Nathan the Wise Part 43

Oh, nothing is more possible, for a.s.sad 'Mong handsome Christian ladies was so welcome, To handsome Christian ladies so attached, That once a report spread--but 'tis not pleasant To bring that up. Let us be satisfied That we have got him once again--have got him With all the faults and freaks, the starts and wildness Of his warm gentle heart--Oh, Nathan must Give him the maid--Dost think so?

SITTAH.

Give--give up!

SALADIN.

Aye, for what right has Nathan with the girl If he be not her father? He who saved Her life so lately has a stronger claim To heir their rights who gave it her at first.

SITTAH.

What therefore, Saladin, if you withdraw The maid at once from the unrightful owner?

SALADIN,

There is no need of that.

SITTAH.

Need, not precisely; But female curiosity inspires Me with that counsel. There are certain men Of whom one is irresistibly impatient To know what women they can be in love with.

SALADIN.

Well then you may send for her.

SITTAH.

May I, brother?

SALADIN.

But hurt not Nathan, he must not imagine That we propose by violence to part them.

SITTAH.

Be without apprehension.

SALADIN.

Fare you well, I must make out where this Al-Hafi is.

SCENE.--The Hall in Nathan's House, as in the first scene; the things there mentioned unpacked and displayed.

DAYA and NATHAN.

DAYA.

O how magnificent, how tasty, charming - All such as only you could give--and where Was this thin silver stuff with sprigs of gold Woven? What might it cost? Yes, this is worthy To be a wedding-garment. Not a queen Could wish a handsomer.

NATHAN.

Why wedding-garment?

DAYA.

Perhaps of that you thought not when you bought it; But Nathan, it must be so, must indeed.

It seems made for a bride--the pure white ground, Emblem of innocence--the branching gold, Emblem of wealth--Now is not it delightful?

NATHAN.

What's all this ingenuity of speech for?

Over whose wedding-gown are you displaying Your emblematic learning? Have you found A bridegroom?

DAYA.

I -

NATHAN.

Who then?

DAYA.

I--Gracious G.o.d!

NATHAN.

Who then? Whose wedding-garment do you speak of?

For this is all your own and no one's else.

DAYA.

Mine--is't for me and not for Recha?

NATHAN.

What I brought for Recha is in another bale.

Come, clear it off: away with all your rubbish.

DAYA.

You tempter--No--Were they the precious things Of the whole universe, I will not touch them Until you promise me to seize upon Such an occasion as heaven gives not twice.

NATHAN.

Seize upon what occasion? For what end?