The Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing Part 114

Oh! true, no more. Forgive me, Nathan.

NATHAN.

Well, come with me, come.

TEMPLAR.

Whither? to your house?

That will I not--it burns. I'll wait you here.

Farewell. If I'm to see her once again, I then shall see her often; and if not, I have already seen her too--too much.

Scene X.

_The_ Templar, Daja.

TEMPLAR.

Too much, indeed! Strange that the human brain So infinite of comprehension, should At times with a mere trifle be engrossed, Suddenly filled, and all at once quite full, No matter what it teems with. But the soul Soon calms again, and the fermenting stuff Makes itself room, restoring life and order.

And is this, then, the first time that I love?

And was the glow to which I gave that name Not love at all? And is this love alone Which now with burning flame consumes my heart?

DAJA (_who has crept up to his side_).

Sir Knight! Sir Knight!

TEMPLAR.

Who calls? What, Daja, you!

DAJA.

Yes, I am here; I managed to slip by him.

But he can see us where we stand. Come nearer, And place yourself with me behind this tree.

TEMPLAR.

Why so mysterious? What's the secret, Daja?

DAJA.

Yes, 'tis a secret which has brought me hither-- A twofold secret. Part is known to me, The other part to you. Come, let us change: First tell me yours, and then I'll tell you mine.

TEMPLAR.

Yes, willingly, when I have ascertained What you call mine. But yours will throw a light Upon the whole. Begin, then.

DAJA.

That's not fair; You must begin, Sir Knight, and I will follow.

For be a.s.sured my secret's nothing worth, Unless I hear yours first. Then lose no time, For if I guess it, you've not trusted me; My secret, then, will be my own, and yours Worth nothing. But do you suppose, Sir Knight, That you can hide such secrets from a woman?

TEMPLAR.

Secrets we often are unconscious of.

DAJA.

Perhaps. But I must prove myself your friend And tell you all. Confess how happened it That you so suddenly took leave of us, And that with Nathan you will not return?

Has Recha, then, made no impression on you, Or made too deep a one, perchance? Oh yes!

Too deep--too deep! You are a hapless bird Whose fluttering wing the fatal twig has limed, Confess it, plainly, with a word, you love-- Love her to madness, and I'll tell you then----

TEMPLAR.

To madness? Ah! you understand it well.

DAJA.

Well, grant the love, the madness I'll resign.

TEMPLAR.

Because, of course, there is no doubt of it.

A Templar love a Jewess!----

DAJA.

Why, it seems Absurd. But often there's more fitness in Some things than we can readily discern; And 'twould not be the first time that our Lord Had drawn us to Him by a secret path Which we had ne'er discovered of ourselves.

TEMPLAR.

Solemnly spoken I (and if for our Lord I subst.i.tuted Providence, 'twere true).

You make me curious, far beyond my wont.

DAJA.

This is the land of miracles!

TEMPLAR.

Ay, true, Of miracles! Can it be otherwise, When all the world flocks. .h.i.ther? Dearest Daja, You have your wish; so take it as confessed That I do love her, nor can comprehend How I can live without her.

DAJA.

Can this be?

Then swear, Sir Knight, to make her yours--to save Her here on earth--to save her there for ever.

TEMPLAR.