disturbed by no fears. We '11 keep the turf green by our sor- rowing tears, And the blossoms we bring thee, renew when they fade. Lamenting, bewailing thee, beautiful maid. ^6 l