The Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing Part 124

The Templar pleases me; 'tis true I'd rather he, than any one, had Recha.

But patience.

DAJA.

Patience! and, say, is not that The string you always harp on?

NATHAN.

Still, have patience But for a few days longer. Ha! who comes?

A friar! Go ask him what his errand is.

DAJA (_going_).

What can he want?

NATHAN.

Give--give before he begs.

(Oh, that I knew how I could sound the Knight Without betraying what my motive is!

For should I tell it, and my thoughts prove false, I shall have staked the father's rights in vain.) What is the matter?

DAJA.

He would speak with you.

NATHAN.

Let him approach. Leave us together, Daja.

Scene VII.

Nathan _and the_ Friar.

NATHAN.

(_Aside_. Gladly I would continue Recha's father!

And can I not be so, though I may cease To bear the name? To her--at least to her-- I should be father still, if she but knew How willingly I bore that t.i.tle once.) What can I do to serve you, pious brother?

FRIAR.

Not much; and yet it gives me pleasure, Nathan, To see at least that you are still so well.

NATHAN.

You know me, then, it seems?

FRIAR.

Who knows you not?

You have impressed your name on many a hand-- It has been stamped on mine these many years.

NATHAN (_feeling for his purse_).

Come, brother, come; here's to refresh it.

FRIAR.

Thanks.

That would be robbing poorer men. I will Take nothing; but I beg of you, permit That I refresh your memory with my name; For I can boast of having formerly Placed something in your hand you should not scorn.

NATHAN.

Excuse me--I'm ashamed--what was it? Say, And then take for atonement sevenfold The value of the thing.

FRIAR.

Well, first of all, Hear how this very day has brought to mind The pledge I gave you.

NATHAN.

What! a pledge to me?

FRIAR.

Not long ago I led a hermit's life On Quarantana, near to Jericho.

Some Arab thieves came and attacked my cell; They robbed my oratory, forcing me To follow them. But fortune favoured me.

I fled, came hither to the Patriarch, And sought from him another calm retreat, Where I might serve my G.o.d in solitude Till death should bless me.

NATHAN.

Ah! I am on thorns.

Be quick! What pledge did you entrust to me?

FRIAR.

Yes, Nathan, presently. The Patriarch Has promised I shall have a hermitage On Tabor, when 'tis vacant; and meanwhile Employs me in this convent as a brother, And here I am at present. But I pine For Tabor fifty times a day; for here He makes me toil at work which I detest.

NATHAN.

Be speedy, I beseech you.

FRIAR.

Well, it chanced Some one has whispered in his ear to-day That a Jew lives hard by, who educates A Christian as his daughter.

NATHAN.

How?