Scene 1 - Outside the walls of Bethlehem one morning in early spring  (No singing here, this is the intro!)
Ruth and her mother-in-law Naomi arrive at the walls of Bethlehem early in the morning. They are both carrying bundles which they put down. They are dressed poorly; both are wearing ragged cloaks. The city gates are closed. Ruth is tired and falls asleep. While waiting for the city gates to open Naomi recalls her story. She, her husband and her two sons had left Israel for Moab years before, because of famine. Her sons had married Moabite women. Then her husband and sons had died and she decided to return to Israel with her daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah. On the way Orpah had turned back. Ruth awakes and Naomi tries to persuade her to go back to Moab. But Ruth replies that Moab has bad memories for her and she hopes for a new future in Israel. She pledges her allegiance to Naomi and to Naomi’s God.
RUTH:
I will not return to Moab. I will stay with you, Naomi. Forever.
Where you go, I shall go.
And where you stay, I shall stay
Your people shall be my people
And your God, shall be my God
Where you die, there I shall die
And there shall I be buried
I shall comfort you and when I do my own fears will be calmed.
NAOMI:
Your voice reassures me but I pray that you will not come to regret your decision.
RUTH:
I will not. Now that the gates are open, Naomi goes to find the gatekeeper. She hopes he will know the whereabouts of her kinsman.
Scene 2 - Outside the walls of Bethlehem, a little later
Ruth recalls the powerful dream she has just had in which she gives birth to David, king and saviour of Israel. Her initial excitement gives way to anxiety. How will she, a Moabite, find a husband amongst these Hebrews? How could she have pledged herself to a God of whom she knows nothing? Hearing voices, she hides. Boaz, a landowner and his servant, Perez, approach. After telling Perez to prepare for the forthcoming harvest Boaz goes into the city. Perez gives vent to his jealousy of Boaz and his discontent that he cannot find a woman who will love him.
PEREZ:
And love me and caress me
Her body always near me
And tell me that my darling
You are better far than Boaz
Boaz!
On that word my heart burns,
With unforgiving fire.
My tongue stings with acid,
When I hear that name.
I feel such hatred within me
That it blinds me and it drowns me.
And I can think of nothing
Except he must be to blame!
He sees Ruth and, attracted, says he will find work for her. They arrange to meet and Perez leaves. Scene 3 - Outside the walls of Bethlehem, a little later still Naomi returns, in despair that the gatekeeper does not know any of her kinsmen. She tells Ruth that God is punishing her for her son’s sin in marrying Ruth. Ruth is dismayed. Naomi feels guilty when she sees the effect of her words on Ruth. She recalls what Ruth has had to give up. Ruth comforts Naomi and they enter the city together.
RUTH:
Do not despair, Naomi. I too grieve for Mahlon. Yet I have hope in my heart.
NAOMI:
Come, my daughter. (They stretch their hands to each other.) Let us enter the city together. Let us see what Bethlehem will give us. My heart feels lighter. I am glad to have you here. Act 2 Scene 1 At the threshing floor outside Bethlehem, the next morning Ruth has come to the threshing floor to meet Perez. She worries that she and Naomi have no money and that Naomi has been unable to find her kinsman. She greets Perez gratefully and he, mistaking her feelings, suddenly declares his love for her. Ruth is shocked but manages to avoid a confrontation. Perez concludes that Ruth is too shy too show her true feelings for him. They go off to the grain-fields. Scene 2 - In the grain-fields, later the same day At midday Ruth is resting. (The sun is shining brightly and unyieldingly.) She has nothing to eat or drink. She longs for her dead husband. Boaz arrives and is surprised to find her, a woman, alone and hungry. He gives her food and water and asks about her, but at first she is hesitant.
RUTH:
Thank you, sir. (She stands and starts to move away but Boaz holds her back.)
