Scene IX.

Nathan, Al-Hafi.

AL-HAFI.

Ha! are you there? I have been seeking you.

NATHAN.

Why in such haste? What can he want with me?

AL-HAFI.

Who?

NATHAN.

Saladin. But I am coming quickly.

AL-HAFI.

To whom? To Saladin?

NATHAN.

Has he not sent you?

AL-HAFI.

Me? no--but has he sent already?

NATHAN.

Yes.

AL-HAFI.

Then it is so.

NATHAN.

What's so?

AL-HAFI.

That----I'm not guilty, God knows, I'm not to blame; 'tis not my fault. I've done my best--belied, and slandered you-- To save you from it.

NATHAN.

Save me? and from what? Be plain.

AL-HAFI.

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 that's wholly destitute. Quick, what's your pleasure?

NATHAN.

Recollect yourself-- Your words are mystery. I know of nothing. What do you mean?

AL-HAFI.

You'll take your money--bags?

NATHAN.

My money--bags!

AL-HAFI.

Ay, bring your treasures forth-- The treasures you must shower on Saladin.

NATHAN.

And is that all?

AL-HAFI.

Ah! shall I witness it, How, day by day, he'll scoop and pare you down, Till nothing but a hollow, empty shell, A husk as light as film, is left behind. Nathan, you've yet to learn how spendthrift waste From prudent bounty's never empty stores Borrows and borrows, till there's not a crumb Left to keep rats from starving. Do not think That he who wants your gold will heed advice. When has the Sultan listened to advice? Hear what befel me with him.

NATHAN.

Well--go on.

AL-HAFI.

He played just now at chess with Sittah. She Is a keen player. I drew near and watched. The game which Saladin supposed was lost, Stood yet upon the board. He had given in, I marked, and cried, "The game's not lost at all!"

NATHAN.

Oh! what a grand discovery for you.

AL-HAFI.

He needed only to remove his king Behind the castle--and the check was saved. Could I but show you----

NATHAN.

I believe it all!

AL-HAFI.

Then with the castle free, he must have won. I saw it, and I called him to the board. What do you think he did?

NATHAN.

He doubted you.

AL-HAFI.

Not only that--he would not hear a word-- And with contempt he overthrew the board.

NATHAN.

Indeed!

AL-HAFI.

He said he chose it--would be mate. Is that to play the game?

NATHAN.

Most surely not. 'Twas rather playing with the game.

AL-HAFI.

And yet The stakes were high.

NATHAN.

A trifle to the Sultan! Money is nought to him. It is not that Which galls, but not to hear Al-Hafi out-- Not to admire his comprehensive glance, His eagle eye--'tis that demands revenge. Say, am I right?

AL-HAFI.

I only tell this tale That you may know how much his head is worth. But I am weary of him. All the day I am running round to every wretched Moor To borrow--money for him--I who ne'er Ask for myself, am now obliged to sue For others--and, according to my creed, To borrow is to beg, as, when you lend Your money upon usury, you steal. Among my Ghebers on the Ganges' shores I shall need neither; there I shall not be The tool or pimp of any; there alone Upon the Ganges honest men are found. You, Nathan, you alone of all I see Are worthy on the Ganges' banks to live. Then come with me; leave him the wretched gold That he would strip you of--'tis all he wants. Little by little he will ruin you; 'Tis better to be quit of all at once; Come, then, and I'll provide you with a staff.

NATHAN.

Nay, that resource will still remain for us As a last refuge. But I'll think of it.

AL-HAFI.

Nay, ponder not upon a thing like this.

NATHAN.

Then stay till I have seen the Sultan. Stay Till I have bid farewell.

AL-HAFI.

The man who stays To hunt for motives, to search reasons out, Who cannot boldly and at once resolve To live a free man's life, must be the slave Of others till his death. But as you please. Farewell! my path is here, and yours is there!

NATHAN.

But stay, Al-Hafi! till you have arranged The state accounts.

AL-HAFI.

Pah! Nathan, there's no need; The balance in the chest is quickly told, And my account, Sittah, or you, will vouch. Farewell! (_Exit_.)

NATHAN (_looking after him_).

Yes, I will vouch it, honest, wild-- How shall I call him? Ah! the real beggar Is, after all, the only real king. (_Exit at opposite side_.)