The Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing Miss Sara Sampson, Philotas, Emilia Galotti, Nathan the Wise

No doubt, Mellefont has purposely selected the most wretched one in the town. The wicked always seek the darkness, because they are wicked. But what would it help them, could th...

I am entirely at your service, my lord. What is it to me, whether I know or not, what cause has brought you hither, and why you wish to live in seclusion in my house? A landlord...

Another night, which I could not have spent more cruelly on the rack!--(_calls_) Norton!--I must make haste to get sight of a face or two. If I remained alone with my thoughts a...

How is she? (_sobbing_.) It was long after midnight before I could persuade her to go to bed. She slept a few moments; but God, what a sleep that must have been! She started sud...

Whose feelings is this exclamation of yours meant to rouse? See, the first tear which I have shed since my childhood is running down my cheek. A bad preparation for receiving on...

What is there that I would not forgive you? You know what I have already forgiven you. But the ninth week, Mellefont! the ninth week begins to-day, and this miserable house stil...

Is it possible? I see this cursed handwriting again and am not chilled with terror? Is it she? Is it not she? Why do I still doubt? It is she! Alas, friend, a letter from Marwoo...

I am all impatience to see what effect it will have. Do I not seem a little uneasy to you, Hannah? And I am so. The traitor! But gently! I must not on any account give way to an...

Mellefont!--Quick, bring him up! (_Exit_ Servant.) Ah, Hannah! He is here now! How shall I receive him? What shall I say? What look shall I put on? Is this calm enough? Just see!

Why differently? With more love, perhaps? With more delight? Alas, how unhappy I am, that I cannot express all that I feel! Do you not see, Mellefont, do you not see that joy, t...

Am I not her mother? Come, my Bella, see, here is your protector again, your friend, your .... Ah! his heart may tell him what more he can be to you than a protector and a friend.

Victory, Hannah! but a hard victory! Give me a chair, I feel quite exhausted (_sitting down_). He surrendered only just in time, if he had hesitated another moment, I should hav...

I was stunned, Marwood, but not moved! You have had all your trouble in vain. Another atmosphere than this infectious one of your room has given me back my courage and my streng...

I tell you, then, that I am firmly resolved never to think of you again, but with the most fearful of curses. Who are you? And who is Sara? You are a voluptuous, egoistic, shame...

Whither, Mellefont? Is it astonishing that the violence of my grief deprived me of my reason? Who forces me to such unnatural excess? Is it not you yourself? Where can Bella be...

There, Waitwell, take this letter to her! It is the letter of an affectionate father, who complains of nothing but her absence. Tell her that I have sent you on before with it,...

You are only too good. Let me nevertheless reveal my secret to you. The letter contained a few lines from a relative of mine, who has heard of my being here. She passes through...

Good God, what do you bring me? I hear already, I hear already; you bring me the news of my father's death! He is gone, the excellent man, the best of fathers! He is gone, and I...

If they had told me a year ago that I should have to answer such a letter! And under such circumstances! Yes, I have the pen in my hand. But do I know yet what I shall write? Wh...

I must beg your pardon, Madam, for taking the liberty of convincing myself with my own eyes of the happiness of a cousin, for whom I should wish the most perfect of women if the...

I suppose so. But the more I look at you--you must forgive my freedom, Miss--the more you seem to me to be altered. There is something calm, something contented in your looks. E...

You could not have done more for me in all the rest of my life, than in these nine weeks. They are over! But come now with me, Betty. As Mellefont is probably alone again, I mus...

What balm you have poured on my wounded heart with your words, Waitwell! I live again, and the prospect of her return seems to carry me as far back to my youth as her flight had...

No, Mellefont, do not take from me the greater share which I have in our error! It is dear to me, however wrong it is, for it must have convinced you that I love my Mellefont ab...

What a riddle I am to myself! What shall I think myself? A fool? Or a knave? Heart, what a villain thou art! I love the angel, however much of a devil I may be. I love her! Yes,...

