HKB
NATHAN.
Tush! dervis, gently.
HAFI.
What! and is’t not cheating, Thus to oppress mankind by hundred thousands, To squeeze, grind, plunder, butcher, and torment, And act philanthropy to individuals?— Not cheating—thus to ape from the Most High The bounty, which alike on mead and desert, Upon the just and the unrighteous, falls In sunshine or in showers, and not possess The never-empty hand of the Most High?— Not cheating—
NATHAN.
Cease!
HAFI.
Of my own cheating sure It is allowed to speak. Were it not cheating To look for the fair side of these impostures, In order, under colour of its fairness, To gain advantage from them—ha?
NATHAN.
Al-Hafi, Go to your desert quickly. Among men I fear you’ll soon unlearn to be a man.
HAFI.
And so do I—farewell.
NATHAN.
What, so abruptly? Stay, stay, Al-Hafi; has the desert wings? Man, ’twill not run away, I warrant you— Hear, hear, I want you—want to talk with you— He’s gone. I could have liked to question him About our templar. He will likely know him.
NATHAN and DAYA. DAYA (bursting in).
O Nathan, Nathan!
NATHAN.
Well, what now?
DAYA.
He’s there. He shows himself again.
NATHAN.
Who, Daya, who?
DAYA.
He! he!
NATHAN.
When cannot He be seen? Indeed Your He is only one; that should not be, Were he an angel even.
DAYA.
’Neath the palms He wanders up and down, and gathers dates.
NATHAN.
And eats?—and as a templar?
DAYA.
How you tease us! Her eager eye espied him long ago, While he scarce gleamed between the further stems, And follows him most punctually. Go, She begs, conjures you, go without delay; And from the window will make signs to you Which way his rovings bend. Do, do make haste.
NATHAN.
What! thus, as I alighted from my camel, Would that be decent? Swift, do you accost him, Tell him of my return. I do not doubt, His delicacy in the master’s absence Forbore my house; but gladly will accept The father’s invitation. Say, I ask him, Most heartily request him—
DAYA.
All in vain! In short, he will not visit any Jew.
NATHAN.
Then do thy best endeavours to detain him, Or with thine eyes to watch his further haunt, Till I rejoin you. I shall not be long.