Ruth

LEAVE thee alone in sorrow! Ask me not,

Oh, mother of my dead love, I entreat;

Although I fain would linger near the spot

Where rests one I on earth no more shall greet.

Should we who shared our pleasures side by side,

Apart in sorrow and bereavement be?

No; I will cleave to thee, whate’er betide,

Knowing no comfort, unless shared with thee.

Then seek not to divide my path from thine;

Tread not alone thy journey, full of woe;

For his dear sake thy people shall be mine,

And whither thou goest will I also go.