The Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing: Miss Sara Sampson, Philotas, Emilia Galotti, Nathan the WiseLessing, Gotthold Ephraim
General
The Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing: Miss Sara Sampson, Philotas, Emilia Galotti, Nathan the Wise
Lessing, Gotthold Ephraim
German drama -- Translations into English
SALADIN.
Ay! for what claim has Nathan to the girl
If he is not her father? He, who saved
Her life, may properly assume the rights
Of him who gave existence to the maid.
SITTAH.
Then might not Saladin lay claim to her,
Withdrawing her from the unrightful owner?
SALADIN.
There is no need of that.
SITTAH.
No actual need,
But female curiosity suggests
That counsel to me. There are certain men
Of whom I feel impatient till I know
What maidens they can love.
SALADIN.
Well send for her.
SITTAH.
Brother, may I do that?
SALADIN.
But hurt not Nathan.
He must not think that we, by violence,
Would separate them.
SITTAH.
Fear it not.
SALADIN.
Farewell!
I must find out where this Al-Hafi is.
Scene VI.
_The hall in_ Nathan's _house, looking towards the palm-trees, as in
the first Act. Part of the merchandise and treasures unpacked and
displayed_.
Nathan _and_ Daja.
DAJA.
O, how magnificent are all these things!
How rich! they're such as none but you could give.
Where was this silver stuff with sprigs of gold
Woven? What might it cost? 'Tis what I call
A wedding garment. Is there any queen
Could wish aught richer?
NATHAN.
Why a wedding robe?
DAJA.
In buying it, you never thought of that.
But, Nathan, it must be so--it must, indeed--
'Twas made for that. See, here, the pure white ground,
Emblem of innocence; that branching gold,
Covering the virgin white on every side,
Emblem of wealth. Say, is it not divine?
NATHAN.
Why all this ingenuity of speech?
Over whose wedding dress would you display
This learning? Have you found a lover, Daja?
DAJA.
What, I?
NATHAN.
Who, then?
DAJA.
I, gracious Heaven?
NATHAN.
Who, then?
Whose wedding garment would you speak of, Daja?
All this is yours, 'tis meant for no one else.
DAJA.
What, mine! for me! I thought it was for Recha.
NATHAN.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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