The Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing Part 85

NATHAN.

I know it well.

DERVISE.

Ah! 'tis an evil case When kings are vultures amid carcases, But ten times worse when they're the carcases Amid the vultures.

NATHAN.

Dervise, 'tis not so.

DERVISE.

Is that your thought? But, come, what will you give If I resign my office in your favour?

NATHAN.

What are your profits?

DERVISE.

Mine? not much; but you Would soon grow rich; for when, as oft occurs, The Sultan's treasury is at an ebb, You might unlock your sluices, pour in gold, And take in form of interest what you please.

NATHAN.

And interest on the interest of the interest.

DERVISE.

Of course.

NATHAN.

Until my capital becomes All interest.

DERVISE.

Well! is not the offer tempting?

Farewell for ever to our friends.h.i.+p then, For I had counted on you.

NATHAN.

How so, Hafi?

DERVISE.

I thought you would have helped me to discharge My task with credit; that I should have found Your treasury ready. Ha! you shake your head.

NATHAN.

Let us explain. We must distinguish here.

To you, Dervise Al-Hafi, all I have Is welcome; but to you, the Defterdar Of Saladin--to that Al-Hafi, who----

DERVISE.

I guessed as much. You ever are as good As you are wise and prudent. Only wait.

The two Al-Hafis you distinguish thus Will soon be parted. See, this robe of honour, Which Saladin bestowed, before 'tis worn To rags, and suited to a Dervise back, Will in Jerusalem hang from a nail; Whilst I, upon the Ganges' scorching strand, Barefoot amid my teachers will be found.

NATHAN.

That's like yourself!

DERVISE.

Or playing chess with them.

NATHAN.

Your greatest bliss!

DERVISE.

What do you think seduced me?

Hopes of escaping future penury, The pride of acting the rich man to beggars, Would this have metamorphosed all at once The richest beggar to a poor rich man?

NATHAN.

No.

DERVISE.

But I yielded to a sillier whim.

For the first time I felt myself allured By Saladin's kind-hearted, flattering words.

NATHAN.

And what were they?

DERVISE.

He said a beggar's wants Are known but to the poor alone; that they Alone can tell how want should be relieved.

"Thy predecessor was too cold," he said, "Too harsh, and when he gave, 'twas with a frown.

He searched each case too strictly, not content To find out want, he would explore the cause, And thus he measured out his n.i.g.g.ard alms.

Not so wilt thou bestow, and Saladin Will not appear so harshly kind in thee.

Thou art not like that choked-up conduit-pipe, Whence in unequal streams the water flows, Which it receives in pure and copious stores.

Al-Hafi thinks, Al-Hafi feels like me."

The fowler whistled, and at last the quail Ran to his net. Cheated, and by a cheat?

NATHAN.