Yes—but he wants to talk with us together. NATHAN. So much the better. Come with me, my step Was eitherwise bent thither. TEMPLAR. May I ask, Nathan, who ’twas now left you? NATHAN. Did you know him? TEMPLAR. Was’t that good-hearted creature the lay-brother, Whom the hoar patriarch has a knack of using To feel his way out? NATHAN. That may be. In fact He’s at the patriarch’s. TEMPLAR. ’Tis no awkward hit To make simplicity the harbinger Of craft. NATHAN. If the simplicity of dunces, But if of honest piety? TEMPLAR. This last No patriarch can believe in. NATHAN. I’ll be bound for’t This last belongs to him who quitted me. He’ll not assist his patriarch to accomplish A vile or cruel purpose. TEMPLAR. Such, at least, He would appear—but has he told you then Something of me? NATHAN. Of you? No—not by name, He can’t well be acquainted with your name. TEMPLAR. No, that not. NATHAN. He indeed spoke of a templar, Who— TEMPLAR. What? NATHAN. But by this templar could not mean To point out you. TEMPLAR. Stay, stay, who knows? Let’s hear. NATHAN. Who has accused me to his patriarch. TEMPLAR. Accused thee, no, that by his leave is false. Nathan do hear me—I am not the man Who would deny a single of his actions; What I have done, I did. Nor am I one Who would defend all he has done as right— Why be ashamed of failing? Am I not Firmly resolved on better future conduct? And am I not aware how much the man That’s willing can improve? O, hear me, Nathan— I am the templar your lay-brother talked of— Who has accused—You know what made me angry, What set the blood in all my veins on fire, The mad-cap that I was—I had drawn nigh To fling myself with soul and body whole Into your arms—and you received me, Nathan— How cold, how lukewarm, for that’s worse than cold.— How with words weighed and measured, you took care To put me off; and with what questioning About my parentage, and God knows what, You seemed to answer me—I must not think on’t If I would keep my temper—Hear me, Nathan— While in this ferment—Daya steps behind me, Bolts out a secret in my ear, which seemed At once to lend a clue to your behaviour.