Saladin Sittah Ay! and with weapons I'm not used to wield. Must I then play the hypocrite-and frame Precautions - lay a snare? Where learnt I that? 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 Without a snare. "Twill give us joy to hear 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, Saladin Sittah Yes, brother, if you call it doing ill To put a thing to its intended use. Well, there is nothing woman's wit invents How, palliate? Sittah, I fear such fine-wrought filigree Sittah Saladin Oh, brother, have more courage in yourself! 'Tis of the fellowship he feels ashamed, But of the cunning, never. Well, 'tis strange That women so delight to bring mankind I think I know my lesson. Sittah Must I go? Saladin You did not mean to stay? Sittah Saladin What! to listen? No, not with you, Not so, my sister, if I shall succeed. Away! the curtain rustles he is come. Beware of lingering! I'll be on the watch. [While SITTAH retires through one door, NATHAN enters at another, and SALADIN seats himself. Saladin But, at least the people call you so. Nathan Saladin That may be true. The people! Do not think I treat the people's voice contemptuously. Nathan Saladin Nathan What if it named Who knows his real interest, you mean. Then, Sultan, selfish men were the most prudent, Saladin Nathan Saladin Nathan Saladin Nathan Saladin You're proving what your speeches contradict. The people know them not-have never sought Which every man conceives himself to be. A truce to modesty! To meet it ever, [Springs up. I will serve you, prince, How will you serve me? You shall have the best Of all I have, and at the cheapest rate. What mean you? Not your wares? listener!) My sister, then, (That's for the I am not versed in mercantile affairs, Nathan Saladin Nathan 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, Am I the first? A brief delay to I yield it freely. shape your scattered thoughts, She will inform me if I've acted right.) Reflect then, Nathan, I shall soon return. [Exit. Nathan [alone] Strange! how is this? What can the Sultan want? 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, NATHAN. Saladin [aside]— Nathan Nathan Saladin Nathan (The coast is clear) — I am not come too soon? 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 Saladin Nathan Saladin Nathan A noble title, truly; But, Sultan, ere I quite explain myself, 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? |