BOAZ:
Your story is, I am sure, an unhappy one. (Ruth looks doubtful and turns away.) You may trust me. (Ruth walks around thinking. Then, having made up her mind, she comes and sits next to Boaz.) RUTH:
My name is Ruth. I come from Moab with my mother-in-law, Naomi, returned to the city of her birth As Boaz listens he exclaims that he is Naomi’s kinsman. He is strongly drawn to her but, conscious of his age and station, refrains from sharing his feelings. He promises to help her. Perez enters and finds Ruth and Boaz talking closely. Boaz tells Perez to ensure that his workers leave behind extra grain for Ruth. Perez, jealous at this example of Boaz’s power and good fortune, angrily rushes off.
Scene 3 - Ruth and Naomi’s home, that evening
Ruth has returned home with many sheaves of barley, accompanied by Perez. She introduces Perez to Naomi and explains how he has helped her today. She tells Naomi that Boaz is Naomi’s kinsman and that he has promised to help them. Naomi is relieved to have found her kinsman. She has heard in the city about Boaz’s wealth and power and speculates what Boaz’s friendship will mean. When she leaves the room to prepare dinner Perez again declares his love for Ruth but she gently rejects him. Angry at his failure he accuses Ruth of being interested in Boaz for his money and leaves. Ruth realises how alone and frightened she is. She wants to pray for guidance but wonders to whom she should pray. According to Naomi, the Hebrew God is vengeful how will He help Ruth? Is her life to be lonely, without purpose and full of suffering? Then she recalls her dream and gradually she becomes convinced that she is indeed part of the Hebrew God’s plan.
Yet I begin to feel that there’s a promise,
That, as in my dream, all will be as it had seemed,
And that there is a purpose to my anguish
And all my misery will be redeemed.
(Ruth face suddenly lights up.)
God of all the Jews You’ve made this happen,
I know you’ve brought me here, to meet a man,
This man will be the father of my child,
He’ll justify Your great, eternal plan.
(Ruth looks upward her face filled with hope and joy.)
Act 3 Scene 1 Ruth and Naomi’s, on the evening of the harvest festival at the end of the summer Ruth is waiting for Naomi, who has sent a message. Naomi arrives and tells Ruth that she must marry Boaz in order to ensure their future security. Ruth must array herself beautifully and then go to the threshing floor and lie down at Boaz’s feet when he sleeps.
NAOMI:
Tonight is the harvest festival. You must bathe, dress and perfume yourself carefully. Then you must go to the threshing floor. But do not show yourself to Boaz. When he has finished eating and drinking watch where he goes to sleep. Then go and lie down at his feet.
RUTH:
But I do not love him. NAOMI:
If he asks you if you love him, you must lie.
If he asks if you will marry
Don’t be hasty, lest you carry
An indication of the falsehood you’ve just made.
Don’t be afraid
To be coy or to be gentle, warm and sweet.
I must impress on you the need to appear
Completely yourself.
You must show him you are brave,
You must show you are worthy,
You must tell him he is all the man you want.
You must compliment and praise,
Say these words, ensure he stays.
Naomi leaves and Perez enters. Seeing that Ruth is distraught he again offers to marry her.
PEREZ:
You do not have to worry. Have I not told you that I love you? That I will marry you? We will share our life. We will share the struggle.
RUTH:
No, no. I am grateful for your offer. I am so sorry it cannot be. (Ruth approaches Perez and takes his hand.) Please be my friend. PEREZ: (snatching his hand away)
A friend! A friend! My master says I am a friend. The woman I love says I am a friend. Am I only - a friend? Ruth, I love you. (Perez falls to his knees before Ruth.) Be my wife. RUTH:
No, no. I am grateful for your offer. I am sorry that it cannot be. Please be my friend.
Ruth again refuses and Perez leaves in despair. Ruth is distressed that she must pretend to be in love with Boaz so that he will marry her.
Scene 2 At the threshing floor
Boaz has feasted; now he is alone. He wonders about Ruth’s youth and beauty and his love for her.
Oh Lord, my God,
Such secrets do I hold within my heart,
Can I yield my secrets to you.
Disclose to me my future, tell me now
All that You have planned for this poor Jew.
Oh Lord
What pain must you inflict
To force this old man upon his knees.
I beg You, Lord,
Listen to my words and to my pleas.
I ache for love of Ruth.
This woman seems to me
To be perfection.
Such strength, such kindness, and such honesty,
I yearn for Ruth.