For my Sara's sake alone. If its vengeance, already armed, could spare the whole of a sinful city for the sake of a few just men, surely it can also bear with a sinner, when a s...

You surely do not wish me to facilitate this intention by rudeness? Do not let our separation be of an ordinary nature. Let us break with each other as people of reason who yiel...

Am I alone? Can I take breath again unobserved, and let the muscles of my face relax into their natural position? I must just for a moment be the true Marwood in all my features...

I pledge myself, dearest Sara, that this desire of Lady Solmes is sincere, although I must tell you beforehand that you will certainly not see each other again for a long time....

Do not stay now, dearest Mellefont, but come back again soon! And come with a more joyful face, I will wish! You doubtless expect an unpleasant answer. Don't let this disturb yo...

I do not think that my Lady Solmes can wish through this evasion to make me more uneasy. It must be a cruel mercy that only rouses suspicions of an evil which it might disclose.

What does the excitable girl mean? Would that she spake the truth, and that I approached her with murderous hand! I ought to have spared the dagger until now, fool that I was! W...

Norton is a good fellow, but he is rash. I do not want him by any means to be rude to his master on my account. According to his story, Mellefont is innocent of all this. She fo...

A stranger had enticed him beyond the town gate, where he said a gentleman waited for him, to speak with him about matters of the greatest importance. After taking him from plac...

Ha! Marwood! this treachery too! The scoundrel who led me with a mysterious air from one street to another can assuredly have been a messenger of her only! See, dearest Sara, sh...

More of this another time! But why do you not tell me first of all about the danger in which your precious life was placed? I, Mellefont, I should have been the one who had shar...

And my curses follow her! She is gone? Whither? May misfortune and death, and, were it possible, a whole hell lie in her path! May Heaven thunder a consuming fire upon her, may...

He is gone! I am lost? What does he mean? Do you understand him, Norton? I am ill, very ill; but suppose the worst, that I must die, am I therefore lost? And why does he blame y...

I suppose you are anxious for my answer, dear Waitwell. It is ready except a few lines. But why so alarmed? They must have told you that I am ill.

Waitwell, if you will do me the kindness to remain with me, you must not let me see such a melancholy face. You are mute! Speak, I pray! And if I may ask it, speak of my father!...

Oh, my father! Help me to rise, Waitwell, help me to rise that I may throw myself at his feet, (_she endeavours to rise and falls back again into the arm-chair_). Is it he, or i...

Am I to see your face again? No, Sara; I return without consolation, without help. Despair alone brings me back. But whom do I see? You, Sir? Unhappy father! You have come to a...

If they can work miracles, they may come in! Let me no longer remain at this deadly spectacle! One grave shall enclose both. Come and make immediate preparations, and then let u...

Am I really a prisoner? A prisoner? A worthy commencement this of my apprenticeship in war. O ye gods! O my father! How gladly would I persuade myself that all was but a dream!...

I understand you! It is true, I am the king's prisoner, and it rests with him how he will have me treated. But listen: if you are the man whose features you bear,--if you are an...

The wars which kings are forced to wage together are no personal quarrels. Let me embrace you, prince! Ah what happy days your blooming youth recalls to me! Thus bloomed your fa...

O God! the lightning could not have struck nearer without destroying me entirely. Wondrous gods! The flash returns! The vapour passes off, and I was only stunned. My whole miser...

Yes, now; now I could almost laugh! I find that Fate often stretches its arm to terrible length to deal a trifling blow. One might think it wished to crush us, and it has after...

There are said to be so many rogues in the world, and yet deceiving is so hard, even when done with the best intentions. Had I not to turn and twist myself! Only see, good Parme...

The messengers have now gone, my prince! They have started on their swiftest horses, and your father's camp is so near at hand, that we can receive a reply in a few hours.

King! I came to the soldier who had taken the prince and demanded the prince's sword from him in your name. But hear how nobly the soldier refused! "The king," he said, "must no...

Complaints; nothing but complaints! Petitions; nothing but petitions! Wretched employment! And yet we are envied! To be sure, if we could relieve every one, we might indeed be e...

