_Nathan._ Just so! and yet their claims are all alike, As founded upon history, on facts Believed, and handed down from sire to son, Uniting them in faith. Can we—the Jews— Distrust the testimony of our race? Distrust the men who gave us birth, whose love Did ne’er deceive us; but when we were babes, Taught us, by means of fables, for our good? Must _you_ distrust your own true ancestors, To flatter mine?—or must a Christian doubt His father’s words, and so agree with ours?— _Saladin._ Allah!—the Israelite is speaking truth, And I am silenced— _Nathan._ Let me name the rings Once more!—The sons at last, in bitter strife, Appeared before a judge, and each declared He had the one true gem, given by his father; All said the same, and all three spoke the truth; Each, rather than suspect his father’s word, Accused his brethren of a fraud—. _Saladin._ What then? What sentence could the judge pronounce? Go on. _Nathan._ Thus said the judge:—“Go, bring your father here; Let him come forth! or I dismiss the case. Must I sit guessing riddles? Must I wait Till the true ring shall speak out for itself?— But stay!—’twas said that the authentic gem Had virtue that could make its wearer loved By God and man. That shall decide the case. Tell me who of the three is best beloved By his two brethren. Silent?—Then the ring Hath lost its charm!—Each claimant loves himself, But wins no love. The rings are forgeries; ’Tis plain, the first, authentic gem was lost; To keep his word with you, and hide his loss, Your father had these three rings made—these three, Instead of one—” _Saladin._ Well spoken, judge, at last! _Nathan._ “But stay,” the judge continued; “hear one word— The best advice I have to give; then go.— Let each still trust the ring given by his father!— It might be, he would show no partial love; He loved all three, and, therefore, would not give The ring to one and grieve the other two. Go, emulate your father’s equal love. Let each first test his ring and show its power; But aid it, while you test; be merciful, Forbearing, kind to all men, and submit Your will to God. Such virtues shall increase Whatever powers the rings themselves may have; When these, among your late posterity, Have shown their virtue—in some future time, A thousand thousand years away from now— Then hither come again!—A wiser man Than one now sitting here will hear you then, And will pronounce the sentence.” _Saladin._ Allah! Allah! _Nathan._ Now, Saladin, art thou that “wiser man?” Art thou the judge who will, at last, pronounce The sentence?