The Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing Part 139

NATHAN.

Your mother was a Stauffen: and her brother (The uncle to whose care you were consigned, When, by the rigour of the climate chased, Your parents quitted Germany, to seek This land once more) was Conrad. He, perhaps, Adopted you as his own son and heir.

Is it long since you travelled hither with him?

Does he still live?

TEMPLAR.

 

What shall I answer him?

He speaks the truth. Nathan, 'tis so indeed; But he himself is dead. I journeyed here, With the last troops of knights, to reinforce Our order. But inform me how this tale Concerns your Recha's brother.

NATHAN.

Well, your father----

TEMPLAR.

What! did you know him too?

NATHAN.

He was my friend.

TEMPLAR.

Your friend! Oh, Nathan, is it possible?

NATHAN.

Oluf of Filneck did he style himself; But he was not a German.

TEMPLAR.

You know that?

NATHAN.

He had espoused a German, and he lived For some, time with your mother there.

TEMPLAR.

No more Of this, I beg. But what of Recha's brother?

NATHAN.

It is yourself.

TEMPLAR.

What, I? am I her brother?

RECHA.

He, my brother?

SALADIN.

Are they so near akin?

RECHA (_approaching the_ Templar).

My brother!

TEMPLAR (_stepping back_).

I, your brother?

RECHA (_stopping and turning to Nathan_).

No, in truth, It cannot be. His heart makes no response.

O G.o.d! we are deceivers.

SALADIN (_to the_ Templar).

Say you so?

Is that your thought? All is deceit in you: The voice, the gesture, and the countenance, Nothing of these is yours. How! will you not Acknowledge such a sister? Then begone!

TEMPLAR (_approaching him humbly_).

Oh! do not misinterpret my surprise.

Sultan, you never saw your a.s.sad's heart At any time like this. Then do not err, Mistake not him and me. (_Turning to_ Nathan.) You give me much, Nathan, and also you take much away, And yet you give me more than you withdraw-- Ay, infinitely more. My sister, sister! (_embraces_ Recha.)

NATHAN.

Blanda of Filneck.

TEMPLAR.

Blanda, ha! not Recha?

Your Recha now no more! Have you resigned Your child? Give her her Christian name once more, And for my sake discard her then. Oh, Nathan, Why must she suffer for a fault of mine?

NATHAN.

What mean you, oh, my children, both of you?

For sure my daughter's brother is my child Whenever he shall wish.

(_While they embrace_ Nathan, Saladin _uneasily approaches_ Sittah.)

SALADIN.

What say you, sister? Sittah.