Nathan the Wise Part 29

SALADIN.

'Tis but too true. And if this Jew should prove The fair good man, as once the dervis painted -

SITTAH.

Then difficulties cease. A snare concerns The avaricious, cautious, fearful Jew; And not the good wise man: for he is ours Without a snare. Then the delight of hearing How such a man speaks out; with what stern strength He tears the net, or with what prudent foresight He one by one undoes the tangled meshes; That will be all to boot -

SALADIN.

That I shall joy in.

SITTAH.

What then should trouble thee? For if he be One of the many only, a mere Jew, You will not blush to such a one to seem A man, as he thinks all mankind to be.

One, that to him should bear a better aspect, Would seem a fool--a dupe.

SALADIN.

So that I must Act badly, lest the bad think badly of me.

SITTAH.

Yes, if you call it acting badly, brother, To use a thing after its kind.

SALADIN.

There's nothing That woman's wit invents it can't embellish.

SITTAH.

Embellish -

SALADIN.

But their fine-wrought filligree In my rude hand would break. It is for those That can contrive them to employ such weapons: They ask a practised wrist. But chance what may, Well as I can -

SITTAH.

Trust not yourself too little.

I answer for you, if you have the will.

Such men as you would willingly persuade us It was their swords, their swords alone that raised them.

The lion's apt to be ashamed of hunting In fellows.h.i.+p of the fox--'tis of his fellow Not of the cunning that he is ashamed.

SALADIN.

You women would so gladly level man Down to yourselves. Go, I have got my lesson.

SITTAH.

What--MUST I go?

SALADIN.

Had you the thought of staying?

SITTAH.

In your immediate presence not indeed, But in the by-room.

SALADIN.

You could like to listen.

Not that, my sister, if I may insist.

Away! the curtain rustles--he is come.

Beware of staying--I'll be on the watch.

[While Sittah retires through one door, Nathan enters at another, and Saladin seats himself.]

SALADIN and NATHAN.

SALADIN.

Draw nearer, Jew, yet nearer; here, quite by me, Without all fear.

NATHAN.

Remain that for thy foes!

SALADIN.

Your name is Nathan?

NATHAN.

Yes.

SALADIN.

Nathan the wise?

NATHAN.

No.

SALADIN.

If not thou, the people calls thee so.