 | Claribel and Other Poems |  |
133
JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER
Give me a little while to mourn my youth!—
This lightning is too swift. Let me behold—
One instant—if thy vow have so much ruth—
Hope's violet tints melt in the ruddy gold.
This lightning is too swift. Let me behold—
One instant—if thy vow have so much ruth—
Hope's violet tints melt in the ruddy gold.
Let me chain back the flood-gates of my tears,
Harden these quivering lips, hot cheeks make pale;
Let me gaze firmly up the marbled years
Even to the utmost bleakness I must scale.
Harden these quivering lips, hot cheeks make pale;
Let me gaze firmly up the marbled years
Even to the utmost bleakness I must scale.
It was a wild vow, O my Father!—wild
As all vows are: rash Will outreaching Right.
Nevertheless I am thine own true child.
Slay me, since good that seemeth in thy sight.
As all vows are: rash Will outreaching Right.
Nevertheless I am thine own true child.
Slay me, since good that seemeth in thy sight.
Kill me for very righteousness, though none
May know the simple meaning of my doom.
So thou and thy least word may be at one,
Shadow thy victor helm with this dead bloom.
May know the simple meaning of my doom.
So thou and thy least word may be at one,
Shadow thy victor helm with this dead bloom.
O beautiful lightning!—all life's rainbow hues
Tone thy brief splendour: thy far purples, Love!
Joy's roseate glow. Now, Father! smite: I choose
The clear white sword-gleam. Smite as I approve.
Tone thy brief splendour: thy far purples, Love!
Joy's roseate glow. Now, Father! smite: I choose
The clear white sword-gleam. Smite as I approve.
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