And he who has no claim Stronger than mine--at least he ought to have Those prior claims which---- FRIAR. Certainly, NATHAN. Those claims Which are derived from nature and from blood. FRIAR. In my opinion, yes. NATHAN. Then name the man As brother, or as uncle, bound to her, I'll not withhold her from him; she was made To be the ornament of any house, The pride of any faith. I hope you know More of your master and his creed than I. FRIAR. On that point, Nathan, I'm but ill informed, I have already told you that I spent Only some moments with him. NATHAN. Can you tell The mother's name, at least? She was, I think, A Stauffen? FRIAR. Possibly; nay, more--you're right. NATHAN. Conrad of Stauffen was her brother's name. He was a Templar. FRIAR. Yes, I think he was: But hold, I have a book that was my lord's. I drew it from his bosom when he lay Dead, and we buried him at Askalon. NATHAN. Well! FRIAR. There are prayers in it; 'tis what we call A breviary. This, thought I, yet may serve Some Christian man--not me, forsooth--for I Can't read a word. NATHAN. No matter--to the point. FRIAR. The pages of this book are written all In his own hand, and, as I'm told, contain All that's important touching him and her. NATHAN. Go, run and fetch the book: 'tis fortunate! I'll pay you for it with its weight in gold. And with a thousand thanks besides. Go! run! FRIAR. I go--but what he wrote is Arabic. (_Exit_) NATHAN. No matter, fetch it. What, if from this book I can find means to keep this precious girl, And win, to boot, a son-in-law like him! I hardly hope--fate must decide. But who Has told the Patriarch this? I must not fail To ascertain. It surely was not Daja? Scene VIII. Daja _and_ Nathan. DAJA (_rushing in in agitation_). Only think, Nathan! NATHAN. What? DAJA. Well--only think: The child was frightened when the message came!