Nathan the Wise Part 34

NATHAN.

Dearest, dearest friend! -

TEMPLAR.

Not son? Not son? Not even--even if Thy daughter's grat.i.tude had in her bosom Prepared the way for love--not even if Both wait thy nod alone to be but one? - You do not speak?

NATHAN.

Young knight, you have surprised me.

TEMPLAR.

Do I surprise thee--thus surprise thee, Nathan, With thy own thought? Canst thou not in my mouth Know it again? Do I surprise you?

NATHAN.

Ere I know, which of the Stauffens was your father?

TEMPLAR.

What say you, Nathan?--And in such a moment Is curiosity your only feeling?

NATHAN.

For see, once I myself well knew a Stauffen, Whose name was Conrade.

TEMPLAR.

Well, and if my father Was bearer of that name?

NATHAN.

Indeed?

TEMPLAR.

My name Is from my father's, Conrade.

NATHAN.

Then thy father Was not my Conrade. He was, like thyself, A templar, never wedded.

TEMPLAR.

For all that -

NATHAN.

How?

TEMPLAR.

For all that he may have been my father.

NATHAN.

You joke.

TEMPLAR.

And you are captious. Boots it then To be true-born? Does b.a.s.t.a.r.d wound thine ear?

The race is not to be despised: but hold, Spare me my pedigree; I'll spare thee thine.

Not that I doubt thy genealogic tree.

O, G.o.d forbid! You may attest it all As far as Abraham back; and backwarder I know it to my heart--I'll swear to it also.

NATHAN.

Knight, you grow bitter. Do I merit this?

Have I refused you ought? I've but forborne To close with you at the first word--no more.

TEMPLAR.

Indeed--no more? O then forgive -

NATHAN.

'Tis well.

Do but come with me.

TEMPLAR.

Whither? To thy house?

No? there not--there not: 'tis a burning soil.

Here I await thee, go. Am I again To see her, I shall see her times enough: If not I have already gazed too much.

NATHAN.

I'll try to be soon back. [Goes.

TEMPLAR.

Too much indeed-- Strange that the human brain, so infinite Of comprehension, yet at times will fill Quite full, and all at once, of a mere trifle - No matter what it teems with. Patience! Patience!

The soul soon calms again, th' upboiling stuff Makes itself room and brings back light and order.

Is this then the first time I love? Or was What by that name I knew before, not love - And this, this love alone that now I feel?

DAYA and TEMPLAR.