In case of need he’ll lend you merchandise, But money, money, never. He’s a Jew, There are but few such! he has understanding, Knows life, plays chess; but is in bad notorious Above his brethren, as he is in good. On him rely not. To the poor indeed He vies perhaps with Saladin in giving: Though he distributes less, he gives as freely, As silently, as nobly, to Jew, Christian, Mahometan, or Parsee—’tis all one. SITTAH. And such a man should be— SALADIN. How comes it then I never heard of him? SITTAH. Should be unwilling To lend to Saladin, who wants for others, Not for himself. HAFI. Aye, there peeps out the Jew, The ordinary Jew. Believe me, prince, He’s jealous, really envious of your giving. To earn God’s favour seems his very business. He lends not that he may always have to give. The law commandeth mercy, not compliance: And thus for mercy’s sake he’s uncomplying. ’Tis true, I am not now on the best terms With Nathan, but I must entreat you, think not That therefore I would do injustice to him. He’s good in everything, but not in that— Only in that. I’ll knock at other doors. I just have recollected an old Moor, Who’s rich and covetous—I go—I go. SITTAH. Why in such hurry, Hafi? SALADIN. Let him go. SALADIN _and_ SITTAH. SITTAH. He hastens like a man who would escape me; Why so? Was he indeed deceived in Nathan, Or does he play upon us? SALADIN. Can I guess? I scarcely know of whom you have been talking, And hear to-day, for the first time, of Nathan. SITTAH. Is’t possible the man were hid from thee, Of whom ’tis said, he has found out the tombs Of Solomon and David, knows the word That lifts their marble lids, and thence obtains The golden oil that feeds his shining pomp? SALADIN. Were this man’s wealth by miracle created, ’Tis not at David’s tomb, or Solomon’s, That ’twould be wrought. Not virtuous men lie there. SITTAH. His source of opulence is more productive And more exhaustless than a cave of Mammon. SALADIN. He trades, I hear. SITTAH.