Nathan the Wise; a dramatic poem in five acts — John Shaqi
Nathan the Wise; a dramatic poem in five actsLessing, Gotthold Ephraim
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Nathan the Wise; a dramatic poem in five acts
Lessing, Gotthold Ephraim
German drama -- Translations into English
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.
SCENE.—A Place of Palms.
_The_ TEMPLAR _walking to and fro_, _a_ FRIAR _following him at some
distance_, _as if desirous of addressing him_.
TEMPLAR.
This fellow does not follow me for pastime.
How skaunt he eyes his hands! Well, my good brother—
Perhaps I should say, father; ought I not?
FRIAR.
No—brother—a lay-brother at your service.
TEMPLAR.
Well, brother, then; if I myself had something—
But—but, by God, I’ve nothing.
FRIAR.
Thanks the same;
And God reward your purpose thousand-fold!
The will, and not the deed, makes up the giver.
Nor was I sent to follow you for alms—
TEMPLAR.
Sent then?
FRIAR.
Yes, from the monastery.
TEMPLAR.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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