Pressed by a famine in my native land, thou knowest my husband sought thy fruitful country, but Heaven who liberally had crowned our stores, withdrew its smiles with’red our fortunes, blighted all our hopes. By sickness pressed; by woe on woe assailed; first my loved husband felt the stroke of death! My children next, sunk in the untimely tomb. the long, the painful hours thou hast watched o’er my sick couch, the many tears thou hast shed, and number o’er the many causes which destroyed our fortune:—and say,—has one unthinking or unjust expense brought on our poverty? [illegible] I know there has not. Then why deprive thy self of every comfort to pay demands, which stern necessity and sickness caused? NAOMI. The very reasons which you name would urge it. Did they not trust my honor? a stranger’s honor? and should I fail in justice, then every wretch suffering like me, might justly blame Naomi, who taught to foreigners that Israel’s faith, was slight regarded among heathen friends. No. It shall ne’er be said Naomi lives, in ease and plenty on the wealth of others. I’ll rather spend my latest farthing,—beg my passage to Israel’s faithful land—then to my brethren become a servant, and earn an honest pittance with these hands; than any tongue should say “Naomi wrong’d me.” RUTH. I pray thee take these ornaments useless to me, they will serve to [illegible] thy comforts. NAOMI. No. I’ll not take thy bridal gifts away. I part with mine, for that our law demands; but keep thou thine for future times of sadness, or perhaps to deck a happier bridal day. [Illustration: PL. XVI.—LUCRETIA DEMING, PUPIL, 1816 From a miniature painted by Dickinson ] RUTH. No. I entreat thee take them. Did I not help to spend upon thy fortunes? has not my sustenance procured by thee in rich abundance; lowered thy little stock? Or dost thou think so meanly of my love, that these prized jewels, given by my dearest Mahlon, can e’er be worn to deck a rival’s bride?—Take them I entreat thee! dearest mother! NAOMI. I will not; cannot take them. RUTH. Then I will sell them to help thee on thy journey. I know my Mahlon would not blame the deed. ORPHA. O! here are mine! Pray let them go together. The blush of shame would rise upon my cheek, to see these jewels shine in my attire, when yours are gone; and our loved parent lives by her own labor. NAOMI. My daughters, ye oppress me with your kindness. If need require I will accept your offers; meantime let us prepare to make the journey. _Scene 2nd._ NAOMI. RUTH. ORPAH. NAOMI.