Part 100 (1/2)

TEMPLAR.

Why?

NATHAN.

That she, too, may press it to her lips; For at her benefactor's feet to fall She now may hope in vain.

TEMPLAR.

But, Jew, your name?

Tis Nathan, is it not? You choose your words With skill--I am confused. I did not think

NATHAN.

Feign, Templar, and dissemble as you may, I see the truth. I see your generous heart, Too honest and too good to be polite.

A grateful girl, all feeling, and her maid Swift to obey--a father far from home, You valued her fair fame, and would not see her.

You scorned to tempt lest you should victor prove.

For this too I must tender you my thanks.

TEMPLAR.

You know at least how Templars _ought_ to feel.

NATHAN.

Why Templars only? and why ought to feel?

Is it because your rules and vows enjoin These duties to _your order_? Sir, I know How good men all should feel, and know as well That every country can produce good men.

TEMPLAR.

You'll make distinctions?

NATHAN.

Yes, in colour, form, And dress, perhaps.

TEMPLAR.

Ay, and in number too-- Here more--there less.

NATHAN.

The difference is not much.

Great men, like trees, have ever need of room; Too many set together only serve To crush each other's boughs. The middling sort, Like us, are found in numbers, they abound; Only let not one scar and bruise the other, Let not the gnarl be angry with the stump, Let not the upper branch alone pretend Not to have started from the common earth.

TEMPLAR.

Well said. And yet what nation was the first To scatter discord 'mongst their fellow-men?

To claim the t.i.tle of ”the chosen people?”