 | Ruth |  |
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3. PART III.
SCENE I.
Naomi, and Ruth.RECITATIVE.
Nao.
Turn, O daughter, turn thy eyes,
Where Bethlehem's glittering spires arise—
How fair her flowery vales extend!
How bold her swelling hills ascend!
AIR.
Dear native Soil! do I again
Thy kindly breeze inhale?
No air of any foreign plain
Could thus my sense regale.
RECITATIVE.
Ruth.
Fair is thy land, O mother! wondrous fair!
My bosom from the view strange transport seems to share.
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New scenes, and new prospects, my spirit employ,
And with hopes of new happiness chear me;
My heart all enliven'd indulges its joy,
And some sudden blessing seems near me.
RECITATIVE.
Nao.
Behold, my lovely child, behold,
How Bethlehem's streets at our approach pour forth their young and old!
SCENE II.
Naomi, Ruth, Boaz, Israelites.CHORUS.
Naomi?—lost and found again,
O welcome to thy native plain!
Raise all your voices, brethren, raise,
And hail your sister's glad return with gratulating lays.
RECITATIVE.
Nao.
Say, brethren, who is he that leads the throng,
And like a hero moves majestical along?
RECITATIVE.
1st Isr.
'Tis Boaz, Bethlehem's Prince, your near allied—
Your first of kindred by your husband's side!
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Isr.
His step is at a distance from thousands discern'd!
When he speaks in the gate, Elders hear and grow learn'd!
His couches are spread for the stranger's repose;
For the naked he shears, for the hungry he sows!
He stands like a tree in the midst of his ground,
With the widow and orphan rejoicing around!
RECITATIVE.
Boaz.
Hail, mother of thy people!—this embrace
Bids thee thrice welcome to thy native place.
Oft have those arms my infant years carest,
And clasp'd thy little kinsman to thy breast!
RECITATIVE.
Nao.
Hail, son!—May Heaven in bounty heap on thee
Tenfold the blessings it has rent from me!
RECITATIVE.
Boaz.
In this our present happy lot,
Be past calamities forgot!
But where is she, our new allied—
Of Moab's land so late the pride?
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Nao.
Lo there! like a mist on the morning, her veil
Strives in vain to obscure her from sight;
It betrays what it means to conceal,
A beauty for vision too bright!
RECITATIVE.
Boaz.
Thee, fairest Ruth, by Israel's law I claim,
A glad succeeder to thy husband's name!
Thrice have the visions of the night,
Brought to my view thy semblance fair, that fill'd my tent with light!
RECITATIVE.
Ruth.
If so your laws ordain,
Your handmaid will not of her lot complain.
RECITATIVE.
H. Priest.
Hear men of Bethlehem, and rejoice!
The LORD informs his servant's voice—
Yon portion fair of Moab's earth,
To Israel's Chosen Plant gives birth!
Hence the Mighty Tree shall spring,
The Glory of the grove, of every tree the King!
CHORUS of Priests.
To the center, shall reach the vast Depth of his Root!
To the stars, the vast Height of his Summit shall shoot!
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For their food, on His Fruit, shall all nations depend!
GRAND CHORUS.
Hail Mother of Approaching Grace!
Hail Parent of the Promised Race!
Far distant I see Him!—The young and the old
Rush to meet the MESSIAH, by prophets foretold!
The Lame, with a bound,
Lightly leap from the ground;
The Deaf run to hear, and the Blind to behold—
And the Dead rise triumphant around!
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