Part 100 (2/2)

How now if I were not to hate them, but To scorn this upstart nation, for their pride?

That pride which it bequeathed to Mussulman And Christian, as if G.o.d were theirs alone.

You start to hear a Christian and a Templar Talk thus. But when and where has all this rage, This pious rage, to win the better G.o.d, And force this better G.o.d on all the world, Shown itself more, or in a blacker form, Than here, and now? Who here, who now retains The blinding scales upon his eyes--and yet Let him be blind who will!--forget my words, And leave me (_is going_).

NATHAN.

Templar! you but little know How closer henceforth I shall cling to you.

We must, we must be friends. Despise my people-- We did not choose a nation for ourselves.

Are we our nation's? What then is a nation?

Were Jews or Christians such, ere they were men?

Ah! would that I had found in you one man To whom it were enough to be a man.

TEMPLAR.

Thou hast so, Nathan! Yes, by Heaven, thou hast.

Thy hand. I blush to have mistaken thee.

NATHAN.

Now I feel proud. 'Tis only common souls In whom we seldom err.

TEMPLAR.

Uncommon ones We do not oft forget. Nathan, we must, We must be friends.

NATHAN.

We are so. And my Recha Will now rejoice. How bright the prospect grows That dawns upon me! If you did but know her.

TEMPLAR.

I grow impatient, Nathan. But who now Comes from your house? Methinks it is your Daja.

NATHAN.

Yes, and her look how full of care! G.o.d grant----

TEMPLAR.

That nothing may have chanced to our Recha!

Scene VI.

Daja (_rus.h.i.+ng in_).

DAJA.

Nathan, dear Nathan!

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