Nathan the Wise Part 56

SITTAH.

Brother -

SALADIN.

And when he comes, Sweet girl, then blush to crimson.

RECHA.

Before whom - Blush?

SALADIN.

Little hypocrite--or else grow pale, Just as thou willst and canst. Already there?

SITTAH (to a female slave who comes in).

Well, be they ushered in. Brother, 'tis they.

SALADIN, SITTAH, RECHA, NATHAN, and TEMPLAR.

SALADIN.

Welcome, my dear good friends. Nathan, to you I've first to mention, you may send and fetch Your monies when you will.

NATHAN.

Sultan -

SALADIN.

And now I'm at your service.

NATHAN.

Sultan -

SALADIN.

For my treasures Are all arrived. The caravan is safe.

I'm richer than I've been these many years.

Now tell me what you wish for, to achieve Some splendid speculation--you in trade Like us, have never too much ready cash.

NATHAN (going towards Recha).

Why first about this trifle?--I behold An eye in tears, which 'tis far more important To me to dry. My Recha thou hast wept, What hast thou lost? Thou art still, I trust, my daughter.

RECHA.

My father!

NATHAN.

That's enough, we are understood By one another; but be calm, be cheerful.

If else thy heart be yet thy own--if else No threatened loss thy trembling bosom wring Thy father shall remain to thee.

RECHA.

None, none.

TEMPLAR.

None, none--then I'm deceived. What we don't fear To lose, we never fancied, never wished Ourselves possessed of. But 'tis well, 'tis well.

Nathan, this changes all--all. Saladin, At thy command we came, but I misled thee, Trouble thyself no further.

SALADIN.

Always headlong; Young man, must every will then bow to thine, Interpret all thy meanings?

TEMPLAR.

Thou hast heard, Sultan, hast seen.

SALADIN.

Aye, 'twas a little awkward Not to be certain of thy cause.

TEMPLAR.

I now Do know my doom,

SALADIN.

Pride in an act of service Revokes the benefit. What thou hast saved Is therefore not thy own, or else the robber, Urged by his avarice thro' fire-crumbling halls, Were like thyself a hero. Come, sweet maid,

[Advances toward Recha in order to lead her up to the Templar.

Come, stickle not for niceties with him.

Other--he were less warm and proud, and had Paused, and not saved thee. Balance then the one Against the other, and put him to the blush, Do what he should have done--own thou thy love - Make him thy offer, and if he refuse, Or o'er forgot how infinitely more By this thou do for him than he for thee - What, what in fact has he then done for thee But make himself a little sooty? That (Else he has nothing of my a.s.sad in him, But only wears his mask) that was mere sport, Come, lovely girl.

SITTAH.

Go, go, my love, this step Is for thy grat.i.tude too short, too trifling.

[They are each taking one of Recha's hands when Nathan with a solemn gesture of prohibition says,

NATHAN.

Hold, Saladin--hold, Sittah.