Her portrait! Let it come; it is not herself. But perhaps I may see in the picture what I can no longer find in her person. But I have no wish to make such a discovery. The impo...

I beg your Highness will bear in mind the limits of our art; much of the highest perfection of beauty lies altogether beyond its limits. Look at it in this position.

Yes, as much as he pleases. (_Turning to the picture_.) Thou art mine, too cheap at any price. Oh, thou enchanting work of art! Do I then possess thee? But who shall possess thy...

My fate is harder far than hers. My heart is sacrificed to a miserable political consideration. She has but to take back hers, and need not bestow it against her inclination.

Instantly, instantly. Where is it? (_Turns to the portrait_) On the ground! That was too bad. (_Takes it up_) But look! And yet I will look at thee no more now. Why should I plu...

Here is a petition from one Emilia Galot--I mean Bruneschi. I have already signed my consent to it--but yet the request is no trifle. You may defer the execution of it--or not--...

No more. Be not alarmed. The happiness of to-day awakened me early. The morning was so fine, and the ride so short, I fancied you would be so busy here to-day, and thought you m...

And dare you again appear in public? Don't you know that, in consequence of your last murder, you are declared an outlaw, a price has been put upon your head?

I must wait upon the Count, too. How eager am I to call this worthy man my son! His conduct enchants me, and, above everything, his resolution to pass his days in his native val...

What a man! What rigid virtue--if virtue that should be called, to which everything seems suspicious and culpable. If this be a knowledge of mankind, who would not wish to remai...

Heaven be praised! I am now in safety. Or has he even followed me hither? (_Throwing back her veil and espying her mother_). Has he, my mother, has he?--No, thank Heaven.

It is of greater value to me than my whole life; but it teems with so much bliss for me--perhaps it is this very bliss which makes me so grave--so solemn, as you express it (_es...

Emilia's remark was no less just than quick, Count. You are to-day more grave than usual. And yet you are but a step from the object of your wishes. Do you repent that you have...

I ask pardon, madam. My lord Count, I called at your house, and was informed that I should find you here. I have important business with you. Once more pardon, madam. It will oc...

I will. The Prince is obliged to send an ambassador immediately to the Duke of Massa respecting his marriage with the Princess his daughter. He was long undetermined whom to app...

I relied so firmly on your project--but who knows how ridiculously you acted? I ought to have recollected that though a blockhead's counsel may be good, it requires a clever man...

The carriage is returning slowly to town. So slowly? and at each door a servant? These appearances do not please me; they show the plot has only half succeeded. They are driving...

Here she comes up the avenue. She flies before the servants. Fear gives wings to her feet. She must not suspect our design. She thinks she is escaping from robbers. How long wil...

If she did not see him fall--and of course she could not, as she fled instantly But she comes, and I too do not wish to be the first to meet her eye (_withdraws to a corner of t...

I am quite ashamed.--Yes, Emilia, I deserve this mute reproach. My conduct this morning cannot be justified, or even excused. Pardon my weakness: I ought not to have made you un...

She will be here immediately, unless you prevent it. When you ordered me to pretend to look for her, I felt little inclination to do so. But in the distance I heard her shrieks....

She could not be more safe, were she in heaven.--My master, here, will conduct you to her. (_Observes that some people are beginning to follow_ Claudia.) Back there! Begone! (_E...

Hold! It just occurs to me. It was you, I think, who visited Count Appiani this morning at my house,--whom I left alone with him,--and with whom he afterwards had a quarrel?

Had you, Prince, but seen her frantic conduct in this room! You heard how she screamed; yet how tame she became as soon as she beheld you! Ha! ha! Yes--I never yet knew the moth...

Go--run--Battista. She must not alight. I am not here--not here to her. She must return this instant. Go, go. (_Exit_ Battista). What does the silly woman want? How dares she ta...

What means this? No one comes to meet me, but a shameless servant, who endeavours to obstruct my entrance. Surely I am at Dosalo, where, on former occasions, an army of attendan...

