ALICIA (_looking at_ MRS. LEYSTER.) Am I worthy to be her friend? MRS. LEYSTER. Yes, my dear girl, you have an excellent heart, and that is the great security for all. ALICIA. Ah, then, embrace me, my dear cousin, my friend, my sister! Now for the first time in my life, I know what friendship is. MRS. LEYSTER (_wiping her eyes_.) It is true, virtue alone is the sure basis of friendship. Without it, we may form intimacies, connections and even unworthy confidences, but friendship can only subsist between those who love virtue. [Illustration: PL. XXIII.—EMBROIDERED BY MRS. PUNDERSON WHILE AT THE SCHOOL ] JEPHTHAH’S DAUGHTER.[39] Mostly, as far as I can judge, in Miss Sarah Pierce’s handwriting. (Mrs. Gray.) In another copy (written, evidently for use, in a schoolgirl’s hand) the characters are entered as,— JEPHTHAH W. TALMADGE BETHULAH C. BEECHER ELIZABETH A. P. BRACE MAHALAH J. PARMELEE TIRZAH M. BUEL PEDAZAR J. C. LANDON ELZAPHAN H. GOULD AGNES E. VERPLANK PERSONS OF THE DRAMA. JEPHTHAH Judge of Israel, PEDAZAR One of the rulers of Israel, ELZAPHAN A priest, BETHULAH Wife to Jephthah, ELIZABETH Daughter to Jephthah, MAHALAH The widow of Jephthah’s brother, TIRZAH Mahalah’s daughter, AGNES A convert from a heathen family, Three small children from heathen families under the care of Agnes. Attendant. _Act I._ _Scene 1._ (BETHULAH _discovered in melancholy attitude_; ELIZABETH _singing at her work_.) SONG. SILENT O MOYLE. Silent, oh Jordan, be the roar of thy waters, Break not ye breezes, your chain of repose, While murmuring mournfully, Jephthah’s lone daughter, Tells to the night star her tale of woes. 2 When shall she hear the jubilee ringing, When, O! peace thy white flag unfurled, When with God’s own people, praise be ringing, Ah, will it be in this stormy world? 3 Sadly, oh Jephthah, thy daughter sits weeping, While far from loved Israel, her days pass away, Yet still her dear country she visits, while sleeping, Sweet visions that flee the dawning of day. 4