The Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing Part 129

Are you the man who fell?

3RD MAMELUKE.

No, Sire.

I have to tell you that the Emir Mansor, Who led the caravan, is just arrived.

SALADIN.

Then bring him quickly.--There he is already.

Scene II.

_The Emir_ Mansor _and_ Saladin.

SALADIN.

Emir, you're welcome! What has happened to you, Mansor? we have expected you for long.

MANSOR.

This letter will explain how, in Thebais, Some discontents required the sabred hand Of Abulka.s.sen. But, since then, our march Has been pressed forward.

SALADIN.

I believe it all.

But take, good Mansor--take, without delay, Another escort if you will proceed, And take the treasure on to Lebanon: The greater part is destined for my father.

MANSOR.

Most willingly.

SALADIN.

And let your escort be A strong and trusty one, for Lebanon Is far from quiet, and the Templars there Are on the stir again; be cautious, then Come, I must see your troop, and order all.

(_To a slave_.) Say I shall presently return to Sittah.

Scene III.

(_The palm-trees before_ Nathan's _house_.)

_The_ Templar, _walking up and down_.

TEMPLAR.

Into this house I never enter more: He'll come to me at last. Yet, formerly, They used to watch for me with longing eyes; And now----The time may come he'll send to beg, Most civilly, that I will get me hence, And not pace up and down before his door!

No matter: though I feel a little hurt.

I know not what has thus embittered me: He answered yes, and has refused me naught, So far, and Saladin has pledged himself To bring him round. Say, does the Christian live Deeper in me than the Jew lurks in him?

Ah! who can truly estimate himself?

How comes it else that I should grudge him so The trifling booty, which he took such pains To rob the Christians of? No trifling theft!

No less than such a creature! And to whom Does she belong? Oh, surely not to him, The thoughtless slave, who floated the mere block On to life's barren strand, then disappeared.

Rather to him, the artist, whose fine soul Has from the block moulded this G.o.dlike form, And graved it there. And yet in spite of him, The Christian, who begot this beauteous maid, Recha's true father must be still the Jew.

Were I to fancy her a Christian now, Bereft of all the Jew has given to her-- Which only such a Jew could have bestowed-- Speak out, my heart--where would have been her charm'

It had been nothing--little; then her smile Had been a pretty twisting of the mouth And that which caused it were unworthy deemed Of the enchantment blooming on her lips.

No: not her very smile! I've seen sweet smiles Squandered on pride, on foppery, on lies, On flatterers, on wicked wooers spent: And did they charm me then? Did they awake The wish to flutter out existence in Their sunshine? And I'm angry now with him Who gave this higher value to the maid?

And wherefore so? Do I deserve the taunt With which I was dismissed by Saladin?

'Twas bad enough he should think thus of me.

How wicked, how contemptible, alas!

I must have seemed to him! And for a girl!

Conrad, this will not do. Avaunt such thoughts!

And what if Daja has been chattering Of things not easy to be proved? But see, He comes, engaged in converse; and with whom?

With him, the Friar. Then he knows all: perhaps He has betrayed him to the Patriarch.

O Conrad! what vile mischief hast thou done!

O! that one spark of love, that wayward pa.s.sion, Should so inflame the brain! But, quick! resolve; What's to be done? Stay, step aside awhile; Perhaps the Friar will leave him. Let us see.

Scene IV.

Nathan _and the_ Friar.

NATHAN (_approaching him_).

Good brother, once more, thanks.

FRIAR.

The same to you.

NATHAN.

Why thanks from you? Because I'm wayward, and Would force upon you what you cannot use?

FRIAR.

The book you have did not belong to me.

It is the maid's, is all her property, Her only patrimony--save yourself.

G.o.d grant you ne'er have reason to repent Of what you've done for her!

NATHAN.

Impossible!

That cannot be. Fear not.

FRIAR.

Alas! alas!

These Patriarchs and Templars----