The Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing Part 136

He's not my father, Sittah! Now, behold, I'm once more prostrate at your feet.

SITTAH.

Arise!

Recha, arise! behold, my brother comes.

Scene VII.

 

Saladin, Sittah, _and_ Recha.

SALADIN.

What is the matter, Sittah?

SITTAH.

She has swooned.

SALADIN.

Who is she?

SITTAH.

Don't you know?

SALADIN.

'Tis Nathan's child.

What ails her?

SITTAH.

Look up, Recha! 'tis the Sultan.

RECHA (_crawling to Saladin's feet_).

No, I'll not rise--not rise nor even look Upon the Sultan's countenance, nor wonder At the bright l.u.s.tre of unchanging truth And goodness on his brow and in his eye, Before----

SITTAH.

Rise, rise!

RECHA.

Before he promises----

SALADIN.

Come, come! I promise, whatsoe'er your prayer.

RECHA.

'Tis only this--to leave my father to me, And me to him. As yet I cannot tell Who seeks to be my father: who it is Can harbour such a wish I'll ne'er inquire.

Does blood alone make fathers--blood alone?

SITTAH.

Who can have been so cruel as to raise This dire suspicion in my Recha's breast?

Say, is it proved? beyond all doubt made clear?

RECHA.

'Tis proved, for Daja had it from my nurse, Whose dying lips entrusted it to her.

SALADIN.

Dying! she raved. And even were it true, A father is not made by blood alone; Scarcely the father of a savage beast-- Blood only gives the right to earn the name.

Then fear no more, but hear me. If there be Two fathers who contend for thee, leave both, And claim a third! O! take me for your father!

SITTAH.

Oh, do so, Recha, do so!

SALADIN.

I will be A good, kind father to you. But, in truth A better thought occurs. Why should you need Two fathers? They are mortal, and must die.

'Twere better, Recha, to look out betimes For one to start with you on equal terms, And stake his life for thine. You understand?

SITTAH.

You make her blus.h.!.+

SALADIN.

Why that was half my scheme.

Blus.h.i.+ng becomes plain features, and will make A beauteous cheek more beauteous. My commands Are giv'n to bring your father, Nathan, here.

Another comes as well. You'll guess his name?

Hither they come! Will you allow it, Sittah?

SITTAH.

Brother!

SALADIN.

And when he comes, maid, you must blush To crimson.

RECHA.

Sittah! wherefore should I blush?