| FRED. |
| Oh, false one, you have deceived me!
|
| RUTH. |
| I have deceived you?
|
| FRED. |
| Yes, deceived me! |
| (Denouncing her.)
|
| 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’m sure I’m not a jot so.
|
| FRED. |
| Upon my innocence you play.
|
| RUTH. |
| I’m not the one to plot so.
|
| FRED. |
| Your face is lined, your hair is grey.
|
| 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.
|
| ENSEMBLE.
|
| RUTH. |
| FRED.
|
| Don’t, beloved master,
|
| Yes, your former master
|
| Crush me with disaster. |
| Saves you from disaster.
|
| What is such a dower to theYour love would be uncomfortably
|
| dower I have here? |
| fervid, it is clear
|
| My love unabating If, as you are stating
|
| Has been accumulating It’s been accumulating |
| Forty-seven year forty-seven year! |
| Forty-seven year forty-seven year!
|
| RECIT. |
| FREDERIC.
|
| 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! |