Saladin Ay! and with weapons I'm not used to wield. The most contemptible of paltry things? But paltry things, despised too much, are sure Saladin Sittah Saladin Sittah Saladin Sittah 'Tis true! What if this Jew should prove an upright man, Such as the Dervise painted him? Your difficulty ceases; for a snare Implies an avaricious, cheating Jew, Why, then, And not an upright man. Then he is ours How such a man will speak — with what stern strength True, Sittah! 'twill afford me rare delight. What, then, need trouble you? For if he be, So I must, then, Yes, brother, if you call it doing ill Saladin Well, there is nothing woman's wit invents Sittah How, palliate? Sittah, I fear such fine-wrought filigree Saladin Oh, brother, have more courage in yourself! 'Tis of the fellowship he feels ashamed, Well, 'tis strange That women so delight to bring mankind Sittah Must I go? Saladin You did not mean to stay? Sittah Saladin What! to listen? No, not with you, Beware of lingering! I'll be on the watch. Saladin But, at least the people call you so. Nathan Saladin That may be true. The people! Do not think Nathan Saladin Nathan Saladin Nathan Saladin Nathan Saladin Nathan Saladin Nathan Saladin Nathan What if it named Who knows his real interest, you mean. Then, Sultan, selfish men were the most prudent, You're proving what your speeches contradict. The people know them not have never sought Which every man conceives himself to be. I will serve you, prince, And prove that I am worthy of your favor. How will you serve me? You shall have the best What mean you? Not your wares ?-My sister, then, listener!) I am not versed in mercantile affairs, And with a merchant's craft I've naught to do. Doubtless you would inquire if I have marked Neither was that my object. On that point It is another, a far different thing I obey. On which I seek for wisdom; and since you Nathan Saladin Sultan, I am a Jew. And I a Mussulman. The Christian stands Conviction, choice, or ground of preference, A brief delay to Nathan [alone]— [Exit. Strange! how is this? What can the Sultan want? He asks for truth. Is truth what he requires? his aim, his end? That were too petty for his noble mind. Yet what is e'er too petty for the great? Did he not rush at once into the house, Whilst, as a friend, he would have paused or knocked? I must beware. Yet to repel him now, And act the stubborn Jew, is not the thing; And wholly to fling off the Jew, still less. For if no Jew, he might with justice ask, Why not a Mussulman? - That thought may serve. With tales well told. But see, he comes - he comes. Saladin [aside] SALADIN, NATHAN. (The coast is clear) — I am not come too soon? Nathan Saladin Would all the world might hear! And are you of your cause so confident. Ay, when necessity and profit bid. I hope that henceforth I shall rightly bear Nathan Saladin Nathan Saladin Nathan A noble title, truly; Why not? Well told! Ah, Sultan! that's another thing. What! still so proudly modest? But begin. In days of yore, there dwelt in Eastern lands Be lord of all the house. You hear me, Sultan? |