To lie beside her and let her spirit touch me,
And let her warmth invade my soul,
No future will there be for me without her
But with her, my life will be made whole.
God, grant my prayer and let her know my feeling,
Bring her to me, and let her lips reveal
That her heart too yearns for love of Boaz.
Lord, let her come.
Lord, let her come.
Lord let her come
Please let her come to me
Lord do not desert me
Lord do not desert me
Let her come
Let her come
Lord, show me this is your will.
Then he lies down beside the grain-pile and goes to sleep. Ruth comes to him and silently lies down next to him.
Scene 3 At the threshing floor, a little later
Later Boaz suddenly wakes and sees Ruth sleeping next to him. He is exultant that Ruth desires him too. She wakes. Boaz declares his love for her. She tells him she will be a faithful wife but avoids saying she loves him. Perez approaches. Boaz and Ruth are singing about love and marriage. Inflamed with jealously, Perez draws a knife. He attacks Boaz and their fight takes them away from the threshing floor. Naomi rushes in having heard Ruth’s screams. Ruth says she can no longer stay in Israel. It was wrong of her to leave Moab and to deceive Boaz; now she is being punished. Naomi pleads with Ruth not to leave Israel but Ruth ignores her. Boaz appears carrying the bloody knife. Naomi runs off stage. Ruth accuses Boaz of murdering Perez. Boaz is unable to cool her fury until Perez appears leaning on Naomi for support. Boaz reveals that he disarmed Perez and, in accordance with Jewish teaching, showed compassion to Perez and let him live. Perez says only a merciful God would have spared him and shown him his jealousy and hatred. Naomi now understands the true nature of the Hebrew God: He is not the vengeful God she had blamed for her ill fortune. Ruth is moved by all she has heard. Boaz declares his love for Ruth and reveals that he once had a dream that his descendant would be a King of Israel called David. Ruth reveals that she has had the same dream. Overcome with emotion she declares her love for Boaz. She finally understands her destiny. Boaz, Perez and Naomi join Ruth in praising the Hebrew God.
(Perez enters.)
PEREZ:
I could not sleep, my thoughts were in such turmoil. I awoke beneath stars and thought I saw Ruth come this way. I hear voices are coming from nearby. (He approaches the couple, but they do not see him) Ruth and Boaz! BOAZ:
I’ll kiss you thus and every day,
I’ll say I love you in every way,
I’ll give you all, you’ll share my life. PEREZ: (to himself)
Surely they declare their love for each other! They will marry. I can’t bear it. RUTH:
I’ll be a true, devoted wife.
I’ll do all things that you will need,
In all my work, in every deed. (Ruth and Boaz do not see Perez) PEREZ: (to himself)
Ruth! Ruth!
It is Boaz’s money that you really love.
It is his home, his wealth, his money that really moves you.
Am I so disgusting, that you cannot love me?
No! It is my poverty you can’t accept.
And whose fault is it?
It is Boaz It is Boaz. It is Boaz. (Perez holds his head in his hands.) BOAZ:
I’ll kiss you thus Ruth and every day,
I’ll say I love you Ruth in every way,
I’ll give you all, you’ll share my life.
I love you.
RUTH:
I’ll be a true, devoted wife.
And do all that you will need,
In all my work, in every deed.
I’ll care for you
PEREZ:
It is Boaz’s money that you really love.
It is his home, his wealth, his gold that really moves you.
Am I so disgusting?
And who is the man who has done this to me?
Who is the man who has kept me poor and lonely?
Who is the man? Who is the man?
The man with all the wealth, with all the power
Who has done this to me? Who has done this to me?
