The Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing Part 117

Have you, Sir Knight, reflected by this time, That our good Patriarch is not much deceived In thinking gold and glory may be won By his commission? that a foe's a foe, Were he our guardian angel seven times o'er?

Have you 'gainst flesh and blood weighed all these things, And are you come to strike a bargain now?

TEMPLAR.

My dear good man, be patient; not for this Am I come hither; not for aught like this Do I desire to see the Patriarch.

On every point my thoughts remain unchanged; Nor would I for the wealth of all this world Forfeit that good opinion, which I won From such an upright, honest man as you.

I merely come to ask the Patriarch For counsel.

FRIAR (_looking round timidly_).

Counsel from the Patriarch!

What, you! a knight to ask a priest's advice!

TEMPLAR.

Mine is a priestly business.

FRIAR.

Yet the priests Would scorn a knight's advice, were their affairs Ever so knightly.

TEMPLAR.

Therefore they're allowed To err sometimes, a privilege which I, For one, don't greatly envy them; and yet, If I were acting only for myself, And were not bound to others, I should care But little for advice. But in some things 'Twere better to go wrong by others' guidance Than, by our own, go right. And I observe, By this time, that religion's naught but party, And he who in his own belief is most Impartial, does but hold the standard up Of his own creed, howe'er unconsciously.

Yet since 'tis so, it must be right.

FRIAR.

I'm silent.

In truth, I don't quite comprehend.

TEMPLAR.

And yet-- (Let me consider first what 'tis I want-- Decision or advice from sage or simple?) Thanks, brother; yes, I thank you for your hint.

What is a patriarch? Be thou for once My patriarch; for 'tis the Christian rather Whom in the patriarch I would consult, Than in the Christian the mere patriarch.

FRIAR.

Hold, hold, Sir Knight! no more of this, I find That you mistake me. He who hath learnt much Must needs have many cares. I know but one---- But hark, behold! here comes the very man!

'Tis he, so stay; he has perceived us both.

Scene II.

_The_ Patriarch, _after marching up one of the aisles with great pomp, approaches_.

TEMPLAR.

I'd rather shun him--he is not my man-- A round, red smiling prelate! And what state!

FRIAR.

But you should see him at a festival, Now he but comes from visiting the sick.

TEMPLAR.

Great Saladin will then have cause to blush.

PATRIARCH (_coming forward, makes signs to the_ Friar).

Was that the Templar? What's his business here?

FRIAR.

I know not.

PATRIARCH (_advancing, whilst the_ Friar _and his train retire_.)

Well, Sir Knight, I'm truly glad To meet so brave a youth. So very young, Something may come of him, if Heaven a.s.sist.

TEMPLAR.

Not more than has already come of him, But rather less, my reverend father.

PATRIARCH.

Well, It is my prayer that so devout a Knight May for the cause of Christendom and G.o.d Be long preserved; nor can it fail to be, If valour will give ear to aged words.

Then say, how can I serve you, Sir?

TEMPLAR.

With that In which my youth's deficient--sound advice.

PATRIARCH.

Most gladly, if you'll follow my advice.

TEMPLAR.

Not blindly, though.

PATRIARCH.

Whose words are those? Indeed, None should neglect to use the intellect Bestowed by G.o.d, when it is suitable.

But is it always suitable? O no!

If G.o.d, through one of the celestial choir-- That is, through one of the blest ministers Of His most sacred word--should condescend To show some way by which the Church's weal, Or else the general good of Christendom, Might be secured, what man would venture then To weigh the laws of intellect against His will, who fas.h.i.+oned intellect itself?

Or measure the unchanged decrees of Heaven By empty rules that suit this petty world?

But of all this enough. Now tell me, Knight, Wherefore you seek our counsel?