Orpah [weeping and kissing Naomi]: If thou wilt be happier, then thou must leave us. I will return to my mother's house as thou sayest. [She goes off slowly, weeping.]
[Ruth still stands by weeping. Takes hold of Naomi's hand.]
Naomi: Behold, Orpah, thy sister-in-law, has gone back to her people and unto her gods; return thou after thy sister-in-law.
Ruth: Intreat me not to leave thee, nor to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge; thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if aught but death part thee and me.
Naomi: Since thou art so steadfastly minded to go with me, Ruth, I will cease urging thee. Come, thou mayest go with me to Bethlehem.
SCENE II
Place: In the barley fields of Boaz.
Time: The harvest season.
Characters: Boaz, Ruth, Head Reaper, Reapers, Gleaners.
[The reapers come in with their sickles, followed by the gleaners.]