Have you not heard these many years ago, <br />Jeptha was judge of Israel? <br />He had one only daughter and no mo, <br />The which he loved passing well. <br />And as by lott, <br />God wot, <br />It so came to pass, <br />As Gods will was, <br />That great wars there should be, <br />And none should be chosen chief but he. <br /> <br />And when he was appointed judge, <br />And chieftain of the company, <br />A solemn vow to God he made, <br />If he returned with victory, <br />At his return, <br />To burn <br />The first live thing, <br />**** <br />That should meet with him then, <br />Off his house when he should return agen. <br />It came to pass, the wars was o'er, <br />And he returned with victory; <br />His dear and only daughter first of all <br />Came to meet her father foremostly: <br />And all the way <br />She did play <br />On tabret and pipe, <br />Full many a stripe, <br />With note so high, <br />For joy that her father is come so nigh. <br /> <br />But when he saw his daughter dear <br />Coming on most foremostly, <br />He wrung his hands, and tore his hair, <br />And cryed out most piteously: <br />'Oh! it's thou,' said he, <br />'That have brought me Low, <br />And troubled me so, <br />That I know not what to do. <br /> <br />'For I have made a vow,' he sed, <br />'The which must be replenished;' <br />**** <br />'What thou hast spoke <br />Do not revoke, <br />What thou hast said; <br />Be not afraid; <br />Altho' it be I, <br />Keep promises to God on high. <br /> <br />'But, dear father, grant me one request, <br />That I may go to the wilderness, <br />Three months there with my friends to stay; <br />There to bewail my virginity; <br />And let there be,' <br />Said he, <br />'Some two or three <br />Young maids with me.' <br />So he sent her away, <br />For to mourn, for to mourn, till her dying day.<br /><br />Anonymous Olde English<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/jephthah-judge-of-israel/
