The Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing Part 140

SITTAH.

I'm deeply moved----

SALADIN.

And I half tremble when I think of the emotion that must come: Prepare yourself to bear it as you may.

SITTAH.

What! How!

SALADIN.

Nathan, a word--one word with you.

(_He joins_ Nathan, _while_ Sittah _approaches the others to express her sympathy, and_ Nathan _and_ Saladin _converse in a low tone_.)

Hear, hear me, Nathan. Said you not just now That he----

NATHAN.

That who?

SALADIN.

Her father was not born In Germany. You know then whence he came?

And what he was?

NATHAN.

He never told me that.

SALADIN.

Was he no Frank, nor from the Western land?

NATHAN.

He said as much. He spoke the Persian tongue.

SALADIN.

The Persian! need I more? 'Tis he! 'twas he!

NATHAN.

Who?

SALADIN.

a.s.sad, my brother a.s.sad, beyond doubt.

NATHAN.

If you think so, then be a.s.sured from this: Look in this book (_handing him the breviary_).

SALADIN.

Oh, 'tis his hand! once more I recognise it.

NATHAN.

They know naught of this: It rests with you to tell them all the truth.

SALADIN (_turning over the leaves of the breviary_).

They are my brother's children. Shall I not Acknowledge them and claim them? Or shall I Abandon them to you? (_Speaking aloud_.) Sittah, they are The children of my brother and of yours. (_Rushes to embrace them_.)

SITTAH (_following his example_).

What do I hear? Could it be otherwise?

SALADIN (_to the_ Templar).

Proud youth! from this time forward you are bound To love me. (_To_ Recha.) And henceforth, without your leave Or with it, I am what I vowed to be.

SITTAH.

And so am I.

SALADIN (_to the_ Templar).

My son! my a.s.sad's son!

TEMPLAR.

I of your blood! Then those were more than dreams With which they used to lull my infancy-- (_Falls at_ Sultan's _feet_.)

SALADIN (_raising him_).

There, mark the rascal! though he knew something Of what has chanced, he was content that I Should have become his murderer! Beware.

(_The curtain falls whilst they repeatedly embrace each other in silence_.)

END OF VOL. I.