Part 96 (1/2)

A cloak, a horse, a sword I ne'er can want.

As to my G.o.d, He is not to be bought.

He asks but little, only asks my heart.

I had relied, Al-Hafi, on your chest, Upon the surplus there.

AL-HAFI.

A surplus there!

Say, should I not have been impaled or hanged, If I had been detected h.o.a.rding up A surplus? Deficits I might have ventured.

SALADIN.

Well, but what next? Could you have found out none To borrow from, but Sittah?

SITTAH.

And would I Have borne it, had another been preferred?

I claim that privilege. I am not yet Quite beggared.

SALADIN.

No, not quite. Dear Sittah, this Alone was wanting. But, Al-Hafi, go, Inquire about, take where and what you can; Borrow on promise, contract, anyhow; But, mark me, not from those I have enriched.

'Twould seem as if I wished to have it back.

Go to the covetous. They gladliest lend.

They know how well their money thrives with me.

AL-HAFI.

I know of none.

SITTAH.

I recollect just now, I heard, Al-Hafi, of your friend's return.

AL-HAFI (_starting_).

Friend! friend of mine! and who can that be, pray?

SITTAH.

Your boasted Jew.

AL-HAFI.

A Jew! and praised by me!

SITTAH.

On whom his G.o.d--I think I recollect The very words you used, as touching him-- On whom his G.o.d, of all the choicest goods Of earth, in full abundance, has bestowed The greatest and the least.

AL-HAFI.