Nathan the Wise Part 6

When he is much besought, and thinks it right, A dervis must.

NATHAN.

Well spoken, by our G.o.d!

Embrace me, man, you're still, I trust, my friend.

HAFI.

Why not ask first what has been made of me?

NATHAN.

Ask climbers to look back!

HAFI.

And may I not Have grown to such a creature in the state That my old friendship is no longer welcome?

NATHAN.

If you still bear your dervis-heart about you I'll run the risk of that. Th' official robe Is but your cloak.

HAFI.

A cloak, that claims some honour.

What think'st thou? At a court of thine how great Had been Al-Hafi?

NATHAN.

Nothing but a dervis.

If more, perhaps--what shall I say--my cook.

HAFI.

In order to unlearn my native trade.

Thy cook--why not thy butler too? The Sultan, He knows me better, I'm his treasurer.

NATHAN.

You, you?

HAFI.

Mistake not--of the lesser purse - His father manages the greater still - The purser of his household.

NATHAN.

That's not small.

HAFI.

'Tis larger than thou think'st; for every beggar Is of his household.

NATHAN.

He's so much their foe -

HAFI.

That he'd fain root them out--with food and raiment - Tho' he turn beggar in the enterprize.

NATHAN.

Bravo, I meant so.

HAFI.

And he's almost such.

His treasury is every day, ere sun-set, Poorer than empty; and how high so e'er Flows in the morning tide, 'tis ebb by noon.

NATHAN.

Because it circulates through such ca.n.a.ls As can be neither stopped, nor filled.

HAFI.

Thou hast it.

NATHAN.

I know it well.

HAFI.

Nathan, 'tis woeful doing When kings are vultures amid caresses: But when they're caresses amid the vultures 'Tis ten times worse.

NATHAN.

No, dervis, no, no, no.

HAFI.

Thou mayst well talk so. Now then, let me hear What wouldst thou give me to resign my office?

NATHAN.

What does it bring you in?