The Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing Part 112

NATHAN.

Then our objects are at once fulfilled, And if I cannot send you all my store, The Templar is to blame for that. You know The man. I owe a heavy debt to him.

SALADIN.

The Templar! Surely, Nathan, with your gold You do not aid my direst foes?

NATHAN.

I speak Of him whose life was spared by Saladin.

SALADIN.

Of what do you remind me? I had quite Forgot the youth. Where is he? Know you him?

NATHAN.

Have you not heard, then, how your clemency Through him has flowed to me? How, at the risk Of the existence which your mercy gave, He saved my daughter from the raging flames?

SALADIN.

Ha! did he so? He looked like one that would!

My brother, too--his image--would have done it.

Is he still here? Bring him to me at once.

I have so often spoken to my sister Of this same brother, whom she never knew, That I must let her see his counterfeit.

Go, fetch him. How a single n.o.ble deed, Though but the offspring of the merest whim, Gives birth to other blessings! Bring him to me.

NATHAN (_loosing_ Saladin's _hand_).

I'll go--the other matter then is settled. (_Exit_.)

SALADIN.

I wish I had but let my sister listen.

I'll go at once to her and tell it all.

(_Exit on the opposite side_.)

Scene VIII.

_The Place of Palms in the neighbourhood of the Convent, where the_ Templar _awaits_ Nathan.

TEMPLAR (_walking to and fro, in conflict with himself_.)

The panting victim here may rest awhile.

So far 'tis well. I dare not ask myself What change has sprung within me, nor inquire What yet may happen. Flight has proved in vain, And, come what may, I could no more than flee, The stroke was far too sudden to escape.

Long--much--I strove to keep aloof, in vain.

But once to see her, e'en against my will, To see her, and to frame a firm resolve Never to lose her. What, then, is resolve?

Resolve is purpose--action, while--in truth-- I was but pa.s.sive. But to see her once, And feel that I was woven into her being, Was then and still remains the self-same thing.

To live apart from her--oh, bitter thought!-- Were death; and after death--where'er we were-- 'Twould there be death too. Say, then, is this love?

And doth the Templar love? A Christian loves A Jewish maiden! Well, and what of that?

This is the holy land; holy to me, And dear, because I have of late renounced Full many a prejudice. What says my vow?

In the same hour that made me prisoner To Saladin. The head he gave me back, Was it the old one? No. I'm newly framed, I know no fragment of the ancient forms That bound me once. My brain is clearer now, More fit for my paternal home above.

Now I can think as once my father thought, If tales of him are not untruly told-- Tales that were ne'er so credible as now, When I am stumbling where my father fell.

Fell! yet 'twere better far to fall with men Than stand with boys. His conduct guarantees His approbation. And what need I more Than Nathan's approbation? Of his praise I cannot doubt. Oh, what a Jew is he!

And yet he would appear the simple Jew.

But, see, he comes--he comes in haste--delight Beams from his eye. But who leaves Saladin With other looks? Ho! Nathan!

Scene IX.

Nathan, _the_ Templar.

NATHAN.

Are you there?

TEMPLAR.

Your visit to the Sultan has been long.

NATHAN.

Not over long. My audience was delayed.

But, Conrad, this man well supports his fame-- His fame is but his shadow. But I must Without delay inform you that he would----

TEMPLAR.

Say on.

NATHAN.

Would speak with you. So, come with me at once.

I have some brief commands to give at home, Then to the Sultan.

TEMPLAR.

Nathan, I will ne'er Enter your door again----

NATHAN.

Then you've been there Already--spoken with her. Tell me all.

How do you like my Recha?

TEMPLAR.

Words would fail To tell how much. I dare not trust myself Alone with her again, unless you say That I may gaze upon her form for ever.

NATHAN.