The Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing Part 96

A cloak, a horse, a sword I ne'er can want.

As to my G.o.d, He is not to be bought.

He asks but little, only asks my heart.

I had relied, Al-Hafi, on your chest, Upon the surplus there.

AL-HAFI.

 

A surplus there!

Say, should I not have been impaled or hanged, If I had been detected h.o.a.rding up A surplus? Deficits I might have ventured.

SALADIN.

Well, but what next? Could you have found out none To borrow from, but Sittah?

SITTAH.

And would I Have borne it, had another been preferred?

I claim that privilege. I am not yet Quite beggared.

SALADIN.

No, not quite. Dear Sittah, this Alone was wanting. But, Al-Hafi, go, Inquire about, take where and what you can; Borrow on promise, contract, anyhow; But, mark me, not from those I have enriched.

'Twould seem as if I wished to have it back.

Go to the covetous. They gladliest lend.

They know how well their money thrives with me.

AL-HAFI.

I know of none.

SITTAH.

I recollect just now, I heard, Al-Hafi, of your friend's return.

AL-HAFI (_starting_).

Friend! friend of mine! and who can that be, pray?

SITTAH.

Your boasted Jew.

AL-HAFI.

A Jew! and praised by me!

SITTAH.

On whom his G.o.d--I think I recollect The very words you used, as touching him-- On whom his G.o.d, of all the choicest goods Of earth, in full abundance, has bestowed The greatest and the least.

AL-HAFI.

What could I mean

When I said so?

SITTAH.

The least of good things--wealth.

The greatest--wisdom!

AL-HAFI.

How! and of a Jew Did I say that?

SITTAH.

Ay, that you did--of Nathan.

AL-HAFI.

Oh, true! of Nathan--yes! He did not now Occur to me. But he's returned at last, Then do not doubt that he's well off. He's called The Wise, the Rich, by all the Jewish folk.

SITTAH.

Now more than ever is he named the Rich.

The town resounds with news of costly stuffs And priceless treasures he has brought with him.

AL-HAFI.

Is he the Rich once more? Then, do not fear, He'll be the Wise again.

SITTAH.

What think you? Will You visit him, Al-Hafi?

AL-HAFI.

What, to borrow?

You know him, surely! Think you he will lend?

His very wisdom lies in this--that he Will lend to no one.

SITTAH.

Formerly you gave A picture very different of him.

AL-HAFI.

In case of need he'll lend you merchandise; But money--money--never! He's a Jew, Who has not many equals 'mongst his tribe.

He's wise, knows how to live, can play at chess; Excels in evil, too, as well as good.

Rely not on him. To the poor, indeed, He vies with Saladin himself in gifts; And if not quite so much, he gives as freely, To Jew, and Christian, and Mahometan-- To all alike.