Nathan the Wise | Page 8

alive,
or freely wanders round, How could I find one, in the night, to save
me?
NATHAN.
Ingenious! dextrous! Daya, come in aid. It was from you I learnt he was
a prisoner; Doubtless you know still more about him, speak.
DAYA.
'Tis but report indeed, but it is said That Saladin bestowed upon this
youth His gracious pardon for the strong resemblance He bore a
favourite brother--dead, I think These twenty years--his name, I know it
not - He fell, I don't know where--and all the story Sounds so incredible,
that very likely The whole is mere invention, talk, romance.
NATHAN.
And why incredible? Would you reject This story, tho' indeed, it's often
done, To fix on something more incredible, And give that faith? Why
should not Saladin, Who loves so singularly all his kindred, Have loved
in early youth with warmer fondness A brother now no more. Do we
not see Faces alike, and is an old impression Therefore a lost one? Do
resembling features Not call up like emotions. Where's th' incredible?
Surely, sage Daya, this can be to thee No miracle, or do THY wonders
only Demand--I should have said DESERVE belief?
DAYA.
You're on the bite.
NATHAN.
Were you quite fair with me? Yet even so, my Recha, thy escape
Remains a wonder, only possible To Him, who of the proud pursuits of
princes Makes sport--or if not sport--at least delights To head and
manage them by slender threads.
RECHA.

If I do err, it is not wilfully, My father.
NATHAN.
No, you have been always docile. See now, a forehead vaulted thus, or
thus - A nose bow'd one way rather than another - Eye-brows with
straiter, or with sharper curve - A line, a mole, a wrinkle, a mere
nothing I' th' countenance of an European savage - And thou--art saved,
in Asia, from the fire. Ask ye for signs and wonders after that? What
need of calling angels into play?
DAYA.
But Nathan, where's the harm, if I may speak, Of fancying one's self by
an angel saved, Rather than by a man? Methinks it brings us Just so
much the nearer the incomprehensive First cause of preservation.
NATHAN.
Pride, rank pride! The iron pot would with a silver prong Be lifted from
the furnace--to imagine Itself a silver vase. Paha! Where's the harm?
Thou askest. Where's the good? I might reply. For thy IT BRINGS US
NEARER TO THE GODHEAD Is nonsense, Daya, if not blasphemy.
But it does harm: yes, yes, it does indeed. Attend now. To the being,
who preserved you, Be he an angel or a man, you both, And thou
especially wouldst gladly show Substantial services in just requital.
Now to an angel what great services Have ye the power to do? To sing
his praise - Melt in transporting contemplation o'er him - Fast on his
holiday--and squander alms - What nothingness of use! To me at least
It seems your neighbour gains much more than he By all this pious
glow. Not by your fasting Is he made fat; not by your squandering, rich;
Nor by your transports is his glory exalted; Nor by your faith his might.
But to a man -
DAYA.
Why yes; a man indeed had furnished us With more occasions to be
useful to him. God knows how readily we should have seized them. But
then he would have nothing--wanted nothing - Was in himself wrapped
up, and self-sufficient, As angels are.
RECHA.
And when at last he vanished -
NATHAN.
Vanished? How vanished? Underneath the palms Escaped your view,
and has returned no more. Or have you really sought for him

elsewhere?
DAYA.
No, that indeed we've not.
NATHAN.
Not, Daya, not? See it does harm, hard-hearted, cold enthusiasts, What
if this angel on a bed of illness -
RECHA.
Illness?
DAYA.
Ill! sure he is not.
RECHA.
A cold shudder Creeps over me; O Daya, feel my forehead, It was so
warm, 'tis now as chill as ice.
NATHAN.
He is a Frank, unused to this hot climate, Is young, and to the labours
of his calling, To fasting, watching, quite unused -
RECHA.
Ill--ill!
DAYA.
Thy father only means 'twere possible.
NATHAN.
And there he lies, without a friend, or money To buy him friends -
RECHA.
Alas! my father.
NATHAN.
Lies Without advice, attendance, converse, pity, The prey of agony, of
death -
RECHA.
Where--where?
NATHAN.
He, who, for one he never knew, or saw - It is enough for him he is a
man - Plunged into fire.
DAYA.
O Nathan, Nathan, spare her.
NATHAN.
Who cared not to know aught of her he saved, Declined her presence to
escape her thanks -

DAYA.
Do, spare her!
NATHAN.
Did not wish to see her more Unless it were