[FREDERIC]
Oh, false one, you have deceived me!
[RUTH]
I have deceived you?
[FREDERIC]
Yes, deceived me!
[FREDERIC AND RUTH, ALTERNATING]
You told me you were fair as gold!
And, master, am I not so?
And now I see you're plain and old.
I'm sure I'm not a jot so.
Upon my innocence you play.
I'm not the one to plot so.
Your face is lined, your hair is grey.
It's gradually got so.
[FREDERIC]
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. [RUTH]
Don't, beloved 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! [FREDERIC]
Yes, your former master
Saves you from disaster.
Your love would be uncomfortably
fervid, it is clear
If, as you are stating
It's been accumulating
Forty-seven year – forty-seven year! [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!