Nathan the Wise Part 25

NATHAN.

Dared doubt your insight?

HAFI.

He would not listen; but with scorn o'erthrew The standing pieces.

NATHAN.

Is that possible?

HAFI.

And said, he chose to be check-mate--he chose it - Is that to play the game?

NATHAN.

Most surely not: 'Tis to play with the game.

HAFI.

And yet the stake Was not a nut-sh.e.l.l.

NATHAN.

Money here or there Matters but little. Not to listen to thee, And on a point of such importance, Hafi, There lies the rub. Not even to admire Thine eagle eye--thy comprehensive glance - That calls for vengeance: --does it not, Al-Hafi?

HAFI.

I only tell it to thee that thou mayst see How his brain's formed. I bear with him no longer.

Here I've been running to each dirty Moor, Inquiring who will lend him. I, who ne'er Went for myself a begging, go a borrowing, And that for others. Borrowing's much the same As begging; just as lending upon usury Is much the same as thieving--decency Makes not of lewdness virtue. On the Ganges, Among my ghebers, I have need of neither: Nor need I be the tool or pimp of either - Upon the Ganges only there are men.

Here, thou alone art somehow almost worthy To have lived upon the Ganges. Wilt thou with me?

And leave him with the captive cloak alone, The booty that he wants to strip thee of.

Little by little he will flay thee clean.

Thins thou'lt be quit at once, without the tease Of being sliced to death. Come wilt thou with me?

I'll find thee with a staff.

NATHAN.

I should have thought, Come what come may, that thy resource remained: But I'll consider of it. Stay.

HAFI.

Consider - No; such things must not be considered.

NATHAN.

Stay: Till I have seen the sultan--till you've had -

HAFI.

He, who considers, looks about for motives To forbear daring. He, who can't resolve In storm and suns.h.i.+ne to himself to live, Must live the slave of others all his life.

But as you please; farewell! 'tis you who choose.

My path lies yonder--and yours there -

NATHAN.

Al-Hafi, Stay then; at least you'll set things right--not leave them At sixes and at sevens -

HAFI.

Farce! Parade!

The balance in the chest will need no telling.

And my account--Sittah, or you, will vouch.

Farewell.

[Goes.

NATHAN.

Yes I will vouch it. Honest, wild - How shall I call you--Ah! the real beggar Is, after all, the only real monarch.

ACT III.

SCENE--A Room in Nathan's House.

RECHA and DAYA.

RECHA.

What, Daya, did my father really say I might expect him, every instant, here?

That meant--now did it not? he would come soon.

And yet how many instants have rolled by! - But who would think of those that are elapsed? - To the next moment only I'm alive. - At last the very one will come that brings him.

DAYA.

But for the sultan's ill-timed message, Nathan Had brought him in.

RECHA.

And when this moment comes, And when this warmest inmost of my wishes Shall be fulfilled, what then? what then?

DAYA.

What then?