Can’st thou who taught our savage race humanity Can’st thou infringe its inviolable rights And must Elizabeth, the kind the good, She at whose presence ev’ry sorrow fled At whose approach even misery smiled Must she be sacrificed? Ye powers of kindness melt his heart to pity Oh how the poor will rue this dire event I bro’t you here _dear babes_ to thank your generous friend But she no more will cheer your fainting souls No more with her own hands your forms adorn She’s going to join her kindred angels Lift up you [(little)/(innocent)] hands with mine sweet babes Perhaps our prayers may move stern Jephthah’s heart Come let us kneel and urge him to relent. (_As_ AGNES _and the children kneel_ JEPHTHAH _goes out_.) ELIZABETH. (_Raising_ AGNES _and the children_.) My good old friend, I thank thy honest zeal But do not by thy grief distress my father Thy little innocents, shall ne’er want friends My mother do not say that thou art childless I give these helpless orphans, for thy children Guard them I pray thee for Eliza’s sake. From ev’ry vice, and form their minds to virtue. BETHULAH. Sweet babes ye ne’er shall want a mother’s care While sad Bethulah owns this wretched being. ELIZABETH. Tirzah wilt thou attend the little guests. [Illustration: PL. XXVI.—JULIA CHITTENDEN, PUPIL, 1800 ] (TIRZAH _leads the children to the back part of the stage_.) ELIZABETH. Mother I have one more request to make If thou wilt grant it, I shall leave the world With less regret, without one secret pang. BETHULAH. What can’st thou ask my darling child Which thy fond mother will not joy to give. ELIZABETH. I fear thou hast not forgiven my father The hasty vow which binds me to the tomb Forgive him my dear mother I entreat It wrings my heart to see my parent’s coldness Oh let no tears of hatred bathe my tomb. BETHULAH. My dearest child, I have I will forgive him. ELIZABETH. Then let us seek him that I may view once more. Returning peace and love within this dwelling. (_Exit_ BETHULAH _leaning on her daughter_.) AGNES.