Ha! The fair Countess, as I live. How sorry I am, Madam, that I can to-day so ill avail myself of the honour of your visit. I am engaged. I am not alone. Another time, dear Coun...

"I am engaged, I am not alone." Is this all the excuse I am worth? For whose dismissal would not these words serve? For every importunate, for every beggar. Could he not frame o...

A servant came in haste to tell me that my family was in danger near here. I flew hither, he mentioned, and found that Count Appiani has been wounded--and carried back to town--...

Lunatic? That, then, was the secret which he told you of me. Well, well. It is perhaps not one of his greatest falsehoods. I feel that I am something like one; and believe me, s...

I was right. Our protector, our deliverer! Are you really here? Do I indeed behold you, Odoardo? From their whisper and their manner I knew it was the case. What shall I say to...

From this window your Highness may observe him. He is walking to and fro under the arcade. Now he turns this way. He comes; no, he turns again. He has not yet altogether made up...

Still no one here? 'Tis well. They allow me time to get still cooler. A lucky chance. Nothing is more unseemly than a hoary-headed man transported with the rage of youth. So I h...

We need have no contention on the subject, sir. I may be mistaken. What I think necessary may not be so. The Prince is the best judge--he, therefore, will decide. I go to bring...

How? Never! Prescribe to me whether she shall go! Withhold her from me! Who will do this?--Who dares attempt it?--He, who dares here do anything he pleases?----'Tis well, 'tis w...

Your Highness, I have ever thought it unbecoming to press into the presence of my Prince. He will send for those whom he wants. Even now I ask your pardon----

Why not? Most willingly. Ha! ha! ha! (_Looks wildly around_.) Who laughed? By Heaven I believe it was myself. 'Tis well. I will be merry. The game is near an end. Thus must it b...

Why should I not be so, my father? Either all is lost, or nothing. To be able to be at ease, and to be obliged to be at ease, do they not come to the same thing!

Ascend on high! There, Prince! Does she still charm you? Does she still rouse your appetites?--here, weltering in her blood--which cries for vengeance against you. (_After a pau...

Yes, Daja! thanks to Heaven! But why at _last_? Was it my purpose--was it in my power To come back sooner? Babylon from here, As I was forced to take my devious way, Is a long j...

And is it you! your very self, my father? I thought you had but sent your voice before you, Where are you lingering still? What mountains, streams, Or deserts now divide us? Her...

Mine? not much; but you Would soon grow rich; for when, as oft occurs, The Sultan's treasury is at an ebb, You might unlock your sluices, pour in gold, And take in form of inter...

You mock me, sir! Her eager eye espied him long ago, When scarcely seen amid the distant trees. She watches him intently, and implores That you will go to him without delay. The...

The simple mind is ever in the right.--(_aside_). But will you not inform me who it is That wishes to know more of me? Not you, I dare be sworn.

For what she has so often asked in vain. Her father pressingly invites you too. He lately has arrived from Babylon With twenty camels, bearing precious stones, And stuffs and fr...

Why so? Because designedly You lose the game! You vex me, Saladin! I find no pleasure in a game like this. And even when I lose, I come off well; For, to console me for the game...

Let not a trifle touch my brother nearer Than is becoming, for you know that I Have often won as much from you at chess. But as I stand in little need of gold, I've left the mon...

Can it be possible you know him not Who, it is said, has visited the Of Solomon and David; knows the spell To ope their marble lids, and thence obtain The boundless stores that...

What! would you have your child Be cold and unconcerned about his fate To whom her life is due?--a life to her But dear because she owed it first to you.

I almost shrink from meeting this strange fellow-- Recoil from his rough virtue! That one man Should ever make another feel confused! But see, he comes! he seems a noble youth;...

Who, Saladin? Not yet. I've neither shunned Nor sought to see him. And the public voice Proclaims his fame so loud, that I could wish Rather to take its language upon trust, Tha...

