Nathan the Wise Part 24

NATHAN.

Saladin. I'm coming--I am coming.

HAFI.

Where, to the sultan's?

NATHAN.

Was 't not he who sent thee?

HAFI.

Me? No. And has he sent already?

NATHAN.

Yes.

HAFI.

Then 'tis all right.

NATHAN.

What's right?

HAFI.

That I'm unguilty.

G.o.d knows I am not guilty, knows I said - What said I not of thee--belied thee--slandered - To ward it off.

NATHAN.

To ward off what--be plain.

HAFI.

That them art now become his defterdar.

I pity thee. Behold it I will not.

I go this very hour--my road I told thee.

Now--hast thou orders by the way--command, And then, adieu. Indeed they must not be Such business as a naked man can't carry.

Quick, what's thy pleasure?

NATHAN.

Recollect yourself.

As yet all this is quite a riddle to me.

I know of nothing.

HAFI.

Where are then thy bags?

NATHAN.

Bags?

HAFI.

Bags of money: bring the weightiest forth: The money thou'rt to lend the sultan, Nathan.

NATHAN.

And is that all?

HAFI.

Novice, thou'st yet to learn How he day after day will scoop and scoop, Till nothing but an hollow empty paring, A husk as light as film, is left behind.

Thou'st yet to learn how prodigality From prudent bounty's never-empty coffers Borrows and borrows, till there's not a purse Left to keep rats from starving. Thou mayst fancy That he who wants thy gold will heed thy counsel; But when has he yet listened to advice?

Imagine now what just befell me with him.

NATHAN.

Well -

HAFI.

I went in and found him with his sister, Engaged, or rather rising up from chess.

Sittah plays--not amiss. Upon the board The game, that Saladin supposed was lost And had given up, yet stood. When I drew nigh, And had examined it, I soon discovered It was not gone by any means.

NATHAN.

For you A blest discovery, a treasure-trove.

HAFI.

He only needed to remove his king Behind the tower t' have got him out of check.

Could I but make you sensible -

NATHAN.

I'll trust thee.

HAFI.

Then with the knight still left.--I would have shown him And called him to the board.--He must have won; But what d'ye think he did?