Nathan the Wise Part 22

NATHAN.

And I am proud of it. Only common souls We seldom err in.

TEMPLAR.

And uncommon ones Seldom forget. Yes, Nathan, yes we must, We will be friends.

NATHAN.

We are so. And my Recha - She will rejoice. How sweet the wider prospect That dawns upon me! Do but know her--once.

TEMPLAR.

I am impatient for it. Who is that Bursts from your house, methinks it is your Daya.

NATHAN.

Ay--but so anxiously -

TEMPLAR.

Sure, to our Recha Nothing has happened.

NATHAN, TEMPLAR, and DAYA.

DAYA.

Nathan, Nathan.

NATHAN.

Well.

DAYA.

Forgive me, knight, that I must interrupt you.

NATHAN.

What is the matter?

TEMPLAR.

What?

DAYA.

The sultan sends - The sultan wants to see you--in a hurry.

Jesus! the sultan -

NATHAN.

Saladin wants me?

He will be curious to see what wares, Precious, or new, I brought with me from Persia.

Say there is nothing hardly yet unpacked.

DAYA.

No, no: 'tis not to look at anything.

He wants to speak to you, to you in person, And orders you to come as soon as may be.

NATHAN.

I'll go--return.

DAYA.

Knight, take it not amiss; But we were so alarmed for what the sultan Could have in view.

NATHAN.

That I shall soon discover.

NATHAN and TEMPLAR.

TEMPLAR.

And don't you know him yet, I mean his person?

NATHAN.

Whose, Saladin's? Not yet. I've neither shunned, Nor sought to see him. And the general voice Speaks too well of him, for me not to wish, Rather to take its language upon trust, Than sift the truth out. Yet--if it be so - He, by the saving of your life, has now -

TEMPLAR.

Yes: it is so. The life I live he gave.

NATHAN.

And in it double treble life to me.

This flings a bond about me, which shall tie me For ever to his service: and I scarcely Like to defer inquiring for his wishes.

For everything I am ready; and am ready To own that 'tis on your account I am so.

TEMPLAR.

As often as I've thrown me in his way, I have not found as yet the means to thank him.

The impression that I made upon him came Quickly, and so has vanished. Now perhaps He recollects me not, who knows? Once more At least, he must recall me to his mind, Fully to fix my doom. 'Tis not enough That by his order I am yet in being, By his permission live, I have to learn According to whose will I must exist.

NATHAN.