Scene V.

Nathan _and the_ Templar.

(_The latter advancing towards him from the side_.)

TEMPLAR.

Hold, Nathan, hold! Take me along with you.

NATHAN.

Who calls? You, Templar! Where can you have been That you could not be met with at the Sultan's?

TEMPLAR.

We missed each other; do not be displeased.

NATHAN.

Not I, but Saladin.

TEMPLAR.

You had just gone.

NATHAN.

Oh, then, you spoke with him. I'm satisfied.

TEMPLAR.

Yes; but he wants to talk with us together.

NATHAN.

So much the better. Come with me; I go Direct to him.

TEMPLAR.

Say, Nathan, may I ask Who left you even now?

NATHAN.

What! don't you know?

TEMPLAR.

Was it that worthy fellow, the good friar, Whom the old Patriarch employs at will To work his ends?

NATHAN.

The same--the very same.

TEMPLAR.

'Tis a prime hit to make simplicity The workman of deceit.

NATHAN.

Yes, if he use The fool, and not the pious man.

TEMPLAR.

This last The Patriarch ne'er trusts.

NATHAN.

Depend on this, That man will not assist the Patriarch To a wicked end.

TEMPLAR.

Well, so I think myself. But has he told you aught of me?

NATHAN.

Of you? He scarcely knows your name.

TEMPLAR.

That's like enough.

NATHAN.

He spoke to me about a Templar, who----

TEMPLAR.

Who what?

NATHAN.

But then he never mentioned you.

TEMPLAR.

Who knows? Come tell me, Nathan, all he said.

NATHAN.

Who has accused me to the Patriarch?

TEMPLAR.

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 maintain that all I've done is right. But should one fault condemn me? Am I not Resolved on better deeds for time to come? And who is ignorant how much the man Who wills it may improve? Then hear me, Nathan: I am the Templar talked of by the Friar, Who has accused--you know what maddened me, What set my blood on fire within my veins-- Fool that I was! I had almost resolved To fling myself both soul and body, straight Into your arms. But how was I received? How did you meet me, Nathan? Cold--or worse. Lukewarm--far worse than cold. With cautious words, Well weighed and measured, Nathan, you took care To put me off, and with calm questions, asked About my parentage, and God knows what, You sought to meet my suit. I cannot now Dwell on it and be patient. Hear me further. While in this ferment, Daja suddenly Drew near to me and whispered in my ear A secret which cleared up the mystery.

NATHAN.

What was it?

TEMPLAR.

Hear me to the end. I thought The treasure you had from the Christians stolen, You would not promptly to a Christian yield; And so the project struck me, with good speed, To bring you to extremities.

NATHAN.

Good speed? Good, good? pray where's the good!

TEMPLAR.

But hear me out. I own my error; you are free from guilt; That prating Daja knows not what she says. She's hostile to you, and she seeks to twine A dangerous snare around you. Be it so. I'm but a crazed enthusiast, doubly mad, Aiming at far too much, or much too little. That may be also true. Forgive me, Nathan.

NATHAN.

If you conceive thus of me----

TEMPLAR.

Well, in short. I saw the Patriarch--but named you not. 'Twas false to say so, for I only told The case in general terms, to sound his mind. And that I also might have left undone, For knew I not the Patriarch to be An arrant, subtle knave? And might I not As well have told you all the case at first? Or was it right in me to risk the loss Of such a father to the hapless maid? But what has happened now? The Patriarch, Ever consistent in his villainy, Has all at once restored me to myself. For hear me, Nathan, hear me! Were he now To learn your name, what more could then occur? He cannot seize the maid, if she belong To some one else, and not to you alone. 'Tis from your house alone she can be dragged Into a convent: grant her, then, I pray, Grant her to me! Then come the Patriarch! He'll hardly dare to take my wife from me. Oh! give her to me. Be she yours or not-- Your daughter--Christian--Jewess--'tis all one-- Or be she nothing--I will ne'er inquire, Or in my lifetime ask you what she is, 'Tis all alike to me.

