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
SALADIN.
If thou comest to inform me
That the whole convoy is arrived from Egypt,
I know it already.
ABDALLAH.
Do I come too late?
SALADIN.
Too late, and why too late? There for thy tidings
Pick up a purse or two.
ABDALLAH.
Does that make three?
SALADIN.
So thou wouldst reckon—well, well, take them, take them.
ABDALLAH.
A third will yet be here if he be able.
SALADIN.
How so?
ABDALLAH.
He may perhaps have broke his neck.
We three, as soon as certain of the coming
Of the rich caravan, each crossed our horses,
And galloped hitherward. The foremost fell,
Then I was foremost, and continued so
Into the city, but sly Ibrahim,
Who knows the streets—
SALADIN.
But he that fell, go, seek him.
ABDALLAH.
That will I quickly—if he lives, the half
Of what I’ve got is his.
[_Goes_.
SALADIN.
What a fine fellow!
And who can boast such mamalukes as these;
And is it not allowed me to imagine
That my example helped to form them. Hence
With the vile thought at last to turn another.
_A third_ COURIER.
Sultan—
SALADIN.
Was’t thou who fell?
COURIER.
No, I’ve to tell thee
That Emir Mansor, who conducts the convoy,
Alights.
SALADIN.
O bring him to me—Ah, he’s there—
Be welcome, Emir. What has happened to thee?
For we have long expected thee.
SALADIN _and_ EMIR.
EMIR (_after the wont obeisance_).
This letter
Will show, that, in Thebais, discontents
Required thy Abulkassem’s sabred hand,
Ere we could march. Since that, our progress, sultan,
My zeal has sped most anxiously.
SALADIN.
I trust thee—
But my good Mansor take without delay—
Thou art not loth to go further—fresh protection,
And with the treasure on to Libanon;
The greater part at least I have to lodge
With my old father.
EMIR.
O, most willingly.
SALADIN.
And take not a slight escort. Libanon
Is far from quiet, as thou wilt have heard;
The templars stir afresh, be therefore cautious.
Come, I must see thy troop, and give the orders.
[_To a slave_.
Say I shall be with Sittah when I’ve finished.
SCENE—A Place of Palms.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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