Classic Poem

" Turn my daughters, full of wo,
Is my heart so sad and lone?
Leave me children — I would go
To my loved and distant home.

" From my bosom death has torn
Husband, children, all my stay,
Left me not a single one,
For my life's declining day

" Want and wo surround my way,
Grief and famine where I tread;
In my native land they say
God is giving Jacob bread. "

Naomi ceased, her daughters wept,
Their yearning hearts were filled;
Falling upon her withered neck,
Their grief in tears distill'd.

Like rain upon a blighted tree,
The tears of Orpah fell
Kissing the pale and quivering lip,
She breathed her sad farewell.

But Ruth stood up, on her brow
There lay a heavenly calm;
And from her lips came, soft and low
Words like a holy charm.

" I will not leave thee, on thy brow
Are lines of sorrow, age and care;
They form is bent, thy step is slow,
They bosom stricken, lone and sear.

" Oh! when thy heart and home were glad,
I freely shared thy joyous lot;
And now that heart is lone and sad,
Cease to entreat — I'll leave thee not.

" Oh! if a lofty palace proud
Thy future home shall be;
Where sycophants around thee crowd,
I'll share that home with thee.

" And if on earth the humblest spot,
Thy future home shall prove;
I'll bring into thy lonely lot
The wealth of woman's love.

" Go where thou wilt, my steps are there,
Our path in life is one;
Thou hast no lot I will not share,
'Till life itself be done.

" My country and my home for thee,
I freely, willingly resign,
Thy people shall my people be,
Thy God he shall be mine.

" Then, mother dear, entreat me not
To turn from following thee;
My heart is nerved to share thy lot,
Whatever that may be. "