I think I may rely upon you, Daja. Be on your guard, I beg, you'll not repent it. Your conscience shall at length be satisfied, But do not mar my plans. Inquire, explain, But wi...

From being made his Defterdar. I pity you--I cannot stay to see it. I fly this hour--you know the road I take. Speak, then, if I can serve you; but your wants Must suit a wretch...

Well, Daja, did my father really say "That I might instantly expect him here?" That surely meant that he would come at once, And yet how many minutes have rolled by! But I'll no...

At the feet Of this proud man, I will thank God alone, And not the man. He does not want my thanks-- As little as the bucket does which proved Itself so useful at the fire, and...

Confess at least, dear Recha, That all this restlessness has brought you pleasure, And that you have to thank his want of ease For all the ease that you yourself enjoy.

Ay! and with weapons I'm not used to wield. Must I then play the hypocrite--and frame Precautions--lay a snare? Where learnt I that? And for what end? To seek for money--money!...

What mean you? Not your wares?--My sister, then, Shall make the bargain with you. (That's for the listener!) I am not versed in mercantile affairs, And with a merchant's craft I...

Strange! how is this? What can the Sultan want? I came prepared for cash--he asks for truth! Truth! as if truth were cash! A coin disused-- Valued by weight! If so, 'twere well,...

In days of yore, there dwelt in Eastern lands A man, who from a valued hand received A ring of priceless worth. An opal stone Shot from within an ever-changing hue, And held thi...

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, An...

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----

Too much, indeed! Strange that the human brain So infinite of comprehension, should At times with a mere trifle be engrossed, Suddenly filled, and all at once quite full, No mat...

Ay, ay! he must be right, the Patriarch! And yet, of all his business, no great part Has prospered in my hands. But why should he Entrust such tasks to me? I have no wish To pla...

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

Then take the rest to Sittah? Where's Al-Hafi? He must take charge of what is here. But, hold, Were it not best to send it to my father? Here 'twill be quickly spent. I feel, in...

It is my duty, Sire, To hear, and not anticipate, your will. Yet it but ill becomes my character And station, Sultan, to be thus profuse Of gratitude because you've spared my li...

If this were like him, and 'twere not the knight Who had his portrait taken. But, dear brother, How could you ever so forget yourself As not to make inquiry for his parents?

O, how magnificent are all these things! How rich! they're such as none but you could give. Where was this silver stuff with sprigs of gold Woven? What might it cost? 'Tis what...

(_Aside_. Gladly I would continue Recha's father! And can I not be so, though I may cease To bear the name? To her--at least to her-- I should be father still, if she but knew H...

Well, I have other fears. The only child, As they suppose, of such a wealthy Jew, Would for a Mussulman be no bad thing. I'll wager that the Templar loses her, Unless I risk a s...

There lies the gold--and no one yet has seen The Dervise. He will probably be found Over the chess-board. Play can often make A man forget himself. Then why not me? But patience...

I believe it all. But take, good Mansor--take, without delay, Another escort if you will proceed, And take the treasure on to Lebanon: The greater part is destined for my father.

Into this house I never enter more: He'll come to me at last. Yet, formerly, They used to watch for me with longing eyes; And now----The time may come he'll send to beg, Most ci...

The book you have did not belong to me. It is the maid's, is all her property, Her only patrimony--save yourself. God grant you ne'er have reason to repent Of what you've done f...

Accused you! With his leave, that is untrue. No! Hear me, Nathan! I am not the man E'er to deny my actions. What I've done I've done--and there's an end. Nor am I one Who would...

Nay, child, not princess! Call me friend, Or Sittah--or your sister--or dear mother, For I might well be so to you--so good, So prudent, and so young! How much you know, How muc...

No, I'll not rise--not rise nor even look Upon the Sultan's countenance, nor wonder At the bright lustre of unchanging truth And goodness on his brow and in his eye, Before----

For my gold Is now arrived; the caravan is safe: These many years I have not been so rich. Now, tell me what you wish for, to achieve Some splendid speculation? You in trade, Li...