SCENE II.--_A room at the palace of_ SALADIN. _Slaves bring in

money-bags to_ SALADIN _and_ SITTAH.

SALADIN (_to_ Sittah): Here, pay yourself with that. And look, I found This portrait 'midst the heap of plate and jewels. It is our brother Assad. I'll compare The likeness with our Templar. Ah, who's there? The Templar? Bid him enter.

[_Enter the_ TEMPLAR.

TEMPLAR: Saladin, Thy captive, sire, who's life is at thy service!

SALADIN: Ah, brave young man, I'm not deceived in thee. Thou art indeed, in soul and body, Assad! Came Nathan with thee?

TEMPLAR: Who?

SALADIN: Who? Nathan

TEMPLAR (_coldly_): No.

SALADIN: Why so cold?

TEMPLAR: I've nothing against Nathan, But I am angry with myself alone For dreaming that a Jew could be no Jew. He was so cautious of my suit that I, In swift resentment, though unwitting, gave Him over to the Patriarch's bloody rage. Sultan, the maiden is no child of his; She is a Christian whom the Jew hath reared In ignorance of her faith. The Patriarch Foredooms him to the stake.

SALADIN: Go to, go to. The case is scarcely hopeless. Summon Nathan, And I shall reconcile you. If indeed You're earnest for the maid, she shall be thine.