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
As often as I’ve thrown me in his way,
I have not found as yet the means to thank him.
The impression that I made upon him came
Quickly, and so has vanished. Now perhaps
He recollects me not, who knows? Once more
At least, he must recall me to his mind,
Fully to fix my doom. ’Tis not enough
That by his order I am yet in being,
By his permission live, I have to learn
According to whose will I must exist.
NATHAN.
Therefore I shall the more avoid delay.
Perchance some word may furnish me occasion
To glance at you—perchance—Excuse me, knight,
I am in haste. When shall we see you with us?
TEMPLAR.
Soon as I may.
NATHAN.
That is, whene’er you will.
TEMPLAR.
To-day, then.
NATHAN.
And your name?
TEMPLAR.
My name was—is
Conrade of Stauffen.
NATHAN.
Conrade of Stauffen! Stauffen!
TEMPLAR.
Why does that strike so forcibly upon you?
NATHAN.
There are more races of that name, no doubt.
TEMPLAR.
Yes, many of that name were here—rot here.
My uncle even—I should say, my father.
But wherefore is your look so sharpened on me?
NATHAN.
Nothing—how can I weary to behold you—
TEMPLAR.
Therefore I quit you first. The searching eye
Finds often more than it desires to see.
I fear it, Nathan. Fare thee well. Let time,
Not curiosity make us acquainted.
[_Goes_.
NATHAN, _and soon after_, DAYA.
NATHAN.
“The searching eye will oft discover more
Than it desires,” ’tis as he read my soul.
That too may chance to me. ’Tis not alone
Leonard’s walk, stature, but his very voice.
Leonard so wore his head, was even wont
Just so to brush his eyebrows with his hand,
As if to mask the fire that fills his look.
Those deeply graven images at times
How they will slumber in us, seem forgotten,
When all at once a word a tone, a gesture,
Retraces all. Of Stauffen? Ay right—right—
Filnek and Stauffen—I will soon know more—
But first to Saladin—Ha, Daya there?
Why on the watch? Come nearer. By this time,
I’ll answer for’t, you’ve something more at heart
Than to know what the sultan wants with me.
DAYA.
And do you take it ill in part of her?
You were beginning to converse with him
More confidentially, just as the message,
Sent by the sultan, tore us from the window.
NATHAN.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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