Nathan the Wise Part 48

What further?

IBRAHIM.

Errand boys Earn hire--and when their message smiles i' the telling, The sender's hire by the receiver's bounty Is oft outweighed. Am I to be the first Whom Saladin at length has learnt to pay In words? The first about whose recompense The sultan higgled?

SALADIN.

Go, pick up a purse.

IBRAHIM.

No, not now--you might give them all away

SALADIN.

All--hold, man. Here, come hither, take these two - And is he really going--shall he conquer Me then in generosity? for surely 'Tis harder for this fellow to refuse Than 'tis for me to give. Here, Ibrahim - Shall I be tempted, just before my exit, To be a different man--small Saladin Not die like Saladin, then wherefore live so?

ABDALLAH and SALADIN.

ABDALLAH.

Hail, Sultan!

SALADIN.

If thou comest to inform me That the whole convoy is arrived from Egypt, I know it already.

ABDALLAH.

Do I come too late?

SALADIN.

Too late, and why too late? There for thy tidings Pick up a purse or two.

ABDALLAH.

Does that make three?

SALADIN.

So thou wouldst reckon--well, well, take them, take them.

ABDALLAH.

A third will yet be here if he be able.

SALADIN.

How so?

ABDALLAH.

He may perhaps have broke his neck.

We three, as soon as certain of the coming Of the rich caravan, each crossed our horses, And galloped hitherward. The foremost fell, Then I was foremost, and continued so Into the city, but sly Ibrahim, Who knows the streets -

SALADIN.

But he that fell, go, seek him.

ABDALLAH.

That will I quickly--if he lives, the half Of what I've got is his. [Goes.

SALADIN.

What a fine fellow!

And who can boast such mamalukes as these; And is it not allowed me to imagine That my example helped to form them. Hence With the vile thought at last to turn another.

A third COURIER.

Sultan -

SALADIN.

Was't thou who fell?

COURIER.

No, I've to tell thee That Emir Mansor, who conducts the convoy, Alights.

SALADIN.

O bring him to me--Ah, he's there - Be welcome, Emir. What has happened to thee?

For we have long expected thee.

SALADIN and EMIR.

EMIR (after the wont obeisance).

This letter Will show, that, in Thebais, discontents Required thy Abulka.s.sem's sabred hand, Ere we could march. Since that, our progress, sultan, My zeal has sped most anxiously.

SALADIN.

I trust thee - But my good Mansor take without delay - Thou art not loth to go further--fresh protection, And with the treasure on to Libanon; The greater part at least I have to lodge With my old father.

EMIR.