Nathan the Wise | Page 6

the point of burning to the ground.
NATHAN.
Then we'd have built another, and a better.
DAYA.
True!--But thy Recha too was on the point Of perishing amid the
flames.
NATHAN.
Of perishing? My Recha, saidst thou? She? I heard not that. I then
should not have needed any house. Upon the point of
perishing--perchance She's gone?--Speak out then--out--torment me not
With this suspense.--Come, tell me, tell me all.
DAYA.
Were she no more, from me you would not hear it.
NATHAN.
Why then alarm me?--Recha, O my Recha!
DAYA.
Your Recha? Yours?
NATHAN.
What if I ever were Doomed to unlearn to call this child, MY child,
DAYA.
Is all you own yours by an equal title?
NATHAN,
Nought by a better. What I else enjoy Nature and Fortune gave--this
treasure, Virtue.
DAYA.
How dear you make me pay for all your goodness! - If goodness,
exercised with such a view, Deserves the name. -
NATHAN.
With such a view? With what?

DAYA.
My conscience -
NATHAN.
Daya, let me tell you first -
DAYA.
I say, my conscience -
NATHAN.
What a charming silk I bought for you in Babylon! 'Tis rich, Yet
elegantly rich. I almost doubt If I have brought a prettier for Recha.
DAYA.
And what of that--I tell you that my conscience Will no be longer
hushed.
NATHAN.
And I have bracelets, And earrings, and a necklace, which will charm
you. I chose them at Damascus.
DAYA.
That's your way:- If you can but make presents--but make presents. -
NATHAN.
Take you as freely as I give--and cease.
DAYA.
And cease?--Who questions, Nathan, but that you are Honour and
generosity in person; - Yet -
NATHAN.
Yet I'm but a Jew.--That was your meaning.
DAYA.
You better know what was my meaning, Nathan.
NATHAN.
Well, well, no more of this,
DAYA.
I shall be silent; But what of sinful in the eye of heaven Springs out of
it--not I, not I could help; It falls upon thy head.
NATHAN.
So let it, Daya. Where is she then? What stays her? Surely, surely,
You're not amusing me--And does she know That I'm arrived?
DAYA.
That you yourself must speak to, Terror still vibrates in her every nerve.
Her fancy mingles fire with all she thinks of. Asleep, her soul seems

busy; but awake, Absent: now less than brute, now more than angel.
NATHAN.
Poor thing! What are we mortals -
DAYA.
As she lay This morning sleeping, all at once she started And cried:
"list, list! there come my father's camels!" And then she drooped again
upon her pillow And I withdrew--when, lo! you really came. Her
thoughts have only been with you--and him.
NATHAN.
And HIM? What him?
DAYA.
With him, who from the fire Preserved her life,
NATHAN.
Who was it? Where is he, That saved my Recha for me?
DAYA.
A young templar, Brought hither captive a few days ago, And pardoned
by the Sultan.
NATHAN.
How, a TEMPLAR Dismissed with life by Saladin. In truth, Not a less
miracle was to preserve her, God!--God! -
DAYA.
Without this man, who risked afresh The Sultan's unexpected boon,
we'd lost her.
NATHAN.
Where is he, Daya, where's this noble youth? Do, lead me to his feet.
Sure, sure you gave him What treasures I had left you--gave him all,
Promised him more--much more?
DAYA.
How could we?
NATHAN.
Not?
DAYA.
He came, he went, we know not whence, or whither. Quite
unacquainted with the house, unguided But by his ear, he prest through
smoke and flame, His mantle spread before him, to the room Whence
pierced the shrieks for help; and we began To think him lost--and her;
when, all at once, Bursting from flame and smoke, he stood before us,

She in his arm upheld. Cold and unmoved By our loud warmth of
thanks, he left his booty, Struggled into the crowd, and disappeared.
NATHAN.
But not for ever, Daya, I would hope.
DAYA.
For some days after, underneath you palms, That shade his grave who
rose again from death, We saw him wandering up and down. I went,
With transport went to thank him. I conjured, Intreated him to visit
once again The dear sweet girl he saved, who longed to shed At her
preserver's feet the grateful tear -
NATHAN.
Well?
DAYA.
But in vain. Deaf to our warmest prayers, On me he flung such bitter
mockery -
NATHAN.
That hence rebuffed -
DAYA.
Oh, no, oh, no, indeed not, Daily I forced myself upon him, daily
Afresh encountered his dry taunting speeches. Much I have borne, and
would have borne much more: But he of late forbears his lonely walk
Under the scattered palms, which stand about Our holy sepulchre: nor
have I learnt Where he now is. You seem astonished--thoughtful -