Nathan the Wise Part 12

TEMPLAR.

For what?

DAYA.

For what she often has requested of you.

Her father pressingly invites your visit.

 

He now arrives from Babylon, with twenty High-laden camels, brings the curious drugs, And precious stones, and stuffs, he has collected From Syria, Persia, India, even China.

TEMPLAR.

I am no chap.

DAYA.

His nation honours him, As if he were a prince, and yet to hear him Called the WISE Nathan by them, not the RICH, Has often made me wonder.

TEMPLAR.

To his nation Are RICH and WISE perhaps of equal import.

DAYA.

But above all he should be called the GOOD.

You can't imagine how much goodness dwells Within him. Since he has been told the service You rendered to his Recha, there is nothing That he would grudge you.

TEMPLAR.

Aye?

DAYA.

Do--see him, try him.

TEMPLAR.

A burst of feeling soon is at an end.

DAYA.

And do you think that I, were he less kind, Less bountiful, had housed with him so long: That I don't feel my value as a Christian: For 'twas not o'er my cradle said, or sung, That I to Palestina should pursue My husband's steps, only to educate A Jewess. My husband was a n.o.ble page In Emperor Frederic's army.

TEMPLAR.

And by birth A Switzer, who obtained the gracious honour Of drowning in one river with his master.

Woman, how often you have told me this!

Will you ne'er leave off persecuting me?

DAYA.

My Jesus! persecute -

TEMPLAR.

Aye, persecute.

Observe then, I henceforward will not see, Not hear you, nor be minded of a deed Over and over, which I did unthinking, And which, when thought about, I wonder at.

I wish not to repent it; but, remember, Should the like accident occur again, 'Twill be your fault if I proceed more coolly, Ask a few questions, and let burn what's burning.

DAYA.

My G.o.d forbid!

TEMPLAR.

From this day forth, good woman, Do me at least the favour not to know me: I beg it of you; and don't send the father.

A Jew's a Jew, and I am rude and bearish.

The image of the maid is quite erased Out of my soul--if it was ever there -

DAYA.

But yours remains with her.

TEMPLAR.

Why so--what then - Wherefore give harbour to it? -

DAYA.

Who knows wherefore?

Men are not always what they seem to be.

TEMPLAR.

They're seldom better than they seem to be.

DAYA.

Ben't in this hurry.

TEMPLAR.

Pray, forbear to make These palm-trees odious. I have loved to walk here.

DAYA.

Farewell then, bear. Yet I must track the savage.