Scene VIII.

_The Place of Palms in the neighbourhood of the Convent, where the_ Templar _awaits_ Nathan.

TEMPLAR (_walking to and fro, in conflict with himself_.)

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, And, come what may, I could no more than flee, The stroke was far too sudden to escape. Long--much--I strove to keep aloof, in vain. But once to see her, e'en against my will, To see her, and to frame a firm resolve Never to lose her. What, then, is resolve? Resolve is purpose--action, while--in truth-- I was but passive. But to see her once, And feel that I was woven into her being, Was then and still remains the self-same thing. To live apart from her--oh, bitter thought!-- Were death; and after death--where'er we were-- 'Twould there be death too. Say, then, is this love? And doth the Templar love? A Christian loves A Jewish maiden! Well, and what of that? This is the holy land; holy to me, And dear, because I have of late renounced Full many a prejudice. What says my vow? In the same hour that made me prisoner To Saladin. The head he gave me back, Was it the old one? No. I'm newly framed, I know no fragment of the ancient forms That bound me once. My brain is clearer now, More fit for my paternal home above. Now I can think as once my father thought, If tales of him are not untruly told-- Tales that were ne'er so credible as now, When I am stumbling where my father fell. Fell! yet 'twere better far to fall with men Than stand with boys. His conduct guarantees His approbation. And what need I more Than Nathan's approbation? Of his praise I cannot doubt. Oh, what a Jew is he! And yet he would appear the simple Jew. But, see, he comes--he comes in haste--delight Beams from his eye. But who leaves Saladin With other looks? Ho! Nathan!