The blasts of poverty blew keen Around these helpless ones, Fortune and friends, and all were lost With husband, and with sons.
'Twas autumn, and the harvest fields Waved rich in golden grain, When the young matron hied her forth A sustenance to gain.
With modest step and downcast eye, She joined the reaper throng, A gleaner in those very fields Which should to her belong.
With eager care the timid maid Collects each scattered grain, When lo! the master of the field Appears amid his train.
At his approach all hearts beat light, The servants loved their lord; And every man with pleasure bowed To catch the kindly word.
"The Lord be with you, faithful ones," Burst from his lips revered; "The Lord bless thee," was the response Which this good master cheered.
His stately form and bearing spoke A man of high descent, While to his broad and lofty brow The fires of youth were lent:
In his dark intellectual eye
The high resolve you trace, While pure benevolence diffused A softness o'er his face:
A tunic of the finest wool, Of bright cerulean blue,
The silken girdle, wrought in gold, And flowers of crimson hue:
A mantle of the finest web Which Persia could bestow, Falling in soft and graceful folds, The man of rank doth show.
Ruth's dignified and modest mien, Her air, so full of grace, Filled with surprise the wondering man, Who stooped to view her face:
He marvelled at the queenly form, So delicate and fair;
That downcast eye, so pure its beam, Well nigh transfixed him there.
He, wondering, to the reapers turned, And asked the maiden's name: "The Moabitish damsel Ruth, Who with Naomi came;
"She asked permission but to glean Among the sheaves to-day, This granted, she from early morn Has toiled without delay."
A shade passed suddenly across His broad and manly brow- "Her husband was my nearest kin, I must protect her now."
His generous bosom swelled with pride As he the maid address'd- "Mark me, my daughter! here abide, This be thy place of rest;
"Go not into another field
To meet contempt and scorn, A something whispers to my heart Thou wert not meanly born;
"Go not into another field,
Glean near my maidens, now, For I have charged my reaper train Thy labour to allow.
"When thou art weary with thy toil, Here's water to revive
Thy fainting heart, yet all too young With the cold world to strive."
The princess lowly bowed her head, And kneeling at his feet, With the pure blush of innocence, Thank'd him, in accents sweet:
"My gracious lord! why is it thus Thy favour I have found? I am a stranger in the land, On mournful mission bound."
With strong emotion ill concealed,
"A stranger!" Boaz cried, "Have I not heard the well earned praise Of Mahlon's virtuous bride?
"Thou hast sustained the feeble steps, Of one we long have loved, The mother of thy noble lord;
Thy virtue hath been proved.
"The Lord shall recompense thy work, A full reward be thine, The favour of the King of kings, Protection all divine!
"The blessings of the Lord shall rest Upon thy youthful head, Under the shadow of his wings
Thou shalt securely tread!"
In modest accents Ruth replied- "Oh, thou most noble lord! Much consolation have I found From every gentle word,
"Which in thy goodness thou hast said To a lone widowed one, Whose only treasure is a name As yet, defamed by none."
He kindly bade her join his group Of reapers at their meals, Eat of their bread, drink of their cup, And glean within their fields.
And when she left their harvest field He gave his young men charge To drop some sheaves upon the ground, And let her glean at large.
She toiled till evening in the field, And then beat out the grain; An ephah, sure, of barley corn Her basket did contain!
"Where hast thou gleaned to-day, my love, Whose favour didst thou gain? Blessings upon his noble head,
Thou hast not toiled in vain."
"His name is Boaz" -said the maid. The matron, in surprise, Clasped both her pale and withered hands, And raised her streaming eyes.
"The Lord of Israel be praised! Whose loving kindness still Doth rest upon our falling house; Let us perform his will!
"This mighty man in Bethlehem, This Israelite indeed, Is kinsman to Elimelech,
And proves a friend in need!"
"Mother!" said Ruth, "he bade me keep, Throughout the harvest moon, Fast by his maidens and young men, And glean till all was done."
"I charge thee, daughter, to abide By this his known desire; Attend his maidens in the toil, And do what they require.
"I would not have him see thee glean In any other field;
For he has given his vassals charge Thy innocence to shield."
'Twas eve-and seated at her board, Naomi thus began: "Thy beauty and thy innocence Attract this virtuous man.
"This night he winnows barley Upon the threshing floor. Go, wash thy face, anoint thy head, And slip within the door.
" He is our near and valued kin, He will admit our claim; Be wise, and steal the door within, Let no one know your aim.
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