(RUTH) Too well dear mother mem’ry paints that day In bleeding characters within our hearts [illegible] woes we bless the God of mercy Who left us thee, returned the lamp of life When the last ray, seemed quiv’ring to expire. (NA) Why was I spar’d, when my lov’d children fell; Why is my life prolong’d, in life of woe No husband’s tears will fall upon my grave: No child will lodge me in the silent tomb: No friend will weep for sad Naomi’s fate. (OR) O say not thus, are not we thy children Shall we not weep, to see Naomi low. When my ungrateful heart, forgets thy virtues May tenfold vengeance blast its marble sinews! (NA) Forgive the wrong, if aught escap’d I [illegible] Which breath’d a thought reproachful of your love The fondest heart could wish no kinder children Children ye are all the proudest heart could wish Nor could my sons, had Heaven seen fit to spare them Nor could my sons had God preserved them to me Have shewn more filial tenderness and love ’Tis not my loss alone, but yours, I grieve ’Tis for your fate as much as mine I grieve That God’s avenging hand is raised against me O! Israel happy land, why did I leave thee Could not the hand which led our chosen ancestors [ - - - illegible - - - ] of holy Sinai [ - - illegible - - ] angel’s food the bread of Heaven Which made their garments proof ’gainst time’s decay Has given me food tho’ famine now around I fear my heart distrustful of his power, Relied too much on Moab’s fruitful plains. (_enter a messenger_) (MESS) I bring good tidings to thee friend Naomi. (NA) Tidings to me, Oh! what to me is good? (MESS) Our God hath visited our land in mercy With lib’ral harvests crown’d our famish’d fields. Our woes forgot we raise the song of praise, And smiling peace and joy go hand in hand. · · · · ·