MAHALAH. Thy just rebuke confirms my wav’ring faith Subdues my terrors and inspires new confidence. ELIZABETH. I wish some news would reach us from our army Jephthah may fall even in the arms of victory. Methought last night I saw our bands triumphant And my lov’d father crowned with wreaths of glory I flew to clasp him, when an envious fiend Rush’d in and snatch’d me far from him and Israel Mid desert lands I wander’d lone and wretched Till on a cloud I saw thy father Tirzah With smiles benign, inviting me to heaven I strove to join him, and the effort wak’d me. TIRZAH. Thy mind intent on Jephthah’s danger rests Awake or sleeping thou art ever with him. ELIZABETH. Hark, what shout is that I hear? (_Enter_ PEDAZAR.) PEDAZAR. Victory crowns our arms, Jephthah returns triumphant. Oh praise the Lord who guides our hosts to battle Whose mighty arm has wrought this great deliverance Come my young companions prepare the timbrel Let’s haste with joyful songs and comely dance To hail our heroes glorious from the war Take each a wreath of laurel, to bind the victor’s brow And name each gallant hero in our song. (ELIZABETH _and her companions form a procession_.) SONG. STRIKE THE CYMBAL. _Act III._ _Scene I._ (_Enter_ JEPHTHAH _followed by_ ELIZABETH _and_ TIRZAH.) ELIZABETH. My father why avert thy clouded brow Why turn thine eye with horror from thy daughter Ne’er till this hour was Elizabeth unwelcome. JEPHTHAH. Oh my child thou hast brought me low Low even to the ground thou hast bow’d thy father Oh thou hast filled my soul with anguish For to the Lord I vowed, oh dreadful vow And I must pay it with thy precious blood. ELIZABETH. My father let thy vow be cheerful paid Tho’ my heart’s blood must seal the solemn oath A little boon to pay the mighty debt Of thy success and Israel’s great deliverance. (_Enter_ BETHULAH, MAHALAH, PEDAZAR, _and_ ELZAPHAN.) BETHULAH.