The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-02-11


Through the tribes OF rescued Israel
Bounded valiant Jephthah's name;
Only Ephralm'e jealous clansmen
Mocked the Hebrew hero's fame;
Gathering fercely, marching Northward,
Unto Jephthah's camp they came.
Wherefore battedst thou with Ammon?"
Thus they spake. in pride and ire,
And from us-of warlike Ephraim-
Did no braver help require7
We will burn thy house upon thee,
o thou Gileadite! with fret"
Answered Jephthah-''Strove my people
Long against those heather bands;
Vsinly still, for Ephraim'e succor,
Called We from our trampled lands;
Till barred the sword for Gilead,
And my life put in my handsl
LoI the Lord hath given me victory;
Wherefore come ye now to fight?"
Thus spake Jephthah; and, outbreaking.
Flamed his wrath, with sudden blight,
And the host OF boasting Ephraim
Drave he back, in scattered flight.
Sad that day for jealous Ephraim;
Smitten hard by Gilead's mem
Swiftly, to the fords OF Jordan,
Fled they down. through gorge and glen;
Sorely pressed, and seeking shelter
Far from wrathful Gilead's ken.
art thou Ephraimite?" quoth Gilead;
Say now 'Shibbolethl" he cried;
But the lisping tongue Of Ephraim
Only 'Sibboiethl" replied;
Till, beside the forda OF Jordan,
Two and forty thousand died!
Back from conquest over Ammon,
Back through Israels ransomed land,
AL his generous soul uplifted-
Swelling with emotions grail,
Jephthah. to his native Mizpeh,
Marched amid his warrior band
Lofty faith and proud fruition,
Dangers danngA.triumph's CROWN
Troublous past and peaceful future
Building causeways OF renown;
These the shapes nf Jephthah's musings
Entering Mizpoh's ancient town.
Wild and fres rose Tsraels plaudits-
Gileads welcome, long and loud;
Flashed the eyes OF Gilead's chieftain,
AS his brazen helm no how'd;
Flashed above his shouting kinsmen,
with meaning deep and proud.
Bat, why droop their startled chances,
Wherefore fails his spirit now2
II it grief-or is it anger
That hath paled his lofty brow?
Q! thou just and wise jehovah!
lis the memory OF his vo~l
OF his oath before high Heaven
hat whateer should meet hls eyes,
Coming first from out his house. door,
Should De marked-for sacrifice!
And, behold! 'tis Jephthah's daughter
That her fathers glance dQecries!
Tripping forth, with sounding timbrel-
Dancing down the sunit slope;
With her bright lips breathing gladness,
Aud her ,rehead flushed with hope,
And her dark eyes wet, like vioIcts,
When to morning light thoy ope.
Tripping forth, with all hor maidons--
Dancing down, with tlmbrers beat!
Liko tho golden leaves OF lilies
Glanced the sheen Of twinkling feet
Making music with the sunbeams,
As they kissd the charmed street,
And above them. and around them
Flowing out, in lucent bars
Hung mist OF shmmering garments
Like the amber light OF stars;
Swaying tenderiy and softly,
10 the timbrci's mellow jars.
Crowned with garlands for the altar
Dancing DER the graves abyss
Y, ye hero.heartn OF Israel,
Battled ye for meeI like this?
ulIeads rrincess-Jephthah's daughter
Dying on her fathers kiss?
., Thou Mighty Ono, ElOhim
Just and torrible art Thou!
frostfaio. underneath thy judgment,
Jophthsh's warrior r-soul must bow,
And tho daughter Of his lost one
Must redeem her fathers vowl
Hall he clasped the radiant phantom. ,..
~! Hall her 3'y his soal begniled;
WITH her mothers voice she murmured
WIN her mother's smile she smiled;
With her mothers lips she kissed him
And, she WAS his only child!
But he said: "Alnrl ny daughter!
Thou hast brought mo very low.
Thou art ono OF them that trouble
For may not backward gt,."
And she answered him: '.AIy iathorl
As thine oath was, do thou sol"
"Only lot this prayer be granted
Last OF all my fathers looms
That, with Gilcads loving maidens,
Singing low and solemu tunes,
Up aud down, upon tho mountains,
may walk II twain of moone!"
Thus She spakc; and, with her virgins,
Passed away from Gilead's plains;
Up and down, upon tho mounts aims,
Singing low aid tender strains:
As tho custom still, for maidenh,
In tho Hcbrew land remains. (2)
Through the lofty soul OF Jephthah.