It is Boaz It is Boaz. I can stand this no more! (Suddenly Ruth and Boaz become aware of Perez. Perez pulls out a knife and strides towards Boaz. Ruth automatically pulls away from Boaz. Boaz, shocked, stares at Perez. Ruth stares at the scene, aghast and frightened.) BOAZ:
Perez, what is wrong? PEREZ:
You have betrayed me for long enough. BOAZ:
What do you mean? Have I not treated you like my own son? PEREZ:
You have kept me in poverty. You have kept all power for yourself. And now you have taken Ruth! RUTH:
Perez. You do not understand! PEREZ:
I understand enough. I understand what I must do to stop my misery. (Perez lunges towards Boaz, who steps backwards before him, both quickly moving offstage.) RUTH:
No! No! I cannot bear it. One of them will die. (Naomi enters). It will be the same as the night Mahlon died. NAOMI:
Ruth, what is the matter? RUTH:
Yes! This is all my fault. NAOMI:
What do you mean? RUTH:
Death will come and condemn me. NAOMI:
Ruth! RUTH:
It is my punishment for my lies. NAOMI:
Do not say this. RUTH:
Death will come and complete my despair. NAOMI:
It is not your fault. RUTH:
I have betrayed Boaz, I can no longer live in this land. (She starts to weep.) NAOMI:
Ruth, do not abandon me.
Remember your promise when we arrived.
Ruth, do not abandon me.
Remember your words.
Remember your words.
Have I survived for this! RUTH:
I cannot bear it.
I must leave this place.
I cannot bear it.
I must hide my face
From everyone. NAOMI:
My plans lie in ruins now,
Ruth, do not desert me. RUTH:
I cannot bear it. NAOMI:
Do not desert me. RUTH:
I cannot bear it. NAOMI:
Do not desert me. (Boaz staggers on. He holds Perez’s knife covered in blood. Ruth screams.) RUTH:
Ah! It is done! It is done! Perez is dead! BOAZ:
Ruth, listen to me! RUTH:
Murderer! NAOMI:
What has happened? (Naomi exits.) RUTH:
You have killed Perez!
You are the same as all other men.
You kill, you do not care about another’s life.
You are the same as all other men.
How can I love you?
How can I love you?
When I see what you have done
When I see that you have killed. BOAZ:
Ruth. Listen to me! RUTH:
But it is my fault
I cannot bear it
I cannot stay in this land. (Naomi enters supporting Perez. He has been injured, there is blood on his face. Ruth stands, transfixed by the fact that he is alive.) RUTH:
Perez. Perez. You are alive. BOAZ:
Ruth, hear my words. Listen to me.
Perez and I fought hard. I cut Perez when I disarmed him. RUTH:
Yet Perez lives. When you disarmed him why did you not kill him? He was at your mercy. BOAZ:
Ruth, in our religion we must show kindness.
For the Lord teaches mercy and compassion, for He is a just and righteous and merciful God. He commands us to follow Him in all our deeds. So I forgave Perez. PEREZ: Only a compassionate God would have spared my life. Only a kind God would have led Boaz to act in the way he did. Only a merciful God would have opened my eyes and shown me my jealousy and hatred. NAOMI:
The Lord God is a gracious God. Praise to the God of mercy. (She turns to Ruth.) May He forgive my doubt, forgive my deceit. I was wrong to ask you to betray yourself. RUTH: (turning to Boaz)
I see you now for the man you are,
Just and merciful and kind.
I deceived the man I thought you were,
I deceived myself, I was blind.
But your kindness has cleansed my aching
Your mercy has cauterised my fear,
Your bravery has shattered the shield to my heart,
I am yours forever, if you will forgive me. BOAZ:
I understand now that this is the Lord’s will.
This is the Lord’s will. (Ruth and Boaz embrace and remain together until the curtain.) Many months ago, in a dream,
God revealed to me,
That the son of my grandson
Will be king of Israel.
David will be his name,
Yet I could not see how this could come to pass,
I should have trusted the Lord,
His prophecy will be fulfilled, at last. RUTH:
You had a dream, a dream like mine.
Boaz, I understand now that you are God’s servant.
I am the Lord’s servant too.
I am arrayed in your love,
I am arrayed in God’s truth
I understand that my destiny lies with you, Boaz.
I understand that the Lord has decreed this.
So where you go, I shall go. RUTH, BOAZ:
Your people shall be my people RUTH, BOAZ, NAOMI, PEREZ:
And your God shall be my God
The Lord will guard us from all harm,
He will guard our life.
The Lord will guard us from all harm,
He will guard our life.
The Lord will guard our going and our coming,
All our life,
Now, now and forever.
Now and forever.
Now and forever.
Now and forever. (Curtain.) | 
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