Nathan the Wise - LightNovelsOnl.com
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HAFI.
Nor is that all -
SALADIN.
Nor yet--speak then!
HAFI.
Since we have been expecting The treasure out of Egypt, she not only -
SITTAH.
Why listen to him?
HAFI.
Has not had an asper; -
SALADIN.
Good creature--but has been advancing to thee -
HAFI.
Has at her sole expense maintained thy state.
SALADIN (embracing her).
My sister--ah!
SITTAH.
And who but you, my brother, Could make me rich enough to have the power?
HAFI.
And in a little time again will leave thee Poor as himself.
SALADIN.
I, poor--her brother, poor?
When had I more, when less than at this instant?
A cloak, a horse, a sabre, and a G.o.d! - What need I else? With them what can be wanting?
And yet, Al-Hafi, I could quarrel with thee For this.
SITTAH.
A truce to that, my brother. Were it As easy to remove our father's cares!
SALADIN.
Ah! now my joy thou hast at once abated: To me there is, there can be, nothing wanting; But--but to him--and, in him, to us all.
What shall I do? From Egypt maybe nothing Will come this long time. Why--G.o.d only knows.
We hear of no stir. To reduce, to spare, I am quite willing for myself to stoop to, Were it myself, and only I, should suffer - But what can that avail? A cloak, a horse, A sword I ne'er can want;--as to my G.o.d, He is not to be bought; He asks but little, Only my heart. I had relied, Al-Hafi, Upon a surplus in my chest.
HAFI.
A surplus?
And tell me, would you not have had me impaled, Or hanged at least, if you had found me out In h.o.a.rding up a surplus? Deficits - Those one may venture on.
SALADIN.
Well, but how next?
Could you have found out no one where to borrow Unless of Sittah?
SITTAH.
And would I have borne To see the preference given to another?
I still lay claim to it. I am not as yet Entirely bare.
SALADIN.
Not yet entirely--This Was wanting still. Go, turn thyself about; Take where, and as, thou canst; be quick, Al-Hafi.
Borrow on promise, contract, anyhow; But heed me--not of those I have enriched - To borrow there might seem to ask it back.
Go to the covetous. They'll gladliest lend - They know how well their money thrives with me -
HAFI.
I know none such.
SITTAH.
I recollect just now I heard, Al-Hafi, of thy friend's return.
HAFI (startled).
Friend--friend of mine--and who should that be?
SITTAH.
Who?
Thy vaunted Jew!
HAFI.
A Jew, and praised by me?
