NATHAN: Dead, surely not, for God rewards the good E'en here below. But ah, remember well That rapt devotion is an easier thing Than one good action. Ha! What Mussulman Numbers my camels yonder? Why, for sure, It's my old chess companion, my old Dervish, Al Hafi! DAYA: Treasurer now to Saladin. [_Enter_ HAFI. Ay, lift thine eyes and wonder! NATHAN: Is it you? A Dervish so magnificent? HAFI: Why not? Is Dervish, then, so hopeless? Rather ask What had been made of me. I'm treasurer To Saladin, whose coffers ever ebb Ere sunset; such his bounty to the poor! It brings me little, truly; but to thee 'Twas great advantage, for when money's low Thou couldst unlock thy sluices; ay, and charge Interest o'er interest! NATHAN: Till my capital Becomes all interest? HAFI: Nay, but that's unworthy, My friend; write _finis_ to our book of friendship If that's thy view. I count on thee for aid To quit me of my office worthily. Grant me but open chest with thee. What, no? NATHAN: To Hafi, yes; but to the treasurer Of Saladin, Al Hafi, nay! HAFI: These twain Shall soon be parted: by the Ganges strand I'll with my Dervish teachers wander barefoot, Or play at chess with them once more! NATHAN: Al Hafi, Go to your desert quickly. Among men I fear you'll soon unlearn to be a man. [_Goes out_. What? Gone? I could have wished to question him About our Templar. Doubtless he will know him. DAYA (_bursting in_): Nathan, the Templar's yonder, 'neath the palms. Recha hath spied him, and she conjures you To follow him most punctually. Haste! NATHAN: Take him my invitation. DAYA: All in vain. He will not visit Jews. NATHAN: Then hold him there Till I rejoin you. I shall not be long. SCENE II.--_A place of palms. Enter the_ TEMPLAR, _followed by a_ FRIAR. TEMPLAR: This fellow does not follow me for pastime. FRIAR: I'm from the Patriarch: he is fain to learn Why you alone were spared by Saladin. TEMPLAR: My neck was ready for the blow, when he Had me unbound. How all this hangs together Thy Patriarch may unravel. FRIAR: He concludes That you are spared to do some mighty deed. TEMPLAR: To save a Jewish maid? FRIAR: A weightier office! He'd have you learn the strengths and weaknesses Of Saladin's new bulwark! TEMPLAR: Play the spy! Not for _me_, brother! FRIAR: Nay, but there is more. It were not hard to seize the Sultan's person, And make an end of all! TEMPLAR: And make of me A graceless scoundrel! Brother, go away; Stir not my anger! FRIAR: I obey, and go. [_Exit. Enter_ DAYA. DAYA: Nathan the Wise would see you; he is fain To load you with rewards. Do see him--try him!