The Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing Part 93

SALADIN.

Dearest Sittah, This interruption will but whet our zeal.

Your thoughts are on the war: well, let it come-- 'Twas not my arm that first unsheathed the sword; I would have willingly prolonged the truce, And willingly have knit a tender bond, For Sittah's sake, with Richard's n.o.ble brother.

SITTAH.

How pleased you are, can you but praise your Richard.

SALADIN.

If Richard's sister had but been bestowed Upon our brother Melek, what a house Had then been ours! the best, the happiest The earth could boast. You know I am not slow To praise myself: I'm worthy of my friends.

What men these unions would have given us!

SITTAH.

Did I not smile at once at your fine dreams?

You do not, will not, know the Christian race.

It is their pride not to be men, but Christians.

The virtue which their founder felt and taught, The charity He mingled with their creed, Is valued, not because it is humane, And good, and lovely, but for this alone, That it was Christ who taught it, Christ who did it.

'Tis well for them He was so good a man, Well that they take His goodness all on trust, And in His virtues put their faith. His virtues!

'Tis not His virtues, but His name alone They wish to thrust upon us--His mere name, Which they desire should overspread the world, Should swallow up the name of all good men, And put the rest to shame. 'Tis for His name Alone they care.

SALADIN.

Else, Sittah, as you say, They would not have required that you and Melek Should be called Christians, ere they suffered you To feel for Christians the pure flame of love.

SITTAH.

As if from Christians, and from them alone, That love can be expected, which the hand Of our Creator gives to man and wife.

SALADIN.

Christians believe such vain absurdities, That this may be among them. And yet, Sittah, The Templars, not the Christians, are in this To blame. 'Tis they alone who thwart my plans; 'Tis they who still hold Acca, pledged to us By treaty as the dower of Richard's sister.

And, to maintain their order's interests, They use this cant--the nonsense of the monk.

Scarce would they wait until the truce expired To fall upon us. But, go on, good sirs!

Would that all else may thrive as well as this!

SITTAH.

Why, what else troubles you? What other care Have you to struggle with?

SALADIN.

That constant grief-- I've been to Lebanon, and seen our father.

He's full of care.

SITTAH.

Alas!

SALADIN.

He must give way.

Straitened on every side, no aid, no help, Nothing comes in.

SITTAH.

What ails him, Saladin?

SALADIN.

The only thing that I am loth to name, Which, when I have it, so superfluous seems, And, when I have it not, so necessary.

Where is Al-Hafi? Have they gone for him?

Will no one go? Oh, fatal, cursed money!

Welcome, Al-Hafi! You are come at last.

Scene II.

_The_ Dervise Al-Hafi, Saladin, _and_ Sittah.

AL-HAFI.

The gold from Egypt, I suppose, is come.

Say, is it much?

SALADIN.

What! have you heard of it?

AL-HAFI.

Not I. I thought I should receive it here.

SALADIN (_pacing thoughtfully to and fro_).

Sittah has won a thousand dinars, pay them.

AL-HAFI.

Pay without getting. That is worse than nothing!

And still to Sittah--once again for chess!

But let us see the board; how stands the game?

SITTAH.

You grudge me my good fortune?

AL-HAFI (_examining the board_).