_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 ignorance 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. Don’t, belovèd 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. FREDERIC. Don’t, beloved master, Yes, your former master Crush me with disaster. Saves you from disaster. What is such a dower to the dower Your love would be uncomfortably I have here, etc. fervid, it is clear, 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 in despair_. RECITATIVE--FREDERIC. What shall I do? Before these gentle maidens, I dare not show in this detested costume. No, better far remain in close concealment Until I can appear in decent clothing. [_Hides in cave as they enter, climbing over the rocks and through arched rock._ _Girls._ Climbing over rocky mountain, Skipping rivulet and fountain; Passing where the willows quiver By the ever-rolling river, Swollen with the summer rain; Threading long and leafy mazes Dotted with unnumbered daisies; Scaling rough and rugged passes, Climb the hardy little lasses, Till the bright sea-shore they gain. _Edith._ Let us gaily tread the measure, Make the most of fleeting leisure; Hail it as a true ally Though it perish by-and-by. _All._ Hail it as a true ally Though it perish by-and-by.