Nathan the Wise Part 44

DAYA.

There, do not act so strange. You must perceive The templar loves your Recha--Give her to him; Then will your sin, which I can hide no longer, Be at an end. The maid will come once more Among the Christians, will be once again What she was born to, will be what she was; And you, by all the benefits, for which We cannot thank you enough, will not have heaped More coals of fire upon your head.

NATHAN.

Again Harping on the old string, new tuned indeed, But so as neither to accord nor hold.

DAYA.

How so?

NATHAN.

The templar pleases me indeed, I'd rather he than any one had Recha; But--do have patience.

DAYA.

Patience--and is that Not the old string you harp on?

NATHAN.

Patience, patience, For a few days--no more. Ha! who comes here?

A friar--ask what he wants.

DAYA (going).

What can he want?

NATHAN.

Give, give before he begs. O could I tell How to come at the templar, not betraying The motive of my curiosity - For if I tell it, and if my suspicion Be groundless, I have staked the father idly.

What is the matter?

DAYA (returning).

He must speak to you.

NATHAN.

Then let him come to me. Go you meanwhile.

[Daya goes.

How gladly would I still remain my Recha's Father. And can I not remain so, though I cease to wear the name. To her, to her I still shall wear it, when she once perceives

[Friar enters.

How willingly I were so. Pious brother, What can be done to serve you?

NATHAN and FRIAR.

FRIAR.

O not much; And yet I do rejoice to see you yet So well.

NATHAN.

You know me then -

FRIAR.

Who knows you not?

You have impressed your name in many a hand, And it has been in mine these many years.

NATHAN (feeling for his purse).

Here, brother, I'll refresh it.

FRIAR.

Thank you, thank you - From poorer men I'd steal--but nothing now!

Only allow me to refresh my name In your remembrance; for I too may boast To mayo of old put something in your hand Not to be scorned.

NATHAN.

Excuse me, I'm ashamed, What was it? Claim it of me sevenfold, I'm ready to atone for my forgetting.

FRIAR.

But before all, hear how this very day I was reminded of the pledge I brought you.

NATHAN.

A pledge to me intrusted?

FRIAR.

Some time since, I dwelt as hermit on the Quarantana, Not far from Jericho, but Arab robbers Came and broke up my cell and oratory, And dragged me with them. Fortunately I Escaped, and with the patriarch sought a refuge, To beg of him some other still retreat, Where I may serve my G.o.d in solitude Until my latter end.

NATHAN.

I stand on coals - Quick, my good brother, let me know what pledge You once intrusted to me.

FRIAR.

Presently, Good Nathan, presently. The patriarch Has promised me a hermitage on Thabor, As soon as one is vacant, and meanwhile Employs me as lay-brother in the convent, And there I am at present: and I pine A hundred times a day for Thabor; for The patriarch will set me about all work, And some that I can't brook--as for example -

NATHAN