Nathan the Wise Part 35

DAYA.

Sir knight, sir knight.

TEMPLAR.

Who calls? ha, Daya, you?

DAYA.

I managed to slip by him. No, come here (He'll see us where you stand) behind this tree.

TEMPLAR.

Why so mysterious? What's the matter, Daya?

DAYA.

Yes, 'tis a secret that has brought me to you A twofold secret. One I only know, The other only you. Let's interchange, Intrust yours first to me, then I'll tell mine.

TEMPLAR.

With pleasure when I'm able to discover What you call me. But that yours will explain.

Begin -

DAYA.

That is not fair, yours first, sir knight; For be a.s.sured my secret serves you not Unless I have yours first. If I sift it out You'll not have trusted me, and then my secret Is still my own, and yours lost all for nothing.

But, knight, how can you men so fondly fancy You ever hide such secrets from us women.

TEMPLAR.

Secrets we often are unconscious of.

DAYA.

May be--So then I must at last be friendly, And break it to you. Tell me now, whence came it That all at once you started up abruptly And in the twinkling of an eye were fled?

That you left us without one civil speech!

That you return no more with Nathan to us - Has Recha then made such a slight impression, Or made so deep a one? I penetrate you.

Think you that on a limed twig the poor bird Can flutter cheerfully, or hop at ease With its wing pinioned? Come, come, in one word Acknowledge to me plainly that you love her, Love her to madness, and I'll tell you what.

TEMPLAR.

To madness, oh, you're very penetrating.

DAYA.

Grant me the love, and I'll give up the madness.

TEMPLAR.

Because that must be understood of course - A templar love a Jewess -

DAYA.

Seems absurd, But often there's more fitness in a thing Than we at once discern; nor were this time The first, when through an unexpected path The Saviour drew his children on to him Across the tangled maze of human life.

TEMPLAR.

So solemn that--(and yet if in the stead Of Saviour, I were to say Providence, It would sound true) you make me curious, Daya, Which I'm unwont to be.

DAYA.

This is the place For miracles

TEMPLAR.

For wonders--well and good - Can it be otherwise, where the whole world Presses as toward a centre. My dear Daya, Consider what you asked of me as owned; That I do love her--that I can't imagine How I should live without her--that

DAYA.

Indeed!

Then, knight, swear to me you will call her yours, Make both her present and eternal welfare.

TEMPLAR.

And how, how can I, can I swear to do What is not in my power?

DAYA.

'Tis in your power, A single word will put it in your power.

TEMPLAR.

So that her father shall not be against it.

DAYA.

Her father--father? he shall be compelled.

TEMPLAR.

As yet he is not fallen among thieves-- Compelled?

DAYA.

Aye to be willing that you should.

TEMPLAR.