Part 131 (2/2)

While in this ferment, Daja suddenly Drew near to me and whispered in my ear A secret which cleared up the mystery.

NATHAN.

What was it?

TEMPLAR.

Hear me to the end. I thought The treasure you had from the Christians stolen, You would not promptly to a Christian yield; And so the project struck me, with good speed, To bring you to extremities.

NATHAN.

Good speed?

Good, good? pray where's the good!

TEMPLAR.

But hear me out.

I own my error; you are free from guilt; That prating Daja knows not what she says.

She's hostile to you, and she seeks to twine A dangerous snare around you. Be it so.

I'm but a crazed enthusiast, doubly mad, Aiming at far too much, or much too little.

That may be also true. Forgive me, Nathan.

NATHAN.

If you conceive thus of me----

TEMPLAR.

Well, in short.

I saw the Patriarch--but named you not.

'Twas false to say so, for I only told The case in general terms, to sound his mind.

And that I also might have left undone, For knew I not the Patriarch to be An arrant, subtle knave? And might I not As well have told you all the case at first?

Or was it right in me to risk the loss Of such a father to the hapless maid?

But what has happened now? The Patriarch, Ever consistent in his villainy, Has all at once restored me to myself.

For hear me, Nathan, hear me! Were he now To learn your name, what more could then occur?

He cannot seize the maid, if she belong To some one else, and not to you alone.

'Tis from your house alone she can be dragged Into a convent: grant her, then, I pray, Grant her to me! Then come the Patriarch!

He'll hardly dare to take my wife from me.

Oh! give her to me. Be she yours or not-- Your daughter--Christian--Jewess--'tis all one-- Or be she nothing--I will ne'er inquire, Or in my lifetime ask you what she is, 'Tis all alike to me.

NATHAN.

Do you then think That to conceal the truth I am compelled?

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