Nathan the Wise Part 15

SALADIN.

Else, my Sittah, as thou sayst, They would not have required that thou, and Melek, Should be called Christians, ere you might be suffered To feel for Christians conjugal affection.

SITTAH.

As if from Christians only, and as Christians, That love could be expected which our Maker In man and woman for each other planted.

SALADIN.

 

The Christians do believe such idle notions, They well might fancy this: and yet thou errest.

The templars, not the Christians, are in fault.

'Tis not as Christians, but as templars, that They thwart my purpose. They alone prevent it.

They will on no account evacuate Acca, Which was to be the dower of Richard's sister, And, lest their order suffer, use this cant - Bring into play the nonsense of the monk - And scarcely would await the truce's end To fall upon us. Go on so--go on, To me you're welcome, sirs. Would all things else Went but as right!

SITTAH.

What else should trouble thee, If this do not?

SALADIN.

Why, that which ever has.

I've been on Libanon, and seen our father.

He's full of care.

SITTAH.

Alas!

SALADIN.

He can't make s.h.i.+ft, Straitened on all sides, put off, disappointed; Nothing comes in.

SITTAH.

What fails him, Saladin?

SALADIN.

What? but the thing I scarcely deign to name, Which, when I have it, so superfluous seems, And, when I have it not, so necessary.

Where is Al-Hafi then--this fatal money - O welcome, Hafi!

HAFI, SALADIN, and SITTAH.

HAFI.

I suppose the gold From Egypt is arrived.

SALADIN.

Hast tidings of it?

HAFI.

I? no, not I. I thought to have ta'en it here.

SALADIN.

To Sittah pay a thousand dinars.

HAFI.

Pay?

And not receive--that's something less than nothing.

To Sittah and again to Sittah--and Once more for loss at chess? Is this your game?

SITTAH.

Dost grudge me my good fortune?

HAFI (examining the board).

Grudge! you know -

SITTAH (making signs to Hafi).

Hush, Hafi, hus.h.!.+

HAFI.

And were the white men yours?

You gave the check?

SITTAH.

'Tis well he does not hear.

HAFI.

And he to move?

SITTAH (approaching Hafi).

Say then aloud that I Shall have my money.

HAFI (still considering the game).

Yes, yes! you shall have it - As you have always had it.