[After song, the King, Samuel, and all the Pirates, excepting Frederic and Ruth, go off; Frederic comes, followed by Ruth.
Ruth. Oh, take me with you! I cannot live if I am left behind.
Fred. Ruth, I will be quite candid with you: you are very dear to me, as you know, but I must be circumspect. You see, you are considerably older than I. A lad of twenty-one usually looks for a wife of seventeen.
Ruth. A wife of seventeen! You will find me a wife of a thousand!
Fred. No, but I shall find you a wife of forty-seven, and that is quite enough. Ruth, tell me candidly, and without reserve—compared with other women, how are you?
Ruth. I will answer you truthfully, master; I have a slight cold, but otherwise I am quite well.
Fred. I am sorry for your cold, but I was referring rather to your personal appearance. Compared with other women—are you beautiful?
Ruth (bashfully). I have been told so, dear master.
Fred. Ah, but lately?