"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."