HKB
NATHAN.
I, who can tell you more. Meanwhile, observe, I tax you not with falsehood.
TEMPLAR.
Indeed!
NATHAN.
It may be both names fit you well.
TEMPLAR.
I think so. (Aside) God inspired him with that thought.
NATHAN.
Your mother was a Stauffen: and her brother (The uncle to whose care you were consigned, When, by the rigour of the climate chased, Your parents quitted Germany, to seek This land once more) was Conrad. He, perhaps, Adopted you as his own son and heir. Is it long since you travelled hither with him? Does he still live?
TEMPLAR.
What shall I answer him? He speaks the truth. Nathan, 'tis so indeed; But he himself is dead. I journeyed here, With the last troops of knights, to reinforce Our order. But inform me how this tale Concerns your Recha's brother.
NATHAN.
Well, your father----
TEMPLAR.
What! did you know him too?
NATHAN.
He was my friend.
TEMPLAR.
Your friend! Oh, Nathan, is it possible?
NATHAN.
Oluf of Filneck did he style himself; But he was not a German.
TEMPLAR.
You know that?
NATHAN.
He had espoused a German, and he lived For some, time with your mother there.
TEMPLAR.
No more Of this, I beg. But what of Recha's brother?
NATHAN.
It is yourself.
TEMPLAR.
What, I? am I her brother?
RECHA.
He, my brother? SALADIN.
Are they so near akin?
RECHA (approaching the Templar).
My brother!
TEMPLAR (stepping back).
I, your brother?
RECHA (stopping and turning to Nathan).
No, in truth, It cannot be. His heart makes no response. O God! we are deceivers.
SALADIN (to the Templar).
Say you so? Is that your thought? All is deceit in you: The voice, the gesture, and the countenance, Nothing of these is yours. How! will you not Acknowledge such a sister? Then begone!
TEMPLAR (approaching him humbly).
Oh! do not misinterpret my surprise. Sultan, you never saw your Assad's heart At any time like this. Then do not err, Mistake not him and me. (Turning to Nathan.) You give me much, Nathan, and also you take much away, And yet you give me more than you withdraw-- Ay, infinitely more. My sister, sister! (embraces Recha.)
NATHAN.
Blanda of Filneck.
TEMPLAR.
Blanda, ha! not Recha? Your Recha now no more! Have you resigned Your child? Give her her Christian name once more, And for my sake discard her then. Oh, Nathan, Why must she suffer for a fault of mine?
NATHAN.
What mean you, oh, my children, both of you? For sure my daughter's brother is my child Whenever he shall wish. (While they embrace Nathan, Saladin uneasily approaches Sittah.)
SALADIN.
What say you, sister? Sittah.
SITTAH.
I'm deeply moved----
SALADIN.
And I half tremble when I think of the emotion that must come: Prepare yourself to bear it as you may.
SITTAH.
What! How!
SALADIN.
Nathan, a word--one word with you. (He joins Nathan, while Sittah approaches the others to express her sympathy, and* Nathan and Saladin *converse in a low tone.)
Hear, hear me, Nathan. Said you not just now That he----
NATHAN.
That who?
SALADIN.
Her father was not born In Germany. You know then whence he came? And what he was?
NATHAN.
He never told me that.
SALADIN.
Was he no Frank, nor from the Western land?
NATHAN.
He said as much. He spoke the Persian tongue.
SALADIN.
The Persian! need I more? 'Tis he! 'twas he!
NATHAN.
Who?
SALADIN.
Assad, my brother Assad, beyond doubt.
NATHAN.
If you think so, then be assured from this: Look in this book (handing him the breviary).
SALADIN.
Oh, 'tis his hand! once more I recognise it.
NATHAN.
They know naught of this: It rests with you to tell them all the truth.
SALADIN (turning over the leaves of the breviary).