Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1821 edition. Excerpt: ... JEPHTHA'S DAUGHTER. ACT I. SCENE l.--Mizpeh. Jephtha, Iram, the Elders of Gilead, and their Followers. JEPHTHA. Now give we thanks unto the Lord of Hosts, For his right arm hath gotten us victory: Nor hath he fail'd to give into our hand Amnion's oppressive and vexatious children. And now, oh Lord, the vow shall be performed, Which I then swere unto thee, when the men Of Gilead chose me for their leader, that 1 might execute thy wrathful vengeance Upon these Ammonites, and save thy people; Whom, for a time, thou hadst forsaken, and Abandon'd unto the Heathen's fury; That by affliction they might be awaken'd To keen remorse for their transgression, In imitating the idolatry Of these surrounding nations. Therefore, Whatsoever shall first come forth to meet me, From the doors of mine own house, now I return In peace, shall surely be the Lord's, and I Will offer it upon the altar for A burnt sacrifice. ISAM. Jephtha, thy vow sounds Heavy on my heart, I would thou hadst not Sworn it! JEPHTHA. Is this a time to keep back ought Our gratitude can offer to the Lord? 1RAM. Just heaven forefend it may forebode no ill! JtlPHTHA. What shall we fear since heaven hath prosper DEGREES us i Now wake the sounds of joy and extacy, With symphony of song, as we advance To Mizpeh, the lov'd home of Jephtha and his friends. Awake, awake, utter a song, Let harp and lute the strain prolong! Hark! the trumpet's silver sound, And the shouts of joy resound; Twenty cities overthrown, Now the rule of Israel own; God hath arisen, and from the Heathen's power, Hath sav'd his people in this glorious hour. Stretch forth, ye heavens, your skies so blue, The Lord his people saves anew; No more our labor is in vain, The early and the latter rain He gives; and from the par
