DAYA, _a Christian Woman dwelling with the Jew a companion to Recha_. CONRADE, _a young Templar_. HAFI, _a Dervis_. ATHANASIOS, _the Patriarch of Palestine_. BONAFIDES, _a Friar_. _An Emir_, _sundry Mamalukes_, _Slaves_, _&c._ _The Scene is at Jerusalem_. ACT I. SCENE.—A Hall in Nathan’s House. NATHAN, _in a travelling dress_, DAYA _meeting him_. DAYA. ’Tis he, ’tis Nathan! Thanks to the Almighty, That you’re at last returned. NATHAN. Yes, Daya, thanks, That I have reached Jerusalem in safety. But wherefore this _at last_? Did I intend, Or was it possible to come back sooner? As I was forced to travel, out and in, ’Tis a long hundred leagues to Babylon; And to get in one’s debts is no employment, That speeds a traveller. DAYA. O Nathan, Nathan, How miserable you had nigh become During this little absence; for your house— NATHAN. Well, ’twas on fire; I have already heard it. God grant I may have heard the whole, that chanced! DAYA. ’Twas on the point of burning to the ground. NATHAN. Then we’d have built another, and a better. DAYA. True!—But thy Recha too was on the point Of perishing amid the flames. NATHAN. Of perishing? My Recha, saidst thou? She? I heard not that. I then should not have needed any house. Upon the point of perishing—perchance She’s gone?—Speak out then—out—torment me not With this suspense.—Come, tell me, tell me all. DAYA. Were she no more, from me you would not hear it. NATHAN. Why then alarm me?—Recha, O my Recha! DAYA. Your Recha? Yours? NATHAN. What if I ever were Doomed to unlearn to call this child, _my_ child, DAYA. Is all you own yours by an equal title? NATHAN. Nought by a better. What I else enjoy Nature and Fortune gave—this treasure, Virtue. DAYA. How dear you make me pay for all your goodness!— If goodness, exercised with such a view, Deserves the name.— NATHAN. With such a view? With what? DAYA. My conscience— NATHAN. Daya, let me tell you first— DAYA. I say, my conscience— NATHAN.