9
Duet — Frederic and Ruth.
Fred. You told me you were fair as gold.
Ruth. (Wildly.) And, master, am I not so?
Fred. And now I see you're plain and old.
Ruth. I am sure I am not a jot so.
Fred. Upon my innocence you play,
Ruth. I'm not the one to plot so.
Fred. Your lace is lined, your hair is gray.
Ruth. It's gradually got so.
Fred. Faithless woman, to deceive me!— I who trusted so!
Ruth. Master, master, do not leave me; hear me ere you go!
My love, without reflecting,
Oh do not be rejecting.
Take a maiden tender, her affection raw and green.
At very highest rating
Has been accumulating
Summers seventeen, summers seventeen.
Don't, beloved master.
Crush me with disaster!
What is such a dower to the dower I have here?
My love, unabating,
Has been accumulating
Forty-seven year, forty-seven year!
Ensemble.
| Ruth.
Don't, beloved master, Crush me with disaster, etc. What is such a dower to the dower I have here? etc. |
Fred.
Yes, your former master Saves you from disaster.
If, as you are stating. It's been accumulating Forty-seven year, forty-seven year! |
(At the end he renounces her, and she goes off R. in despair.)
Recit.— Fred.
What shall I do? Before these gentle maidens I dare not show in this alarming costume. No, no, I must remain in close concealment until I can appear in decent clothing. (Exit R.)
(Hides in cave as they enter from R. and L., climbing over the rocks at I. of the stage and through arched rock R.)
Fred.
Climbing over rocky mountain,
Skipping rivulet and fountain,