The Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing Part 137

SALADIN.

You young dissembler, you will else grow pale!

But as thou wilt and canst. (_A female slave enters, and approaches_ Sittah.) What, here so soon?

SITTAH.

Well, let them enter. Brother, here they are!

Scene VIII.

Nathan, _the_ Templar, _and the others_.

SALADIN.

Welcome, my dear good friends! Nathan, to you I must first mention, you may send and fetch Your moneys when you will.

NATHAN.

Sultan----

SALADIN.

And now I'm at your service.

NATHAN.

Sultan----

SALADIN.

For my gold Is now arrived; the caravan is safe: These many years I have not been so rich.

Now, tell me what you wish for, to achieve Some splendid speculation? You in trade, Like us, have never too much ready cash.

NATHAN.

Why speak about this trifle first? I see An eye in tears (_going towards_ Recha). My Recha, you have wept.

What have you lost? Are you not still my child?

RECHA.

My father!

NATHAN.

That's enough! We're understood By one another! But look up--be calm, Be cheerful! If your heart is still your own, And if no threatened loss disturb your breast, Your father is not lost to you!

RECHA.

None, none!

TEMPLAR.

None! Then I'm much deceived. What we don't fear To lose, we ne'er have loved, and ne'er have wished To be possessed of. But 'tis well, 'tis well!

Nathan, this changes all! At your command, We come here, Sultan. You have been misled By me, and I will trouble you no more!

SALADIN.

Rash, headlong youth! Must every temper yield To yours!--and must we all thus guess your mind?

TEMPLAR.

But, Sultan, you have heard and seen it all.

SALADIN.

Well, truly, it was awkward to be thus Uncertain of your cause!

TEMPLAR.

I know my fate.

SALADIN.

Whoe'er presumes upon a service done, Cancels the benefit. What you have saved Is, therefore, not your own. Or else the thief, Urged by mere avarice through flaming halls, Were like yourself a hero. (_Advancing towards_ Recha _to lead her to the_ Templar.) Come, sweet maid!

Be not reserved towards him. Had he been so, Were he less warm, less proud, he had held back, And had not saved you. Weigh the former deed Against the latter, and you'll make him blush!

Do what he should have done! confess your love!

Make him your offer! and if he refuse, Or e'er forget how infinitely more You do for him than he has done for you-- For what, in fact, have been his services, Save soiling his complexion? a mere sport-- Else has he nothing of my a.s.sad in him, But only wears his mask. Come, lovely maid.

SITTAH.

Go, dearest, go! this step is not enough For grat.i.tude; it is too little.

NATHAN.

Hold!

Hold, Saladin! hold, Sittah!

SALADIN.

What would you?

NATHAN.

It is the duty of another now To speak.

SALADIN.