But that To this impression my rash yielding heart, Trusting the smoothness of the father’s prate, Opposed no more resistance. Fool—I sprang A second time into the flame, and then I wooed, and was denied. SALADIN. Denied! Denied! TEMPLAR. The prudent father does not flatly say No to my wishes, but the prudent father Must first inquire, and look about, and think. Oh, by all means. Did not I do the same? Did not I look about and ask who ’twas While she was shrieking in the flame? Indeed, By God, ’tis something beautifully wise To be so circumspect. SALADIN. Come, come, forgive Something to age. His lingerings cannot last. He is not going to require of thee First to turn Jew. TEMPLAR. Who knows? SALADIN. Who? I, who know This Nathan better. TEMPLAR. Yet the superstition In which we have grown up, not therefore loses When we detect it, all its influence on us. Not all are free that can bemock their fetters. SALADIN. Maturely said—but Nathan, surely Nathan— TEMPLAR. The worst of superstitions is to think One’s own most bearable. SALADIN. May be, but Nathan— TEMPLAR. Must Nathan be the mortal, who unshrinking Can face the moon-tide ray of truth, nor there Betray the twilight dungeon which he crawled from. SALADIN. Yes, Nathan is that man. TEMPLAR. I thought so too, But what if this picked man, this chosen sage, Were such a thorough Jew that he seeks out For Christian children to bring up as Jews— How then? SALADIN. Who says this of him? TEMPLAR. E’en the maid With whom he frets me—with the hope of whom He seemed to joy in paying me the service, Which he would not allow me to do gratis— This very maid is not his daughter—no, She is a kidnapped Christian child. SALADIN. Whom he Has, notwithstanding, to thy wish refused? TEMPLAR (_with vehemence_). Refused or not, I know him now. There lies The prating tolerationist unmasked— And I’ll halloo upon this Jewish wolf, For all his philosophical sheep’s clothing, Dogs that shall touze his hide. SALADIN (_earnestly_). Peace, Christian! TEMPLAR.