NATHAN.

Do you then think That to conceal the truth I am compelled?

TEMPLAR.

No matter.

NATHAN.

I have ne'er denied the truth To you, or any one whom it concerned To know the fact, that she's of Christian birth, And that the maid is my adopted child. Why I have not informed her of the truth, I need explain to none but to herself.

TEMPLAR.

Nathan; no need of that, it were not well That she should see you in a different light; Then spare her the discovery. As yet She's yours alone--no other's--to bestow. Then grant her to me, Nathan, I implore-- Grant her to me: I only, I alone, Can rescue her a second time--and will.

NATHAN.

Yes, you could once have saved her, but alas! 'Tis now too late.

TEMPLAR.

Too late! ah! say not so.

NATHAN.

Thanks to the Patriarch.

TEMPLAR.

Why, thanks to him? Why should we thank the Patriarch! For what?

NATHAN.

That now we know her relatives, and know Into whose hands Recha may be restored.

TEMPLAR.

Let him give thanks who shall have better cause To thank him.

NATHAN.

But you must receive her now From other hands than mine.

TEMPLAR.

Alas, poor maid! O hapless Recha! what has chanced to thee, That what to other orphans had appeared A real blessing, is to thee a curse! But, Nathan, where are these new relatives?

NATHAN.

Where are they?

TEMPLAR.

Ay, both where and who are they?

NATHAN.

Her brother is discovered, and to him You must address yourself.

TEMPLAR.

Her brother! Ha! And what is he--a soldier or a priest? Tell me at once what I've to hope from him.

NATHAN.

I hear he's neither--or he's both. As yet I do not know him thoroughly.

TEMPLAR.

What more?

NATHAN.

He is a gallant fellow, and with him Recha may be content.

TEMPLAR.

But he's a Christian. At times I know not what to make of you. Take it not ill, good Nathan, that I ask, Must she not henceforth play the Christian, Associate with Christians, and at last Become the character she long has played? Will not the tares at length grow up and choke The pure wheat you have sown? And does not that Affect you? Yet you say she'll be content When with her brother.

NATHAN.

As I think and hope. For should she e'er have need of anything, Has she not you and me?

TEMPLAR.

What can she need When with her brother. Gladly he'll provide His dear new sister with a thousand robes, With dainties, and with toys and finery. And what could any sister wish for more-- Unless, perhaps, a husband? And him too, Him too the brother, in due time, will find; And the more Christian he, the better!--Nathan, How sad to think the angel you have formed, Should now be marred by others!

NATHAN.

Be assured He'll always prove deserving of our love.

TEMPLAR.

Nay speak not so; of my love, speak not so, For it can brook no loss, however small, Not e'en a name. But, hold! Has she as yet Any suspicion of these late events?

NATHAN.

'Tis possible, and yet I know not how.

TEMPLAR.

It matters not; she must, in either case, First learn from me what fate is threat'ning her. My purpose not to speak with her again, And ne'er to see her more, till I should call Your Recha mine, is gone. I take my leave.

NATHAN.

Nay, whither would you go?

TEMPLAR.

At once to her, To learn if she be bold enough at heart, To fix upon the only course that now Is worthy of her.

NATHAN.

Name it.

TEMPLAR.

It is this: That henceforth she should never care to know Aught of her brother or of you.

NATHAN.

What more?

TEMPLAR.

To follow me--even if it were her fate To wed a Mussulman.

NATHAN.

Stay, Templar, stay! You will not find her. She's with Sittah now, The Sultan's sister.

TEMPLAR.

Wherefore, and since when?

NATHAN.

If you desire to see her brother, come, Follow me straight.

TEMPLAR.

Her brother, say you? Whose? Recha's, or Sittah's?

NATHAN.

Both--ay, both, perhaps. But come this way, I pray you. Come with me. (Nathan _leads the_ Templar _away_.)