Part 97 (2/2)

Or knaves!--But still his source of opulence Is more productive, more exhaustless than A cave of Mammon.

SALADIN.

For he trades, I'm told.

SITTAH.

His caravans through every desert toil, His laden camels throng the public roads, His s.h.i.+ps in every harbour furl their sails.

Al-Hafi long ago has told me this, Adding, with pride, how Nathan gives away, What he esteems it n.o.ble to have earned By patient industry, for others' wants; How free from bias is his lofty soul, His heart to every virtue how unlocked, To every lovely feeling how allied!

SALADIN.

And yet Al-Hafi spoke with coldness of him.

SITTAH.

Not coldness, but unwillingness, as if He deemed it dangerous to praise too much, Yet knew not how to blame without a cause.

Or can it be, in truth, that e'en the best Amongst a tribe can never quite escape The foibles of their race, and that, in fact, Al-Hafi has in this to blush for Nathan?

But come what may, let him be Jew or not, If he be rich, that is enough for me.

SALADIN.

You would not, sister, take his--wealth by force?

SITTAH.

By force? What mean you? Fire and sword? Oh, no!

What force is necessary with the weak But their own weakness? Come awhile with me, Into my harem. I have bought a songstress You have not heard--she came but yesterday.

Meanwhile I'll think upon a subtle plan For this same Nathan. Follow, Saladin!

Scene IV.

_The Place of Palms, near_ Nathan's _house, from which_ Recha _and_ Nathan _are coming_; Daja, _meeting them_.

RECHA.

Dear father! you have been so slow, that you Will scarcely meet him now.

NATHAN.

Well, well, my child; If not beneath the palms, be sure that we Shall meet him somewhere else. Be satisfied.

Is not that Daja whom I see approaching?

RECHA.

<script>