The thought she clings to most, Is that the Templar was no earthly form, But her blest guardian angel, such as she From childhood fancied hovering o'er her path; Who from his veiling cloud, amid the fire Rushed to her aid in her preserver's form. You smile incredulous. Who knows the truth? Permit her to indulge the fond deceit, Which Christian, Jew, and Mussulman alike Agree to own. The illusion is so sweet! NATHAN. I love it too. But go, good Daja! go, See what she does--if I can speak with her. This guardian angel, wilful and untamed, I'll then seek out--and if he still is pleased To sojourn here a while with us--or still Is pleased to play the knight so boorishly, I'll doubtless find him out and bring him here. DAJA. You are too daring, Nathan. NATHAN. Trust me, Daja! If fond delusion yield to sweeter truth-- For human beings ever to their kind Are dearer after all than angels are-- You will not censure me, when you perceive Our lov'd enthusiast's mind again restored. DAJA. You are so good, and so discerning, Nathan! But see, behold! Yes, here she comes herself. Scene II. Recha, Nathan, _and_ Daja. RECHA. And is it you! your very self, my father? I thought you had but sent your voice before you, Where are you lingering still? What mountains, streams, Or deserts now divide us? Here we are Once more together, face to face, and yet You do not hasten to embrace your Recha! Poor Recha! she was almost burnt alive! Yet she escaped----But do not, do not shudder. It were a dreadful death to die by fire! NATHAN. My child! my darling child! RECHA. Your journey lay Across the Tigris, Jordan, and Euphrates, And many other rivers. 'Till that fire I trembled for your safety, but since then Methinks it were a blessed, happy thing To die by water. But you are not drowned, Nor am I burnt alive. We will rejoice, And thank our God, who bore you on the wings Of unseen angels o'er the treacherous streams, And bade my angel bear me visibly On his white pinion through the raging flames. NATHAN (_aside_). On his white pinion! Ha! I see; she means The broad white fluttering mantle of the Templar. RECHA. Yes, visibly he bore me through the flames, O'ershadowed by his wings. Thus, face to face, I have beheld an angel--my own angel. NATHAN.