When Jeph[th]a did perceive and see 25 His daughter firm and formostly, He rent his cloths, and tore his haire, And shrieked out most piteously: "For thou art she," quoth he, "Hath brought me low--alas, for woe! 30 And troubled me so, That I cannot tell what to doe, to doe. "For I have made a vow," quoth he, Which must not be diminishéd; A sacrifice to God on high; 35 My promise must be finishéd." "As ye have spoke, provoke No further care, but to prepare Your will to fulfill, According to God's will, God's will. 40 "For sithence God has given you might To overcome your enemies, Let one be offer'd up, as right, For to perform all promises. And this let be," quoth she, 45 "As thou hast said; be not afraid; Although it be I, Keep promise with God on high, on high. "But father, do so much for me As let me go to wildernesse, 50 There to bewaile my virginity, Three months to bemoan my heavinesse. And let there go some moe, Like maids with me." "Content," quoth he, And sent her away, 55 To mourn till her latter day, her day. And when that time was come and gone That she should sacrificed be, This virgin sacrificed was, For to fulfill all promises. 60 As some say, for aye The virgins there, three times a year, Like sorrow fulfill For the daughter of Jeph[th]a still, still, still. 3. more SAMSON. Evans's _Old Ballads_, i. 283, from a black-letter copy. When Samson was a tall young man, His power and strength increased then, And in the host and tribe of Dan The Lord did bless him still. It chanced so upon a day, 5 As he was walking on his way, He saw a maiden fresh and gay In Timnath. With whom he fell so sore in love, That he his fancy could not move; 10 His parents therefore he did prove, And craved their good wills: "I have found out a wife," quoth he; "I pray ye, father, give her me; Though she a stranger's daughter be, 15 I pass not." Then did bespeak his parents dear, "Have we not many maidens here, Of country and acquaintance near, For thee to love and like?" 20 "O no," quoth Samson presently, "Not one so pleasant in my eye, Whom I could find so faithfully To fancy."